I'd like some AE, please - OM-2 or 4?

FrankS said:
Ethan, you could also consider a Nikon F3, if you are looking for a good AE camera.
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I've been considering it, but I really like the size of the OM series, and the glass is pretty nice. I've been happy with the entry level stuff. I also don't look forward to the idea of buying new lenses as well, kills the budget.
 
EthanFrank said:
And then there's the idea in the back of my head of just learning to love the manual shooting and buy a wide angle OM lens with the cash....
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Not a bad decision IMO ... I tend to pick up my OM-1 before my OM-2 generally. With the good ergonomics of having the shutter dial at the front of the camera you can put it up to your eye, meter and make adjustments, and take a shot very quickly IMO.
 
Keith said:
Not a bad decision IMO ... I tend to pick up my OM-1 before my OM-2 generally. With the good ergonomics of having the shutter dial at the front of the camera you can put it up to your eye, meter and make adjustments, and take a shot very quickly IMO.
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Or maybe that 50mm f/1.2 😛

If only it was 1/4 the price...
 
Whichever you decide on I have no doubt you'll love it. Really, we're only splitting hairs here. I don't think there's a shot you're gonna be disappointed in because you were using one model over another especially since you can only use one camera at a time so youll never know what the alternate camera would have picked up or missed. Anyway, split tests are for test charts! Buy what suits your budget. Factor in a CLA into your budget cause let's be honest it's gonna need it eventually so you might as well do it up front and get the best out of your experience. Well that's just my opinion.
 
Pretty much everything's been said here. One extra note: Later version OM-4 bodies had the battery drain issue fixed in the circuitry. You can tell by turning on the battery check with a fresh set of batteries. The light and audible alert should go off in 30 seconds. If so, it's the newer version with no battery drain issue.
 
Trius said:
Pretty much everything's been said here. One extra note: Later version OM-4 bodies had the battery drain issue fixed in the circuitry. You can tell by turning on the battery check with a fresh set of batteries. The light and audible alert should go off in 30 seconds. If so, it's the newer version with no battery drain issue.
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Ah yes, I had forgotten that. The battery check buzzer of the OM4 I have for sale in the classifieds turns off after 30 sec. No issue with battery drain.
 
I have an OM-1 and an OM-2sp

I think the 1 is a much better camera. But I'll trust the 2sp meter in a way that I can't even imagine with other cameras. I can use it in "normal" lighting at any EV and it's 100% reliable. I use the spot meter if I think the lighting is tricky.

BUT, I really hate the minuscule shutter speed dial and rough film advance. Oh, and even though I wear glasses I don't find it easier to see the corners of the frame in the 2sp than the 1.

To answer your question about missing out I wonder that to myself all the time. Maybe it's a case of the grass always being greener, but I've SERIOUSLY considered buying an FM2n, 28/2.8 55/3.5 and 105/2.5 because I have, to this point, been considerably less happy with the pictures out of my OM kit (28/3.5, 35/2.8, 50/1.4) than with what I got out of the little konica auto s2 I have which is sadly broken now. I can't sell or trade my OM stuff because it was given to me, but if it weren't I would have gone to Nikon already. Mostly because it is only now that I can even think about making the move up to an M2 and some CV lenses.

Maybe it's all in my head. I would like to try Nikon but what stops me, ultimately, is that I can chose from an FM2n (low coverage finder) or an F/F2 (HUGE camera to me) and I really do like the OM-1 body.

I would be immensely interested in some sort of Leitax style kit and/or adapter solution for Minolta MC, Nikon F and C/Y to OM. Or someone with some 100% crops of the lenses Im considering compared to the OM equivalent to set me right (if I am indeed wrong) which I assure you would ease my mind considerably.
 
FrankS said:
Ah yes, I had forgotten that. The battery check buzzer of the OM4 I have for sale in the classifieds turns off after 30 sec. No issue with battery drain.
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You should put a link to that add cause it must be buried somewhere, I can't see it in the classifieds. OP might want to ava-look.
 
