Letting go of old camera friends?

[dtcls100]

I'm facing a dilemma of practicality versus sentiment.

I've used Olympus OM cameras for over 30 years and have been really happy with them. Presently I have 4 OM-4T or OM-4Ti, 1 OM-4 (with upgraded circuit), 3 OM-2n, 1 OM-1n, and 2 OM-1 bodies (almost all serviced by OM Guru John Hermanson within the last few years) and many premium OM Zuiko lenses (almost all multicoated including 18 f3.5, 21 f2, 24 f2, 24 f2.8, 24 f3.5 shift PC, 28 f2, 35 f2 MIJ, two 35 f2.8 PC shift lenses (rare MC versions), 50 f2.0 macro, 50 1.4 MC, 50 1.8 MIJ, 50 f3.5 macro, 90 f2 macro, 100 f2, 35-80 f2.8, 75-150 f4 SC, and 300 f4.5 MC. Also have multiple OM motor drives (4 MD2, 1 MD1, one Winder 2), several T32 and F280 flashes, etc. Also have a bunch of Vivitar Series 1 in OM mount (70-210 v1, 70-210 v3, 28-90, 90 f2.5 macro with dedicated macro attachment) and Tamron SP Adaptall lenses (two 80-200 f2.8, 17 f3.5, 35-80, 70-150 f2.8 soft, 300 f2.8 (latest MF 360B model). This collection has taken years to accumulate and have taken many fine pics.

The problem is that as my eyes get older, my focusing accuracy has become a bit inconsistent (even when using appropriate diopters),with some shots perfectly in focus and some others definitely off (I like to shoot at wider apertures), when this didn't happen before. This has definitely caused me to be a bit unsure of my focusing and slower and less spontaneous in my shooting.

This led me to purchase a Nikon F6 and some Nikon AF zooms (17-35 f2.8, 28-70 f2.8), a Nikon 100 f2 DC (incredible portrait lens), and two Nikon SB-800 flashes. Focusing problems solved. I also really like the Nikon F6's handling, incredible matrix metering, and its advanced flash capabilities, as I have taken to using fill flash in many outdoor shots. The Nikon F6 flash capabilities seem to match those of the latest digital models and therefore are far more advanced than the OM's once groundbreaking flash capabilities.

At this juncture, it seems unlikely that I will be using the OM cameras and lenses very much. Given the idea of clearing up some space and perhaps recovering some of the cost of my OM stable, I am finally considering thinning the OM herd. I had held off doing so with the thought that my 13 yr old son and 11 year old daughter might be interested in using them, but it doesn't seem like that will happen. I don't really need to sell them in the financial or space sense, but of course offsetting the cost of acquiring some more Nikon AF lenses would be good. The main problem with selling the OM stuff is frankly sentimental attachment, as the stuff has taken great pictures for me for decades, from the time I got my first OM-1 in 6th grade (I mowed tons of lawns and delivered thousands of newspapers to afford it), through high school, college (photo editor and editor in chief of UPenn's yearbook) during which I shot hundreds rolls per year, law school, adventure travels to Alaska, Russia, Patagonia, etc., trips with girlfriends and my wife, thousands of photos of my two children. I still like handling the cameras and lenses and looking at the reams of photos taken with them over the years. Brings back alot of memories. Also, if I were to change my mind, replacing some of the rarer lenses with ones of equivalent fine condition would be very expensive and time-consuming, if possible at all.

Question is, given the foregoing, should I be practical and sell the OM stuff, or be sentimental and keep it?

 

[lawnpotter]

In my opinion. Never ever sell the OM-1. You had it since 6 grade and had tons of memories with it.

 

[p.giannakis]

I would keep one of each together with my favourite lenses and sell the rest. If I wasn't going to use them all maybe finding another home where they will see more often use is the way to go (?).

 

[nobbylon]

Let them go. At least they will get used and not sit in a cupboard. I was in the same situation a few years ago and have ended up with an F6. I still have F2's an F3 and F5 but will happily let them go as the F6 does everything better. I sold off most of my M lenses too as they were not getting any use. I'm gradually getting to where I really want to be with gear and to only have what I will actually use regularly.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Why not sell all of it except your first one with, perhaps, three lenses and keep them for sentimental reasons and to give/leave to your son/daughter?

Good luck with the decision, they are a pain aren't they?

Regards, David

 

[jamais]

I'm facing a dilemma of practicality versus sentiment. ... it seems unlikely that I will be using the OM cameras and lenses very much. Given the idea of clearing up some space and perhaps recovering some of the cost of my OM stable, I am finally considering thinning the OM herd.... I don't really need to sell them in the financial or space sense, but of course offsetting the cost of acquiring some more Nikon AF lenses would be good...

