OM, I've become a Zuikoholic!

So, I picked up an Olympus 35 SP rangefinder for £50 three weeks ago, really disliked it, sold it for £120, then found an OM4, plus 50mm 1.8 body cap for £43, which I absolutely love shooting with. One of those months where buying and selling kit really works...seriously, though, the OM4 is a revelation. Even nicer to use than my OM1s and 2s, of which I have a few
 
I never use my OM-4T anymore. I should sell it but then my collection would have a hole in it.

And I don't use the OM-2sp either, and not so fond of the OM2n.

It will be my winter project. Go through all my OM's, clean them up and sell off the ones I don't use.

Could I ever get back to one single OM-1? (well, probably not just one)
 
wblynch said:
I never use my OM-4T anymore. I should sell it but then my collection would have a hole in it.

And I don't use the OM-2sp either, and not so fond of the OM2n.

It will be my winter project. Go through all my OM's, clean them up and sell off the ones I don't use.

Could I ever get back to one single OM-1? (well, probably not just one)
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I've not had the fortune of using the OM-4T -- maybe one day when one becomes available :) Why not fond of the OM-2n?
 
conyon said:
I'm a sucker for any of the Olympus film cameras -- including the Trip :)
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Well, I am really liking the OM-1 MD that I have as of a week ago. And now I also sourced a nice silvernose 1.4 50mm, to complement my very sharp 1.8 50mm "Japan". I will keep them both for the time being, the 1.8 is technically the "better" lens, sharper and contrastier, but for my black-and-white needs the 1.4 suits me better in most situations. The 1.4 silvernose at f2 is a smidgen less sharp than the 1.8, but really sharp enough.
Really interesting though how the 1.8 is easier to focus.
 
conyon said:
I've not had the fortune of using the OM-4T -- maybe one day when one becomes available :) Why not fond of the OM-2n?
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I just don't get pleasing auto-exposures with it Anything backlit gets underexposed to hell. (yes even with compensation). And the OM-4T is just too confusing.

But perhaps it's just me. I'm better off with manual cameras.

I think I will try the OM-2n in manual mode only, for a few rolls and see if I'm happier. The camera itself is near mint, bought new in box, forgotten for years in someone's closet. I've run probably 50 rolls through it.
 
wblynch said:
I just don't get pleasing auto-exposures with it Anything backlit gets underexposed to hell. (yes even with compensation). And the OM-4T is just too confusing.

But perhaps it's just me. I'm better off with manual cameras.

I think I will try the OM-2n in manual mode only, for a few rolls and see if I'm happier. The camera itself is near mint, bought new in box, forgotten for years in someone's closet. I've run probably 50 rolls through it.
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I tend to shift the OM-2n to manual for special exposures, excepting shifting light where that OTF metering really helps. Still want an OM-4t though for the meter and the better sealing.
 
p.giannakis said:
Does anyone know how to date your Olympus based on the serial number?
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I've kept this on my computer, but I don't remember where I found it.

No need to check any serial numbers for production period: The OM-4T(i) has a white code in the film chamber reading TNxyz where x refers to the production year (C=1983, D=1984, ... L=1992, ...., V=2002=last production year, up to Dec.), y is the production month (1=Jan, ...9=Sept, A=Oct ... C=Dec), z=production day (sometimes in early models not shown). Your 1201605 should have TNLy or TNMy (produced 1992 or 1993). BTW, TN shows production at the Tatsuno plant (all OM-4T(i) were produced there).

From 1998 on, serial numbers jumped to the 2,200,000 range. The latest models are in the 2,3xx,xxx and 2,4xx,xxx range.

It refers to the OM4Ti, but my OM2sp also has the white code.
 
ThomasM said:
I've kept this on my computer, but I don't remember where I found it.

No need to check any serial numbers for production period: The OM-4T(i) has a white code in the film chamber reading TNxyz where x refers to the production year (C=1983, D=1984, ... L=1992, ...., V=2002=last production year, up to Dec.), y is the production month (1=Jan, ...9=Sept, A=Oct ... C=Dec), z=production day (sometimes in early models not shown). Your 1201605 should have TNLy or TNMy (produced 1992 or 1993). BTW, TN shows production at the Tatsuno plant (all OM-4T(i) were produced there).

From 1998 on, serial numbers jumped to the 2,200,000 range. The latest models are in the 2,3xx,xxx and 2,4xx,xxx range.

It refers to the OM4Ti, but my OM2sp also has the white code.
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My Olympus OM-1n has a code S016... so probably the older OMs were coded differently.
 
OK, I always knew the OM lenses were good and I had some friends who were somewhat zealous OM-o-philes (they always made fun of my Nikon too, not nice:mad:).

Well, I just inherited an OM2n with a 90/2.0 attached. WOW!!! Other than the body being a tad small for my hands, I find it hard to make a bad exposure (I have to credit the lens for this, I'm not a very skilled photographer). This 90/2 is hands down the best performing lens of this focal length that I've ever had the pleasure to hold. I should mention that it is specifically a "macro" lens and it definitely performs better than any of my micro-Nikkors. Did I say "Wow!" already?

The OM likely won't replace my Leica shooting experience, but I'm on the hunt for more OM glass... I've seen it go for cheap in the local thrift shop. Hmmm. I'll see y'all later...
 
OM-1 and 2 production date can be found from 3-4 character code on tha backside of the pressure plate: first letter is the manufacturing factory, second is a number and designates the year and then month. The mentioned S016 would be january 1980.
 
Spyderman said:
OM-1 and 2 production date can be found from 3-4 character code on tha backside of the pressure plate: first letter is the manufacturing factory, second is a number and designates the year and then month. The mentioned S016 would be january 1980.
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Would be useful if you found that data on how to date the OM's.


I have given a bit of thought on dating but didn't end doing it...
My OM-1 MD has S61 4 (with that space) on the back of the pressure plate, and a 5 on the back itself, hidden behind where the plate goes.
So, as said... January 1976? And same factory as Giannakis' OM1.

Si it is now about 38 years old, and I gotten it at 32. Still a champ!

Nice!
 
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