Olympus OM Cameras - Buying, Shooting, Using!

The Olympus OM cameras are professional quality 35mm film cameras, and they're significantly cheaper than Nikon or Canon equivalents!
Sometimes overshadowed by Canon and Nikon, these cameras are special - they're small, light and portable and they have some outstanding lenses too.
If you're looking for a high quality 35mm film camera, one of these could be for you!
Check out the 'Saab' of cameras and find out what you're missing!
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Thanks for watching!

[@rvandrunen]

The original 2S, 3 and 4 have battery drain issues. Some of the OM-4 were upgraded with new circuit boards, which solved the battery problem. The OM-3ti, 4t and 4ti didn’t have the battery drain problem. Also, you are right, setting the shutter to Bulb or 1/60 doesn’t stop the batteries from draining.

[@OliverEvergreen]

that's the reason I preferred to overpay and get om4ti back then. I saw somewhere that you could track the manufacturing date on the om4 and get the updated version, but still it's a lottery.

[@DennisFreeland]

Yes my favourite camera back in the film days. I still have an OM1 and OM2n but not used for several years. I currently use OM film lenses on a SONY A7c. Its a lightweight combination and focus peaking makes them easy to use.

[@ajansson3361]

I bought a om1 and the om1n inclusief 4 lenses for 90 euro. Love them😅

[@robinj.9329]

THANK YOU so much, for revisiting the Olympus series of Cameras 📷. One of my FAVORITES !!!!

[@trevorsneath4665]

I loved the OM4Ti. Such an advanced piece of kit in it's day.

[@robspedding9520]

Ive got my granddad's OM-1and the 28, 50 and 135 lenses. This has inspired me to check the dodgy meter and shoot with it again.

[@IncendiaHL]

I have the OM-1 and OM-4, and I love the socks off both of them. The 1 is a minimalist esthetic marble, while the 4 trades some of that with the ap-priority as well as the multispot function which even high end modern cameras can't rival. Perfect for slide film and tricky situations where you want to nail the exposure.

[@diannesorrell6801]

My OM4T turned into a paperweight after I left it sitting with the batteries in. My other OMs (1MD, 2n, and G) are my favorites, and i don't find them at all quirky. My first slr, back in the eighties, was/is the OM10, but it has a faulty lens mount, and moisture gets in from the humid Southeastern U.S. environment, so i have retired it. I did send all of them, a few years ago, for a CLA and new foam, so the 1MD and 2n have sparkling clean viewfinders and mirrors. Very much worth the extra money.

[@philipjewer5275]

A great overview of the OM series - thanks! I've just stuck some film in my long-neglected OM2N & am hoping to get out with it soon. They are such great little cameras & feel so perfect in your hands - a real pleasure to use.

[@danm3d]

A friend of mine gave me an OM-10, incl the manual adapter and winder grip. I couldn't believe it. It's a wonderful camera. The Zuiko 50 1.8 is beautiful

[@steveclamp4488]

The MD designation on that model of the OM2 means it is compatible with the OM motor drive at 5 frames per second. the 10,20,30 and 40 were compatible with the winder 2. The OM4 is a very power hungry piece of kit. I now have the OM1n, OM2sp and OM4. I would gladly swap all these for the OM3. nice to see the little Olys back in favour. I was devastated when Olympus went down the 4/3 route and made all my lenses incompatible with the evolt without a lens adapter. I will not buy a new digital Olympus. Thanks for sharing.

[@conradsayareina6514]

I have three M-1 cameras in perfect working order. I use one of them with the 35-80 2.8 lens with a grip because of the weight, one with a 50mm, and one with a 35mm. I also shoot a Nikon F2 and a Leica M2. They are all a little different, but of the same high quality, especially the 35-50 lens.

[@richardwalker4518]

OM4 had the battery drain issue, but it was said to be fixed on the OM4ti. However, the recommended practice is to switch the shutter speed to the mechanical setting and leave it set to manual, that way there is no battery drain at all and you can leave the batteries in.

