Olympus OM-2n Review

[@sputumtube]

I've had an 0M2n for years and I've learned so much more than I thought I knew from this review. Thankyou.

[@joaquinandrade2892]

Great review of the OM2n, I've been a Nikon shooter since '77, as you can see in my avatar, I still have my F2 which I bought brand new back then, about 15 years ago I got a OM10 with a 50mm1.8, which I never used, then about a year ago, a friend at work was selling his OM2n with a 50 1.4, a 24 2.8 and five other lenses going from 24-70mm all the way to 70-200mm, a Quick auto 310 flash, a bunch of filters and the motor drive for the camera, all for $100.00 Needles to say that now the camera that I have in my camera bag at all times is the OM2n, I don't even carry my Nikon digital camera, I am hooked with this amazing little piece of work, what a great camera.

[@TheAgeOfAnalog]

That's funny. I was a Minolta guy for 30 years, then I got an F2 about 5 years ago, now I'm hung up on my OM2n.

[@davebellamy4867]

@@TheAgeOfAnalog OM2n was amazing technology in 1975 and still is now in my view.

[@davebellamy4867]

It is so good that there is a physical off switch. The later models like 3, 4, 4Ti and 2SP had no physical off switch and battery drain was unavoidable. The OM2N batteries last for ages and the OM1Ns, nearly forever.

[@paulomoreira007]

I'm afraid it's not as simple as that. The OM-2 was sadly renowned by its battery drainage problem, even with the meter firmly in the Off position. The N version was supposed to have corrected that problem, but reports suggest otherwise. I suppose when à complete overhaul of the electronic circuitry was needed for the OM4, the problem was corrected and the on switch was placed in the shutter button, it was the norm back then, ergonomics had evolved and a separate switch wasn't acceptable anymore, not even an iconic one 😢

[@paulqueripel3493]

You can take manual photos longer than one second. Set it to B and use a cable release, it screws into the shutter release button.

[@federicofloresmoy8385]

Excellent presentation the Olympus Om2n. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@seamanjive]

Great review...you've given me confidence to get out and shoot with kine!

[@paulomoreira007]

Thank you for your comment. I am so glad that my video has stimulated you to go out and take pictures, it's really my goal, not to let those old cameras slipping into oblivion. Happy shooting!

[@robertparker7243]

A really sophisticated and comprehensive review

[@paulomoreira007]

Thank you for your kind comment.

[@Luxxx1965]

Foi graças a este vídeo que avancei para a compra da minha Olympus, mais precisamente para uma OM-2 SP. Só tenho que lhe agradecer. Muito!

[@paulomoreira007]

Muito obrigado Luís! Não tem nada que me agradecer, eu fico contente por ter ajudado alguém a decidir-se a comprar uma máquina de filme! Espero que desfrute muito das sua Olympus!

[@Maartenols]

Thank you, this was very helpful!

[@Flying4Film]

I hated my om2n when I first got it. The sound of the shutter turned me off. Now it is one of my favorite cameras next to my M2 and it’s due to the lenses and the shutter sound. It’s funny how things change. Great video.

[@skinkle777]

These camera's are increasing in value (all of the camera's in the OM range) and I reckon they will increase a great deal more. People are realizing that they are a real classic camera. I think they're just beautiful......!

[@paulomoreira007]

Indeed, but people should also realize that the OM-2 is an old electronic camera, it makes little sense to pay a lot of money for one. One top of that, the OM-2 doesn't have an immaculate record as far as the electronics are concerned...

[@skinkle777]

Indeed...

[@tommymuerto2189]

WILBUR WRIGHT I bought mine in perfect condition with original manual in a thrift store for $8 lol. they didn't know what it was.

[@Kref3]

I love my OM-1 (late MD version). Wonderful little machine. I also own an OM-2n and I must admit: I do not like it very much. It looks just as gorgeous, is just as small and light. But it misses one thing I use all the time wie auto-exposure cameras: The AE lock button. With other cameras I aim the camera e.g. on the ground if there is a middle grey pavement, lock the exposure in and recompose with sky and clouds and other stuff in the frame but the exposure still locked on the brightnes of the pavement, which always results in good exposures. The fact that the OM-2 does not offer this feature makes me use it in manual mode 95% of the time. And if you shoot it in manual mode anyhow, there is no reason to buy it instead of an OM-1. My third OM camera is an OM-4, which is almost as gorgeous looking yet solves the problems I have with the OM-2 AE function. This one little AE lock button somewhere on the OM-2 and I would have called it perfect. But without it, it lacks one of the most important AE features.

[@DrZylvon]

Good extensive review, thanks Paulo

[@paulomoreira007]

+DrZylvon You're welcome, I'm glad you like it.

[@livemusicalgarve]

Thankyou so much for your wonderful informative advice and knowledge, very much appreciated.

[@paulomoreira007]

Thank you for watching and the nice comment. I am glad that my video is of some use. Cheers.

[@franzscaramelli2651]

Fantastic review!

[@paulomoreira007]

Thank you so much!

[@stephenpattenden2003]

I bought my om2n in 1979 and still use it

[@paulomoreira007]

Oh, that's great! Hope you it will give you many more years of satisfaction :D

[@kevinpatrickmacnutt]

Very intelligent camera for it's time. I have the "Winder 2" that attaches to the bottom which gives you the capability for 5fps which is amazing for the 1970s.

[@Arcaged]

I have it too but i keep it for the grip, i don't put batteries in it, but then i had to block a pin to be able to use the shutter button of the camera, 5fps is very impressive considering you have 20 or 36 poses... i mean it was the speed of a a7 ii not so long ago

[@megansalt]

solid articulate review, thank you!

[@davebellamy4867]

I love the real time off the film metering for night photography because unless you get a flash of light you get correct exposure whe mist other cameras on auto you get lower maximum exposure time and you get a guess on exposure prior to the actual exposure which can be inaccurate. If you want the camera not to respond in that way, it's easy to use B instead. On the other hand my Canon A1 was pretty accurate on long exposures because it had silicon cells for estimating exposure.

[@paulomoreira007]

Thank you for your comment. The OM-2 uses the same type of cells as the Canon A1, silicon blue cells. The only superior metering cells available at the time were the Gallium type, used in the Nikon fM or Praktica B-200. The metering on the OM-2 was a breakthrough, the camera was quite unique but I think that even Olympus realized that data collection about light in different parts of the image and its treatment was the way to go.

[@tuftufclub159]

Great video ! Thanks alot for sharing all your thoughts with us. I feel really lucky to have found this film, as I am thinking of buying one ! I subscribed to your channel, Take Care, Greetings, Roger.

[@paulomoreira007]

Hello Roger, thank you so much for your comment. I 'm glad my video was of help. The OM-2/ OM2-N is a small jewel of a camera, just be careful when buying one, a physical testing is highly recommended. Happy shooting! Greetings, Paulo.

[@mtlvlog]

Hello! Nicely wrapped video. I personally own an Olympus OM-2N. I thought you might appreciate knowing that I referenced your video in one playlist I created on my channel. Nice work! Let's stay in touch!

[@paulomoreira007]

Thank you for your kind comment. I am glad that you appreciated it. Happy shooting!

[@matereo]

the shutter ring is way better than the otherwise regular wheel on top.. if you are designing a small film slr it is great. Compare to the Pentax mx which is also very small and which is outright unergonomical.

[@paulomoreira007]

@@matereo Thanks for tour comment. That's highly debatable and personally I don't agree with it. Had Pentax done the things right, it would have a huge shutter speed dial like the Contax 139 Q, a camera of the exact same size of the OM 2n. I guess not all cameras were designed by Porsche but jokes aside, size isn't a valid reason to have a shutter speed ring, it's a question of philosophy and personal choice. Cheers!

[@seamanjive]

Super review, thank you. Can I also compliment you on your excellent English...

[@paulomoreira007]

Thank you so much for your kind comment. Happy shooting.

[@sherm50599]

your videos are great. thank you.

