Om-1? FM2N? Other? I can't decide!

chris00nj said:
Why not the Olympus OM-2 or Om-2n? The big advantage of the OM-2 over the OM-1 is the change to a SR-44 battery which is widely available.

I bought an OM-2n for $50 and a 28mm/3.5 Oly lens for $30. A 50/1.8 will be dirt cheap as well.

The size is another advantege of the OM. Attached is a photo that compares the OM to a Leica M3.
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I think the most important measurement of a camera, if we talk about size, is its thickness with a lens on, because that's what allows it or not to be placed inside a pocket or any other place... From that point of view any SLR is huge compared to RF's. My RF's are 50mm thick with my 28 3.5 and 60mm thick with my 40 1.4... My SLR's are miles away.

Cheers,

Juan
 
The OP should also keep an eye out for a Nikon F3. Some are selling rediculously cheap these days. The last one I bought was $125 with motor and boxes, and I passed on another one 2 days ago on CL for $100 because it involved driving into the city. (That, and I already have 3 F3's.)
 
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Juan Valdenebro said:
I think the most important measurement of a camera, if we talk about size, is its thickness with a lens on, because that's what allows it or not to be placed inside a pocket or any other place... From that point of view any SLR is huge compared to RF's. My RF's are 50mm thick with my 28 3.5 and 60mm thick with my 40 1.4... My SLR's are miles away.

Cheers,

Juan
Click to expand...

Which is why pancake 40s exist. :D

Without lens, an OM is about the same thickness as an M.
 
I've owned and shot with both cameras and both are great cameras, in the UK Zuiko glass is cheaper, (in a lot of cases), than Nikkor glass, if I was on a tight budget I'd go for the Olympus but hey I'm a big Zuiko Fan

regards Mike
 
mgeary said:
Well today seems to be going great so far, I jumped on an OM-1 with a 50/1.8. I think I would like a f/1.4 eventually, but the f/1.8 will do fine. It wasn't the cheapest find ever, but at $67, I think it's a decent deal for the kit.

Later on this morning I got an e-mail from my camera collector grandpa. He's sending me a like new Nikon FM in the mail this week.

I didn't expect it, but now I'll have both like Keith suggested without spending too much. I can't wait to get shooting, I sure feel like I lucked out here.
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Awesome; that is great luck. Don't sweat a 1.8 v a 1.4, esp. at this point...it's a miniscule difference, and the lens you have is even smaller and lighter. I'd put money into film right now, or at least a lens with an alternate focal length if I had to buy a new lens. But first, use what you have and make some pics!!
 
I can only get a few weeks out of the Wein batteries. They never worked for me. No, I do not leave the camera turned on.
 
Thanks to this thread I have suddenly picked up an interest in acquiring an OM1.

To help alleviate this, could any explain to me (a complete SLR noob) why I'd want one over my mint Pentax S1a with SMC 55/2 I got just recently for $NZ20? TTL metering would be a big one, of course. Are the lenses nicer? The on-the-mount shutter speed control sounds excellent, the thing that bothers me with the S1a (as all my other cameras are fixed-lens Jap rangefinders) is the shutter speed dial on the top plate. As lovely to hold as the camera is (and it really feels gorgeous), I don't shoot it as often because my `aperture priority' manual shooting isn't really convenient.

Is the OM1 battery powered for it's shutter too, or just the meter? Is it loud? The S1a really makes a hell of a bang (although a quite a nice bang) when it goes off.
 
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OM's are nice cameras but feel cheap compaired to FM series. Saying that I didn't get on that well with my FM2n as it felt cheap compaired to my F and F2.
They are both strong cameras, and I suppose it comes down to lens availability, viewfinder choice, battery etc. Film advance feels cheap on an OM. Viewfinder is huge but meter unreadable in low light whereas Nikon's is. Nikon has more sensitive meter with a better on off switch. Olympus was always getting left on! If you can afford the FM2n get that. If not get a Nikkormat FT2 or 3. Build quality on Nikkormat blows them both away and they are cheap.
 
Student on a budget?
Get an FM. It gives you everything you'll need for serious photography and will cost you very little to purchase.
One of film photographys great bargains today.
 
I'm also a student and wanted a good but affordable system.
I chose the OM-1, for various reasons. More common lenses tend to be lower priced, the viewfinder, the size and weight (used a nikon F401 before, it felt too heavy) and because I just liked olympus.
Kind of blind buying but I really liked it when mail delivered it.

I haven't handled any of the FE/FM nikons but if they are as heavy as the F401, the OM-1 will feel like a toy.
 
The FE/FM Nikons are about the same weight and size as the Olympus, basically all the companies had to come out with a compact SLR after the OM-1.
 
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