Oly35mm Review - OM-10

[@oly35mm]

***PLEASE NOTE*** The Oly35mm 2015/16 project is now closed and I will not be answering any more comments (as from 1st April 2017). Thank you to all who have taken the time to watch these videos, and a special thank you to everyone who commented, or added extra information to them. I wish you all many happy years of using film, or any other photography you enjoy. Cheers Oly

[@markharris5771]

I bought one of these with the shutter speed accessory with 6 lenses for £90. I bought it intending it to be a stop gap and a collection of lenses until I bought an OM1, I’ve enjoyed this camera so much I’ve never upgraded. It my 35mm "colour" camera as I tend to shoot black and white with my other 35mm cameras.

[@kwanghui]

Great video review Tony Tulloch. It's easy to forget how surprisingly advanced it was for a 1979 model, with beeping battery operated timer, rewind dial, and advanced lens mount

[@AnandaSim]

One of your best videos. Cheerful as anything. The film chamber looks very clean. The manual adapter feels a bit insecure in how it sits. Love that Melbourne tram shot and the black and white of Steve Irwin. I've got this urge to go fondle my SRT 101

[@oly35mm]

Cheers +kwanghui. It's a little clunky, but still chugging along 35 years later.

[@oly35mm]

+Ananda Sim: thanks for the supportive comments (as always). The manual adapter is pretty plasticky, but it is quite secure on the camera.

[@suntoryjim]

I managed to get one of these cameras w/manual adapter in minty condition for cheap on Ebay. Your high recommendation of this camera is spot-on. The camera is smaller than I expected, and the build quality is certainly not typical of a lower-cost consumer-grade camera. Having the manual adapter in place is akin to having the training wheels removed from your bicycle. ; )

[@oly35mm]

Cheers Suntoryjim​. I'm glad you like it (even better that you got a cheap one).

[@lowbudgetproduction]

Very nice review. The self timer on my copy does pitch down on its last beep as well. The metering system is also quite advance for a consumer camera, with "off the film" metering during exposure, via a photo diode located on the bottom of the mirror box.

[@oly35mm]

Thanks +gmaildotcom. I thought it might be the case but it did sound a little strange.

[@CholololoPicantero]

Awesome review... I''ll wait for your review about your OM-4 my best regards for you and thanks for share your videos.

[@oly35mm]

Thanks for the kind comment. I'll be reviewing the OM-4Ti soon.

[@oly35mm]

The OM-4 Ti review is now up on the channel.

[@612morrison]

Many years ago now when I was a teenager I was envious of my older cousin who had a OM10, now roll on 40 odd years I've finally ( literally, it arrived this morning ) got a real nice one with the manual adapter and is in full working condition. But as I'm now a Nikon user both digital and film its good to have one of each of the entry level cameras from both companies the Nikon FG vs Olympus OM10 but the Nikon from a feature point of view blows the Olympus out of the water and I know back in the day the direct competitor of the OM10 would have been the EM but I don't have one so the newer camera by 3 years will have to do for now. But back to the comparison the Olympus is still a great little camera with a lot of great glass and would be great for someone starting film photography that didn't want a point and shoot but still wanted something compact with the flexibility of interchangeable lens and doesn't cost much more than a night out. But for more or less the same money the FG gives you more features and a far bigger pool of lenses to pick from BUT the OM10 still feels a really nice in the hand and will take great photos. By the way thanks for the video it helped me work out a few features that I thought where not working.

[@markharris5771]

I bought mine as a job lot with half a dozen lenses and I must say they have some amazing glass, and it's so easy to throw the lot in a small bag.

[@oly35mm]

Sounds like an excellent haul. The lenses are a treat to carry around compared to other brands.

[@sam.travel]

Great review, cheers mate. Picking mine up tomorrow!

[@anthonydavis4829]

Most underrated 35mm. Used OTF metering like om2n. I have a 10 and it still works well.

[@33lp84]

I use this camera since maybe 100 films or more and i absolutly love the 50 zuiko grain with bw tri x 400 ,the only down of this camera is the viewfinder who doesn't cover all shot ,but i learned to deal with it

[@oly35mm]

Tri-X is such a versatile film and the contrast/grain is very pleasing. The 92% coverage of the viewfinder is problematic, but pretty common. As I'm guessing you have, I just crop a little tighter and it seems to cover it. Thanks for the experienced (100 rolls is pretty impressive) comments.

[@mandeesarinas9120]

how do you adjust the ASA? I think mine is stuck.. unless I just don't know how to turn it right

[@Frisenette]

I’d love if you’d do a video now and then, again. I really enjoyed these.

