Which OM?

[p.giannakis]

Hi everyone.

It seems that I've been a good boy all year long and Father Xmas decided to grand my wish for an Olympus OM.
My total budget is £100 - £120, I wouldn't like to stretch beyond this. I like automation in cameras but I can live without it too (I love shooting with my IIc).
So, which one do you suggest?

Regards,
Pan

 

[maitani]

Hi, I'd suggest an OM-1n (full mechanical) or an Om-2n (electronic shutter) in this price range, both are very reliable and can be had for this money with a decent lens on them (35 2.8 or 50 1.8 are very good lenses to start)

 

[D.O'K.]

An OM1n--the classic. Delightful to use; best ever viewfinder; elegant; easy to find well within your budget and (if required) easy to repair and maintain.

Although the meter requires obsolete batteries that problem is easily solved by a Criscam adapter (c.£30) or similar.

The only drawback for you might be the lack of automation. However, if you can obtain one to try out you might find its advantages outweigh that.

Regards,
D.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

OM-2n if money's an issue, OM-4T if its not (and these have become so cheap it may not be a problem...don't know what they sell for in the UK but they're cheap in the USA now). Why not the OM-1? The battery issue is more complex than most admit. The fact is, this camera was designed for its meter to be accurate with a certain battery that is no longer made and the adapters do not give a perfect linear voltage discharge.

The OM-2 is basically an OM-1 with added autoexposure and most importantly MODERN BATTERIES. The OM-4T adds an incredible spotmetering system to the OM-2 concept. I have 3 OM-4T bodies, incredible system. The plain OM-4 had serious circuitry problems that caused battery drain. Some have been upgraded to newer circuit boards that fixed it, but you'd need to handle the camera to see if its one that has had the update (battery check automatically turns off after 30 seconds on upgraded OM-4 bodies).

 

[Peter^]

There are also a number of OM 1n's on the market which have been converted to 1.5 V. I've just had mine cleaned, all the seals exchanged and converted for 100 euro. A good deal for me, because I have some yummy lenses for it.

 

[p.giannakis]

Is the viewfinder the same in both the OM-1 and OM-2 ?

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Is the viewfinder the same in both the OM-1 and OM-2 ?

Yes. All OM bodies use the same focusing screens too, although the OM-4/4T, OM-3/3Ti, and OM-2sp can also use the optional and rare 2-series screens that give brighter finders. These cameras do have different finder systems than the OM-1 and OM-2 despite the interchangeablility of the standard screens.

 

[ruby.monkey]

OM-2n. You can play the manual-only game when you want to, and have aperture-priority autoexposure when you don't; and you're far more likely to run out of film than of SR44s.

 

[helen.HH]

May Santa Elves bring you my Favorite Om ... the Om1
Simplicity at its Best and I love the old meter needle 🙂

Have a Grand Holiday Pan !
Best- H

 

[ferider]

An OM1 or OM1n CLA'ed by John. It will work forever.

 

[hans voralberg]

For that budget get a OM-2n and be happy 🙂

 

[maitani]

if budget allows get the the plain OM-3

 

[p.giannakis]

Noone mentioned the OM-2SP so far. Is there a reason why not?

 

[Pete B]

I've sent you a PM.
The only thing I've heard against the SP was that it was a bit thirsty on batteries.
Pete

 

[TXForester]

I've own an OM-1 and OM-2n and you can't go wrong with either one. The OM-1 can shoot without the battery, so that is a plus.

 

[Gerry M]

I have an OM1, OM2n and OM4T and all are great shooters. I think finding the best one within your budget will work just fine.

 

[rover]

Well, I just found an OM4t cheap, so when it arrives I will have to share my impressions. I do have an OM1. Honestly, I was not wow'd when I got it. It is a very nice camera, but not the be-all end-all for me. OM body prices are very affordable right now, so if I just figured that the 4t I found was worth a whirl.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

The OM-1 has serious battery issues and you will need to add to the cost the MR-9 to get the meter to function properly. The OM-2 will work on commonly available batteries. But, then again the OM-2 will more than likely cost more than an OM-1. (On a personal note I tried the OM-1 without the MR-9 and the meter was not accurate.)

 

[Dave Jenkins]

I used the Olympus OM system on PJ assignments around the US and in 27 countries from 1979 to 1992, when aging eyes necessitated a switch to autofocus. I really, really like the OM2Sp, but it does have a battery drain problem. Never used the OM4 series, but in my experience you just can't beat the OM2n.

 

[Peter_Jones]

I prefer the large shutter speed dials on the OM1 and OM2 rather than the thinner one on the OM2SP (not owned a 3 or 4 yet...).
OM2SP with motorwind is a good kit as it can be used in "Program" mode (i.e. cheating lol), but the sound made on an OM1 when you change the lower shutter speeds is so cool 🙂