Olympus OM-4 Video Manual 2 of 2: Operation, Use, How to Take a Photo, and Functions

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Olympus' OM-4 (OM-4T and OM-4Ti) represented the end of the Olympus professional camera lineage, at least for film. The OM-4 was the pinnacle of Olympus' camera development technology and it supported the amazing Zuiko lens system and used an innovative multi-spot meter to allow photographers the ability to control the exposure in their images. One of the best cameras ever made for slide film, the OM-4 is a pairing of fantastic usability and functionality, making it one of the best cameras I've reviewed.
Video Index:
Skip the Intro: 0:15
Lens Mounting and Unmounting: 0:27
Loading Film into the Olympus OM-4: 0:54
Changing the Olympus OM-4 Battery: 4:06
Adjusting the Diopter on the Olympus OM-4: 4:55
Flash Photography with the Olympus OPM-4: 6:47
The Olympus OM-4 Viewfinder, Focusing Screen, and Light Meter: 10:20 (Also, how to interpret the multi-spot meter readout.)
Using the OM-4’s Shadow and Highlight Function: 11:50
How to Use the OM-4 Multi-spot Meter: 13:05
How to take a Picture with the Olympus OM-4: 15:53
Taking a Double Exposure with the Olympus OPM-4: 16:50
Like this Video and Subscribe to the David Hancock Channel: 20:24
Zone System Video: • Ask David: What is the...
Review:
• Olympus OM-4 Review wi...
Video 1 (Overview):
• Olympus OM-4 Video Man...
References:
www.butkus.org/chinon/olympus...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympus...
camera-wiki.org/wiki/Olympus_O...
www.photo.net/discuss/threads...
camera-wiki.org/wiki/Olympus#3...
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[@MsLoribee]

Awesome explanation of the spot system. It answered all my questions about how it’s supposed to work. Thank you!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@DanM_Photography]

Thanks for this helpful OM4 refresher. I just managed to free the frozen winder after it's been sitting for a number of years and I'm eager to start using it again. It was always my favorite camera.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and great choice for a favorite camera!

[@Fade1957]

Hello David, Brilliantly explained, you really know and understand these cameras. I as just given an OM4Ti by a dear friend (In Mint Condition). Having an OM1 & OM2 I had no idea of the differences between them, but thanks to your videos I now have a clear idea of how to use the OM4 to it's full potential. I'll be watching these videos over and over again as a reference guide. Thank you!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@kokokhanduja6981]

I shot with an OM-4 36 years ago, my camera is not working well so I ordered another one today from KEH. I found your instructions very insightful. Thank you for making such an excellent video.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@GhostGamer06]

Thank you so much for this video, I just got my hands on the OM-4 that my dad had forgotten about and this video answered all my question despite not finding them easily at all. Thank you again!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@mattsny4304]

I’ll be staring to take photos soon for the first time on the Olympus om 4 and I can’t wait!!!

[@DavidHancock]

Very nice! I have to imagine that you'll love it.

[@AhmadThabet-qw1kc]

The explanation is very clear with lot of tips and useful information for this legendary SLR 35 mm Film Camera of all times. Many Thanks and best regards.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you again, Ahmad!

[@matteovrizzi]

Excellent video & explanation of spot metering / zone system

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@nmd1211]

Great videos about the OM4-T. I love my OM cameras and enjoy using them. The OM4-Ti and OM1n are my faves. I learned a lot here - don't have to constantly hunt through the manual as a result. Thanks!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@ridealongwithrandy]

great video, I especially enjoyed the spot metering explanation. Cheers!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@mattsny4304]

Amazing videos both 1 and 2!👍🏽

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@jonathansisovic]

Thanks for a great video

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@klontart]

Excellent, thank you.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@zedystic1147]

Thanks to you, I am very aware of my camera and very good as using it now! Thank you! I appreciate your detailed guide! Subbed.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@mikebaker2007]

Very helpful, thank you

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@KevinBrown-vq4rq]

Yes it is a great camera and like shooting my one Great video thank you

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@filmniyom]

Cool camera👍

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@melvinch]

Wish you had shown the viewfinder when explaining the spot-metering. Just words and pictures cannot describe the sophistication of this fabulous camera.

[@DavidHancock]

I do, too. I don't have a lens that lets me obtain an accurate view inside the viewfinder any more.

[@RonEMarks]

I know this is 4 years old but I would suggest to set diopter by taking the lens off and dialing it in until you see the ground texture in the focusing screen. It will be accurate even if your infinity stop on your lens is not perfect.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! That's a great tip that I didn't know.

[@steverosenblum823]

Another wonderful set of videos! Thanks so much for all you do. I agree with your review video that this camera is the pinnacle of manual focus design. I live the compact size, the gorgeous viewfinder, the metering system is pure genius, and the lenses are top notch. I worship at the altar of Maitani and love the cameras ha and his team designed including the Oly XA and Stylus Epic. They all still stand the test of time and are wonderful tools to use. Thanks again for all your thoughtful and compulsively made videos I am critical, and they are excellent! An additional question--which rechargeable dry packets do you use? I need to get some.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you, Steve! For dessicant packs, I use Pelican brand rechargeable packs. They're little metal rectangles about the size of a Clif Bar.

[@jd5787]

note for self: viewfinder & metering system at 10:25 and 16:30 (spot meter)

[@dougauwarter2500]

I sure like your videos - especially this pair on the OM4(ti). What great, useful information! Wish you were into Topcon REs and Super Ds! Could use some informative videos on those, for sure!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! I know I have a Topcon something or another on the shelf, but I forget the model.

[@dougauwarter2500]

@@DavidHancock The Topcon RE Super (Beseler Topcon Super D in USA) is a top notch camera. It's kind of basic, like an OM-1 or SRT 101, but the RE Topcor lenses are amazing. They command top dollar on the used market and are often used by DSLR because of their incredible performance. However, the videos people have made leave a lot to be desired. Thanks again for the no-nonsense, high-quality videos!

[@alanread6596]

Excellent video very informative I am waiting for my om4ti to arrive your video has been extremely helpful. Can I ask what the red tape is for.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! The red tape on the lens? That replaced the missing diamond grip (there was no grip material on the lens when I got it.) I added the second strip up front because the lens is long enough that I often hold it at the front and the second strip of red leather makes it easier for me to find the proper position for my fingers.

[@weisserth]

David, fantastic overview. Questions: I do remember the self timer mode does a mirror lockup. That is correct, right? Other than the self-timer mode, is there a manual mirror lock-up? In self timer mode, does the camera use a memory meter reading or averaged spot meter readings? Does the method you showed for multiple exposures work with self timer? It should, right? Thank you!

[@DavidHancock]

For MLU, unfortunately, the only MLU is coupled to the timer. I believe that yes the memory retains multi-spot meter readings. And yes, that method SHOULD work with the timer, but I didn't try it.

[@GTXTi-db5xu]

I'm thinking of upgrading from my OM-1 to this in the future 🤔

[@DavidHancock]

They're both great. I almost kept my OM-1 over this camera because I kind of like the OM-1's feel a bit better. This a great cameras, though.

[@GTXTi-db5xu]

@@DavidHancock That's fair, it's hard to beat the fully mechanical feel of the original OM-1's.

[@chepo1956]

Great video David. In part one I commented that there's a place called Camtech that repairs old Olympus cameras. If you know anyone else who does repairs, I'd appreciate your suggestions. As for this video, it was fantastic! Your explanation on the spot metering feature was awesome. Thanks so much.

[@DavidHancock]

I haven't used Camtech, nor had I heard of them, so I can't speak to their abilities. My Olympus guy is overbooked right now so I can't refer you to him. I use Camera Repair Center out of Glendale, California, as one of my repair partners, and I've been happy with their work and timelines. That said, any camera repair center with good Google reviews will probably do well by you. (I've found in the U.S. that Google reviews are more accurate than Yelp reviews).

[@torinoconnell9512]

John from Camtech does great maintenance and repairs, have used him several times for OM1/2/4's. He was a factory tech back in the day if i'm not mistaken.

[@chepo1956]

@@torinoconnell9512 Thanks Torin😀 Camtech I feel is the place to go. I have to confess that I've not done anything to repair it yet, since I just got a new OM-1 from OM Systems. The feature set is incredible on this camera. I'm still exploring it. Maybe down the line I will eventually have it fixed. But It's not a priority right now.

[@Bass-guitarist]

Good tip on dead frame after 2x exp frame, got me thinking ... due to the tension on the film cassette and the risk of movement (id always understood to gently tension the rewind spool to take up slack before starting double exposure on manual rewind cameras) would it be wise to perform a dead frame and wind on at the beginning of the double exposure frame? I know its potentially using three frames for a single double exposure image but def safeguards any overlap? Whats your thoughts?.....