[@justlikeswimming5988]

Picked up a beat-up OM1 in a pawn shop about 5 years ago for cheap, works like a charm. Most of the large family of zuiko lenses are excellent, such as the amazing 200mm f4 MC auto-T , so light you can take hand-held close-up shots at slow shutter speeds! I have an OM-4 (for the higher shutter speeds and excellent metering) as well, but have had no luck with OM-2 (2 tries) due to electrical problems. The OM-1 all-mechanical camera remains my favorite, it's never let me down! Thanks for a wonderful review!

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

It is worth remembering that the meter in the OM-1 used a 1.3v mercury battery that is no longer made. If you use a matching size/number 1.5v modern battery, the meter readings will be a stop or two off. There are some zinc-air 1.35v batteries available which should operate the meter at the correct voltage and result in correct readings....

[@sakeboersma4626]

Olympus OM…. My favorite!! Thank you!! I’ve also worked with the OM and PEN in combination with the Olympus endoscopes at my work in hospital. And, next to the OM1 and OM2 (also my favorite), I also use the OM10. Also a great camera! And the OM Zuiko lenses… use them also for my digital ‘adventures’.

[@PhillipRivara]

Had an OM2N IN Navy back in the day, loved that camera

[@tuftufclub159]

Thanks alot for this very intresting video of the Olympus OM series. Take care, Greetings, Roger.

[@fricki1997]

My only minor gripe with the OM series is that you have to pick between fully mechanical but needing 1.35V or a diode conversion for the meter (OM-1), usable with modern batteries but electronic shutter only (OM-2) or modern batteries + mechanical shutter but very expensive (OM-3). With the Pentax MX you can get something very similar to the OM-1 (tiny body, massive viewfinder, also fully mechanical) that works with LR44 batteries and also shows both shutter and aperture in the viewfinder. As you've said the OM-2 have a good track record, but after having a few other electronic cameras fail on me suddenly I just feel more comfortable with mechanical ones. That being said, I think my OM-2 and OM-4Ti just sound and feel better than my MX, and I find myself reaching for them more often. I just mix up battery and motor drive door all the bloody time! I also can't think of any other camera that has the automatic multi spot averaging the 4Ti has which just seems insane to me, if you have more than a second to compose your scene it allows you to set up exposure exactly how you want it very easily.

[@russellwestproductions]

Hey Nigel! returning back to your channel. I love how you do your videos, very soothing with a relaxing quality like ASMR. I shared a few of them with my friends and they loved your approach to your camera and lens overviews as well! I always learn from you and get inspired to try out new lenses! I recently purchased a CZJ Flektogon 20mm f4 after watching some of your videos on the subject. I'm looking to use that lens to photograph real estate and hopefully find some classy photo clients . Shooting on a Sony A7R iv. You rock! Very excited :)

[@richardjames3022]

My OM4 does suffer from battery drain, but my OM4Ti doesn't. I haven't noticed a battery drain in my OM2sp

[@robstammers7149]

Enjoyed this immensely Nigel. I've always admired the early OMs, one is on my bucket list. As you say, probably the OM1 will be my choice. Cheers Nigel. Regards Rob.

[@paulman2270]

The "MD" denotes support for the Motor Drive 1 or 2 attachment.

[@nvrumi]

This is correct. The base plate will also have a port for the attachment of the drive.

[@russellharris5072]

I have OM1,OM2,OM2SP and the OM10.I recently dug out the OM2 spot and the batteries were ok,but I still changed them.I have had very good results with the OM10 and invested in the manual adapter,it was my first Olympus in 1983 and is still working as it should..........................

[@apislapis]

Excellent video. My OM-2SP munches batteries for breakfast. The OM-10 with manual adapter was my 2nd camera I owned, kindly donated by my father, an upgrade from the M42 Praktica MTL-3. I love the size of Olympus cameras and I guess that's why I get put off by large bodied contemporary FF cameras. I also have an OM-30 and OM-4 which I have rarely used as I swapped to a Canon 400D DSLR which disposed of the cost of film and developing at the time.

