Olympus OM-System 35mm Film SLRs, Classic Collectibles
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The Olympus OM-System
If you know Olympus, the camera manufacturer from Japan, then you will know that in the years past, Olympus made some of the finest and innovative manual focus SLRs and lenses of all time, including the OM-System line that are still in use today by many amateurs and professionals alike. The OM-System line are high on collectors and photo enthusiasts wish list and there are quiet a number of these items that are available on auctions sites like eBay and others.
Why are they becoming collectors and photo enthusiasts items now? Firstly, there is a growing realization now that pictures taken on film images are far superior than those taken by digital sensors, you still can get film cameras and the film serviced at a much lower cost when compared to the digitals, these all metal mechanical cameras will still outlast your present digital counterparts by many, many years...
Why Olympus? Olympus OM-System bodies tend to be a lot smaller than their competitor's counterparts, muck like present day photo enthusiasts digital bodies carrying one around with you all-day long will not be much of a problem. Olympus is also well known to have highly acclaimed series lenses that was built for and around their camera body systems.
Why are they becoming collectors and photo enthusiasts items now? Firstly, there is a growing realization now that pictures taken on film images are far superior than those taken by digital sensors, you still can get film cameras and the film serviced at a much lower cost when compared to the digitals, these all metal mechanical cameras will still outlast your present digital counterparts by many, many years...
Why Olympus? Olympus OM-System bodies tend to be a lot smaller than their competitor's counterparts, muck like present day photo enthusiasts digital bodies carrying one around with you all-day long will not be much of a problem. Olympus is also well known to have highly acclaimed series lenses that was built for and around their camera body systems.
Contents at a Glance
In The Spotlight
The Olympus History
- The Olympus OM-1 - the XA Series
- If the development staff can give 120% of their power, the technology barrier can be overcome. But make sure your original and interesting ideas are not buried under the barrier of accepted wisdom. An engineering philosophy that called for the development of cameras based on totally new ideas led to the creation of the OM Series,... [read on]
Comparative Shopping
Favorites In Current Olympus DSLR Models on Amazon.com
Olympus Zuiko 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 ED Lens for Olympus and Panasonic Standard Four Thirds Digital SLR Cameras
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Amazon Price: $226.95 (as of 12/31/2009) 
List Price: $479.99
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Olympus Evolt E520 10MP Digital SLR Camera with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 ED Zuiko Lenses
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List Price: $599.99
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Olympus Evolt E520 10MP Digital SLR Camera with Image Stabilization w/ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Lens
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Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 12/31/2009)
List Price: $499.99
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Olympus 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 ED Zuiko Digital Lens for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras
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Amazon Price: $127.95 (as of 12/31/2009)
List Price: $349.99
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Olympus Zuiko 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 Digital ED SWD Lens for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras
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Amazon Price: $776.97 (as of 12/31/2009)
List Price: $0.00
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Where to shop
Where to shop for current Olympus DSLR models
- Olympus DSLRs at maxBLITZ Electronics
- Shop maxBLITZ Electronics for the latest and best priced consumer electronics products including audio and video, camera and photo, car electronics, cell phones and services, computers and add-ons, GPS and navigation, home automation and security, MP3 players, office electronics and more.
The Olympus OM Camera Series
Among the crop were the OM-1 and 3, which are metered manual only, the OM-10, which is aperture priority only but can be made into full manual with the optional manual adapter and the OM-40, which has a "program" mode, where it sets both aperture and shutter speed and can even automatically over-expose in back lit situations, though not very accurate. Later developments in the OM-2S(P) and OM-4(Ti) show both of them having a 10 percent spotmeter.
Find out more from the following resource links:
Find out more from the following resource links:
- Olympus OM system - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- The Olympus OM system was a line of 35mm single-lens reflex cameras and their associated lenses and accessories sold by Olympus between 1972 and 2002...
- Olympus OM-1(n) & OM-2 (n) SLR cameras
- ".... A camera maker that simply copies others' idea has no right to call itself an original maker in the first place." - Mr. Maitani, creator of the OM...
- Unofficial On-Line Olympus OM Library
- olympus, camera, system, photography, gallery, om-1, om-2, om-3, om-4, maitani, zuiko, om, brochure,...
- Olympus OM-System 35mm Film SLRs for Collectors and Enthusiasts - edarulNET - PhotoMalaysia Community
- Olympus OM-System 35mm Film SLRs for Collectors and Enthusiasts..
Olympus OM-1
Introduced in 1973, the OM-1 was the first product in the OM Series. It earned wide acclaim as the world's smallest and lightest 35mm single-lens reflex camera. The ribbons in the cloth curtain shutter were replaced with strings, and the camera was equipped with an air damper to absorb the shock of mirror movement. The condenser was eliminated, and a pentaprism with a curved lower surface was used. Olympus employed a wide range of innovative ideas to reduce body size and the noise and shock caused by shutter operation. Shutter durability was also improved, resulting in a system capable of withstanding 100,000 operations. The finder screen could be replaced from the lens mount side. The OM-1 initially went on sale as the M-1. However, the product created such an impact that Leica asked Olympus to change the name. Olympus improved and developed a wide range of technology in preparation for the production of the OM-1, including rust prevention technology for the steel materials used to reduce weight, pentaprism processing technology, and heat treatment and surface processing technologies to maximize durability. Olympus OM-1 MD
This body allowed a motor drive to be attached to the OM-1. It featured a modified governor for use at low shutter speeds. A plate with the mark "MD" was later added to this model. The chrome body was priced at ¥48,000 and the black body at ¥51,000, and both were ¥5,000 more expensive than the equivalent non-MD bodies. Olympus OM-1N
This model was based on the OM-1 MD with additional features, including a coupling contact for the matching strobe, and an LED in the viewfinder to indicate when the matching T32-T20 strobe was fully charged. The standard lens was a G Zuiko Auto S50mm F1.4. OM-1 Series Auctions
Olympus OM-1, OM-1 MD and OM-1n Auctions on eBay
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Olympus OM-2
This camera went on sale in 1975. It features an automatic exposure (AE) system with an aperture-preferred shutter. The OM-2 also had the world's first TTL direct metering system, which measures light reflected off the surface of the film. This allowed exposure control during shooting, and automatic TTL strobe adjustment using a specially designed strobe. To develop the TTL direct metering technology, Olympus collected 35mm film from throughout the world and measured the reflection ratios for each roll. The results were used to determine the density of printing on the shutter curtain. Olympus OM-2N
This model was based on the OM-2 with additional features, including a coupling contact for the matching strobe, and an LED in the viewfinder to indicate when the matching T32-T20 strobe was fully charged. The standard lens was a G Zuiko Auto S50mm F1.4. Olympus OM-2SP
The OM-2SP (Spot /Program) was the first OM-Series camera with a programmed exposure control system. It went on sale in 1984. The camera supported programmed control using existing OM system lenses. After selecting the aperture control program on the body, the user could adjust the aperture setting more precisely according to direct light metering. Olympus subsequently introduced exchangeable lenses that were enhanced to provide better performance under programmed aperture control. OM-2 Series Auctions
Olympus OM-2, OM-2n and OM-2 SP Auctions on eBay
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The OM-3 went on sale in 1983. Its mechanical shutter, capable of speeds up to 1/2000 sec. could be operated even without a battery. Olympus enhanced the shutter curtain travel mechanism to ensure reliable high-speed shutter operation at 1/2000 sec. Other improvements included speed control and low-speed shutter systems that were more compact than earlier shutter systems. Like the OM-4, the user could switch between center-weighted and spot light metering with multiple spots. A later enhanced version, the OM-3Ti, featured a titanium body and enhanced functions. Olympus OM-3Ti
This version of the OM-3 MF SLR camera featured a titanium exterior for added strength and reduced weight. OM-3 Series Auctions
Olympus OM-3 and OM-3 Ti Auctions on eBay
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Launched in 1983, the OM-4 was the perfect OM-series camera. It had a light metering system based on up to eight multi-spots. The speed of the electronic shutter was increased to 1/2000 sec. The OM-4 also inherited direct metering technology, and its drip-proofing and durability were improved. An LCD bar-graph was used to display exposure readings in the finder. The result was a product that Olympus could describe with pride as a high-end single-lens reflex camera. The space needed to accommodate the spot-metering mechanism and circuitry was provided by lowering the bottom of the camera. This meant that the motor drive and other features of the OM-1 and OM-2 could also be retained in the OM-4. A later enhanced version, the OM-4Ti, featured a titanium body and enhanced functions. Olympus OM-4Ti
This was the first 35mm focal plane camera in the world to support flash synchronization at all shutter speeds. It inherited and surpassed the performance and reliability of the OM-4. Titanium was used in the body. A black-body version went on sale in April 1989. OM-4 Series Auctions
Olympus OM-4 and OM-4 Ti Auctions on eBay
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Launched in 1979, the OM10 was an entry-level AE camera with TTL direct light metering. An affordably priced motor drive (winder), strobe flash unit and standard zoom lens were introduced at the same time as the body. Though the OM10 was an aperture-priority AE camera, an optional manual adapter allowed the shutter speed to be set between 1 and 1/1000 sec. (This manual system was built into the OM20.) To minimize the price, the OM10 was designed as a molded body, and the winder and shutter units were automatically assembled. Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byOlympus OM Focusing Screens
During the early days when the OM-2 was introduced, there were a choice of 12 interchangeable focusing screens to supplement lenses of every focal length including special purpose lenses, telescopes, endoscopes and microscopes.The 1-3 and 1-13, 1-14, suitable for general photography, are particularly advantageous when taking a subject with vertical or even horizontal lines (1-14). The 1-5 is ideal for the snap-shooters using a wide angle lens. The 1-4 and 1-7 are designed for super-telephoto lenses and 1-4, 1-11 and 1-12 are for close-ups, macrophotography and photomicrography.
Auctions on eBay
Olympus OM Focusing Screen Auctions on eBay
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The OM Winder 1 was designed to automatically advances the film one full frame and cocks the shutter after each exposure in about 0.3 sec. whenever its shutter release is pressed. Benefit of using a Winder is not only saves you from distracting, time-consuming manual film winding, but also offers you enjoyment of pursuing critical shutter chance that may otherwise be lost.The image shows the winder attached to the OM-2, of course, the Winder 1 can be attached to and operated with-the OM-1 or other OM models camera in exactly the same manner. Olympus has designed an upgrade to substitute the Winder 1 in later years to Winder 2 to enable continuous sequential shooting of 2.5 fps and improved its handling.
Auctions on eBay
Olympus OM-Winder 1 and OM-Winder 2 Auctions on eBay
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Acknowledged as of very fine built with exceptional image characteristics, Olympus's OM-System Zuiko lenses are available on the eBay at selected prices.These lenses can be used with the current crop of Olympus and other brands Digital SLRs with an appropriate lens-to-body adapter.
Auctions on eBay
Olympus OM-System Zuiko Lens Auctions on eBay
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Image streams tagged 'olympus om' at Flickr Photo
spinning gears
mechanical bridge
SF evening
graffiti reflections
don't sleep in your...
an old snort
abandoned concrete
bay bridge
danger
alone
imposing facade
bearded
engineer
Glacier Hiking!
longleaf pine
Surf Motel
oaks
family tree
automatically generated by Flickr
Olympus OM on the Blogs
- Do Canon Or Nikon Dslr Lenses Work With An Olympus E500 Series ...
- The four thirds system is a little bit of an orphan with regard to legacy lenses, but nonetheless they do exist ? as do adapters to allow a wider range of older Olympus OM lenses. Anonymous says: January 1, 2010 at 03:55 ...
- Lawrence Ripsher's Photo Journal » Blog Archive » Oregon Pacific ...
- This came out nice. A little overexposed as the metering on my OM-4 got thrown by the huge contrast (and it's velvia so fewer stops of DR), but I liked this. Olympus OM-4 + Olympus OM Zuiko 21mm f2 on Fujichrome Velvia 100 ...
- Nikon FM3a VS Olympus OM-10 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
- Actually, its not a fair fight as both of the camera has different history and also different in their specification. I manage to bring it along with me to KL last time and coincidentally, my teacher still hold the Olympus OM-10 with ...
- Olympus Om 10 35mm Camera Help With Manual 35mm Camera?
- Help with Manual 35mm Camera? - olympus om 10 35mm camera. For my photo class, we are committed to all our photos with a 35mm camera to take manually, so I am with my mother `s old 35mm Olympus OM2000. It seems that ...
Olympus DSLRs in the News
- Olympus E-620
- Like all Olympus DSLRs, the S-620 uses the Four-Thirds lens system. These cameras have sensors that are a little smaller than the APS-C sensors in other ...
- Which dSLR and lens are good for beginners?
- Cameras such as the Canon EOS 500D, Nikon D5000, Pentax Kx, Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 and Olympus E-450 are good options to start with. ...
- 11 Nikon D3S cameras, 7 lenses headed to space
- The dSLRs will be brought to the International Space Station, where they will join a host of other Nikon products such as the D2X, lenses, ...
- dSLRs under S$1000
- Given that Olympus is the only company producing dSLRs with Art Filter feature, we can only compare with other similar class shooters with Live View. ...
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