Olympus OM-2 Profile

Olympus OM-2 camera profile. Discusses some of the functions and features of the OM-2 camera.
Starting along the top, left to right.
- rewind crank. Feels substantial. Solid metal grooves.
- mode selector. manual is obvious. Off shuts off the light meter. Leaving this on will drain the battery over time. I understand it will drain faster if stored in brighter conditions. Putting the camera in auto makes this an “aperture priority” camera. There is no automatic setting on these Zuiko lenses, so you will always be selecting your aperture. The “check” feature located at the top is for checking your battery charge. The red LED will illuminate if your battery is full. If you’re losing power, the light will blink, and at this point the shutter may not fire at all. It’s a good idea to keep your camera at the “off” position when not in use, and check the battery regularly when out shooting.
- If your battery dies and your mirror locks up, there is a special way to reset the camera. That’s done by putting your shutter speed into the BULB position, which also acts as an automatic reset. Turn the camera to 1-second, and push in the tiny button labeled B underneath the camera, and then finish turning the shutter speed dial, and you can see that RESET is selected underneath the camera. That’s all. You will now have functionality returned to your camera.
- hot shoe. This particular camera came without a hot shoe. I’ve seen them online with and without the hot shoe attachment. I wasn’t planning on using flash with this system so I wasn’t too concerned that this camera didn’t have one. You can buy them separately for this the OM-2 but I understand they are not easy to find, and are probably better off buying a camera that comes with one. If you are considering one, this camera was the first camera to use TTL direct metering system for film called “Auto-Dynamic metering.” It actually measured light reflecting off the surface of the film.
- Exposure compensation dial. This can be adjusted from +2 all the way to -2. Moves in 3rd-stops. It’s not very easy to move so you won’t knock it accidentally. Inside of that is the film-speed selector. It can be changed by lifting the dial and turning. What I like about the way this system works is that whenever you change the film speed, you have to return the exposure compensation back to 0. This would be helpful for students because it forces you to think about the relationship between ISO and exposure. You can set the ISO from 25 all the way up to 1600.
- Next is your shutter release button and film advance lever. I love the way this camera sounds. It’s very mechanical, and I enjoy that sort of thing. The advance lever is all metal and feels very stable when I use it. I recently broke the one on my Yashica FX-7 which had a plastic lever, and was probably not meant to stand the test of time. This Olympus, however, is meant to stand the test of time. This camera is a tank. I am clumsy and I’ve dropped this camera twice onto a hard surface, and it still functions perfectly.

[@markcolegrove]

Mike - interesting review.. This was my very first SLR. I bought it while in high school back in 1975 when it first came out. One very interesting feature you might not be aware of: the metering system was very revolutionary for it's time. The way it works is this: There are two photo cells positioned just behind the lens on the bottom. They point backwards toward the shutter curtain. If you look at the curtain, you'll see a very odd digital pattern. Light enters the camera through the lens, hits that curtain and reflects back to the photocells. Then the exposure is calculated by the electronics. One very cool aspect of this... if you're doing a time exposure, the photocells will actually be reading light that's reflecting off the emulsion of the film and will close the shutter when enough light has been measured. I tried this on a number of occasions and it worked very well. Another big benefit comes into play if you can locate the original OM2 hot shoe and one of Olympus's electronic flash units. They photocells in the camera will actually regulate the flash exposure in real time. Amazing stuff, especially for 1975!

[@MikeRees1984]

Mark Colegrove that’s amazing! Thanks for the info :)

[@carlosoruna7174]

Metz also had ttl metering on many cameras. The om2 was a great camera. Great lenses.

[@Flamebeow666]

I just received my father's OM2n and am relearning the camera as I last used it when I was about 7. This video was very helpful!

[@MikeRees1984]

Flamebeow DCLXVI That’s awesome! I’m glad to hear

[@afinacionymovimiento]

This and the OM1 are my favorite SLR cameras of all time. And the Olympus 35rc my favorite rangefinder. Great video!!

[@XeniaLeblancFullmillimetre]

Thank you so much for this informative video! Every time I put the camera on the shelf for a while I always need a refresher of all its functions.:)

[@MikeRees1984]

My pleasure! I’m glad you got something out of it 😊

[@kevinpatrickmacnutt]

OM-2n moves the reset to the On/Off switch with the battery check. You should find a shoe and the dedicated OM-2 flash which employed an early TTL system made possible by this camera's rather sophisticated metering system.

[@domenik8339]

Expertly done, hope you do more reviews in the future.

[@terryallen9546]

Holy heck! I just bought the most perfectly brassed OM2, but no light meter and shutter functions. But now, maybe your advice will get me on the road.

[@skinkle777]

Good information, good talk, very good pictures...!

[@Andrew-kn1wm]

great video

[@bedevere007]

I love you. Awesome video

[@luisrivera169]

Great review! May I ask where can i find those red shutter buttons for this camera?

[@MikeRees1984]

Thank you! I got that one on the cheap from eBay m.ebay.ca/itm/Metal-Soft-Shutter-Release-Button-For-Fujifilm-X100-Leica-M6-M7-M8-M9-RT-Red-/252736484538?hash=item3ad844b4ba%3Ag%3AdrAAAOxyE3pSHGJl&_trkparms=pageci%253Ad349845b-08db-11e7-9553-74dbd180c4f6%257Cparentrq%253Acdde682215a0a358833e0facfff5612b%257Ciid%253A1

[@davewebster6945]

You find this camera heavy ??? I dont understand why, its way lighter than most Nikon and Canon slr cameras of the time. The lightness and compactness of the Olympus OM cameras and lenses was a major marketing and selling point when they were introduced.

[@MikeRees1984]

Thanks for the comment Dave. I've never used the Nikons from that decade and it's heavier than my Canon. I guess it's just heavy in my personal experience.

[@kevingonzaga9366]

I also find it quite light for an SLR with this range of capabilities and damn this view finder is bigger than the f3 with the high eyepoint

[@joecj840]

Don't worry about anything if you have a good working OM2. It's a beauty. However, the camera may have a critical short coming i.e., the shutter is an all electronic mechanism compared with the OM1. Accordingly, as the electronics become defective, the camera may behave erratically , most notably the mirror locking up without shutter firing or showing shutter speeds inconsistent with the setting. Of course you can send it out to a qualified repair shop but then that's one worry that you won't have to bother with with the OM1.

[@w4nft974]

Great video Mike, I have a an OM-2 that was my workhorse decades ago. I was a newspaper photographer, and used it just about everyday. Thanks to your video, I was able to reset the mirror, as kt was locked up. My big problem is the battery cover is tight and I cannot remove it. Any ideas on this? THANKS!

[@MikeRees1984]

W4NFT glad you were able to reset your mirror! I’m not sure about the tight battery cover unfortunately. You might have to take it in to a repair shop :(

[@garycallahan9307]

@@MikeRees1984: You can likely take the camera to a photo shop that still has a repair person on site and have them clean the threads on the camera and the battery cover as well.

[@hasangokhansenturk2703]

OM-4ti is legendery camera

[@karismme8789]

I recently inherited one og these cameras and a bunch of lenses - I've never shot film before, but now I'm very excited to learn about it!! Any tips, perhaps especially concerning this camera are appreciated :) I have two questions: 1) can any type of lens be used with this camera, or does it have to be the ones that are produced by olympus? 2) I've seen people say that you should tighten the film after each shot - is it really necessary, and how do you know when it's tightened enough? I wouldn't want to break the film, or pull it back so much that it overlaps with the previous shot :/

[@paulqueripel3493]

Any om mount lens will fit. Either zuiko or independent lens maker (tamron with the correct T2 mount, vivitar etc) . No lenses made by other camera manufacturers (eg. Pentax,Canon,Nikon etc.) will fit. I've never tightened a film between shots. The film backplate is designed to keep it flat, if you're paranoid about it I suppose you could tension it by lightly pressing against the rewind knob when winding on (it turns as you wind on).

[@karismme8789]

@@paulqueripel3493 Thank you!

[@duecky]

The light meter is measureing the whole scene, am I right?

[@dealpha9834]

Hi, I jus owned the OM2 today. I wonder if the photo can be taken without battery, but the film is insert. I just trying to do so today, but I do not know if it taken or not.

[@alphilge54]

Thanks for the explanation of this OM2.. i have the same..except this red button on release shuter.. where did you get it..?? Congrats..Alphil Nova Scotia Can

[@MikeRees1984]

Whoa sorry for the late reply! I got a bunch of these little guys off of ebay. Just search for shutter release button. A bag of them was a few dollars.

[@alphilge54]

@@MikeRees1984 thanks...

[@maya.lingreen]

Great video! I just purchased an OM -2n second hand and Im trying to get it to work. I think it needs a reset, new batteries, and the fild advance seems stuck. The OM-2n doesnt seems to have a red arrow or anything that says reset - any idea how to reset?

[@fraross6212]

New batteries worked for me.

[@jd5787]

Hi! Just put my first roll of film in an OM2n which is right next to me now. In Aperture prio mode, does the camera uses the required shutter speed by itself or do I need to dial in the suggested shutter speed I see in the viewfinder? Thank you!

[@chrisguli2865]

In AP mode (auto) it's automatic...no need to manually set the shutter and whatever the shutter ring is set at will be ignored. BTW in the OM-2, the auto shutter speeds are stepless (e.g., 1/874 of a second or 1/467th of a second). The second curtain will close when the precise amount of light reaches the film plane (as determined by the two silicon photocells at the bottom of the mirror box). This was a huge selling point for me back in the day - OTF or off the film exposure control.

[@cybulskiya8725]

Does this camera need batteries to use? My advance lever wont move unless i move the one lever to auto/reset after every frame

[@MikeRees1984]

Yes unfortunately it does. You can’t even use it in fully manual mode without a fresh battery.

[@cybulskiya8725]

@@MikeRees1984 thank you!

[@chrisguli2865]

The all mechanical OM-1 and OM-3 are the only models that can work at any shutter speed in full manual mode, without batteries (of course, no TTL meter). The OM-2/2n only has the B mode mechanical shutter. The OM-2S and OM-4 have an additional 1/60 mechanical shutter besides B, if the batteries are dead.

[@Cryptopaja]

Please how do you develop and scan your films ? Great pictures 👍

[@MikeRees1984]

Hey Pavel! Thanks for the comment. I send my film to a lab nearby to get developed and scanned.

[@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?

[@irraismail6914]

I have this camera too. How can you know if the lightmeter still works or that it is busted after a fall?

[@MikeRees1984]

Irra Ismail I would compare your readings with another light meter to see if you have consistent results. I don't know of a way to confirm this in-camera.

[@donnaolsen2066]

Did you say you used this lens on a dslr? Can it be used on any dslr or only Olympus? Thanks!

[@MikeRees1984]

Donna Olsen you can use an adapter to use the lens on almost anything. There are cheap adapters that will work fine. I used a Metabones Speedbooster to adapt it to my Fuji mirrorless camera, which was a little more expensive but it has some cool features like giving you an extra stop of light.

[@RobbyJHope]

Does your compensation dial go past +2?

[@MikeRees1984]

No, it only goes to +2

[@sevenantony7376]

whats the difference with the OM2N version

[@clintonr9804]

Not bad! But... At Olympus, we would remove those "soft release" buttons on any body we received for service and return them in a separate bag with a note warning users NOT to use them (yours is red). They are like big targets begging to get hit, and this would result in damage to the release mechanism inside the camera, particularly breaking a lever inside the bottom cover. This was to keep other more important mechanisms from being damaged, but those levers were out of supply decades ago. Your only source now is from "donor" bodies.

[@MikeRees1984]

Wow I had no idea! Thanks for that insight

[@scottmcginn2169]

Love my Om2... it is heavy for it's size and age, but compare to my Nikon D810 with a lens it's light as

[@kemi_jpg]

Is there zoom on this camera? (I know this is a stupid question)

[@MikeRees1984]

There are no stupid questions! ;) And no, this lens is a 50mm prime lens, no zoom. There are other lenses you can buy for this camera that do zoom... There's a 75-150mm on eBay right now for $30

[@kemi_jpg]

Mike Rees Ooh! Thank you so much for informing me! I will have to look into lenses then. 😄

[@yoichifranck3753]

man nice review lovely camera though iam Nikon boy the Olympus is the best

[@kylieizzle1513]

Someone is offering me a mint x700 and an om2, which should I choose?