[@marksmodellingmadness]

The OM2sp was the camera I used between 1992 and '96 replacing the OM1n. It was the spot metering that won me over, that and the fact that when I looked through the viewfinder I understood what the camera was telling me (exposure etc). And yes, the battery drain issue was annoying but didn't put me off as I could switch to the red 60th shutter speed and carry on. The battery would fail without fail usually within the first dozen photos. I went thru a period where I was replacing batteries once a week! Eventually I sold it as I wanted and autofocus system camera. I still have one now (I bought and sold a couple in the past decade) and it only gets a battery when I want to use it. Still a favourite camera :)

[@nevardmedia]

I bought an OM1 with my Post Office savings in 1981, I recall it was £119. I beautifully made little camera with a really stellar 50mm. But sadly the film would pop occasionally and irritatingly the centre of the photo would be focused beyond infinity. It went back to Olympus under warranty, and they twiddled with it and made it worse. Sadly the love affair was short lived, so with the proceeds, bought some new glass for my father's Minolta SRT101 which I had on semi permanent loan. It's a shame, because it really was the most tactile and beautifully made camera. I guess I got a Friday job. Loving the vids, you've got me back into film photography and home processing.

[@Flashman36175]

I agree with you on the OM2n it is my favorate. The exposure control was the best of any SLR I used, which was ideal for slides (transparency). Also the OM1 and OM2 ( regular and n) viewfinder for slides was near perfect, so good if the registration was wrong 9 out of 10 times it was your processors fault. These characteristics were very important to me when I was making slide presentations that had some text and forms, and needed to have like a 24 hr turnaround so not chance for a second take. The OM2n also had a great OTF (Oft the Film) flash system, which multiple off the camera flashes to be used easily with out a separate and much harder to use Flash Meter. This was very fun to use, and allowed me to get very good shoots in non-studio locations quickly. While the OM2n was the last camera I bought new, I now seem to keep buying various OM1 models used. I guess if you like mechanical watches you would like a small mechanical SLR. If they are under about $50 US dollars I keep on buying them. To bad the lens OM lens I want are so high priced now. Will have to de-foam the prism on them, before damage sets in. Thanks for info on the battery life on the OM-2s I did not know they had a problem; will have to check my copy out. I know the OM-2s does not have foam over the prism. The OM-10 though OM-40 models have lasted much better then I thought they would when they were new, and work nearly as good as the single digit ones. I just gave away an OM-20 with lens to a young photographer.

[@bluegrassengineer]

Great review of these cameras! Thank you. I have had my OM-2S for forty years. It performs flawlessly, even after hundreds of rolls of film. Battery usage has always been an issue. When I put it away for a few days I set the shutter speed to 60. That turns the electronics off. If I don't plan to use the camera for more than a week, then I remove the battery. The biggest issue is the battery going dead while shooting. With a dead battery, the OM-2 is almost a brick. It will shoot at 1/60 second or bulb without a battery, but those speeds are limiting. Always carry spare batteries.

[@janb.5579]

About 5 years ago a friend gave me her old OM-10 and I fell in love with its Zuiko 50mm 1.8, so much so that when I had the opportunity to get a cheap OM-2 s/p at a flea market for just 50 euros I bought it immediately. I love that camera, despite the fact that it is a bit small for my big hands. It can be hard to set the ISO or exposure compensation or to get the ring set to the correct time. Also, I don't seem to be able to get rid of the annoying over exposure warning beep. But it takes spectacular images and it is one of my most used film SLRs. In addition to the 50mm I got myself the 135mm f/3.5 which is even better in my opinion, and a third party 28 2.8 (Makinon), that is not quite as good but serves me well. All in all I can recommend the OM camera system! As for the battery issue, I really don't know, I always take the batteries out of my cameras as soon as I'm done with one film, just so I won't forget them and find that one has been leaking month later. ;-)

[@hansemannluchter643]

The shutter speed control is exactly where it should be..

[@richardcollins586]

Bought one last year, the 50mm f1.8 came with it, excellent condition. Bought a 85mm f2 a few months later. Now I’m looking for a 28mm f2. Lovely camera.

