Which to keep - Olympus or Nikon?

[lonemantis]

So at the moment, I have three 35mm SLRs: an Olympus OM-1, a Canon AE-1, and a Nikon FM3a, which is more than I need. I will keep the Canon for sentimental reasons, since it was my first film camera. However, I like having a second mechanical SLR, so I'm trying to decide between the other two. I'd love to hear some opinions!

Here's how I see it:
OM-1:
+Great compact size
+Huge, awesome viewfinder
+Can shoot left eyed (I am generally left eyed)
+Inexpensive camera + lenses
-Only 1/1000th top speed
-No exposure information in VF besides simple meter
-Needs mercury battery replacements for meter

FM3a:
+Love having the option for AE with mechanical backup
+1/4000th top speed
+Lots of exposure info in VF, including aperture/shutter
+Newer camera, modern batteries, less likely to need service
-Much more expensive
-Larger body and lenses
-Shutter lock is annoying for left eyed shooting

Any thoughts?

 

[dogberryjr]

Keep the FM3a. If you start missing the OM, it can be replaced for the money you can find in your couch cushions.

 

[Frontman]

The FM3a does have the extra two stops of speed, and I love the meter in the finder. The OM has a bigger finder, and quiter operation. But to me, the more important issue is the lenses.

I have been shooting with Nikon gear for 25 years, and with Olympus gear for the last 5 years. I have come to prefer the Olympus lenses in most cases. I find the Olympus 50mm lenses outperform their Nikon cousins, and my OM 21/3.5 is a better performer than my Nikkor 20/2.8.

On the other hand, Nikon's telephoto lenses are more common and less expensive than the OM teles. I love the Nikkor 300/2.8, and the 50-300 ED zoom. These are wonderful for shooting nature or sports, and they work well on newer digital cameras.

So, I keep and use both systems.

 

[v_roma]

Not encouraging you to hoard but the om won't sell for much so why not just keep it? At the very least, it's a nice looking paper weight 🙂

 

[rover]

Sell it all.

 

[FrankS]

Keep it all.


😉

 

[mike rosenlof]

Keep the FM3a. If you start missing the OM, it can be replaced for the money you can find in your couch cushions.

I think very highly of the OM system, but I agree with this one.

Depends more on your lenses which is really best to keep. Much more Nikon stuff on the used market. That's either good for availability or bad for temptation.

 

[lonemantis]

Not encouraging you to hoard but the om won't sell for much so why not just keep it? At the very least, it's a nice looking paper weight 🙂

You make a good point, it's not so much an issue of money though, more of a distaste for redundancy on my part! I'm still undecided on whether I'll sell any of them at all.

Sell it all.

I like the zen anti-materialist vibe. I should have learned how to sand-paint instead! 😉

 

[Spavinaw]

Since you are keeping the Canon and can get FD lenses dirt cheap, why not go that route? If you don't particularly like the AE-1 you're keeping, then is there another Canon body you would like that you can get for cheap? Get it and use the AE-1 for backup. Not what you asked, but it's never stopped other folks from posting inapplicable replies to other questions.

 

[TXForester]

I'm going to hate myself for saying this, but keep the Nikon. I love Olympus. I was shooting a photo with my OM2s today and ran into a problem with not enough shutter speed. In bright light, when I want to open up the aperture, I often run out of shutter speed. Obviously you don't always want to shoot with a shallow DoF, but when you do, those two stops of shutter speed come in handy.

 

[lonemantis]

Since you are keeping the Canon and can get FD lenses dirt cheap, why not go that route? If you don't particularly like the AE-1 you're keeping, then is there another Canon body you would like that you can get for cheap? Get it and use the AE-1 for backup. Not what you asked, but it's never stopped other folks from posting inapplicable replies to other questions.

I've definitely considered this, although there aren't as many nice mechanical-only bodies for FD mount. I've used an FTb and thought it was clunky, and the F1 is getting expensive and is much larger.

 

[ferider]

Since you are keeping the Canon and can get FD lenses dirt cheap, why not go that route? If you don't particularly like the AE-1 you're keeping, then is there another Canon body you would like that you can get for cheap? Get it and use the AE-1 for backup. Not what you asked, but it's never stopped other folks from posting inapplicable replies to other questions.

This is the voice of reason.

The correct RFF answer is to add both an OM2 and an F3HP, and then decide which system you like better 🙂

PS: I use my OM1 with Cris adapter, works well.

 

[css9450]

Keep the Olympus. Keep the FM3. Sell the AE-1.

 

[farlymac]

Keep both, and use the OM as a loaner to someone whom you know that wants to get into film photography, and then maybe later on sell it to them. It would make a nice starter camera for a novice, as the simplified meter readout won't distract them from learning about composition, and light angles.


PF

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Rover is correct: Sell it all. Canon AE-1 is a common camera that was never a professional model as was the FM3a. The OM-1 was professional but it value is not high and it needs a converter for the battery. Having used all the above models I was not impressed with any of them.

 

[kshapero]

Sell it all then buy it back ASAP. You will have it all.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Sell them all, then buy back the first one you miss...

Regards, David

 

[Fraser]

Hi,

Sell them all, then buy back the first one you miss...

Regards, David

Nice one that sounds like something I would do😀

 

[tunalegs]

I'm going to hate myself for saying this, but keep the Nikon. I love Olympus. I was shooting a photo with my OM2s today and ran into a problem with not enough shutter speed. In bright light, when I want to open up the aperture, I often run out of shutter speed. Obviously you don't always want to shoot with a shallow DoF, but when you do, those two stops of shutter speed come in handy.

You could just not use 400ASA in bright sunny weather too. 🙂 Or use an ND filter if the need for a shallow DOF is really necessary.

 

[Ronny]

No doubt - Keep the Nikon and have a nice weekend.