What do you think is the best OM body and why?

[Keith]

I think my black OM-1 is always going to be my favourite camera of the range for sentimental reasons but what in your opinion is the best all round OM body? I know that the OM-3 and OM-4 have the extra shutter speed and the OM-4 has spot metering which is not a real priority for me but I gather the OM-3 has the best viewfinder with a different magnification and a very bright standard screen.

I've been toying with the idea of an f6 Nikon but I'm reluctant to get into another system that will require it's own lens collection although I do already have a couple of Zeiss ZF primes that I use on my D700 ... not to mention the svelte dimensions of the OM body are much more appealing to me than the bulky Nikon, as good as it may be.

What does reside on the top shelf of the OM range and what are the reasons in your opinion? I think I want another OM body and I would definitely like the extra shutter speed but I'm not sure which model to look for ... cost is not too important as I will be selling some other gear to fund this.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I don't think there's an answer to your question as they are all good but in different ways, even the lowly OM10 which you can pick up dirt cheap...

Regards, David

 

[helen.HH]

I only had One and loved it
Till it died ....the OM 1

Why?
Ease & Simplicity in use,
SLR BIG VF,
Always loved the old style beautiful needle meterIng

 

[dtcls100]

OM-4T aka OM-4Ti

OM-4T aka OM-4Ti

The best performing OM camera is the OM-4T aka OM-4Ti. While I don't use its multi-spot metering most of the time, I find that it is extremely useful in about 15-20% of my photographs. Also, with the optional/rare 2-13 (standard on OM-3Ti) or 2-4 focusing screen, it simply has the brightest, clearest, easiest to focus viewfinder of any SLR camera in existence. The built-in adjustable dioptric correction also enhances its viewfinder. The titanium top and bottom covers -- while not necessarily the best surface for paint adherence -- are quite rugged and light, and the titanium models have minimal battery drain.

 

[Liquid-Sky]

hi,
you already own the system so may be the Om2n for his great viewfinder and quite simple AE, not the speed or the Om4ti which have the best metering system ever put on a camera and worth the extra speed , i am sure you'll enjoy the latest, i say go for it! 😀
the om3 i think will be great for you if you like the om1.
i did had a good deal on mine and changed the light seals and mirror bumper, and levant black from cameraleather.
A

 

[sniki]

OM-4Ti & OM-3 Ti

 

[DamenS]

The OM-4 is my favourite camera out of all I have owned, though if I had some Nikon lenses and a Nikon camera as you do, I wouldn't buy into a dead system. I would get a Nikon FM-3a or even a cheap FE-2 and use your Zeiss lenses on that (they are not too much bigger than an OM-4).

 

[Keith]

The OM-4 is my favourite camera out of all I have owned, though if I had some Nikon lenses and a Nikon camera as you do, I wouldn't buy into a dead system. I would get a Nikon FM-3a or even a cheap FE-2 and use your Zeiss lenses on that (they are not too much bigger than an OM-4).

Hi Damen,

I had an FM3A and sold it a short while ago ... the viewfinder was a disappointment IMO. Nice camera but that really was a deal breaker for me.

 

[MRohlfing]

.... I would definitely like the extra shutter speed but I'm not sure which model to look for ...

If you want the extra shutter speed, there is not much choice, just OM-3 (Ti) or OM-4 (Ti). Both have the multi spot metering, the OM-4 has AE, but is battery dependant (just 1/60 and B without the batteries). If you set the switch to Manual it works just like the OM-3

I don't think the viewfinder is different in OM-3/OM-4, at least I have never heard of that before. You can change the screen in both of them.

Regarding Nikon: Did you ever think of buying F-3 instead of F-6, as you want to use manual focus lenses anyway? It is much less bulky, has AE from 1/2000 to very long shutter times (mine does at least 20 minutes). This is not autodynamic, like the OM-2/3/4, of course. No spot, but very much center weighted. Exchangeable screens and even exchangeable viewfinders. If you wear glasses, get the HP viewfinder, it is very easy to see everything without shifting the position of your eye.

Well, Olympus or Nikon? No, you have to have both to be happy! 😀

 

[DamenS]

Hi Damen,

I had an FM3A and sold it a short while ago ... the viewfinder was a disappointment IMO. Nice camera but that really was a deal breaker for me.

