OM, I've become a Zuikoholic!

After deliberating last night I decided to keep the 35/2 as well, as that is my go to focal length, and if I grab only one lens it is a 35.

Also, I usually feel disconnected with anything wider than a 28, and sometimes even the 85 feels too long. So, the decision became pretty easy.

Selling the rest helps to offset/justify the M7 purchase. 😉
 
I have the 50 1.2, 1.4 and 1.8, and I like them all, but for my primary lens I actually prefer the 1.8 (mij version). I like the sharpness and color rendition of that lens much more than either of the two faster lenses. I guess it's a matter of which specimen of each one might have.

I love the 85/2 too. It's one of my favorite lengths for portraits, and I also use it quite a bit when doing photostories that show some aspect of the combination of tools, hands and products (like several artists at work I've shot recently).

Recently, though, I've been somewhat enamored of the Tamron 90/2.5. Very nice signature of it's own. Not better or worse than the Zuiko 85, just different.
 
DanOnRoute66 said:
I do most of my film shooting with zoom. I have the Vivitar 35-70mm f2.8 macro zoom which practically stays on the camera. I also have the Zuiko 100mm f2.8, 50mm f1.4 and 28mm f2.8 primes which carry most of the rest of the load.
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I don't use zooms that often, but I do have a Tamrom 35-70/3.5 that I like quite a bit for some kinds of travel and event shots. I also have a Tokina 24-40/2.8 on the way. I'm really looking forward to that for events.
 
illuminati_02 said:
I think I could be happy with just the 28/2, 50/1.2 and 85/2.

It is hard to part with the 35/2, mostly because it is absolutely mint, with the original case, hood, filter, and caps...

but I also have the Contax G 35/2 and a 35 'lux that I actually shoot with and are much smaller, even though the Oly isn't *that* big.
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Late to the game,
I hope you never sell that 35/2. My favorite and go to lens.

I have just cleaned up my camera cabinet and pack away my OM (moving) for now, so my line up is:

24/2, 35/2, 50/3.5, 50/1.8, 50/1.4, 85/2, 35-70/3.6, 75-150/4, 300/4.5

A few of these I kept just because.
 
I've recently been having great fun re-discovering the delights of the OM system after many years away, picking up lenses and bodies on a regular basis. Current line-up is:

OM1n, OM2n, Winder 2, T32 flash
24mm/2.8, 28-48mm/4, 50mm/1.8, 50mm/1.4, 85mm/2, 75-150/4

The zooms are not at all bad and quite handy at times, but it's the primes that are really impressing me so I too will be looking out for a 35mm/2. One of those would be perfect for me. Its really nice to use the small jewel-like Zuiko primes after some of the big heavy zooms that I have used on digital SLRs over the last 10 years. I'ts also wonderful that I only need one set of 49mm filters (UV, pol, ND grad) for all lenses. 🙂

Yes, I think I'm becoming a Zuikoholic!
 
A house for my OM.
3cf2100e-7234-26b6.jpg
 
Ok, I got an OM1. $20 at a tag sale with a 50/1.8. I will have to play with it some when I get home tonight. It is very clean, battery or meter is dead though.
 
The last thing in the world I needed was to get into yet another camera line, but I found an OM1n for a great price and gave it a try, then an OM2n that I couldn't pass up, and now I have an OM4T that I picked up here in the classifieds. They are each excellent in their own way, but I am really digging this fancy-schmancy OM4 and I can't wait to try out the spot metering. Forgive me, I am weak!
 
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Gentlemen, welcome to the fold.

OM-1 is a great manual camera. I'd suggest forgetting the meter and enjoy it's pure mechanical goodness.

OM-2 and OM-4 have excellent meters.
 
GAS Release

GAS Release

I got the GAS bug really badly recently. This has resulted in my picking up a mint Zuiko 300mm and Zuiko Shift 35 (of the very rare multicoated version). Also found myself purchasing today an excellent condition Zuiko 18mm f3.5 with hood, which I also understand is very rare. As one might expect, none of these lenses were cheap, although I got the MC shift for a good deal less than some single coated 35 shift lenses were selling for. My photo acquisition budget is now officially shot to hell.

On the upside, I have been taking a decent number of photos lately (about 30 rolls in past month) to justify the GAS, although I haven't processed any pics taken with my newest acquisitions. Most of the photos I have had recently processed were taken with a Mamiya 6 (great camera) or my OMs using the a Tamron SP 80-200 f2.8. The 80-200 is a fantastic lens in terms of sharpness, color and bokeh, but is quite a handful. Using it with a monopod makes it much easier to handle and ensures pin sharp photos.
 
I started reading this thread about a week ago. At that time, I had a Canon A1 with a few FD lenses and Nikon FE and FM bodies with a 50/1.8 lens.

I've now read the thread in its' entirety, and now own a OM2n, with a 50/1.8 and am expecting delivery of am OM1 MD (with another 50/1.8 lens) and a 28/3.5.

I think the Nikons 'may' go, because the lenses are just too expensive in comparison to FD and OM.

Best regards,
RoyM
 
My OM gear keeps stealing my attention away from my other cameras!


"Fern Valley Detail 02"
fern_valley_detail_02_by_philosomatographer-d3h8zhf.jpg

(OM-3Ti, 21mm @ f/2.0, Kodak TMY2-400)​

New TMAX 400 (TMY2-400) is the most amazing film for shooting in 35mm cameras ever made - almost as fine-grained as Pan F, and just all-round great.
 
OK, I did my homework. In less than 2 weeks I managed to go through all the 54 pages of this OM mega thread. I have learned a lot of interesting stuff and saw some nice photos.

I actually consider getting a compact 35mm slr setup and OM seems like a good candidate (also Nikon and Contax are on the list, to be honest). My preference would be for 21(or 24), 35(or 40) and 85 mm lenses. What matters to me is a reliable metering. I have and like Mamiya 6, but the metering forces me to use hand hold meter for most of the time what often slows me down beyond acceptable level.

With all I have read here I would still like to ask a few questions:

1) comparing the 35/2.0 to 40/2.0 - I am quite attracted towards the 40 as it is much more compact. Price differences aside - what are the true differences for a user?

2) concerning the following lenses: 21/3.5, 24/2.0 and 24/2.8 - how is the performance? Are these more-less on the same level or is some of these noticeably better? What about distortion (barrel)?

3) As I like AE I am considering either OM2n or OM4ti. the OM4ti has multi spot metering, the OM2n larger viewfinder and is cheaper. Again - from the user point of view - what are the relevant differences?

looking forward to your opinions 🙂
 
I came across an OM 35-80/2.8 today, though it's $900 price tag was a bit out of my budget. But I did find a good deal, a very clean OM4Ti with a grip and 50/1.4 lens, all for less than $250. I also found a 21/3.5 at a recycle shop for $50. I loaded the camera with film and batteries, and I'll do some shooting with it tomorrow.
 
Matus, for the lens performance, have a look at Gary's test, nobody did better than him: http://zone-10.com/cmsm/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=10&id=45&Itemid=97.

Also have a look at his results of different lens samples, and on different cameras, that tells a lot by itself.

In use, the biggest difference between OM2[n] and OM4[ti] is the spot meter of the OM4*. There is no exposure lock in the OM2*, therefore you have to work with meter compensation (+- 1-3 stops). Then there is a higher maximum speed (1/2000 vs. 1/1000) and the always present, battery-free 1/60 in the OM4*. One more difference that was important to me: when you use self-timer on a tripod, the OM4* locks mirror and aperture at the beginning of the self timer cycle, getting rid of the respective vibrations before the shot.

The OM4 typically leaks battery (OM2* and OM4t do not). In contrast to many OM2 (with the right serial nr.), the OM2n always needs the mirror foam removed, otherwise, sooner or later, the prism will go. So, to get a user for 20+ year use, (A) either get an OM2 (no n) in the right serial number range (no mirror foam), or (B) an OM2n with mirror foam removed (part of John's CLA, typically), or (C) an OM4T.

From all I tried, I kept OM1 and OM2, both CLA'ed by John. I like the way they look and feel, with flash shoe removed (fix on the OM4*). Also, if I wanted highest performance, contrast, resolution, etc., I wouldn't use OMs. I like their classic look and feel both in use and in results - so I thought I might as well use the "UR-OMs", if that makes sense.

Hope this helps.

Roland.
 
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Matus said:
OK, I did my homework. In less than 2 weeks I managed to go through all the 54 pages of this OM mega thread. I have learned a lot of interesting stuff and saw some nice photos.

I actually consider getting a compact 35mm slr setup and OM seems like a good candidate (also Nikon and Contax are on the list, to be honest). My preference would be for 21(or 24), 35(or 40) and 85 mm lenses. What matters to me is a reliable metering. I have and like Mamiya 6, but the metering forces me to use hand hold meter for most of the time what often slows me down beyond acceptable level.

With all I have read here I would still like to ask a few questions:

1) comparing the 35/2.0 to 40/2.0 - I am quite attracted towards the 40 as it is much more compact. Price differences aside - what are the true differences for a user?

2) concerning the following lenses: 21/3.5, 24/2.0 and 24/2.8 - how is the performance? Are these more-less on the same level or is some of these noticeably better? What about distortion (barrel)?

3) As I like AE I am considering either OM2n or OM4ti. the OM4ti has multi spot metering, the OM2n larger viewfinder and is cheaper. Again - from the user point of view - what are the relevant differences?

looking forward to your opinions 🙂
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Opinions vary on the 35/2, the example I had was not good, it was sharp in the center, but blurry on the edges. The 40/2 is a better lens, but scarce and expensive.

My three lens kit includes a 24/2.8, which is an excellent lens and not too pricey, a 50/1.8 (my favorite "character" lens) which is dirt cheap and compares well with glass costing many times as much, and then a 90/2 macro, which is one of my favorite all-time lenses. I have several other lenses, but these three are always in the bag.

I carry an OM3ti, and (again) an OM4ti. The spot metering system is simply excellent, and I often use the spot function when I'm out shooting large format.
 
After despairing of finding a reasonably-priced 21mm Super Angulon for my Leica kit, I finally found a good deal on a Zuiko 21/3.5 for my OM kit. It's an older chrome-nose lens with a low serial number, but the glass is clean, and it seems to work properly. I'll shoot a roll using it this afternoon and see how it comes out.
 
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