giving Olympus OM a try

FrankS

FrankS

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There has been lots of love expressed here at RFF for Olympus OM cameras. Over the years I've owned the other major brands of SLR (Nikon F, F3, F4, Canon F-1n, and Minolta XK) but never Olympus. Life is short, so I figured I'd look out for a single digit OM camera ti try out. Tonight on CraigsList, I came across a kit of Olympus gear including OM-1, OM-2, 28, 50, 135, 35-70 zoom. I wish the bodies were black instead of chrome, but the price of $175 sounded good. Hope to pick it up this week. I'm not searching (anymore) for a magic bullet, just new experiences.
 
You'll like them.

My personal favorites are the OM-4 and OM-3 in that order, but the 1 is a real winner, too.

Grab a 75-150 if you see it.

Ric Carrter
 
Hey Frank,

I have used an OM-1 and a few zuiko lenses; the 50/1.8 I had initially was very sweet and my favourite, but it was damaged in a move and replaced. Unfortunately, I did not know there were a few versions of this same lens, and the 'replacement' 50 was not as pleasing. So know which versions of the zuikos you like.
 
You got a good deal for all that.

Which 28 did you get? There are f3.5, f2.8, and f2 versions. I have two of the 28/2.8 lenses and they are excellent.

Which 50? a 1.8 probably? Like Thomas said, there are several very different versions of the Olympus 50/1.8 and there are also several of the f1.4 version as well!

Which 135mm? There are f3.5 and f2.8 versions. I have the 3.5 and its very good and very tiny.

Olympus made several 35-70 zooms. There was originally an f4 and an f3.5, with the 3.6 being harder to find now but with a better reputation. I have one of the f4 versions and its ok, but not great. Later, in the mid 80s, a very small 35-70 with variable f3.5-4.5 aperture was made. Its said to be very good, but I have not yet had the opportunty to try one. There is also an f3.5-4.8 35-70 made by Cosina that came with the OM-2000 body, you probably don't have this one.
 
The 50 is f1.8, the 28 is f2.8, the 35-70 is f4, and the 135 is 3.5.

There is a spare 28 I'll sell off as well as the zoom.

Seller's pics:
 

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don't do it frank, they are addictive!
that 35-70 is a neat little lens, try it for awhile.
so is the 75-150.

good macros as well. and that 180/2.8 man!
 
What a deal for all of that! I used to have an OM2 and it was a fabulous camera... loved the large viewfinder, compact size and that quieter shutter (compared to my F3).
 
Sorry Frank but you are not allowed to sell Zuikos ... it's in the rules :) and they are lovely lenses to use. Single digit OM1,2.3 & 4 cameras are wonderful too but i would keep away from OM10, OM20, OM30 and 40/PC
If you have big hands a Motor Drive or winder makes the camera easier to carry and the shutter speed on the lens takes a bit of getting used to but once you do you will wonder how you ever did it any other way.
I think you got a hell of a deal, well done mate.
 
I've just recently got an OM-4ti on indefinite loan from somebody who no longer shoots film.....been having fun with it and mostly using it for the 35 f/2.8 tilt shift it was sent to me with :) Never shot tilt shift before in my life, it's a bizarre experience, can't wait to see the first roll! I shot my first ever roll of film a year or two ago on an OM-4 using a 50 f/1.4 and tri-x, it's a great combo.
 
robinsonphotography said:
I've just recently got an OM-4ti on indefinite loan from somebody who no longer shoots film.....been having fun with it and mostly using it for the 35 f/2.8 tilt shift it was sent to me with :) Never shot tilt shift before in my life, it's a bizarre experience, can't wait to see the first roll! I shot my first ever roll of film a year or two ago on an OM-4 using a 50 f/1.4 and tri-x, it's a great combo.
Click to expand...

The OM-4T is an incredible camera, my everyday use 35mm system is a couple of these bodies and a collection of Zuiko lenses. I'm jealous of the 35 shift, always wanted one of those! I have the 35/2.8 non-shift and the 35/2 from Olympus and both are great lenses for normal use. Isn't the shift hard to use for non-shift work? I thought it didn't have an auto-diaphragm?
 
Hey, anyone care to highlight the differences between the om models? That will be helpful for most of us Leica snob ;)
 
dovevadar said:
Hey, anyone care to highlight the differences between the om models? That will be helpful for most of us Leica snob ;)
Click to expand...

OM-1 is all mechanical, all manual, match-needle metering. Uses mercury batteries.

OM-2 Looks like the OM-1 but has electronic shutter to allow autoexposure (aperture priority). Manual exposure also available with match-needle metering like the OM-1. I prefer the OM-2 because it uses easily obtained silver-oxide batteries. Offer TTL flash metering, was the first camera to do so.

OM-3 All mechanical, manual camera with the same advanced multi-spotmetering system (centerwight also available) used on the OM-4. Rare and expensive camera, and suffered from a battery-drain problem. All OM-3 bodies are black.

OM-4 Electronic shutter, auto or manual exposure. Very accurate and advanced multi-spot metering system that offers averaging of many readings, highlight or shadow biasing. Works for auto or manual mode! In manual mode, spot system's LCD in the finder readout is like a zone-system readout, with each tick mark above or below the center "normal' mark one stop or zone above or below zone V. Often available cheap now, because many suffered bad battery drain. Some have been upgraded with newer circuits that stopped this. All OM-4 cameras are black.

OM-4T Upgraded OM-4 that eliminated battery drain and added titanium bottom and top plates. Originally offered in silver, then later in black. Called the OM-4Ti outside the USA, later USA models also took on the Ti name. First camera to ever offer the now-common (on modern D-SLRs) high-speed flash sync to 1/2000 of a second if you used the special F-280 flash.

OM-3Ti The very last OM model, made as a limited edition at very high price, still sells for very high price used. An upgraded OM-3 with no battery drain and titanium top and bottom like the OM-4T. Black only. Offers TTL flash auto-exposure, despite being all manual for non-flash work.

OM-2sp (OM-2S Program in the USA). More in common with the OM-4 than the old OM-2, it had spot metering for manual exposure only, and it wasn't a multispot system like the OM-4. Offered aperture priority or full program autoexposure that worked on most OM lenses ever made. Unfortunately suffered in many cases from rapid battery drain. Black only.

OM-10 budget model that offered aperture priority auto only. Manual adapter available to add manual, this sells for higher prices than the camera bodies on Ebay! Lots of reliability problems. Larger than the pro-model OM bodies.

OM-20 (OM-G in USA) updated OM-10 that solved the reliability problems and added built-in manual mode. This was my first SLR. Metering system is crude for manual work as it reads in full stops only. OM-2 is a better choice for a manual/aperture-priority body as it is better made.

All the single-digit OM bodies use the same back, so databacks fit them all and all OM bodies use the same coupling for winders and motor drives so you don't need a different winder for each model as you do with most manufacturers cameras! All the single digit models have interchageable focus screens and use the same screens! Well almost. Near the end, Olympus made a couple of brighter screens for the OM-3/4/3Ti/4ti/2sp that do not fit the OM-1 and OM-2. Older screens fit all models.
 
Forgot to add that the OM-1, OM-2, OM-3Ti and OM-4Ti are the ONLY models that are still fully repairable. Parts not always available for the OM-2sp, OM-4 and OM-3. The circuits for these models are the parts most often needed and are, of course, the parts you cannot get.
 
I'm starting to sway towards my OM-2 over my OM-1... the meter is brilliant. In AE with an understanding of how to use exposure compensation to suit the camera's meter it's near fool proof!

I usually avoid using AE but the OM-2 is seriously good in this department!
 
A living proof...I have over 13 OM bodies from OM-1 to OM-4ti (at least two of each) and many oly rangefinders ... these things are addictive!
 
Good idea to unscrew the hot shoes.
Put them somewhere safe because they easily crack!
I have mine in a 35mm film cannister!
The OM-1 is a really nice handling camera - without its case.
If you don't like the screen, there are alternatives - 13. Screen 1 -13 is my favourite.
Great buy.
Jesse
 
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