[@honeypot11]

thanks so much for this! super useful

[@MrRenanBraz]

My OM10 also turns the meter off if you don't use it for a while - I believe it's a feature (not a bug) that was included to save battery life, although the meter is still operating when the light is off so I can't think it makes much of a difference. However, that thing you thought was a shutter lock is actually the key to switching it back on again! It's electrostatic so a touch from your finger will reactivate the meter light. On a lot of models this feature breaks quite fast, unfortunately, so yours may not work. Lovely camera though, the Zuiko lenses are amazing!

[@mikeystanton1]

Just bought this camera and this is a great review/guide. Im a complete beginner and am curious about the effect changing the asa has without the manual adapter? or are they not linked at all? Thanks

[@oly35mm]

Good question Mike. The light meter is the only part of the camera affected by the ASA/ISO changes. The manual adapter adds the functionality of being able to fully control exposure (both aperture, and with the adapter, shutter speed). The manual adapter changes the control of the shutter speed choice from the camera to the user.

[@mikeystanton1]

Cheers man!

[@TerryBoydon]

Just picked one of these for £20 with the 50mm F1.8 lens, total bargain 😁😁

[@oly35mm]

Terry Boydon: fantastic score. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed mine.

[@TerryBoydon]

oly 35mm Im lucky, I work for one of the UK's oldest and best camera shops and spend to much time scouring the shelves for bargins 😂😂

[@oly35mm]

Perks! I love it.

[@neilpiper9889]

As camera shake is the most common problem people have Shutter Priority would be my standard choice for handheld beginners.

[@francho2516]

The entry level "double digit" olympuses were the company's money maker, specially the om10.

[@grahambarrowcliffe3222]

Sorry about the ads.

[@Andreee73]

I have an OM10, that always worked, but remained off and not used for many years .. I changed the batteries after many years, but when I switch on, nothings happens. Battery not detected .. no oxidation and batteries are new. Mechanical parts are ok. Any idea or suggestions? Thanks

[@САШАМороко]

Hi, can I still shot in automatic settings if I have adapter on or should I remove the adapter?

[@ljliljohn]

Nice explanation. Can you tell me what the flash sync speed is? I will shoot in manual mode using the hot shoe and 100 speed film (Kodak Ektar). Thank you.

[@oly35mm]

It all depends on the type of flash and if you have the manual adapter attached. If you have a genuine Olympus T-20 or T-32, then just set the mode dial to AUTO (with or without the manual adapter). The camera will sync at 1/60s. If you have a generic flash and the manual adapter set the mode dial to MANUAL ADAPTER. There is some debate over the actual speed without the manual adapter, but it's my guess is it's 1/60s. Curiously, the instruction book suggests that, if you have the manual adapter attached, then set it to 1/30s (or less if you are using a tripod). It states 'noise' as the reason for the setting but does not offer any explanation as to what that means. Just in case you are unaware how flash photography works: the light from a flash is in very short bursts (measured in thousandths of seconds) and the shutter speed often does not adversely affect the exposure (depending on how bright the ambient light is). The exposure is mostly affected by the aperture set on the lens. The reason for the slower shutter speeds is for synchonisation. If the shutter speed is too fast it will not be fully open when the flash fires. To avoid having to worry about this too much, and if you can justify it, I would suggest purchasing a T-20 flash (about AU$50) or a T-32 flash (about AU$80-100) and let the camera and flash work it out between themselves.

[@HelmutMinten]

I recently bought an OM 10. I just tried to get a feel for it. What is now wondering me, the batteries are fresh and on "Check" the Camera give a beep and a red light on the front. Now I want to take a picture ( Am I right, that it always works in Aperture-Priority?!), but when I compare it with a digital camera, the Lightmeter gives me different values. How can I be sure, that the OM 10 will take the right exposure???

[@SnKyzHD]

heard his voice subscribed straight away

[@oly35mm]

Thanks SnKyz HD. I know I have a face for radio ;)

[@oly35mm]

Rae: the ASA/ISO dial needs to match that of the film (the metering is all about the sensitivity of the film). In auto mode the indicator lights in the viewfinder will change as you change the aperture, indicating the shutter speed that the camera will choose. In manual mode (if you have the manual adapter) you get the choice of choosing both aperture and shutter speed. Have a read through the manual (www.olympusamerica.com/files/oima_cckb/Oly_om10.pdf) that should help. Have fun with this great camera.

[@avrilyoung2336]

Hi there bought 1 of these for taking b&w photos i have used 3 films and all have come back blank can you help me the camera itself is in very good condition and seems to br working fine but just cant understand why this is.

