OM, I've become a Zuikoholic!

Olympus OM-1n with Zuiko 28/2.8
Kodak Tri-X in Rodinal

pic.jpg
 
Why mot?

Why mot?

r
kemal_mumcu said:
I always come back to this system. I wonder if one day someone could come out with a full frame retro body that would directly take OM glass. Probably not.

Why not? I think they should. Nikon did the same thing, which is why I decided to switch to them from Olympus: I have been shooting on film with an F2sb and an FM and in digital with a D600, all with a bunch of ais lenses. I couldn't resist anyway, so I had to bought an OM2 sp and four Zuokos...plus an XA. I am quite happy ever since. I switched systems eleven years ago, but now that I use both it feels great. If Olympus would make a full frame digital that could mount the old Zuiko, I would sell the D600 in a blink...not the othe other analog Nikons, anyway...
Click to expand...
 
016%202%20-%20Copy_zpso1he03tf.jpg


Photo of my wife and daughter taken some years ago with one of my OM cameras and Zuiko lenses (not sure what was exactly used).
 
just curious, if you can only own 1 om camera, which will you choose?
I am initially leaning more towards the mechanical Om1 , but the AE on the Om2 is really useful as well. Om4 seems little too complex for my liking and Om3 is over price for me.
 
paapoopa said:
just curious, if you can only own 1 om camera, which will you choose?
I am initially leaning more towards the mechanical Om1 , but the AE on the Om2 is really useful as well. Om4 seems little too complex for my liking and Om3 is over price for me.
Click to expand...

I used the same OM2n body professionally for about ten years, and it remains my all-time favorite camera to this day. I sold it in 1992 when aging eyes mandated switching to autofocus, but I wish I had kept it. I recently acquired another one for old times' sake!
 
^ IIRC there were four iterations. I didn't get along well with mine. It wasn't the last "best" version, but I'm not blaming on my lack of success on that ... I don't think. The geometry just didn't seem to work for me, while I am very comfortable with the 21/2 and 28/2.8.

Sharpness, colour and contrast were all good.
 
Hi,

Only one OM? Sounds weird to me as they are dirt cheap for what they are and punch well above their weight.

Anyway, if only one then the OM-2n.

If only two then the OM-1 and OM-4

And I'd miss the simple pleasures of the OM10 with these restrictions...

Regards, David
 
David Hughes said:
Hi,

Only one OM? Sounds weird to me as they are dirt cheap for what they are and punch well above their weight.

Anyway, if only one then the OM-2n.

If only two then the OM-1 and OM-4

And I'd miss the simple pleasures of the OM10 with these restrictions...

Regards, David
Click to expand...

David,
Can you explain why? I shouldn't be asking, as i don't do enough with the gear i have, but Olympus is probably the only (major) brand i've never experienced.... I've been curious.
 
I went through a phase that I was an Olympus snob. I just thought there was a lot of hype for nothing. Then I got an Olympus OM-1n and i was converted to a believer - sold that camera with the the Silvernose 50 1.4 together with some other gear during a "major spring clean crisis" and recently I got a OM-2n for peanuts. Pictures coming soon.
From my point of view, it is difficult to explain what makes the OM system so desirable. It is the combination of several factors such as reliability, compact size, excellent viewfinders, very nice lenses and very smooth operation. Add to this, the low prices that these cameras fetch compared to the professional rivals of other companies.

I have three posts on my blog:

The OM-1n: http://pansfilmcameras.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/olympus-om-1n.html

The lenses: http://pansfilmcameras.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/the-zuiko-lenses.html

A lens comparison test: http://pansfilmcameras.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/zuiko-silvernose-50-f14-vs-zuiko-made.html
 
CK Dexter Haven said:
David,
Can you explain why? I shouldn't be asking, as i don't do enough with the gear i have, but Olympus is probably the only (major) brand i've never experienced.... I've been curious.
Click to expand...

Hi,

I'll try but I don't think I have to mention the design, lenses, feel etc.

I like the OM-1 but it is purely manual and laziness means I'd refer the OM-2 which is auto and manual and I can switch between them. So that's my single body answer.

As for the OM-1 and OM-4 together; the OM-1 was a classic; it shook up things and soon every maker was copying it. I can't find or afford the M-1 version and so hunted down a first year OM-1 without the MD bits. So I've almost the original to love but it is purely manual and I'm lazy at times. So I'd match it with the OM-4 which is just amazingly clever and, anyway, I can't afford the OM-4Ti.

The OM10 is a sort of lovely SLR P&S and - if treated like a P&S - cannot be faulted. I get bouts of sense from time to time and sell my OM10 and swear to manage without but I always jump at the chance to get another. My current one cost £3 (UKP) about $4...

BTW, some of the cameras produced to see off the OM-1 have a place in the collection and it's interesting to see how they (Pentax and Minolta for example) went about it.

Regards, David

PS And FWIW I prefer the standard f/1.8 lens to the super fast ones.
 
Really like your work. Excellent images with the Zuiko lenses. I just picked up a 5d to use mine full-frame.

Shab said:
In the last months I'm using my X-Pro 1 and some lenses. And there are some of my beloved OM lenses. :)

Here you have some photos:

DSCF7775_PS.jpg


DSCF7681_PS.jpg


Both with the Zuiko G 50mm 1.4.
Click to expand...
 
David Hughes said:
Hi,

I'll try but I don't think I have to mention the design, lenses, feel etc.

I like the OM-1 but it is purely manual and laziness means I'd refer the OM-2 which is auto and manual and I can switch between them. So that's my single body answer.

As for the OM-1 and OM-4 together; the OM-1 was a classic; it shook up things and soon every maker was copying it. I can't find or afford the M-1 version and so hunted down a first year OM-1 without the MD bits. So I've almost the original to love but it is purely manual and I'm lazy at times. So I'd match it with the OM-4 which is just amazingly clever and, anyway, I can't afford the OM-4Ti.

The OM10 is a sort of lovely SLR P&S and - if treated like a P&S - cannot be faulted. I get bouts of sense from time to time and sell my OM10 and swear to manage without but I always jump at the chance to get another. My current one cost £3 (UKP) about $4...

BTW, some of the cameras produced to see off the OM-1 have a place in the collection and it's interesting to see how they (Pentax and Minolta for example) went about it.

Regards, David

PS And FWIW I prefer the standard f/1.8 lens to the super fast ones.
Click to expand...

Thanks, David.
 
Was at a camera flea market yesterday, I had the intention to "just look" and not buy anything. Found a few prospects, checked them thoroughly with a flashlight, but nothing was good enough to buy. Then when we were just leaving, I saw two capped zuiko lenses on a table, lifted the first lid, 35/2, second lid, 85/2.
Put the lid slowly back in place.
Asked the seller for a price, he gave me a very reasonable number, about half the eBay price.
I agree, pay him, and leave.

Then my girlfriend and I took a beer in the sun, had a nice dinner at a restaurant, and went home. Took a picture of her with the new lens and my a7:

med_U44484I1460300619.SEQ.0.jpg

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/showphoto.php?photoid=259026&showall=1

Then we get in, I take out my celllphone and turn on its flashlight.

Haze.. Damn haze.. On one of the internal elements.

It's not the first time this happens, I know I should NEVER trust any selller, and ALWAYS flashlight test the lenses before buy.


So, does anyone know if the 85/2 has a haze that can be cleared, or do I need to find a replacement element?

Cheers!
 
Not sure who is good at lens repairs in your area - John Hermanson @ zuiko.com (USA) is one of the best experts. If he can't clean it, no one can. He will give you an honest estimate of both cost and turnaround time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom