Olympus OM-2: How to use - Complete video manual

[@clintonr9804]

Excellent program! I wish we had this back when the OM's were new! (from a former Olympus Service Manager.) Other advice: 1. When mounting a lens, do NOT hold in the lens lock tab in on the lens. There is a tiny screw within the flange of the lens' mount that is intended to stop the lens from turning too far. If you hold the lens lock while turning the lens, this tiny screw will eventually shear off, and turning the lens too far will damage the camera's plastic aperture ring. 2. When loading film, put the film leader into, but NOT through, the take-up spool. It should NOT be pushed through so that it sticks out the other side. Doing so will cause the film wrapped around the take-up spool to get too big, too quickly. After 12 frames or so, the film will sometimes push back until it pushes against the pressure plate and slips over the sprocket teeth. See the Olympus instruction manual for your OM camera. If you see edges of frames overlapping beginning around 12 frames in, this is likely your problem. 3. Be warned -- light entering the eyepiece will affect the meter needle. This is usually not a problem in Auto mode, as the needle is an indicator only and has no affect on the actual exposure. (The actual light reflected off the film into the SbC cells controls the exposure time in Auto.) But in Manual mode, when using the meter to set your exposure, this will have significant repercussions. 4. The "FP" flash setting is only for use with FP-style flash bulbs (old tech). Use "X" sync setting for strobe flash only, and at shutter speeds no faster than 1/60th second. 5. To avoid blurred images from camera shake the rule of thumb is, for hand held photos, use a shutter speed no slower than the focal length of your lens (in mm). Or use a tripod, or flash. In other words, with a 50mm lens, keep the shutter speed at "60" or higher. For a 135mm lens, no slower than "125".

[@FilmCameras]

Great! Thank you so much for these extra tips!

[@tamaraarevalo9024]

Out of all the videos I have watched about the OM-2, this is by far the most informative and most simple video out there, thank you!

[@FilmCameras]

Thanks!

[@simonpozderka1382]

This was the best tutorial I’ve ever seen about this camera! It was informative, but not boring. Thank you for making it! 😀

[@FilmCameras]

Thanks!

[@gregwardecke]

That video was well done. I have a zillion cameras but not an OM-2n. I feel your video gave enough information without getting bogged down. You EC explanation was right on. I never had it explained so easily “+” mean overexposure and “-“ mean’s underexposed. Great pace, good lighting, nice depth of field example very good tutorial video!

[@FilmCameras]

Thank you so much!

[@soyabeanbb]

Excellent video, easy to follow with clear written and visual instructions! Told me everything I needed to know in less than 15min. Thanks!!

[@FilmCameras]

Thanks!

[@bradnelson2637]

Awesome video….getting ready to buy an OM-2n…to be a companion to my OM-1, OM-2SP and OM-10…..expanding the family

[@emgee44]

Damn fine looking camera in black. I had an OM20 (my first SLR) and later the OM2-SP, I had mechanical problems with the SP and ended trading it in for a Canon EOS 600 for the built in winder and AF. That was over twenty years ago, I now use Fuji digital cameras as I like the old manual control feel like I had with my Olympus, but who knows, I treat myself to an old black OM2n one day. Thanks for posting, nicely put together, simple, with no faff. 👍

[@MsChigaa]

Thank you so much for this video! So glad you you uploaded such an in depth video on this camera as I struggled with mine a bit for the last few months.

[@sputumtube]

I've had an OM2n for years but I've learned much that I didn't know here. Thanks for posting.

[@SingularityEngine]

I just got hold of my grandparents' OM2 and this video is exactly what I needed! Thank you!

[@bryanjunelim3787]

Best and most complete video manual :) Hope you can do Asahi Pentax Spotmatic

[@Vintag558]

i have this model in my collection as an amateur photographer, and you are making excellent videos, very detailed and very instructive. thanks !!! 👊

[@FilmCameras]

Thank you!

