Which OM?

Get OM-1n if you want fully manual OM, just take the battery out and glue the battery cover. Use it like you would a Barnack Leica. There is nothing quite like it. Plus, you probably can get one cheap from someone who throw it away because the meter is not working... big deal!

Get OM-2n if you want a reliable meter. You still get that uncluttered super bright viewfinder and the classic feel but with metering.

Get OM-2sp if you want spot metering but for some reason can't get an OM-4 for the same price. I like the vertical indicators in the viewfinder better than the horizontal strip in OM-3/4

Get OM-4 for the ultimate metering features. One of the best in the industry. Having said that I sold my OM-4's because I have the OM-3.

Get OM-3 if you want to be fancy. With the advanced metering like its sibling OM-4 and fully manual operation if/when you're stuck without a battery, it's the ideal OM-machine.

My opinion: Skip the T or Ti models. All those are good for is earning you money in resale, that is, if you managed to get one below the high prices they command. Oh, and non-black Ti models looks crummy when the body has just a few pitting and peeling.

Another opinion: If you are not a brand snob and just want to get a good camera that is light and very useful, get an OM-2000. It even has a simple spot metering. Yes, it's not purebred Olympus. So what?
 
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i have an OM-1 that i got from my bf's dad. the meter doesn't work & the viewfinder is dirty, but it's otherwise fine. i use it with a handheld meter or the Sunny 16 rule and it's great! love it.

i just bought a "cheap" OM-3 that's supposedly in excellent working condition on eBay and can't wait to get it. basically an OM-1 with some improvements and a kickass metering system-- what could be better? and as some others have pointed out, not all OM-3s suffer from battery drain. my fingers are crossed!
 
Hi,

OM2N gives match needle or auto and takes LR44's or SR44's which are dirt cheap and common as muck. The OM1 needs mercury ones or else a Wein cell or a special adapter and small batteries. So long term my money went on the OM2n and I've a nice OM10 (dirt cheap bodies from £5 upwards) and a manual adapter as back up and fun camera.

One or two have mentioned failed meters to that I'd say get it repaired. There's more than enough people specialising in the OM's in the UK and one or two will even adapt them for modern batteries.

Regards, David
 
OM1 or 2

OM1 or 2

For me, I would go for the OM1n. Battery fails, just go "sunny 16". Just get it CLA'd and it will last for many years. IMHO ;) (The 1n will have all the updates over the 1)
 
nighstar said:
and as some others have pointed out, not all OM-3s suffer from battery drain. my fingers are crossed!
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Why worry?
Don't over-tighten the battery cover and just take the battery out when you're not shooting with the camera.
 
OM-1, I'd say. A better camera is hard to find, I don't think you could get any better, well, maybe a Nikon F2 or something in the rangefinder-way, Leica M2 perhaps?

Batteries for that matter, is easily solved with a hearing aid battery. That's what I use, and it's cheap too! Use the Air/zink batteries (1,4V) and your all set to go. Keep in mind, when they die, and they WILL, they die instantly, so always have a spare in your wallet.

Find yourself a good camera, a good lens, and bye a pack of film. Dont be afraid of weather, my camera has been used and abused by the Swedish mountain rangers (my dad was a mountain ranger, or, as we say in sweden, Fjällljägarsoldat). He went through some 100 rolls of film before leaving the army, and by that time, the camera still worked like a charm.
 
wblynch said:
Hey Monz, I like the leather strap and protectors on your OM-1. Are they available anywhere?

Thanks, Bill
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Hi Bill,
I bought that strap at a camera fair in UK for about 10 GBP, if I remember correctly. I think it's one of those Chinese straps that one sees on eBay. It looks nice but the leather is not very supple; nowhere near as soft as a Luigi strap.
 
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The 2S and 3 have the same battery drain problems, both bodies are unserviceable electronically. I suggest OM-1N, completely mechanical, with an easily solved battery problem. OM-2N used with proper battery is every bit as accurate as OM-1/1N and just as serviceable. You should budget yourself for an overhaul. John
 
Monz said:
Hi Bill,
I bought that strap at a camera fair in UK for about 10 GBP, if I remember correctly. I think it's one of those Chinese strap that one sees on eBay. It looks nice but the leather is not very supple; nowhere near as soft as a Luigi strap.
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Thanks Monz. It sure looks nice though.

I guess it's time for me to pony up for a Luigi strap.
 
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