Basic set of lenses for OM's

[naxxfish]

@naxxfish

Olympus OM-1n + Zuiko 28mm f/3.5

Awesome. Definitely liking the look of that lens.

"The OP" wants to build up his OM system from a single lens to a set of decent quality range of options that'll cover most bases to begin with, without shelling out a lot of cash on a system I'm not totally sure I'll stick with. @flavio81 gives some good advice - there's nothing more annoying than investing in a new lens only to find it's only marginally different to one you already own!

 

[baachitraka]

I prefer tighter compositions and for me 28/35 and 85/135 are my favourites.

For Italy, 35mm was too tight..

 

[BMbikerider]

In my collection, 28mm f/3.5 is one awesome performer. Shot some 20 rolls in Italy using OM-1n, 28mm f/3.5 (without hood) and APX 100 and will post some photos in this evening.

If you are a patience collector, wait for f/2.0 and some time ago I saw 21mm f/2.0 went for 200 euros.

All I can say is no Zuiko is a bad performer but some need to stop down.

That is cheap! You will probably have to pay half as much again for the F3.5 version.

 

[BMbikerider]

The 35/70 F3.6 always had a reputation of being truely outstanding. I have never used one but by all accounts they were a world beater. When they crop up for sale now (Only rarely) you will have to pay an astronomic sum to buy one in good condition

 

[BainDarret]

My everyday kit consists of 1 OM 1 plus OM Zuikos 24 F2.8, 50 F1.4, and 100 F2.8. I also bring along an XA.

 

[baachitraka]

The 35/70 F3.6 always had a reputation of being truely outstanding. I have never used one but by all accounts they were a world beater. When they crop up for sale now (Only rarely) you will have to pay an astronomic sum to buy one in good condition

During last weekend one f/3.6 went for €57 only. I did not bid since 35-70mm is kind of not so special focal range.

 

[ac12]

Looks like there was a small surge on the 35-105 zooms on eBay. The ones that I was watching were snapped up.

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

During last weekend one f/3.6 went for €57 only. I did not bid since 35-70mm is kind of not so special focal range.

I bought one at a camera fair for £40. It isn't in the best conditions cosmetically, but it is a nice lens.

 

[nsurit]

As a user and collector of things OM, I've found placing WTB ads on APUG an effective way to fill in the holes in my kit. Folks in need/want might try it as at least some folks who have surplus goodies pay attention to those postings. Bill Barber

 

[naxxfish]

Ended up getting the Zuiko 28mm f/2.8 - really liking the look of it so far. Will be adding either a 135 or a 200 to my lineup next time I've got the budget to do so!

 

[Dali]

Ended up getting the Zuiko 28mm f/2.8 - really liking the look of it so far. Will be adding either a 135 or a 200 to my lineup next time I've got the budget to do so!

A good choice. This lens is very compact and very capable.

 

[baachitraka]

Indeed a very good choice.

 

[baachitraka]

Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 and OM-1n

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[wiltw]

The 35/70 F3.6 always had a reputation of being truely outstanding. I have never used one but by all accounts they were a world beater. When they crop up for sale now (Only rarely) you will have to pay an astronomic sum to buy one in good condition

Indeed, it was once true that the 35-70mm f/3.6 zoom was more highly prized than the variable aperture or the f/4 fixed aperture 35-70mm, and it was somewhat more difficult to find than the others on the used market. But is apparenlyly no longer true...just now on eBay I found FOUR of them for sale, all in the $65-80 range! There is another one whose title says
OLYMPUS OM ZUIKO 35-70mm F3.6 LENS NEW IN BOX

' at $350, but then that title is inconsistent with the description which says

"Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections."
​

In any event, I had bought one at the same time as my new OM-1MD around 1975-76.