[@oly35mm]

Avril Young: I will assume you know how film works and how to load a film correctly (and test that it is being wound from the cassette) and are competent in using the rest of the camera's functions. I will also assume you have new batteries installed in the camera, and you are using a genuine Olympus 'Zuiko' branded lens. You can test for the correct functioning of three things: 1) The exposure meter. Set the camera's ASA/ISO to 100. Take the camera outside on a sunny day and set the lens to f16. Aim the lens at something mid toned (such as someone with Caucasian tanned skin). If the camera reads somewhere around 1/125 to 1/250s, then your meter is pretty close to correct (and you should see something on your film). 2) The lens iris diaphragm (also incorrectly referred to as the aperture, which is really the hole in the middle). Take the lens off the camera and look from the rear. Set the lens to a small aperture (f16, f22, etc) and actuate the depth of field preview button a few times (on the lower RHS of the lens barrel). If the iris diaphragm closes down to a small aperture, and 'snaps' back to the maximum aperture (where you can no longer see the iris diaphragm blades) then your lens should be giving you the correct exposure. 3) The shutter/mirror. Take the camera inside, and without a film, open up the back of the camera. Set your lens to one of its largest apertures (f1.8, f2.0, f2.8, etc). Actuate the wind lever and look from behind the camera at the shutter (preferably at a bright subject). Actuate the shutter button and see if the shutter opens, the mirror has flipped up, and the shutter closes. This doesn't guarantee good exposure, but you should see something on the film when it is processed. If all of the above are true, then I would suggest you take another test roll and get it developed at another processor, just in case it's a problem at that end. Good luck.

[@Rae-rv5qz]

does the internal light meter work with the set iso or does it also change when you change the aperture on the lens?

[@TheKrod2]

was that photo of the f-18 taken at the point cook RAAF Museum?

[@oly35mm]

The two aircraft shots were indeed taken at Point Cook. Well spotted. The Grumman Tracker through the rear rotor of a helicopter was taken down on Phillip Island.

[@TheKrod2]

I knew it! i use to hang out there a lot during my lunch break when I studied at RMIT flight training, It sure is an awesome place!

[@aznracer62]

Is there a place you recommend to send my camera for CLA? I recently found my parents' OM10. Everything is working fine, I've actually developed a few rolls of film with it. I love the camera. A few days ago, the light meter stopped functioning properly. It's stuck on 1 sec. Although, the shutter still operates properly at the correct shutter speed (eg. led shows 1 sec but it doesn't take a 1 sec exposure). Any recommendations?

[@oly35mm]

I would suggest a chat with your local Olympus office. They will put you onto a reputable service centre / repairer, however they will probably charge a premium. It is possible that the camera will be uneconomical to repair. Good luck.

[@kevinpatrickmacnutt]

Yeah the OM-10 and OM-20 (OM-G) both had that odd timer sound. The OM-4 sounded more consistent.

[@RoGameReview]

will the expometer still work after decades?

[@markheywood5626]

Bugs me that the shutter can be fired when turned off.

[@rominadesouza7066]

hi where do i mark the iso

[@videos4uman]

I have this camera as it was my dads old camera... the reloader leaver doesn't move all the way, is this because its broken or because it had no batteries in?

[@oly35mm]

Try putting a couple of LR44 or A76 batteries in it. This should unlock it. Good luck.

[@videos4uman]

+oly 35mm shall do! the batteries previously in it were sat in there for maybe a good 20 years so Im hoping I can restore that battery chamber everywhere else looks prestine.

[@oly35mm]

+videos4uman: I hope so. It is a nice camera. Watch out for any leakage from the previous batteries. If it's not too bad a bit of damp bicarbonate of soda should help clean it up.

[@videos4uman]

+oly 35mm thankyou very much ill see what I can do!

[@josephinesimmons5092]

What batteries did you say they are and where can you buy some at?

[@oly35mm]

2x LR44 (or equivalent en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/LR44_battery ). They're pretty easy to get hold of and you should find them in the battery section of any supermarket, hardware, or department store. The link to the manual may help with any other queries you have: www.olympusamerica.com/files/oima_cckb/Oly_OM10.pdf

[@josephinesimmons5092]

Where can you get the manual adapter?

[@oly35mm]

If you don't have an OM-10 already, I would suggest you by one with the adapter. If you already own an OM-10, then I would suggest you look online (eBay etc). You may find one at a local camera market or swap meet. I find the best way to get into this old stuff is to be a part of your local film community (most big cities have thriving communities). I wouldn't personally pay more than $20-25 for one.

[@guidelineuk]

+oly 35mm I got one like new with the manual focus adapter t20 flash +zoom lens £35 I love it nice review : )

[@oly35mm]

guidelineuk​: sweet buy for the price. I hope you have as much fun with yours as I did with mine.

[@kevinpatrickmacnutt]

They are all over eBay

[@jjwasp1413]

I’m confused my camera works with it turned of

[@marcd7332]

It doesn’t, the shutter is electronically controlled

[@Mr.ReanuKeeves]

That timer sound 😅 hahah

[@8evvied]

Gooood dayyyya