tomalophicon
Well-known
OM101 is da bomb (not).
Chris101
summicronia
All of them are good. I like my OM-1n because of it's simplicity and because I really like the mirror-lockup, behind-the-lens shutter speeds, and the largest viewfinder in the known universe. The OM-1n's were all made in the 80's and so up to a dozen years newer than a just plain OM-1.
As for switching from Pentax to Olympus - it depends on what you want out of it. The biggest difference is the placement of the shutter speed selector. Some people like it as a ring that is concentric with the lens mount, and some do not. Personally, I prefer it that way, but the dial on top doesn't bother me either. I have heard of this being a deal-stopper for folks wanting to shoot with Zooks.
Other differences are less extreme. It has been a loooong time since I have used a Spotmatic. I think the OM feels smoother. I was always aware of the mechanics inside the Pentax, but not so with the Olympus.
T
tedwhite
Guest
Thank you Chris, for the candid take on the two marques. I'm going to buy an OM just to compare the two in terms of using them both before I make an uninformed decision.
Chris101
summicronia
I'm sure a shoot-off will be fun!
Oh, here's a picture with 50mm f/3.5 Zuiko on my OM-1n:
nighstar
eternal beginner
@philosomatographer
love those photos! i just passed up a 50mm f1.4 on ebay and seeing those photos i'm starting to regret it....
pfft, that's nothing! that is very compact for a standard zoom lens, imho. i just took my new Vivitar Series 1 28-90mm out for a spin today...
now THAT's a big lens! i love it, though.
as for the Vivitar that you were considering, the quality of Vivitar lenses is all over the place. unless you know the lens' serial number and can figure out who made the lens, you'd be at risk for regretting the purchase. i went with Vivitar for the lens mentioned above only because i knew it was made by Komine and that it would be as good as a Zuiko re: image quality. got it for $80.
love those photos! i just passed up a 50mm f1.4 on ebay and seeing those photos i'm starting to regret it....
pfft, that's nothing! that is very compact for a standard zoom lens, imho. i just took my new Vivitar Series 1 28-90mm out for a spin today...
now THAT's a big lens! i love it, though.
as for the Vivitar that you were considering, the quality of Vivitar lenses is all over the place. unless you know the lens' serial number and can figure out who made the lens, you'd be at risk for regretting the purchase. i went with Vivitar for the lens mentioned above only because i knew it was made by Komine and that it would be as good as a Zuiko re: image quality. got it for $80.
kemal_mumcu
Well-known
The only reason I'd rather keep my OM body is for sentimental reasons. (My first real camera, plus I do have zuiko glass I still use). I'd rather just stick to one slr mount if i can help it. I agree that there are nice Zuiko fast wides but I assumed the Zeiss 25/28 f2's would outperform them wide open. But I have no first hand knowledge of this. I'm just thinking out loud. I'd really love to have a fast wide but the Leica summiluxes I can't afford. Maybe I'll have to save up for a 24/2 zuiko andn go from there.
paulfish4570
Veteran
i am seriously thinking of getting an om-1n after i sell a couple of things. i want a compact slr to match my r2m and x100.
on lens designations, i am not sure of the proper one for the om series. could someone please lead the way? i see a lot of "auto-s" on the bay but i think that is a designation for a later lens series.
on lens designations, i am not sure of the proper one for the om series. could someone please lead the way? i see a lot of "auto-s" on the bay but i think that is a designation for a later lens series.
sreed2006
Well-known
Auto = the aperture diaphragm is stopped down "automatically" by the camera when the picture is taken. Some of the macro lenses do not have that feature.
W = Wide (less than 40mm, I think)
S = Standard focal length (40, 50, 55mm)
T = Telephoto (85mm and longer)
So a 50mm F1.8 is an "AUTO-S."
W = Wide (less than 40mm, I think)
S = Standard focal length (40, 50, 55mm)
T = Telephoto (85mm and longer)
So a 50mm F1.8 is an "AUTO-S."
paulfish4570
Veteran
hey j:
thanks for your reply.
i've read about half the posts on this thread but i didn't see anything to clarify the lens designation. i don't want to buy a body and then buy the wrong lens.
and i'm thinking all manual; that's why the om-1n ...
thanks for your reply.
i've read about half the posts on this thread but i didn't see anything to clarify the lens designation. i don't want to buy a body and then buy the wrong lens.
and i'm thinking all manual; that's why the om-1n ...
paulfish4570
Veteran
OK, sreed. thanks.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
If you have to have a meter, get OM-2n.