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! That's a good point about pre-tensioning the double exposure. I think of that as less important as the film is likely under some tension from being advanced. So I don't think that's a necessity, but it wouldn't hurt.

[@benjaminswihart]

Hi, I’m confused on the correlation between the light meter and the depth of field preview button. The light meter reading doesn’t change when I adjust my aperture unless I hold the preview button down. Do I need to hold this button down when I take photos to get a proper reading in auto?

[@DavidHancock]

Good question and nope. These cameras use open-aperture metering. The camera knows what aperture you're set to (a lever in the lens communicates it to the camera) and so as you adjust the aperture the camera's meter reading will change. If you're in auto mode, it won't tell you that. When you take the photo, the camera will close the lens and use the correct shutter speed. If you are using a manual shutter speed selection, then no, the settings will not change. If you're in auto mode, then the readings should change. But in short, you don't need to use DoF preview to obtain a meter reading and doing so will dramatically overexpose your photo.

[@suffocated]

Do you have any videos on what lenses you use/prefer/recommend with this OM4?

[@DavidHancock]

Not yet. I'm working on some OM-mount Round Glass Reviews, however. As a general baseline kit, a 28mm, 50mm, and 135mm will do about 95% of the photography you're likely to want to do. Olympus' offerings in those focal lengths are all great.

[@stevinatornl]

Hi David, great manual, it was very helpful! I have an issue with my 'new' OM-4. The light meter bar seems to be very spotty. It shows when I'm outside in the full sun, but sometimes only partly. but in dimmer light (cloudy or inside) it mostly dissapears completely, even with the shutter speed at 1. The shutter speed number and the indicator are still visiblel. I've tried using different batteries (I haven't been able to find any silveroxide batteries yet though), but that doesn't seem to make a difference. Is it only supposed to show when in (very) bright light, or could it be a battery/prism issue? Hope you're still reading this!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and I am still reading comments on this video. I think the OM-4 has a light meter that's illuminated by ambient light, IIRC. If my memory is correct, then it wouldn't be visible indoors or in low light.

[@stevinatornl]

@@DavidHancock Makes sense, but wouldn't that mean the shutter speed number and indicator would not be visible either? (they're still clearly visible).

[@DavidHancock]

@@stevinatornl I'll have to double check. Ping me in a new content on June 1. I loaned my OM-4 to a friend this month.

[@stevinatornl]

@@DavidHancock Will do, thanks for your time!

[@superduperleanh]

Hi David, I just got my olympus om 4 and the compensation/iso dial is extremely stiff. It's hard to adjust both the compensation and the iso when lifting the dial up. Can I use a tiny bit amount of oil on the dial to make it easier? Thank you!

[@DavidHancock]

I'd pick up some 91% isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs and try cleaning around the dial. There's probably some dirt and old grease gumming up the works. Rubbing alcohol and movement ought to loosen it up enough to remedy the issue. If not, the Fix Old Cameras channel may have a solution.

[@superduperleanh]

@@DavidHancock I followed your advice and it worked perfectly! the dial is much smoother now and I didn't expect it'd work as well as it did. Thank you!

[@jd5787]

Hi, I noticed your lens is protected with some leather cover. where to get these please? do they leave residue when removed? (I have bunch of exp lenses I would rather protect from myself and the elements). thank you!

[@DavidHancock]

Those were from sheets of sticky-backed leather I ordered from CameraLeather.com and trimmed to size. The coverings are permanent and replace the rubber grip that my lens was missing when I bought it.

[@jd5787]

@@DavidHancock very elegant! Thanks for sharing.

[@Anthony-em3sb]

When I press the spot meter button sometimes it doesn’t work

[@DavidHancock]

The button might be weak or have some dirt under it that prevents it from working perfectly. Old things develop flaws and quirks, unfortunately.

[@Folly_Inds]

I found an OM-4 for a good price recently. Sadly it seems like the meter is cooked, or at least the display. at least it seems mechanically sound. still a beautiful lens too.

[@DavidHancock]

A good lens is always something. It might be worth playing around with it to see if the meter or the display is at issue. Also, the camera needs good batteries to meter and display properly.

[@Folly_Inds]

@@DavidHancock thanks for the reply. With a new day, more sleep, and newer batteries, it looks like its just the display that's not working. The shutter speed is clearly changing with spot metering. Figure I'll run a roll through it to see if its still getting exposure correct. Do some brackets and see what comes out.