[@paulomoreira007]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoy them!

[@node547]

I think of myself as a Nikon guy and I think I'm most fluent in the Nikon style of shooting. But when I go out in a hurry and want something hassle-free, I always grab my om2n. I can't figure why. It's as if I had to learn the other bodies but working with this one just comes very intuitive. In any case, I share your feelings about the om2n ;).

[@paulomoreira007]

+Koen Verbeke Thank you for your coment. The OM series never was or is my camera system, but I do find some intersting things in them. As the owner (and user) of a few dozen Nikons SLRs, I have to agree that they have nothing in common. In my opinion, up to the F4, Nikon cameras had their own language like you say, nothing remotely resembles them, but The OM system is quite unique in character too.

[@keepchrispy8589]

VERY great review !!! Thumbs up! :-)

[@Reiflen]

I prefer the Olympus OM-1 (in black also), since the OM-2 relies way more on electronics. Otherwise, great camera (when it isn't faulty) :D

[@paulomoreira007]

+Homem das Taças That's the bad experience you had speaking louder than reason! :D

[@anthonydavis4829]

Being a portrait photographer you couldn't ask for a better camera. OTF is still King in 2020. Get an om2 and a 85mm or 100mm lens and lever let go.

[@KingJvpes]

can you shoot without a battery? Does the battery only control the meter?

[@paulomoreira007]

KingJvpes Thie OM-2/2n is a fully electronic camera, no batteries, no camera, period. The only mechanical OM cameras are the OM-1 and 3.

[@luchocr693]

Hello great review ... let me ask you something, if for some reason the om2 circuits fail, could I still use it in manual mode? Thanks 🙏🏼

[@paulomoreira007]

Thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, the answer is no, if the OM2 fails there are no mechanical SOS speeds like in a Nikon or Prakticas. The OM2 can be temperamental, things improved with the N version one more reason to get them cheap. This applies to all electronic cameras, of course but some are more trouble prone than others. Cheers.

[@luchocr693]

@@paulomoreira007 thank you so much for your answer. Greetings from Perú 🇵🇪✨

[@tompoynton]

OM-2n 4 lyfe

[@coralie8666]

super video thanks !

[@paulomoreira007]

Thank you! I am glad you like it!

[@Reiflen]

Sugestão para a próxima review: Nikon F3. ;)

[@paulomoreira007]

+Homem das Taças Talvez!

[@tmryvz]

I bought my first analog camera, its the Olympus OM2n. It is so great, but my only concern is that I cant figure out how to remove the diopter lens out of the camera. If I look through the viewfinder everything is blurry, if my father looks through it for him everything is sharp. I read on the internet that I somehow have to remove the diopter correction lens. Can you please tell me how I can do it?

[@paulomoreira007]

I think you just have to unscrew it form the viewfinder. There is a ring that bolts onto to the viewfinder piece with that dioptric lens. I am not sure, but possibly it turns anti-clockwise to unscrew.

[@AmbiencePT]

Great camera, but I still would grab the Nikon FE2, Contax 139Q, Minolta XD11 first. : )

[@paulomoreira007]

+AmbiencePT I agree with your choice, except for the Minolta, which I am not familiar with. The order is wrong though, first the 139 Q because it's the one closer to the OM-2 N. The FE2 is in a slightly different level technically speaking, but it feels like a Nikon. The OM2 is pure genius in design and tech for its day, but I never built a small OM system, opposite to the 139 Q that convinced me to spend money in C/Y lenses, plus it also takes M42 lenses, a real luxury.

[@marcelocampoamor4761]

Hey! thanks for your review.The Minolta XD11 (7 in Europe) has the A S M mode and some kind of program (green )mode as well. The size is about the OM-2. There is a mechanical mode of 1/100 s in case the battery dies. The layout of the viewfinder changes when you go from A mode to S mode, for example and the metering system works in manual mode as well. You can see in the viewfinder the speed and the aperture currentement in use.

[@davidlegault2749]

Nice video. BTW your neck-strap is destroying the black finish. Get a proper strap.

