wgerrard
Veteran
I'd think Olympus wants to swim in a pool of its own design. I.e., it wants its camera to be identified with a certain quality that cannot be obtained elsewhere, regardless of sensor size. A corporation has no motivation to take on the "big boys" unless there's profit in it.
Consider Leica. They certainly have acquired a reputation for products with a "certain quality", yet their product line is very small. If they were out to take on the big boys, we'd be buying Leica DSLR's.
Apple is another good example. For years, people in the tech press rung a lot of story mileage out of asking if Apple could bring down Microsoft. Yet, Apple has never really tried to take down Microsoft, at least under Jobs. People buy Apple products because they believe they are getting something that is not available elsewhere.
The goal in business is to sell more of your stuff, not necessarily to destroy the other guys.
George S.
How many is enough?
Very well said, Bill. I believe you've stated Olympus' business model ever since the days in the 70s where it became apparent to them that they didn't have the financials to take on Nikon and Canon, especially since the autofocus revolution seemingly started without them. ( I'm aware that Olympus had working AF prototypes of their own and just let everyone else get ahead of them out the gate and then it was too late )
FrankS
Registered User
I agree with Earl here. While legacy Olympus OM lenses are still of interest to many of us, for Olympus they are history, and they aren't likely going to start reproducing them for a full frame digital camera.
Yes, even nearly 50 years ago for the Canon 0.95. But you can use it on an Oly if you want. 
Those were the days, when the manufacturers were all one-upping each other. Now they are doing so with DSLR gimmick features.
Those were the days, when the manufacturers were all one-upping each other. Now they are doing so with DSLR gimmick features.
Last edited by a moderator:
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
If you say so, George.
I don't see the market for big sensor cameras disappearing soon. As an Olympus fan, I'd love to see them bringing their best into that market.
That is all I'm saying.
Now let's get back to OM Zuiko images... as Roland has restarted us on course with this wonderful thread.
Last edited:
newspaperguy
Well-known
Thank you Roland.
That got our attention without the usual slap to head.
Nicely done sir. Were you flying?
That got our attention without the usual slap to head.
Nicely done sir. Were you flying?
Okay gang! I'm going to give this system one more try after going through an OM-1md that broke a shutter strap on the first roll and an OM-2p that killed batteries within one day.
Two Strikes, no hits, batter still at the plate.
Two Strikes, no hits, batter still at the plate.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Fine ... but don't come back to this thread whining [when your OM gear breaks] after being brainwashed by the OM speak here!
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Alright this thread need some grainy baby feet action with Zuiko.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/guruguru/4249218024/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/guruguru/4249218024/
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
No 21/2? Bah.
nikku
Well-known
Steve, that really sucks. I live in Houston and will be on the lookout for used Oly gear being sold. One place you might want to check is Craigslist. If you change your mind about using SLRs, I have the contact info of a gentleman here locally who is looking to unload a bunch of Olympus OM gear. I actually purchased a 16/3.5 fisheye from him for a decent price--although it did have some fungus, so if you decide to purchase from him, make sure you look everything over thoroughly (for me it wasn't an issue because the price was low enough to make it worth it). Email me if you're interested, nherndon at gmail dot com.
racoll
Well-known
Count me in as a new member of The Church of Maitani; I just got my first OM-1n with a 50/1.4 and it's a stunning beauty. I'm in love with this camera already!
Andy
Andy
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
BillBingham2
Registered User
And so it begins ... again.
Brings a smile to ones face......it's a circle of life thing you know....
B2 (;->
oscroft
Veteran
Hehe - better clear some shelf space, cos you'll need it for the rest of the gear that will inevitably follow
Welcome to the club.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
And so it begins ... again.
I just got an FM3A and it's really ... ... ... ...
Whoops ... wrong forum wrong thread!
:angel:
pggunn
gregor
Welcome Andy! And I think Oscroft is right about that shelf space. If you're like most of us you'll probably end up with at least two or three more prime lenses and another body or two, or three! It's a great system and I have absolutely no regrets about ditching digital and embracing the cult of Zuiko.
Congratulations, good luck, and post a photo or two when you get a chance!
Greg
Chris101
summicronia
I just got an FM3A and it's really ... ... ... ...
Whoops ... wrong forum wrong thread!
:angel:
That's ok Keith, cause Nikons exist to make Olys stand out.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
That's ok Keith, cause Nikons exist to make Olys stand out.
You may be right ... I like the new Nikon for the two extra stops of shutter speed and a couple of other things ... but it's nowhere as intuative to shoot with as an OM. When you consider that the FM3A was Nikon's flagship all manual SLR right up until 2002 it brings home just how good the OM-1 or OM-2 really are when you stack them up directly against the FM3A ... which is also a brilliant camera in a sea of over complicated SLR monsters!
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
wasnt the Fm3a only introduced in 2001 ?(about the 3rd nikon in the FM series)
so in effect Keith your comparing a Nikon that has a whopping 30 years of time for introduced advanced tech, and even then the OM1 still manages to hold favour on certain fronts as you mention makes the early OMs pretty impressive. the 2 stops of shutter speed being the most noticeable benefit for the nikon...but then the huge screen and ergonomics of the OM blitzes the nikon
perhaps more comparable in years to the FM3a is the OM-3Ti (or 4Ti) it tends to leave the FM3a well behind on most fronts (only one stop of shutter speed, that doesn't really impact much in real everyday use-1/2000 covers most things unless your into racing cars or use the wrong speed film (one stop isnt going to save the day here though) and ND filter will get many more stops (and thereby control) if needed)...OM-3Ti can flash sync down to the slow speeds for excellent effect and control and also up to 1/2000, makes it much more versatile with everyday or creative flash use than 1/250 nikon...Spot/Shadow/Highlight metering of the OM3 (4) leaves the Fm3a in the stone age, weather sealing of the OM-3Ti and more sturdy built camera is very welcome in a camera for me (unfortunately i have lost cameras to weather/rain showers and slight dust storms before)..again the handling, huge cinema bright screen viewfinder
I still hold hopes of getting an OM-4 at some stage but got very disheartened by the last one that came up in the classifieds. It had my name all over it until I noticed the usual 'not wanting to sell out of the USA' stuff at the end of the add description ... I get really fed up with that attitude to be honest!
The build quality of the FM3A is remarkable IMO, it feels rock solid and has a bit more heft to it than the OM ... the film advance is actually smoother than my freshly CLA'd OM-1 as well as being a slightly shorter throw ... it's a brilliant and very simple SLR.
The viewfinder comparison is interesting ... I put a 1.4 lens on both cameras and tried focussing both into a dark corner of the room constantly switching back and forth to get a feel for how they compare. Yes the OM-1 finder is very big but the Nikon is compromised slightly by having the info bar at the top of the finder which gives aperture, flash recharge status and EV compensation in AE mode. In reality there's bugger all difference in brightness to my old eyes and the OM definitely has no huge advantage here ... it's a myth IMO!
The Nikon may not turn out to be the SLR for me but I won't know that for a while ... and if not it won't really be the camera's fault. It will come down to personal preferences regarding shutter dial ergonomics and the overall very lythe feel that the Olympus imparts if you're in tune with it's layout.
Last edited: