I bought an OM4 (not T or Ti) and was very disappointed with the finder brightness compared to my Pentax MX and ME-Super. From reading on the net, I understand that the OM2SP, OM4, OM4Ti have an extra mirror which reduces finder brightness. I now have an OM2N and am much happier. Lovely finder!
Hi
Wintoid,
Well, I think I have an opportunity to make you happier.
The finder brightness of slrs.... Ok I will refer specifically to the OMs to avoid some curious folk with an original finding.... depends on the type of focusing screen.
Olympus has produced, I think but not sure, three families or generations of such screens, being the most bright the one called Lumi Micron. These are very similar to the Beatty and other super bright screens, but of higher quality finnish.
These Lumi Micron screens were standard glued to the fixed screen amateur OM line of cameras and to the OM4ti (OM4t) and OM3t (OM3ti).
Lumi Micron screens were sold as a separate screen, like any other Oly screen, but they were immediately disappeared from the market. The demmand was much bigger than the supply, and Olympus managers by those times were too busy twisting the hand of their genius Maitani, trying to avoid the evolution of the OM line into AF, I guess out of profit/convenience calculations.
I assume the screen you got is first generation.
Now there always has been an unfinnished debate about how much a brighter focusing screen will automatically improve your focusing, not just your composing.
I have said that the chances or finding a sole Lumi Micron screen are not close to zero but an absolute zero, yet it is too early to suicide. The second generation, I think it was known by the addition of the letter "n" (new, 13n for example) has not been whiped out of Earth and these screens are pretty bright compared to the first generation.
Now, as owner of OM4ti with a Lumi screen, and another Beatty interscreen, I would say the following. You purchase a Beatty, but I hope they have improved their finnish (central focusing part) since the one I bought it.
Secondly, in bright light the Lumi screen will betray your chances for quick focusing, as you will be looking for where the hell the focusing collar went.
And, as for finding an "n" series screen, you can look at the bay and ask sellers of part olys, or old olys, to look for the type of screen. The letter "n" was imprinted. Now dismounting the focusing screen, for a seller that has not the slightest idea, will be unpossible. But for a seller knowledgeable of Oly gear it will be a kids play he will do with his nail, literally.
All the above written is in general lines, and waits for my good friend
Trius to correct and redress to fine detail. Although the OM has and is the backbone of my camera fleet, there has passed a long time since I used them, as I discovered this site, and started with the Kiev rangefinder adventure.
Cheers,
Ruben
