Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I eventually picked up this beautiful OM-2 kit for around $400.00 and was fairly certain I would only keep a couple of the lenses and maybe the body and sell the rest … but I’m not so sure now! This was someone’s carefully considered choice for an SLR system thirty plus years ago and to break it up would be a shame. This gear was being used right up until it’s owner’s accidental death in a bizarre plane crash sixteen years ago that also killed his wife while they were doing a wing walking act. He was flying the plane!
When I went through it carefully I was amazed to find all the original documentation carefully stored in a side pocket of the large case it came in. The camera’s handbook and warranty card along with instructions for the pistol grip motor drive, flash unit and any other accessory that had been bought with it were all there along with a book on general photography and another book on Olympus SLRs!
The contents of this kit can give some insight into the person who put it together IMO … the choice of focal lengths and lens types and the various accessories and filters all have their significance and give some indication as to what the original owners main usage may have been. … and noting which lenses show the most wear gives an idea of their preferred focal lengths. It’s an interesting choice of lenses … a 28mm, two 50s along with a 135 and 300mm … one of the 50s is a macro. Certainly some range there!
And it’s all immaculate … the camera shows a little wear as does the 50mm f1.4 but the rest of the lenses all look like they just came out of the box! The camera had the 50mm f1.4 mounted on it so it was obviously the preferred choice for general use and there was an unused roll of Kodak 200 colour in the camera … advanced to the first frame.
I don’t really want to sell any of it … from the odd looking case it came in to the strange looking pneumatic remote shutter release with the three meter extension! When you get hold of something like this you’re basically walking in another person’s shoes when you use it so to speak ... which actually has some significance for me for some strange reason!
When I went through it carefully I was amazed to find all the original documentation carefully stored in a side pocket of the large case it came in. The camera’s handbook and warranty card along with instructions for the pistol grip motor drive, flash unit and any other accessory that had been bought with it were all there along with a book on general photography and another book on Olympus SLRs!
The contents of this kit can give some insight into the person who put it together IMO … the choice of focal lengths and lens types and the various accessories and filters all have their significance and give some indication as to what the original owners main usage may have been. … and noting which lenses show the most wear gives an idea of their preferred focal lengths. It’s an interesting choice of lenses … a 28mm, two 50s along with a 135 and 300mm … one of the 50s is a macro. Certainly some range there!
And it’s all immaculate … the camera shows a little wear as does the 50mm f1.4 but the rest of the lenses all look like they just came out of the box! The camera had the 50mm f1.4 mounted on it so it was obviously the preferred choice for general use and there was an unused roll of Kodak 200 colour in the camera … advanced to the first frame.
I don’t really want to sell any of it … from the odd looking case it came in to the strange looking pneumatic remote shutter release with the three meter extension! When you get hold of something like this you’re basically walking in another person’s shoes when you use it so to speak ... which actually has some significance for me for some strange reason!
gavinlg
Veteran
Such a nice kit... you know someone once loved it too which makes it even better.
alan davus
Well-known
I'm glad you bought it Keith and hope you keep it. What can you get for $400 smackeroos these days, some crappy little point and shoot digital camera. And for the same money you've got some great gear. Good onya mate.
P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
Sorry to hear about the tragic circumstances of the original owner. But you have made a good haul here and added some nice pieces to your OM kit. You should be happy!
jmilkins
Digited User
I was just re-reading the other thread where you found it. Beautiful kit and I wouldn't have been bargaining - GAS would have beaten me straight away. Nerves of steel to walk away and not bite first time.
Even though I will get a zuiko 300mm one day I think it is nice you are keeping the kit together - every time you use one of the "family" you'll recall it's circumstances. You might even use the less common focal lengths slightly more often because they are from that actual kit.
Have fun.
Even though I will get a zuiko 300mm one day I think it is nice you are keeping the kit together - every time you use one of the "family" you'll recall it's circumstances. You might even use the less common focal lengths slightly more often because they are from that actual kit.
Have fun.
Igor.Burshteyn
Well-known
Lovely - OMs are incredible bargain these days, 90% of leica quality for 10% of price, and just feels right in the hand. Enjoy your new kit!
As far as I remember it's 10th OM piece you got since 1st OM not that long ago, you are confirmed zuikoholic now! I didn't buy OMs for an year, at least - but broke the record with black OM1n.
Can zuikoholic recover, ever?
As far as I remember it's 10th OM piece you got since 1st OM not that long ago, you are confirmed zuikoholic now! I didn't buy OMs for an year, at least - but broke the record with black OM1n.
Can zuikoholic recover, ever?
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I'll be using it for sure!
I'll probably farm off some of the OM gear I already have that's been duplicated with this windfall. I already have a silver OM-2 along with the older type 50mm f1.4 and a 135mm in f3.5 and the slower f2.8 28mm. The camera needs new light seals and mirror foam but nothing else ... the viewfinder is spotless and the advance is smooth.
One lens that really intrigues me is the 135mm f2.8 ... as a tight portrait lens it should be excellent!
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I think not!
