OM-4 give away ... if you answer my question correctly.

Small, relatively cheap, all mechanical but simple enough for someone with 10 thumbs to take apart and put back, quiet, shutter speed control in the right place, big viewfinder, gets out of the way and lets you get on with the job?
 
Its just a simple, elegant, beautiful, mechanical wonder of design, construction and tactile satisfaction that does everything it needs to do effortlessly with nothing else to get in the way.

Its the camera that I'm glad leica didn't make! Keep spreading the OM1 love everybody!
 
The OM-1 is simplicity itself. It has only what you need and none of the feature-laden clutter of so many other cameras. It's layout works well for "left-eyed" users. It's rugged and virtually as small as a Barnack, yet has a large viewfinder that would be the envy of any Barnack user. The system has an exceptional series of lenses (including many macro lenses).

The OM-1 was the SLR re-imagined.
 
OM1 is the best SLR, because, initially, it was called M1, and rightfully so, and, if it wasn't for Leica, it would still be the first M series SLR in history.
 
It's small yet large. Feels wonderful in the hand and has nothing to get in the way of making wonder pictures!

Maitani Yoshihisa was a genius!

Peace
 
The Olympus OM-1 had a meter ahead of it's time, compact, quiet smooth operation. shutter speeds adjusted on the lens mount and priced affordable for the masses. Olympus has always been innovative.
A cult classic.
I would mention lens quality but that wasn't the question.
 
Best SLR may go to the OM-1, in the eyes of some (I use the OM-2n and OM-4).

But for ultimate Maitani cool -- and clean SLR design devoid of camera clutter -- his Pen F wins hands down.
 
Like the one that got away

Like the one that got away

So, I never owned an OM-1 until just this year.

Back in junior high and high school, I was able to earn money for a K1000, and MX, traded those for an EL-2, bought an EM, and eventually upgraded to a T90 before I graduated from college. The only Olympus that was remotely close to my budget was an OM-10. The OM-1 was just out of reach.

However...

Now that I see the beautiful big finder and easy handling, I wonder if I would have become a better photographer if I would have had just that SLR + a 50/1.8, at least until I finally was able to afford an M6.

Now that I have one, picked up for a mere $50.00, I don't see the need for am OM-4, so maybe the best praise for an OM-1 is that you don't want or need another (film) SLR once you have one.

Eric
 
FrankS said:
Kind of a catch 22 in this thread! 🙂
Click to expand...


There is a little I guess! 😀

It's funny but out of all the OMs I've tried the OM-4 has turned out to be the least appealing for me. The poor thing has been living in the cupboard without an outing for a long time now.

I think I've pretty well settled on my OM-1 as my favourite SLR with the OM-3 a close second. When you think about it the OM-3 is really not much more than an OM-1 with a spot meter and an extra shutter speed.
 
The best SLR ever made is not necessarily the "best SLR ever made". Perfection normally means - No Emotion, No Desire, No Excitement - Boring.
The best SLR ever made should have the following attributes:
1) Be a legend - OM1 Tick
2) Has to look good - OM1 Tick
3) Has to feel good in your hands - OM1 Tick
4) Be very well built - OM1 Tick
5) Be a real weapon in a real photographers hands - OM1 Tick
6) Must have one flaw - OM1 Tick (the plastic film winder end piece is a bit crappy)

To me the OM1 is the "Samurai Sword" of the SLR world. Its a photographers "sword" of choice
 
OM1234 said:
The best SLR ever made is not necessarily the "best SLR ever made". Perfection normally means - No Emotion, No Desire, No Excitement - Boring.
The best SLR ever made should have the following attributes:
1) Be a legend - OM1 Tick
2) Has to look good - OM1 Tick
3) Has to feel good in your hands - OM1 Tick
4) Be very well built - OM1 Tick
5) Be a real weapon in a real photographers hands - OM1 Tick
6) Must have one flaw - OM1 Tick (the plastic film winder end piece is a bit crappy)

To me the OM1 is the "Samurai Sword" of the SLR world. Its a photographers "sword" of choice
Click to expand...

Great user name for this thread. 🙂
 
I'd lose this competition. I never liked the OM-1. To me the OM-4 is the best 35mm SLR. The metering system is incredible; my OM-4T bodies are the only cameras I do not carry a handheld meter with when I use them.
 
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