[@tompoynton]

My favourite camera of all time

[@michaelbuckley8986]

A wonderful presentation.I learnt a lot about my OM-2👍

[@vivianabrusamonti6982]

tank you! I have inherited a OM2 camera and the video is very useful !

[@mikem.2569]

This was an amazing video. Great job and thank you.

[@NotEnoughNelsons13]

OMG! TYSM my school is about to wipe all the photos and memories off the school ipads so im resorting to this

[@Maartenols]

Very helpful, thanks for the upload!

[@reynaldohernandez1425]

Great Video, Thanks a lot!

[@tonyfoulkes9289]

That is very informative, do you have series on using flash both on and off camera.

[@FilmCameras]

I'm afraid I don't. But you can easily find the camera's manual or guidelines online, with more details on how to use a flash.

[@jameeclare]

This is sooo informative!! thank you!!!

[@PeterMilanovski]

Fantastic video! This looks like a really good camera, does shutter speed in auto mode move up and down when you adjust the aperture? Would have been cool to see it working if it does....

[@nicoslivas6231]

εξαιρετικό κανάλι Δημήτρη!

[@jacksinclair555]

Brilliant video. Thank you

[@adrianreka6688]

Just wanted to thank you, good Man 😊

[@susanarcher6586]

This was great thank you. I have just bought an OM2. Please could you tell me- after pressing the B button and aligning the red reset star to the red triangle (after inserting new batteries) do you leave the red star and triangle aligned until you have loaded film? Or once they’ve been aligned do you move the ring back again before loading film? Thank you 😊

[@FilmCameras]

Once you unlock the mirror with reset, you can use the ring as you wish. The reset mark is actually the "B" mode for long exposures ( see 6:25 ).

[@susanarcher6586]

@@FilmCameras thank you!

[@cyberfem]

Honestly this has helped A LOT with understanding how to use my OM-2. Thank you.

[@blasianmcbob8570]

that is the first time i've seen the double exposure hack, does it work with OM10?

[@priscillamb143]

Hi there, i've watched this video like, 30 times, and it was very helpfull! But the mirror locked afer 7 shots... i've changed the bateries twice and tried to reset the camera but nothing worked.... do you belive that the camera is broken, or maybe i did something wrong?? Help!

[@clintonr9804]

Best to use two silver oxide batteries rather than alkaline or lithium substitutes. But the OM-2 and OM-2n are designed to "lock up" the mirror if the batteries are dead or two weak, if there is a malfunction, but may also if the camera is wound while the shutter is open. If the problem persists, I would assume your camera needs attention by an experienced and qualified Olympus technician.

[@notcrazy5543]

I accidentally touched the cloth of the shutter of my OM2. Now it is no longer in the holder at the bottom centre. What can I do? I'm really afraid for my camera 😢

[@sevisp9413]

Big thanks!

[@jd5787]

Thanks, super helpful! Is it that the OM 2 is spot metering only vs the OM 4 which allows to do an average of multiple points? In Aperture priority mode, do I need to change the shutter speed to the recommended value in the viewfinder or does the camera uses the required shutter speed by itself? Thank you

[@FilmCameras]

I don't think that OM-2 has multi spot metering. I think that it has one point only. In aperture priority you just have to to set the desired aperture and the camera automatically chooses the shutter speed. In this camera it is called "Auto mode". See at 8:26

[@jd5787]

@@FilmCameras thanks! I tried both manual and auto. I was a bit confused with Auto as I expected the operator still had to select the shutter speed suggested by the camera. Silly me.. 😂 Then the EV compensation thew me off. It really forces me to think more about my settings and composition than when using my digital camera! 📸😉

[@filippakeerberg1199]

When I look through the viewfinder all I can see is a circle and the edges are dark, this is not the case when I look through the body on its own. Is there something wrong with my lens? I also don't have a reset dial on my lens (zuiko 50mm 1.4).