[@Fisklingur]

i just got an OM-1 recently with a 50mm lens and it's my first film camera, and it has been such a joy to use and a very good learning experience. Now I'm trying to decide which lens to get for it next

[@Aviopic]

An inop lightmeter on the OM1 and 2 is usually caused by a faulty switch, it's a slip-ring design and they wear out and/or suffer from corrosion. I've repaired quite a lot of them. The OM1n and 2n came with a few modifications and was mandatory because the mercury battery used in the original 1 and 2 were banned and replaced with a more modern battery. Several brands added an "n" to their already existing types like the Fujica ST605 which became 605n, indicating a new battery. Electronics are usually always repairable, mechanics are not unless you have a donor body for parts.

[@wiffelballbat]

My OM1n with my 28, 50 and 100mm lenses is my number 1. I pretty much only use it exclusively now and everything else has been sold or given away. Its a really great camera and the lenses are super sharp and fast. I love it - but i have to say i never use the meter, i always use a separate meter (usually my phone app).

[@TristanColgate]

That's also my trinity of lenses! after coming from digital, having 3 lenses with the same filter thread was a revelation, so much so that I know use 49mm step up rings on my digital lenses (though they get progressively less use).

[@wiffelballbat]

Me too! I have a micro 4/3 digital and I use adapters. I know those lenses now, and I am happy to shoot them full manual on a digital body. And the results are stunning.

[@kaplanyx]

D'accord! I like my OM1n. The "n" version uses the same hot-shoe of the OM2n and a flash ready indicator in the viewfinder.

[@user-ow5vu4vx7c]

Oh my dear old OM1. The clicks on the shutter stopped clicking. I sent it down to the Olympus approved workshop in Trowbridge. But they went bust whilst they had the camera and I never saw it back. Now - the OM1 had a mercury oxide battery. Those are illegal these days. What do you do about batteries? Oh it was lovely. An OM1 and a roll of FP4. It didn't get any better than that!

[@DennisFreeland]

The nearest equivalent is a WEIN cell !.35v battery available on Amazon for about £10

[@davidjb9199]

I had an OM-2SP but somehow didn't really care for it as much as my OM-4T. The multi spot metering of the OM-4T is to me, the most accurate way one can meter assuming you know how to use it and are willing to put in the work. I ended up adding an OM-2n to the stable and I agree that it is about the fastest and simplest one to use overall. In going after the OM-1, I was lucky enough to find someone on Ebay selling refurbished OM cameras and they actually had M-1's for sale (~248 USD). A bit high, but my understanding is that these were only sold in Japan, so finding any available in the States was a windfall. I snapped on up and I have to say that I have read that Miatani's goal was to produce an SLR that felt like a Leica in its handling and operation and I think he pretty well succeeded. Of course my Leica experience is with the Barnack versions only, but in that comparison the M-1 fairs well in my opinion. The one drawback to the M-1/OM-1 is the lack of aperture/shutter speed information in the viewfinder, corrected in later models. I would also comment that while the shutter speed ring location is often described as "quirky" as you note (had forgotten about the Saab reference - had one of those too!), if you use one for a while you come to realize that ergonomically, it is a better design. The shutter speed is much easier to adjust with the camera to eye than the conventional layout. This is something I never appreciated when they were for sale in 70's and 80's. I also believe that Canon's and Nikon's marketing was much more aggressive and successful which lead to the OM's being passed over so often (it worked on me at the time!). Great review and video.

[@nvrumi]

Current pricing on the OM-3 is running $500-$600US. That 's quite a premium price for a manual camera. However, one could expect one of these to easily last the remainder of one's life. The OM-4 is selling for half that much, but will be susceptible to electronics failure, which could very well result in a paperweight. A negative for the OM-1 is that it used mercury cells. So, use of one will require an adapter or a zinc-air battery, which has a limited lifespan. I can't remember if the OM-2 uses alkaline or mercury cells. But that would be an advantage for the later model. I have an OM-1 MD in my inventory. I had it tested a few years ago and the shutter was spot on, but the meter was running about a stop under. That would make mine a candidate for the AstrHori meter, if I can find a hot shoe adapter. Great video. Thanks!