If I was in your situation I would select 1 or 2 bodies and two or three lenses for the sentimental aspect. And sell the rest. Take your family to a theatre play (or whatever event would please them), visit a nice restaurant afterwards and spend the proceeds of your sold OM "herd" in new memories. Do not forget to take your F6 with you 🙂

 

[kxl]

IMHO, selling for the sake of selling begets regret. As you said, you wouldn't be selling it due to financial or space needs.

Now, if you have an eye on a new lens, such as a Nikon 70-200mm/2.8, and would rather not dip into your wallet, then look at your OM gear as found money and sell some, but not all. Maybe sell only those that are common and easily replaced.

One more thing... kids evolve. Hobbies change. At 11 and 13 your kids may not appreciate photography. Ask them again in 4 or 5 years. I myself didn't get into photography until I was 17.

 

[Livesteamer]

If you don't have to sell then keep them. If you do sell consider that it easier to replace bodies than it is to replace quality optics. So, if you must, sell the bodies and keep the glass. Joe

 

[nobbylon]

The best idea so far is sell to buy a 70-200 VRII. It's an amazing lens. You bought the F6 for a good reason and that was that you couldn't get consistant results. If you really have sentimental thoughts for a camera then keep it and the lens that came with it originally and use it as a paperweight on your desk. Sell the rest. Yes they made great pics and memories but at least now you can continue to do so with your new kit.

 

[marcr1230]

I did not see the 85/2.0 in your list

1. you can't really get rid of anything until you've tried this lens
2. if you sell the 21/2.0 - I'm there for you.

Seriously I have the same issue - I like the gear stuff and have more than I can use now.

 

[robert blu]

I never sold old cameras, i still haver that Konica C35 which was my first RF camera and that Minolta SRT 101 (still working) which was my first SLR, so many years ago.
robert

 

[dtcls100]

Never got the 85 f2 (or 50 f1.2). Had to draw the line somewhere! Especially with a zuiko 90 f2 and 100 f2 (let alone a zuiko 35-80 f2.8). 🙂

 

[Greyscale]

Get an OM30/OMF body and let the focus indicator assist those aging eyes to use those terrific lenses.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

If you have the space, and you don't need the money, and you like the kit, why on earth would you want to get rid of it for the sake of getting rid of it?

 

[Darshan]

My suggestion is to get rid of stuff that does not hold any emotional value for you. These are tools after all, you bought them to use them, now that you are done with them, why not let someone else make new "friends"? 🙂

I say keep the first OM body that you acquired (for sentimental reasons) and maybe a lens or 2 and sell the rest. Use the $$ towards something that will be of use to you, now.

 

[sreed2006]

While you mentioned the bodies and lenses, you failed to mention what focusing screen(s) you are using. Have you tried a split prism on the OM-4T with the diopter adjustment set to bring the meter scale into sharp focus? With that set-up, it is fairly easy to see when the focus is correct.

 

[Skiff]

IMHO, selling for the sake of selling begets regret. As you said, you wouldn't be selling it due to financial or space needs.

Now, if you have an eye on a new lens, such as a Nikon 70-200mm/2.8, and would rather not dip into your wallet, then look at your OM gear as found money and sell some, but not all. Maybe sell only those that are common and easily replaced.

One more thing... kids evolve. Hobbies change. At 11 and 13 your kids may not appreciate photography. Ask them again in 4 or 5 years. I myself didn't get into photography until I was 17.

I can agree completely on all that.
Especially on the kids evolving: Wait at least some years. Your kids will probably have a different view when they are older.
And will be lucky to have such a marvellous Olympus cameras / lens collection to use.
I think time will be your friend here (as well as probably the price for such gear will rise in the next years).

 

[jamais]

...One more thing... kids evolve. Hobbies change. At 11 and 13 your kids may not appreciate photography. Ask them again in 4 or 5 years. I myself didn't get into photography until I was 17.

I got into photography with a Yashica camera body and one lens. At that time I desired having everything you can think of. But a complete bunch of professional outfit with ten or more lenses would certainly have prevented me from learning to use a 50mm lens properly. Others may be different though. I think less is sometimes more, especially for beginners. You can get an OM10 with 1.8/50 lens for next to nothing at any time. If this would not serve well, any OM4 with special lenses would not either. And then photography is not limited to the OM system. Maybe your kids will be attracted to medium format, Lomo, autofocus, digital or whatever. To sum it up: I would not care about my children regarding this kind of decision.

 

[NY_Dan]

May I recommend the OP and his cameras seek counseling? Maybe they can work it out -- if not for themselves, then for the little lenses.

 

[Rick Waldroup]

I don't know why, but I have never, ever gotten emotionally attached to my cameras. I sell them all the time, buy new ones, and so on. Sometimes I regret selling a certain camera but that is mostly because I realized what a good camera it was and I should have never sold it to begin with.

I say, sell it all and invest the money in your new gear. It's like starting a grand, new adventure.....