OM, I've become a Zuikoholic!

[jcb4718]

I also have the OM 28mm f3.5 and the Voigtlander (CV) 28mm f3.5. Both are fine lenses but in a side-by-side comparison, the CV images have more 'punch'. The CV has more micro-contrast and the images look 'crisper'.

 

[Artingei]

OM-10 and OM-1 with the 28mm f2 on Foma 100 and 400, each pushed +1 in Rodinal

 

[wjlapier]

A recent acquisition--OM2 with 28/3.5 lens. The body looks very well used and will need light seals but the shutter sounds great. Viewfinder nice. Lens is very clean. Nice little camera.

 

[Paulbe]

wjlapier---you'll love that lens! The camera is fine too--a great way to find out just how good those OM cameras were!

 

[kuvvy]

Always have liked the OMs though mine is a little neglected at the mo. Gonna run a roll of Cinestill through next. Need to shoot the 85/2 I bought a while ago and never got round to really giving a workout.
Got a really nice 35/2 that I haven’t used at all yet. May sell as I generally prefer wider. Must get some shots on this thread.

Paul

 

[p.giannakis]

ilford HP5Plus in HC110
Olympus OM2n - Zuiko 50 f/1.4

 

[lawrence]

Ana, Ourense, Spain. February 2019.

Ana, Ourense, Spain. February 2019.

OM2n with Vivitar 35mm f1.9. Tri-X in ATM 49.

 

[Jerevan]

I bought a winder (version 2) and while it is nowhere near the Nikon F3/MD4 brick combo, I can't help but think that it sort of negates the essence of the OM, at least with smaller lenses like the 50/1.4 and the 28/2.8 I use.

I am going to "haul" it around a bit and see if I like it. Does anyone else of you use the winders?

 

[sreed2006]

I bought a winder (version 2) and while it is nowhere near the Nikon F3/MD4 brick combo, I can't help but think that it sort of negates the essence of the OM, at least with smaller lenses like the 50/1.4 and the 28/2.8 I use.

I am going to "haul" it around a bit and see if I like it. Does anyone else of you use the winders?

I have a love/hate relationship with the Winder 2.
Love: it advances the film quickly, and it provides a nice grip.
Hate: it is louder than I like, doesn't work with OM-1 and OM-2 at shutter speeds longer than about 1/30 (it advances the film while the shutter is still open), and that chrome strap holder metal piece at the bottom digs into my right hand.

After removing the chrome strap holder metal protrusion I find the Winder/OM combination quite comfortable to hold. I like using it now in situations where the noise won't be a bother.

 

[Jerevan]

I have a love/hate relationship with the Winder 2.

I'll see how it turns out long term for me, but yes it is loud, indeed.

Good to know about the lower limit of a 1/30 second, I guess that it hinges on the 0.3 second wind-on speed that the manual describes.

I am anyways thinking it will be relegated to daylight and faster (400/800) film, so it will be used for handheld action stuff.

 

[Uncle Brian]

I like the Winder 2 as it makes the camera easier to hold but I dislike the look and hate the extra weight and that terrible noise. Good for shooting when the noise doesn't matter too much because it does a great job. Funny thing is that at one time I would have loved the noise as it sounded more like a pro camera 🙂

 

[j.scooter]

OM4T Zuiko 28 F2

 

[Uncle Bill]

Harbourfront, Toronto last weekend.
Camera: Olympus OM-1md, Zuiko 50 f1.4 silver nose lens.
Film: Kodak Ektar 100.
Another View of the Trillium by Bill Smith, on Flickr

Welcome to Sugar Beach by Bill Smith, on Flickr

Same camera and film on the same day with a 28 f2.8 Zuiko lens.

Under the Gardiner at Yonge 3 by Bill Smith, on Flickr

Stone Eagle on the Wall by Bill Smith, on Flickr

 

[p.giannakis]

Poland - June 2018
ilford HP5+ in HC110
Olympus OM-2n Zuiko 28f/3.5

 

[p.giannakis]

ilford HP5+ in HC110
Olympus OM-2n Zuiko 28f/3.5

 

[p.giannakis]

Fomapan 200 in HC-110 (Dilution H)
Olympus OM-2n

 

[peterm1]

Hi Peter, I'm not sure if my reply is any good after a while but the OM Zuiko 100/2.8 is a very practical focal length for me and wide open I find it rather sharp in detail although just a touch lower contrast wide open but that is no problem. The out of focus areas are really smooth for it's type and the angle of view very practical. The colour is consistent like all Zuiko's and the contrast is good to excellent from f4. The best thing is the size. It is a small and light lens. Practical and easy to carry. A joy to use. I prefer the later multi-coated versions because they tend to work best on digital I find, like my Sony a7. Sharpness is plenty good, I cannot see how one cannot acquire a sharp image with it. Even wide open, slight increase in contrast in Photoshop or what ever is not an issue. It does not render like an 85/2 or Sonnar type, if you want a Sonnar - well, you know who you are but this is one of the best little telephoto lenses out there. If used on digital, the contrast is just right even wide open.

Here are some examples:

Sony a7, OM Zuiko 100/2.8 MC @ f2.8, VSCO Astia Filter

Wallaroo Sunset and Pine Silhouette

Wallaroo Sunset

Sports Day Portrait
Sony a7, OM Zuiko 100/2.8 MC @ f2.8, VSCO Provia Filter

Teddy hi and thank you for this. I discovered your response belatedly. And its good to hear from another South Aussie.

I think I agree with you on the 100mm f2.8. It has a very "clean" and modern rendering which I would certainly not complain about. It makes it perfect as a walkabout longer standard lens. I have a soft spot for 100mm lenses in any event for some reason and this one is right up there. You are correct in saying it is not like a Sonnar - it does not have that kind of Sonnar character. But as as lens for everyday use its perfect. In particular I like its tiny size and how it "sits" on digital mirrorless cameras.

Since then I have gone out of my way to acquire a couple of other Olympus lenses too. The first is a 135mm f3.5 (135's tend to be cheap to buy but good - though I have not yet had a chance to test it properly yet I expect the same of this one.) The second is a 35-70mm f3.6 (yes - f3.6) zoom. This is supposed to be their best performing 35-70mm being the "pro" one with a non variable maximum aperture. But for an OM lens its a monster - both comparatively big and heavy. Though still not overly big by the standards of other SLR systems. Again, I have been out of action photographically for a few months and am yet to really give it a run. My initial impression though is while optically it is excellent, on an M4/3 its slowish maximum aperture makes it a bit harder to nail correct focus requiring the viewfinder image to be enlarged as focus peaking will not always show.

Another non OM Olympus I am using and really like is the little Auto T 100mm f3.5 for the Pen FT system. It is tiny but sharp and nice to work with.

The Olympus systems are ones I have not tried much until the above lenses came into my life and i can say they are very good. I am certainly not disappointed.

 

[p.giannakis]

Olympus OM-2n

Zuiko 50 f/1.4

 

[tungba]

Nice one...got to be quick!

 

[Fraser]

Just ran a roll of film through one of my Om4s last week reminded me how good the om lenses are, I'm now in the process of selling all my Nikon F stuff but I'm keeping the OM stuff!