[@SloopJohnBee-vq6dw]

There’s an OM1n on eBay for £50!! I have an OM2n. I removed the hot shoe as I find it an annoyance when shooting. Plus I very very rarely use flash. 👍📸

[@gii_vannile]

Good morning . I love your elegant English very very much . Me also had been using OM 1 , New OM 1 , OM 2 . 50 mm f. 1.8 , 1.4 , 28 mm f. 3.5 , 100 mm f. 2 , 135 mm f. 3.5 . Olympus has tiny little bodies . But of its switches , levers are bigger than Nikon . And nothing but beautiful and elegant bodies and lenses . I am now using OM 28 mm f. 3.5 set on Panasonic GH 1 . Thank you very much for your invitations to OM world . My first camera was Nikon FE . I love of its elegant body . Mar. 18th 2024 Mon. 07:55 am from Yokohama City Japan

[@PaulPadoan]

A realitve of mine employed about five press photographers that tried out the Olympus line in the 70 ies (or possibly 80 ies). The OM didn't hold up, only Canon and Nikon did. Durability and speed let the OMs down. Nice cameras even so.

[@tomislavmiletic_]

A small note - OM2's hot shoe DOES fit to the OM1n. Now, my OM2sp is officially dead. While electronics inside still spring to life with a fresh battery, the winding mechanism fell apart, and there's a fat chance I'll ever be able to fix it somewhere. I thought of getting a new one, or the OM4 / OM4Ti, but prices are running wild right now. For cameras that are nearly impossible to repair. This world is nuts. So I got a relatively similar model, the OM40, in good condition, for next to nothing...

[@sclogse1]

Now THAT'S a back pillow. (first thing I look for in a cafe..Will I survive in that seat or will they carry me home on a stretcher?) Adding a rubber washer to that screw might prolong that hot shoe's life.

[@TristanColgate]

I have two Om1n (one is off for a service with Luton Cameras due to shutter capping, and the second will go off after it as the 1s is sticky), and an Om4ti which seems to be faultless. I do like the 4ti, but the film wind is a bit crunchy compared to the buttery smooth 1n. Any of them with the 28mm, 50mm and the 100mm is my ideal kit. Such tiny lenses, nice and light. Regarding battery, as I understand it: the OM4 had a problem with battery drain at the start, the OM4Ti does not, and my experience with the 4Ti agress with that (though I keep it in bulb when not using it anyway).

[@jimgraves4197]

I have used my OM2 MD more than my OM1 or OM10. My OM1 was my dream camera and I use it less because it feels special every time I take it out.

[@Koji-888]

I love my OM-1 but the ASA dial is flakey and goes around and around. This makes the needle in the view finder jump up and down when I turn the dial. I think I need to pull the top off and replace the dial knob. Or maybe I can fix the plastic ear tabs ? that connect to the metal tabs on the meter body. I believe it got stripped out. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@sbcwinn]

What is an OM10??

[@om-2nuser512]

Respectfully, is there any way of editing your comment about the sun “ burning a hole” in the shutter curtain” if you leave the cap off? As a reminder, unlike rangefinder cameras, SLR cameras, like Olympus OM cameras, have a mirror between the lens and the camera’s shutter curtain, preventing the light from reaching the shutter until the shutter button is pressed. Therefore, there’s no way the sun is going to do any “burning” of the shutter curtain of any SLR camera. Just trying to prevent misinformation about these fine cameras…

[@hansemannluchter643]

No, "MD" means "Motor Drive". It is actually rather annoying that you don't research these things.

[@Koji-888]

Hey cheer up mate. Are you new here.? Hope you can feel better. 🤗 💕

[@Japz80]

What's actually rather annoying is harsh comments on beautiful content like this. By people who aren't contributing anything, like you.

[@hansemannluchter643]

@@Japz80 And your contribution is..??

[@hansemannluchter643]

@@Koji-888 No. I learned photography on a OM 1.. With Kodax Tri-x.

[@Japz80]

@@hansemannluchter643 More than enough. That's not relevant here though, as I'm not the one doing the harsh commenting on the lovingly made content.