Look what followed me home...

F

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I decided this week that I wanted to get a smaller mechanical SLR camera. I have a Canon F1, and a Nikon F, but these are quite heavy and noisy cameras, and I prefer to use a smaller camera for carrying around the city, or on my commute. I have been shooting an old black-paint Pentax SL with an old Super Takumar 50/1.4 with rather yellowish thorium glass. Unfortunately, one of the shutter curtains tore out of it's lathe, and while trying to get the camera apart to replace the curtain, I discovered that much of the hardware was corroded, and a couple of the screws broke as I was trying to remove them.

Anyway, I went hunting for a new camera, and I decided that I wanted a Pentax MX, which is a camera that I have never owned or used. I found quite a few, but they were dented, had stuck mirrors, or had meter problems. Clean MX cameras go for a lot of money in Japan, and I didn't want to spend the current asking price for one.

Then I found a Nikon FM2N for a good price. The camera looked good, and seemed to work alright, but then I noticed that the tab which engages the AIS slot on the lens was broken off. I passed on it.

Next thought was the Olympus OM. I found what the seller promised to be an original black-paint M1. Upon casual inspection, it did look original, with brass under the black paint. But I have seen a couple original black M1 cameras up close, and the serial number range is very low, and they are marked "sample" on the back of the top cover. This M1 had a later serial number, and no "sample" engraving.

After pretty much giving up for the day, I came across this beauty.

P1120943.jpg



The price was too good to pass up, and the shop tossed in the lens for an extra 3000 yen. The price was low because the original 2-13 focusing screen was scratched up. I bought a non-working OM PC camera from the same shop for 1000 yen, and transplanted the screen into the OM3, it was a perfect match and fit.

I'm looking forward to putting this camera through it's paces this weekend, and seeing how it will do.
 
wow a 3ti, the best of all OM's ever made, I've never managed
to find one at price levels I can call 'reasonable'

I have a very reliable OM-3 for myself and i'm very happy with it
it's my favourit SLR acutally

the OM-3ti is even improved in
some details, and has a slightly different finish,
this camera will make you happy for a long time, check
if you have the for OM3Ti stock '2-13' screen installed, some dealers take
it out for a standard 1-13 or 1-4 screen, and sell the 2-13 at astronomical
prices seperately...
 
Congratulations, Jeff. The OM cameras always feel very good in hand for me. You shoot so many cameras, we will be interested to hear how you feel about this one after a bit of use.
 
Wow a 3TI, very nice find and a great deal on the lens as well as focusing screens. I have 2 dead OM1's right now but my trusty OM-2s still operates just fine. I love the OM series, I think everyone needs at least one.
 
You only have to feed it film and batteries, and it doesn't leave a mess behind. Best kind of pet to have, Jeff. Congrats.

PF
 
I had a good day with the camera. I took a walk through Tsukishima, Ginza, Marunouchi, and then back home. I shot a roll of Tri-X, and I also got to use the 14/2.8 I got for my X-Pro. Of course I had to stop a couple camera stores, and I was lucky enough to find an Olympus F-280 flash for 500 yen.

Tomorrow is Sunday, and Monday is a natiional holiday, so I'll put some more film through it. I am supposed to meet someone tomorrow to do a little camera shopping, hopefull I'll find some more goodies.
 
Lucky find. It even has the accessory grip.

I have an OM-3 that I have only used once or twice. I need to get that camera out.
 
Wow, that's sweet!
I think the OM-3ti is the rarest of the OM's, right?
I have an OM-1 I REALLY like. I've never had any of the other OM-x', but from the pictures they don't appeal very much to me (they look a little clunky). My OM-1 is still working very well and it's my go-to SLR (paired with a 24mm). I might go by a used camera shop and feel up some of the other OM's.
 
I found something interesting when loading film in the camera today. The film door had a card for Fuji Superia slid into it. I pulled out the card, and underneath was engraved the name Y Maitani.

While out shopping today I picked up a clean Zuiko 35/2 lens. I have too many cameras with 50mm lenses, so next weekend's kit will be the M4 with a 50, the OM3 with the 35, and the X-pro with the 14.
 
First you saw an M1, then you found a cheap, near mint, Maitani signed OM3Ti, I was wondering where this could happen and then I saw 東京日本...な ん と なく...

GLF
 
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