This new aquisition brings the current tally up to four bodies and fifteen lenses ... a little thinning is needed!
jesse1dog
Light Catcher
Keep it all together Keith. Its a great buy with a lot of history attached. Fantastic!
jesse
jesse
Peter_Jones
Well-known
The 135/2.8 - I have a well-worn (battered, really) example with plenty of dust inside - no images to post (don't want to go on a neg-hunt) but I recall even with the dust, it was a fine, fine lens.
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
135mm was always my prefered focal length for portraits even when most other people were using the 105mm. You'll enjoy it.
NathanJD
Well-known
it's somewhat like having obtained someone's suit with shirt, shoes and hat isn't it? what a wonderful little kit! the original owner must have both known a thing or two about cameras and also had the passion to choose the lenses he desired instead of having to compromise.
I'm glad you went for this Keith because after enjoying many of your posts here on RFF i feel as though you have the respect this little collection demands, and what's more i'm sure the original owner would want it to be owned by someone who was going to use it and cherish it and who won't just slap it in some private display cabinet to seize and rot.
I'm glad you went for this Keith because after enjoying many of your posts here on RFF i feel as though you have the respect this little collection demands, and what's more i'm sure the original owner would want it to be owned by someone who was going to use it and cherish it and who won't just slap it in some private display cabinet to seize and rot.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I've never really used a lens longer than 135mm and couldn't resist popping the 300mm on my OM-1 for a look see the other night ... even on my Manfrotto tripod every tiny movement created a shimmy in the viewfinder! It must be interesting up around 1000mm!
I dug out my foam seal kit from John Goodman the other night and will freshen up that side of the camera before putting a roll through it.
The flash with TTL metering is a piece of work ... what a lump with batteries in it ... no wonder you see so many cracked hot shoes! Apparently those flashes are incredibly good with the camera and flash both set on auto.
And the pistol grip motorwind ... I have to try that ... but twelve AA batteries!
FrankS
Registered User
Very nice gear Keith!
I believe that the OM2 is more versitile with flash and ambient light mix than the OM2n.
My "new" black OM2n is with John H right now.
I believe that the OM2 is more versitile with flash and ambient light mix than the OM2n.
My "new" black OM2n is with John H right now.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Thanks Frank ... I think the previous owner would be pleased that it's gone to a good home with a true Zuikoholic! The thought of this lot sitting in some lowly 'thrift store' makes me cringe!
I've tried to break away from the OM thing over the last six months by buying an FM3A and using it along side my D700 and N90s ... the only really good thing I can say about those three cameras is they allow me to use my 50mm ZF Planar which I rate as the finest lens I have used ... period!
This latest little burst has convinced me that it's pointless for me to attempt to bond with any other SLR ... so I'll just give in and drown in my Olympus gear!
pachuco
El ****
Wow! What a great set up!
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Same here. Give me 35mm and 135mm to shoot with on any event, I'll be happy.
Nice shot of the kit, Keith. It's rare to see them in gleaming condition like that. That 300mm is an excellent lens.
colyn
ישו משיח
Nice set..
I wish my OM-2n kit looked that good..
I wish my OM-2n kit looked that good..
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
My current silver OM-2n is pretty knocked about but I love it as much as any of my gear. In fact selling it could be hard because some of my favourite pics were taken with it!
As long as it says Olympus on the front I'm happy!
sprokitt
Established
Nice kit.
I worked in camera stores through college and then after for fun on weekends for the better part of 15 years. I finally quit the weekend camera store gig about 10 years ago when I had to move for my "day job."
I used to love it when somebody would bring in an old kit like this to sell or trade. You never knew what was walking in the door. With few exceptions people would bring in these lovingly cared for kits. I've seen the gamut from Alpas with 4 lenses, to Canon A1 setups with the JCI stickers still attached, Fs and F2s with 2-10 lenses, Leica Ms and Rs, Minolta's, Oly's the works.
I would go through the gear, value it, and then cash it out toward whatever new / different gear they wanted. Sometimes it was fun, sometimes sad, but always interesting. For some reason, most of those old camera kits all smelled the same. Must have been something in the oils in the cameras and the leather.
Especially for the older gear like brassy Nikormats or Leica M3s, I would always wonder where it had been and what it had seen? What important moments did it capture? What stories could that camera tell?
Enjoy the gear. Give it a good story to tell the next owner, whenever, and whomever that is.
I worked in camera stores through college and then after for fun on weekends for the better part of 15 years. I finally quit the weekend camera store gig about 10 years ago when I had to move for my "day job."
I used to love it when somebody would bring in an old kit like this to sell or trade. You never knew what was walking in the door. With few exceptions people would bring in these lovingly cared for kits. I've seen the gamut from Alpas with 4 lenses, to Canon A1 setups with the JCI stickers still attached, Fs and F2s with 2-10 lenses, Leica Ms and Rs, Minolta's, Oly's the works.
I would go through the gear, value it, and then cash it out toward whatever new / different gear they wanted. Sometimes it was fun, sometimes sad, but always interesting. For some reason, most of those old camera kits all smelled the same. Must have been something in the oils in the cameras and the leather.
Especially for the older gear like brassy Nikormats or Leica M3s, I would always wonder where it had been and what it had seen? What important moments did it capture? What stories could that camera tell?
Enjoy the gear. Give it a good story to tell the next owner, whenever, and whomever that is.