[@bedeverecurry7122]

Nice

[@joaoramos32]

Boas Paulo, vou comprar a minha primeira maquina analogica. Entre uma Olympus OM-2, uma Canon AE-1, uma Yashica FR-I, uma Pentax K2 e uma Minolta X-300, o que me aconselhas? Estou a procura de uma camera funcione bem em modo manual e que dê um efeito meio granulado estilo vintage. Sei que é uma pergunta um bocado abrangente, mas nao percebo muito de cameras analogicas e gostava de saber uma opiniao de alguem mais entendido. Obrigado

[@paulomoreira007]

Olá João, obrigado pela mensagem. Qualquer uma das máquinas que listaste tem modo manual e todas têm também prioridade à abertura (menos a Canon que tem prioridade à velocidade). Vamos esclarecer já uma coisa, as máquinas analógicas não induzem efeito algum nas fotos, só em casos específicos é que algumas objectivas produzem certos efeitos ou aberrações, como a distorção, a vinhetagem, o bokeh, o baixo contraste, etc. O grão têm a ver com a película, com o tipo de rolo, a máquina não tem nada a ver com esse resultado. É impossível uma objectiva normal induzir grão, há truques, filtros para suavizar ou obter certos resultados, mas de origem é impossível. Quanto às máquinas, todas as que enumeraste são electrónicas. Tens de estar consciente que são máquinas com 40 anos e que podem ter morte súbita, normalmente não são reparáveis se a electrónica der problemas. As Olympus OM-2 são temperamentais, é preferível a versão 2n, mas mesmo assim a idade pode não perdoar. A Yashica, a Pentax e a Minolta têm a vantagem de poder utilizar (mediante adaptador) as objectivas com encaixe de rosca M42. A Pentax permite utilizar a maior gama de objectivas do mundo já que a baioneta K foi adoptada por muitos fabricantes. As objectivas para a Yashica não são muito numerosas, mas se tiveres muito dinheiro, o encaixe é o mesmo das Contax e objectivas Carl Zeiss. Em suma, qualquer uma é competente, pessoalmente eu riscaria a AE-1 por ter prioridade à velocidade, mas isso sou eu. Tens te ter atenção que uma máquina por ter focagem manual não implica que o seu funcionamento seja mecânico. O conjunto de máquinas que sugeres é de funcionamento electrónico, mas com focagem manual, duas coisas distintas. Em termos de preço, as máquinas que citaste não são equivalentes, mesmo que o sejam em termos de características. A OM2 é sempre mais cara, a AE-1 também, a Yashica a mais barata, mas talvez a melhor relação preço/performances. Quanto a um look muito específico, isso é determinado pelo filme ou durante a impressão ou edição das fotos. Há objectivas famosas pelo seu poder de desfoque, de recorte, disto ou daquilo. Pessoalmente eu não iria por aí, pelo menos para já. Espero ter ajudado! Abraço

[@joaoramos32]

Resposta super completa Paulo, estou bastante mais esclarecido! Obrigado pela ajuda, Abraço!

[@TheMrBennito]

I hear a muffled voice commenting, somehow.

[@Valerie-ii5zo]

the thing where you have to look through doesn't work at my camera... Do you know what to do or how to fix it?

[@paulomoreira007]

The thing is the viewfinder and it always works. The mirror is in the up position. Put fresh batteries and watch my video to reset the camera. If it doesn't work, then it's faulty.

[@Valerie-ii5zo]

i found out why it didn't worked haha. The camera didn't even have that mirror inside it.....

[@bedevere007]

Awrsome

[@urwholefamilydied]

18:29 , yes, but the cells in the prism still serve the purpose if you're shooting full manual. If in full manual the cells in the prism will say for instance, f/2.8 @ 250/sec shutter, and when set to that in full manual, the shutter will open for 250th of a second.

[@onrkru5565]

I cant change iso. how can I ?

[@mikestratton78]

It's next to the shutter release and advance lever. You have to actually pull the ASA knob up with your thumb and forefinger and turn it and the dial should move freely between the ASA numbers.