What's the best Olympus OM?

Rodchenko said:
Well, I got the body yesterday, and it all checks out OK, though the shutter speed ring feels a tad stiffer than I remember it from my OM-1).

Just waiting for the lens now.

*drums fingers*
Click to expand...

Still waiting, though I have received a 70-210mm zoom, T32 flash and Op-Tech Envy strap for it.

Actually, I got a card through the door yesterday from the postman, so i went to the sorting office with the OM body, hoping I could pick up the lens and go play at lunchtime today.

It was the rollfilm I'd ordered. 🙄

I am still waiting for the lens.

*drums fingers more*
 
I love the OM-system! It´s addictive. I can´t stop it... 😀


OM4, 21/3.5


OM1, 135/3.5, Winder 1


OM2SP, 35/2.8


OM2n, 50/1.4


OM2n, 28/2.8

Thomas
 
Thank you. They are all amazing cameras, altough I don´t use the OM2SP often because it´s a little diva. 🙂 When I cock the shutter too hard I have to open the bottom plate and loosen two small screws to get everything moving again, otherwise the mirror stays locked up und I can´t shoot. Don´t know why this happens but I got the camera for free when I bought the OM4, so I can live with it. My two favourites are the silver OM2n and the OM4. And I love those lenses. So small, so good...

Thomas
 
GWT said:
Here it is -
OM1-MD.jpg


Thanks so much for all your inputs, I'll be shipping it off for a overhaul early next week and hopefully enjoying many years of OM heaven!
Click to expand...

The MD badge on the top cover indicates it is one of the oldest OM-1 when they started marking the fact that it took motor drive. Later badge moved to a cutout in the leather. John
 
Cheers for that John.

At first I thought it was odd that it was just a sticker as I'd only ever seen the badged versions, I wondered if someone had just stuck it there. I checked the bottom and there were two caps so I knew it was a MD.

I won't be using a Motordrive with it.
 
Just got my black OM-1 back from a CLA, it's got a new(ish) prism and foam to combat the original foam deterioration and now the v/f is fantastic! I wish I'd tried one of these little beauties before, it makes my F2 and T3 look positively brick like in comparism.
I have a strong affinity for manual cameras.
 
GWT said:
Cheers for that John.

At first I thought it was odd that it was just a sticker as I'd only ever seen the badged versions, I wondered if someone had just stuck it there. I checked the bottom and there were two caps so I knew it was a MD.

I won't be using a Motordrive with it.
Click to expand...

Hi,

The oldest ones didn't have the "MD" badge as they had to be returned to the factory for modification to take a motor drive. Took me a while to find one and Michael Spencer overhauled it for me and fitted a new-ish prism as the old one had the usual foam problem.

Regards, David
 
I have a very early "pre MD" OM-1 and I love it. It has the green prism and the foam has to be replaced but works perfectly. It is the smoothest operating of all my OM's. It is the quietest too.

It is also impressive how sharp the top and bottom plate stampings are. I guess the dies wear over time and the edges got rounded off slightly over the years.

For me the pre MD is the Best OM. (well, maybe an M-1 but...)
 
Any recommendations for OM glass? I have the 50 1.8, but I'm looking for a 28mm or 35mm on the wide end. On the tele side, is the 135mm f/3.5 any good?

How does Olympus glass compare to its contemporary FD glass for example?
 
CliveC said:
Any recommendations for OM glass? I have the 50 1.8, but I'm looking for a 28mm or 35mm on the wide end. On the tele side, is the 135mm f/3.5 any good?

How does Olympus glass compare to its contemporary FD glass for example?
Click to expand...

as with all questions about one company's glass vs. another, it depends.

Canon FD lenses and Olympus lenses do have some differences in style although if you like to shoot at f8 you wont notice the difference. As far as sharpness goes Olympus always prioritized across the frame consistency over peak center resolution, at least with the wides. I think Olympus' strength is in macro and wides, especially the fast wides ala the 21, 24 and 28 f2.0 lenses.

I think out of the inexpensive options (ie same realm as 50/1.8) the 28/3.5 is a real winner and definitely superior to the 35/2.8 IME. but it wouldnt be an OM thread if I didnt hype up the 50/3.5 macro, which is a wonderful lens that has a very unique style, great build and mechanics and will only cost you about 100 dollars for one in very excellent condition. I cant think of any 100 dollar purchase I have been as happy with.
 
A slight drift, if I may - how well does the OM-1n shutter mech cope with the Winder 2? I'm really only talking occasional use, and even more rarely sequencial use?

CliveC - the 135mm f/3.5 is a great buy for next to nothing. Very happy with mine and I also love the 28mm f/2.8. I have found I have a pretty complete kit with those two lenses and the standard 50mm f/1.8. Generally speaking all OM lenses are built the same way to the same quality standards and for that reason the x mm f/3.5s are a bargain.

I would love some "exotic" glass, but I swear since the mirrorless "revolution" OM prices have launched into the insane part of the exosphere so I fill in any gaps with my 4/3 System...
 
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