[@Folly_Inds]

Hey, for anyone who reads this comment in like a year or two; letting new batteries sit for 6-8 hours in the camera seems to have fixed the spasms with the meter.

[@d1llp1ckl3zz5]

I recently picked up a OM-4T but noticed its film advance lever is stuck and the rewind button is down. The guide spool is loose and I can’t do anything with it. What should I do?

[@DavidHancock]

First up, I'd check to see if using the bulb trigger (bulb mode, side button, IIRC on this model) to see if the shutter is just stuck mid-fire. Bulb mode will release the shutter. That should fix your issue. The camera needs batteries to operate, so make sure you have tow good batteries installed correctly.

[@d1llp1ckl3zz5]

Thanks for responding but I don’t know where this bulb mode button is?

[@DavidHancock]

@@d1llp1ckl3zz5 On the side of the lens mount. Video 1 should show the button locations.

[@hsuehprettyboien5695]

So how would I avoid making people look wax with flash f280 on hot shoe as u mentioned in the vid

[@DavidHancock]

You'll want a PC port to hot shoe adapter (probably about $5) that has a 1/4-20 thread on the base. You'll also need a flash bar, which is a metal bar that has two 1/4-20 screws. One connects to the camera, the other the flash adapter. Then you can use the threaded screw in the adapter to rotate the flash and then shoot in portrait to bounce it off the ceiling.

[@hsuehprettyboien5695]

@@DavidHancock so if I directly attach my f280 to om4t for portrait , it might cause the subject to be too bright or washed out? Thx. Just got my flash so pretty unfamiliar with it

[@dannytran173]

I’m having a hard time setting the ISO! Whenever I turn the dial only the Exposure compensation dial moves and not the ISO!

[@DavidHancock]

Are you lifting the dial's outside ring far enough? The interface is a bit strange on these for adjusting the ISO and EV.

[@dannytran173]

David Hancock holy thanks so much! What an odd function

[@DavidHancock]

@@dannytran173 It's definitely strange and always throws me. It does a good job of showing how film speed relates to exposure value, however.

[@lucymcknight651]

Hi David, the diopter is missing on my camera, how vital is it?

[@DavidHancock]

Not vital. It's job is to let people with very light prescriptions use the camera without their glasses.

[@lucymcknight651]

@@DavidHancock great, thank you!

[@ZekyC]

Cant find any om-4t anymore :( someone send a link lol

[@DavidHancock]

😃 You'll have to find one on eBay or at a local camera shop.

[@whitefangoneanime]

Great video. So if I'm in manual mode and I set my aperture to whatever I want. Then I press the Spot Meter. The camera will automatically use the shutter speed with the diamond or I manually should change the shutter speed to what is above the diamond?

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! In manual mode, you will need to adjust the shutter speed yourself. The odds of the diamond lining up exactly where a shutter speed is are slim. So just pick the closest.

[@whitefangoneanime]

@@DavidHancock Thanks for replying, I love your videos! When I look at the meter it shows its meter (like represented by the bar) and then when I try spot it moves the bar to where the diamond is. Then if I change shutter speed the bar and the diamond moves. I think I might be doing something wrong or am just incompetent lol.

[@jat5am]

11:50 be careful with this lens, it's radioactive.

[@DavidHancock]

But not dangerously so. You'll get more radiation from an x-ray or flying over mountains.

[@devroombagchus7460]

The OM single digit cameras were designed for professionals or experienced amateurs. The double digit ones were meant for « consumers ». Why be so elementary and aim at basics for beginners with a camera as sophisticated as the OM 4?

[@DavidHancock]

Because the number of beginners buying professional cameras because they are not much more expensive then entry-level cameras is huge.

[@devroombagchus7460]

@@DavidHancock Perhaps in your country. In Europe we might be less happy to buy ¨overkill ¨ just to have the best that you cannot use, because it is beyond you. It could be that we tend to follow Olympus' geniuses who intended a professional and a commercial line.

[@christopherlloyd8117]

@@devroombagchus7460 A bit late to the party here but as a fellow European, I always buy pro models if I can - the key point for is that the 'professional' models were built to a higher standard (at least than some of the entry-level ones) so you have more chance not only of finding a working one but of it remaining functional for a good many years. As for not being able to use it because it's 'beyond you', with respect - rubbish. Ignore the spot metering until you get the experience and confidence and you'll find it as easy to use as any other 35mm SLR.