[@FolidFnake]

Thanks a lot

[@cameraramblings4107]

Thanks!

[@xerocode5940]

after finishing the entire setup I still cant see through the viewfinder for some reason

[@bavini31]

i got this camera from my uncle but the mirror is up and i can´t put it down to normal... i switched the batteries and did the reset thing that you showed but i can´t put it to work :( please help

[@Willow-fw6dr]

I have sort of a dumb question but what happens if I took photos but didn’t set it to manual ? I left it on off. Does that mean I didn’t take any pictures ? (I’m a novice, and have never taken photos with a film cámara)

[@FilmCameras]

If you had it on "off" then most probably you didn't take any photos. Never forget to use either auto or manual. Also, when you don't use the camera don't forget to put it to off because otherwise it will drain the batteries (it happened to me a few times). Finally always be careful when the mirror locks up (see the video) and never force the winding lever if it doesn't move.

[@cdegenova1761]

Do your shutter blades return back slower than other cameras? I just got one of these and the shutter blades seem to return really slowly. Thanks.

[@FilmCameras]

If your shutter blades return back really slow, there must be some sort of problem. You might not be able to take proper photos if the shutter speeds are not accurate. You should get the camera checked. It must be a minor fix, if everything else works properly.

[@merceplana1925]

Than you!

[@natalieabraham1144]

I also have an OM-2 but the mirror locked after I took a photo and hasn't unlocked since. The batteries have only been in for 2.5 months and I have existing film inside the chamber still. Should I still reset the camera?

[@FilmCameras]

Yes you can reset the mirror lock after inserting new batteries. It won't ruin your film. Remember that when you are not using the camera you should keep the main switch to "off", otherwise the battery will drain fast.

[@clintonr9804]

With the original OM-2, the batteries will continually drain as long as the mirror is locked up. They will go dead in a matter of hours, so reset the mirror immediately when this happens. The OM-2n, however, has a circuit inside that should cut off battery drain after a few minutes.

[@YuliaDangosha]

What happens if you change iso after 2 shots? 😮

[@FilmCameras]

If you change the ISO to a value different than your film, then the auto exposure and the light meter readings will not be accurate. You will need to keep the camera's ISO to the same value that the film has.

[@Wasp9513]

What batteries should i Buy?

[@FilmCameras]

See at 1:03

[@victorcardoso656]

Hello, I have an OM-2 but the selector lever broke, here in my country it is extremely difficult to find spare parts, but I found parts of an OM-1 with the selector lever, it is possible to use the selector lever of the OM-1 in the OM -2?

[@FilmCameras]

I'm not sure if it will work. As a lever it must be the same, but the OM-2 has two steps more than OM-1 (Auto and Check). But if the spare part is not very expensive for you, you might give it a try. Btw, as a general tip, if you don't know how to repair cameras and you need to open or unscrew any parts, better not do it yourself, because the mechanism is extremely delicate.

[@victorcardoso656]

@@FilmCameras I bought the OM1 to test the part, because I only need the plastic part, the rest of the mechanism is working perfectly, I can turn it off and select AUTO or MANUAL modes without problems. When the OM1 body arrives I'll try to replace it, I've done several repairs on analog cameras, I have some experience, even if the OM1 part doesn't fit I intend to adapt a 3D modeled and printed part. Thank you very much for the reply, hugs!

[@FilmCameras]

That's great!

[@clintonr9804]

There are several types of mode switch levers on the top cover and the switch itself inside the OM-1/1n and the OM-2/2n. Some versions of the lever are interchangeable, some are not. A plastic lever was used briefly on both models, but after a few years Olympus discovered that they frequently broke, especially on the OM-2/2n since the battery check function required pushing the lever forward to the check position. Replacement levers can be harvested from donor bodies, and some of the cast (metallic) levers can be substituted in place of the broken plastic lever, but only after the collar that holds the switch is modified. Only inspection will tell which version of top cover/switch lever the camera has, and which substitute switch may work.