Another vote for the OM-2n. I've had three... swapped two of them off, went on a Nikon kick: 4 ae bodies and a batch of lenses. Big mistake. Went back to Oly with an OM-1n and a n OM-2n - both upgraded by John Hermanson. I couldn't be happier. Cost/need ratio never looked that good for an OM-4ti IMO.
 
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I started to head in a different direction when I got my FM3A ... thinking that maybe a Nikon SLR kit would be good because it could share lenses with my D700.

It never happened ... the FM3A is gone and I've bonded even more strongly with my OM gear and really can't see myself trying such a foolish move again. 😀

Ethan ... about that 50mm f1.2. It's a great lens granted but I tend to use my 50mm f1.4 ninety percent of the time and when you think about it there's really not much between f1.4 and f1.2! It's also large enough to turn the delicate little OM body into something less desirable in the hand IMO ... I would love the 40mm f2 but they're worth a hatfull of money also.
 
Keith said:
Ethan ... about that 50mm f1.2. It's a great lens granted but I tend to use my 50mm f1.4 ninety percent of the time and when you think about it there's really not much between f1.4 and f1.2! It's also large enough to turn the delicate little OM body into something less desirable in the hand IMO ... I would love the 40mm f2 but they're worth a hatfull of money also.
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I know, I know. I'm just a sucker for f/1.2 😛

I'm thinking my 35mm needs an upgrade before the 50mm...I don't know. I think they're amazing lenses for very little money, but they certainly have room for improvement.

I think I'll stick with the OM-1, maybe pick up a cheap OM-2 down the road. Thanks for all the discussion, guys.

Cheers.
 
EthanFrank said:
I know, I know. I'm just a sucker for f/1.2 😛

I'm thinking my 35mm needs an upgrade before the 50mm...I don't know. I think they're amazing lenses for very little money, but they certainly have room for improvement.

I think I'll stick with the OM-1, maybe pick up a cheap OM-2 down the road. Thanks for all the discussion, guys.

Cheers.
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Well you're not the only one I can assure you. Considering it cost me $500.00 it really doesn't get enough use and I've anguished about selling it occasionally as to me it defies the logic behind having an OM kit in the first place. My favourite combo is my OM-1 with 85mm f2, 50mm f1.4 and 35mm f2 ... what can't be done with that combination isn't worth doing IMO and the whole lot is worth less than the 50mm f1.2 alone! 😀

I think the idea to stick with your OM-1 and pick up a cheap OM-2 down the track is dead on! 🙂
 
Plus one for the OM-4. Had the same batteries in for the last year and half and still going strong. Matched with the 50mm f1.4, it's perfect (for me anyway).
 
I disagree! The 50/1.2 balances well on the OM-4T. Not to mention, I think the lens performs better than the 1.4 in several ways (nicer bokeh, higher contrast, better flare resistance).
I find that the OM-4T handles much better than the OM-2 in real world use. The differences in ergonomics are subtle, but very much an improvement. The spot meter is intuitive and useful, and the viewfinder has diopter adjustment and is higher contrast. I use a 1-4N screen in mine and it is extremly easy to focus, even very wide angle lenses in low light.
That said, I still love my OM-2 for its spartan simplicity...

Keith said:
Ethan ... about that 50mm f1.2. It's a great lens granted but I tend to use my 50mm f1.4 ninety percent of the time and when you think about it there's really not much between f1.4 and f1.2! It's also large enough to turn the delicate little OM body into something less desirable in the hand IMO ... I would love the 40mm f2 but they're worth a hatfull of money also.
Click to expand...
 
Trius said:
Pretty much everything's been said here. One extra note: Later version OM-4 bodies had the battery drain issue fixed in the circuitry. You can tell by turning on the battery check with a fresh set of batteries. The light and audible alert should go off in 30 seconds. If so, it's the newer version with no battery drain issue.
Click to expand...

Just want to say hi to they guy who is responsible for my Zuiko addiction.
Hi Earl! long time no see.
 
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