[@seafire820]

Om-2!

[@seafire820]

The x700 may have good features it is is plastic and not intuitive. I'd decently go for the om-2

[@GrinziAndi]

is it not possible to use the camera in "manual" mode without batteries?

[@MikeRees1984]

Andreas Grinzinger in my experience the shutter locks up without batteries. Though there may be a way to get around this that I’m not aware of

[@canoksuz3528]

Actually I am wondering that too. I have just bought an olympus om2 and has no batteries. :(

[@seafire820]

@@canoksuz3528 you can't use it without batteries because it is a electronic shutter, you can use some 357 batteries. The om-1 is full manual with no auto because it is like clockwork and doesn't require batteries to operate

[@paulqueripel3493]

The only om2 that works without a battery is the 2sp/2s ,not the 2,2md,2n. And only at 1/60th, same as the om4.

[@chrisguli2865]

The all mechanical OM-1 and OM-3 are the only models that can work at any shutter speed in full manual mode, without batteries (of course, no TTL meter). The OM-2/2n only has the B mode mechanical shutter. The OM-2S and OM-4 have an additional 1/60 mechanical shutter besides B, if the batteries are dead...

[@haakonaronsen]

I got the same camera, but no battery or film, this due to the film advance lever goes 50% before it get “stuck”(?). Can’t push further, and I don’t dare to force it. Is this common?

[@alistairsunderland841]

Exact same thing happens to my OM-2 and I have heard of it happening to a fair few other people.

[@tonybest9307]

I had 2 om2s in the 80s sailing for 4 years.. then backpacking. inland Sudan Egypt Somalia Ethiopia Yemen list goes on . one time both bodies and lenses were infested with 1000s baby cockroaches...no cleaning gear just a t-shirt and a big blow of air from the lungs to remove dust etc..to get rid of the bugs I left all the gear open on a rock in the sun .. salt moisture sand bugs,, used them for 9 years of traveling...they don't make em like that anymore.

[@HoLeeChit11]

Wow, sick camera, does it shoot 4k video in lomography?.

[@MikeRees1984]

Jas Mann lol I wish

[@garyhooper3064]

Why is it sick? If you don't like it don't use it. I'm so tired of the insults and name calling.

[@Mrsoggywheatbix]

'sick' means good, Gary...

[@michaelfarrell8962]

@@Mrsoggywheatbix wow, Gary...you gotta come out from under that rock and get you some internet dictionary. Oh wait the internet is the devil

[@chrisguli2865]

One important note about the OM-2/2n - DON'T use alkaline batteries, only SILVER OXIDE. Unlike the later OM cameras, this one does not have voltage regulation and is dependent on precise battery voltage for exposure metering. Silver oxide batteries have a flatter discharge curve, compared to alkaline and other chemistries which have a more gradual discharge curve - which will affect exposure results.

[@dietmarhuwener3371]

Guck mal wie schön die ist 🙄😂

[@jacovanlith5082]

Boring non info.

[@urwholefamilydied]

had some mechanical problems with my om-2n and decided to sell it off and most of my lenses to get a Nikon. I've owned pentax and minolta before, but never Nikon. Figured fuck it. Got the FE2, very pretty camera with a whopping 1/4000th shutter speed. Almost instantly when it arrived I just missed my Olympus. The Nikon is a very cool camera, but it's much bigger, all the lenses seem to be bigger. Doesn't seem like the fun vintage SLR you throw into a bag to go shooting at the beach for the day. It just seems bigger and more serious. (nothing NOT serious about the Olympus... that's a pro camera.. just talking about the feeling I have when I take it out to shoot... the Nikon I feel like I should be in someone's studio or something. Thing is big. Maybe that's my only qualm about the Nikon. Otherwise the Nikon is a very pretty and more than capable camera... but it's pretty big [it's actually not big compared to a general inventory of cameras from the 70's and 80's]. The Olympus felt right. Like I could give it a gentle toss onto my car's passenger seat before I went out shooting)