Oh, OK ... pity that, though - going F Mount in today's world is such a good move from a financial perspective (a bit like going M mount - universal is good). I must admit that I am one of those idiots who don't seem to notice too much difference in finders - I can go from a Nikon d40x to a Pentax ME Super and be amazed at the size and build difference without really noticing the finder ... 😱

 

[Keith]

Oh, OK ... pity that, though - going F Mount in today's world is such a good move from a financial perspective (a bit like going M mount - universal is good). I must admit that I am one of those idiots who don't seem to notice too much difference in finders - I can go from a Nikon d40x to a Pentax ME Super and be amazed at the size and build difference without really noticing the finder ... 😱

Maybe your eyes haven't been ravaged by the aging process yet? 😀

 

[DamenS]

Maybe your eyes haven't been ravaged by the aging process yet? 😀

LOL - I suspect it is the reverse ... I'm so blind, I can't tell the Hubble from a Bubble. Provided I have a 27 inch iMac screen viewed closely after I've taken yet another "unsighted" shot, I'm happy - and quite often surprised !!

 

[FrankS]

Keith, I like having a mechanical body paired with an electronic one. Rightly or wrongly, I have more confidence in the reliability of a mechanical camera. You have this mechanical body in the OM1, so either the OM2n or OM4 would be a good companion camera that offers you the option of auto exposure.

 

[marcr1230]

The OM-4T it was the culmination of the Maitani vision, and also my favorite.

I have the OM-3 also - I like both, the only issue I ever had was a mechanical one with the OM-4T which was resolved - so I don't know if there is a good reason to prefer mechanical over electronic since they are both mechanical as well.

both feel great and are a pleasure to operate.

 

[Paolo Bonello]

OM2 range. (OM2,OM2n,OM2s)
Aesthetics, price, simplicity, AE accuracy, manual capable. These are the attributes that win me over and keep me from the natural progression to the 4Ti.
For me the OM2 also marked the beginning of Olympus' brilliant AE capable - compact slr's. I think Maitani's vision was realized completely in this model and that's why I like it. A more rational assessment would pick the OM4 series but OM2 wins my vote. It's not cluttered by controls. Black paint will actually brass. Silver looks stunning with the self timer lever on the front and simple dials up top. It's beautiful balance of specs and aesthetics.

 

[ChrisP]

OM-1 for good light and OM-4ti for low light.
OM-1 can't be beat when you can see the needle for its bright simple viewfinder. A Joy to shoot.

OM-4ti has an uncluttered viewfinder with a stupid amount of information in it (in a good way, it tells you alot but doesn't take over the viewfinder). One of the best I've seen IMO. Only thing missing is aperture readout. Other than that its amazing for shooting low light because it tells you so much and lights up.

However, for anyone who enjoys the OM-1 experience I would highly recommend trying a Pentax MX. Viewfinder that rivals the OM-1 for size and brightness, it shows shutter speed, aperture and uses LED's so you can easily see them in any light. Same body size as the OM series, a little more rounded off which makes it feel even smaller in the hands and Pentax makes some very nice lenses. Personally I think its one of the most under rated cameras around.

 

[DamenS]

I should mention that if you go for the OM-4, maybe go for the Ti, by which stage the battery drain problem on the logic boards had been solved. I loved my OM-4, but paid $600 to get the logic board replaced - so it is just a problem to be aware of ...

 

[jackbaty]

Maybe your eyes haven't been ravaged by the aging process yet? 😀

I still prefer the OM-1n to the OM-2n, even though the latter can be more convenient.

For the reasons stated earlier, I have been considering replacing a couple of my OM bodies and lenses with an FM3a but have heard mixed things about the viewfinder. Does wearing glasses make FM3a difficult to use?

 

[Biggles]

Have an OM-1n, had an OM-4 concurrently, but sold that one off. Used both side-by-side quite a bit for about five years. Found the -4 to be better for taking correctly exposed pictures consistently, but hopeless for the quick snapshots I regularly pulled off with the -1n.

Would dearly love to end up with an OM-3 as well at some point, because of its particular combination of features. That body, to me, represents the zenith of the line's development. I'd still keep the OM-1n, though.

 

[newspaperguy]

Hi Keith... Cast my vote for the OM2n paired with your OM1.

That's the combo I ended up with - not once, but twice.
Found the OM4ti just too fiddly for me... I realized that I want
results, not processes. Did add the 2 series screens to both my
current bodies (Actually, one screen is a Beatty).

Just my $0.02.