The OM system cameras and lenses are wonderfull. I still have my black-paint OM-1 and several original lenses that I purchased in 1978. All fuction perfectly. When it first came out some photography mags campared the mechanical functions of the OM-1 as "leica-like" in quality...........I have to agree. When I was looking at a Bessa R2 last year.......I asked Steve Gandy if the build quality would be similar to my OM-1............he said..........no. I am still considering a RM3 though. The Olympus just feels good in the hands.......and so compact. All my lenses (21, 28, 35, 50 & 100).......take 49mm filters and accessories. The 100mm 2.8 is about the size of any other brands normal lens. The systems was not a "redesign" of an existing system......but completely designed from scratch. Several of the lenses are "world class".........the 100mm f2 in particular is just phenomenal. I would'nt swap them for "any" other slr equipment. My travel set is a 28mm f2.8, 50mm f1.8 and a 100mm f2.8 and OM-1. Very compact kit for an slr system. Everything still functions silky-smooth after almost 30 years of use.
I am coming back to rangefinders to further reduce the size and weight of an all-round travel kit. For me "less".........is more. I have a Canonet QL17-III with the 40mm lens I take back-packing. I am becoming less of a "techno" freak......and am divesting myself gear I don't use very often.
Not to offend......when I pick-up my Om-1 (one in excellent condition goes for less than $200 on E-bay)........and then pick-up a new ($2,500) leica (with-out lens!).......I just don't get it!!?? Don't get me wrong....I appreciate quality. The Leica is nice........but maybe "too precious". I would be affraid to use it. My wife is Russian and we make a yearly vacation trip to Russia. I would never take such expensive stuff to Russia.........the risk of theft is just too great. If I am affraid to use equipment in places like Russia with such phenomenal photo ops......why bother to purchase such equipment in the first place. Dante Stella's choice of equipment for a travel kit......Konica Hexar (non rf) and a Fuji GA645......both with 35mm (equivalent on the GA645) lenses......actually sounds interesting. I like the restriction of only one or two lenses.......it "forces" you to make do (maybe be "more" creative with what you have).
Maybe I'll just take a Fed, Zorki or Kiev to Russia next time. As far as "theft".....nobody will pay you any mind.
Capt B