If you don't, you will be happy with an OM-1n. Just don't use the battery, it works just fine without it.
paulfish4570
Veteran
well, there are non-mercury equivalents, aren't there? if i can get within a stop or less with an equivalent, i can set the asa to compensate.
is the om2 shutter battery dependent?
is the om2 shutter battery dependent?
Pete B
Well-known
I bought a brace of OMs (an OM1n and an OM2n) thinking I'd sell the latter. I changed the light seals on the OM1n and went out out to shoot with Fuji 800Z. The results are so nice I've spent this evening replacing the seals on the OM2n. I may well take these on a trip to Alaska in the Spring rather than my M2s.
To be honest, I don't think you can go wrong with either the OM1n or the OM2n.
Pete
nighstar
eternal beginner
Wein Cell MRB625 Zinc Air batteries work with the OM-1n, but i don't know how exact of a replacement they are. i believe they give a fairly accurate reading until they start losing their charge.
as far as i know, all OMs minus the OM-1s and OM-3s are battery dependent to some extent or the other. i think OM-2 is completely battery dependent? thus why i got an OM-3.
accepts a newer, more readily available battery but isn't battery dependent.
al1966
Feed Your Head
I have a hearing aid battery in my OM1, it gets me in the rough ball park of a correct exposure compared to a few other cameras and a Minolta meter. The down side is I have to put a rubber grommet around it but I can get a pack of ten for a couple of pounds.
dtcls100
Well-known
OM-1 battery
OM-1 battery
Instead of getting a Wein cell, just purchase a MR-9 adapter. It allows you to use a single 1.5volt silver oxide battery in lieu of the original 1.35volt mercury battery and works better than a Wein cell over time. Or you can get John Hermanson of Camtech to overhaul your OM-1 and install the necessary circuitry to use a silver oxide battery in your OM-1. I've had all of mine converted and their meters work great.
OM-1 battery
Instead of getting a Wein cell, just purchase a MR-9 adapter. It allows you to use a single 1.5volt silver oxide battery in lieu of the original 1.35volt mercury battery and works better than a Wein cell over time. Or you can get John Hermanson of Camtech to overhaul your OM-1 and install the necessary circuitry to use a silver oxide battery in your OM-1. I've had all of mine converted and their meters work great.
dtcls100
Well-known
I have a couple of OM-2n cameras and they work great. The only problem I have had with them is that if they are left in near freezing temperatures for a while, they tend to lockup due to the batteries getting really cold. It is the fault of the batteries, not the cameras, as if you pop in warm batteries they work fine. Of course, one could get or build one of those external battery packs that Rick Oleson discusses on his website to fix this problem. Or, as I typically do, you can use your OM-1 in the nasty cold weather. I typically use the OM-2n cameras over the OM-1n cameras during most of the year, but the OM-1 rules during the freezing winter months.
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
So here's my problem ... I have beautifully brassed OM-2. In automatic mode the meter display can get "stuck", though it is no matter since the display is just a display; the actual exposure is made OTF when the shutter is tripped.
Then there is the really nice OM-2n that just needs a John Hermanson tune-up to be a really sweet shooter. Do I need two? Well, with the other OMs around, not really. So maybe I should sell one.
But the black OM-2 with its little brass dress is SO sexy despite its quirks.
What say ye, Zuiko congregation?
Then there is the really nice OM-2n that just needs a John Hermanson tune-up to be a really sweet shooter. Do I need two? Well, with the other OMs around, not really. So maybe I should sell one.
But the black OM-2 with its little brass dress is SO sexy despite its quirks.
What say ye, Zuiko congregation?
Roscoe
Established
I see no problem. Unless you need the cash, keep both. And keep adding more. After all, its not like they're new, expensive cars (M9's)..
Liquid-Sky
Unregistered consumer
Om2n are smooth cameras Trius, may be when it comes back from camtech you will keep it !! They are also really batteries dependant, as well as if you pop up a mid roll into it you'll have to remove to cells and use the check reset or B to trip the shutter to get to the proper frame, othewise the shutter lockup. Also got tested long exposure in Auto onto mines, calculate 3:49mm... amazing!