Olympus OM System Living History Farm

[Ken N]

Here is a photograph of the current state of the Olympus Living History Farm. This is an active kit with everything in use in one form or another. Not shown is a Winder1, extension tubes and the T45 flash (used for the photograph).

http://zone-10.com

Ken Norton
Zone-10

 

[Les Sarile]

It is of course appropriate that the "farm" is in Iowa!

Certainly looks like a bumper crop!

 

[John Hermanson]

The seeds for this farm are not genetically modified! John

 

[Ken N]

No, John, but I believe much of it has passed through your hands for calibration and CLA at least once.

Ken

 

[Jeff Kubach]

Even though I don't have Oylmpus, still quite impressive!

Jeff

 

[Les Sarile]

Jeff - It really is amazing to experience the single digit OM's especially from the perspective of using the other bodies prior to it's release. I can only imagine what the other camera makers must have thought when they compared it to their current line up then . . .

 

[Matthew Wagg]

That's a thing of beauty. I'm starting out with a similar project but working from the lower end stuff up. The om4ti and om3 are stupidly expensive at the moment, so I'm starting out with the 1 and 2, the 10,20,30 and 40. Lens wise I've just got the 50mm 1.8 standard and the silver nose 135 3.5 which is a gorgeous lens to photo through. I'd like to see what the 2.8 version would be like.

 

[Jeff L]

I have an OM2 at John's now for service. I was given it by a neighbour that went digital. I liked the camera so much that I immediately bought a Zuiko 35mm f 2.8, two mounts for a couple of my favourite Tamron lenses and wanted to have it serviced. On the look out for a couple of more Zuiko's. Want to keep it all as small as possible. Looking forward to using it when it comes back.

 

[tomalophicon]

Nice kit! What's the 300mm like?

 

[lxdude]

Everyone should handle an OM-1 at least once in their life.

 

[baachitraka]

Yeah, either OM-1 or OM-1n. What can I say about those gems...they are just beautiful. OM-2SP also impresses me. Hope one day I will have hands on Om-3 or Om-3Ti.

 

[Rick A]

I had the choice between the OM-3 and OM-4 and allowed the salesman to talk me into the OM-4(sigh of regret). I would give up my oldest born male child for an OM-3Ti. I shoot three OM-1n's and an OM-4 sits on the shelf.

 

[benjiboy]

I had the choice between the OM-3 and OM-4 and allowed the salesman to talk me into the OM-4(sigh of regret). I would give up my oldest born male child for an OM-3Ti. I shoot three OM-1n's and an OM-4 sits on the shelf.

So would I Rick, but nobody wants to trade him, and they say that "things are only worth what you can get for them" , but seriously folks although I have never owned any Olympus OM gear but I used to sell a lot of it in my shop when it was current and it's exquisite like fine jewellery it's reliable and the lenses are first class, if I could be tempted away from the Canon FD system the Olympus OM would be the one that would do it.

 

[Ken N]

As to the question about the 300mm...

The 300/4.5 is a very fascinating lens. It does not use internal-focus, so focusing isn't as quick and light as a more modern design, but that gives a pleasant trade-off as the bokeh is extremely pleasing and has no color fringing or donuty edges. The way the bokeh blooms, the lens acts as though it has an aperture far larger than 4.5 and is more like a 2.8.

The lens does exhibit a little purple fringing, so you will need to take that into account when photographing swans or something like that. For most wildlife and sports stuff, I'm using a Tokina AT-X 100-300/4 zoom which isn't as sharp wide-open, but is quicker to focus and doesn't fringe.

Excuse me, the purple fringe problem is usually only evident on crop-sensor DSLRs, not on film.


Where the 300/4.5 really shines is in portraiture. Man, is it beautiful. I Use it a lot on Four-Thirds bodies and it simpky rocks.

 

[PeteD]

Nice pic of the farm, I'm envious. I'm slowly getting there though, currently owning OM1n. OM10,OM2n,OM20,and just snagged an OM40 for a reasonable price with a few accessories.

Pete

 

[naeroscatu]

Everyone should handle an OM-1 at least once in their life.

couldn't agree more. I actually have the OM-1 in my bag as I was shooting today.

 

[tomalophicon]

As to the question about the 300mm...

The 300/4.5 is a very fascinating lens. It does not use internal-focus, so focusing isn't as quick and light as a more modern design, but that gives a pleasant trade-off as the bokeh is extremely pleasing and has no color fringing or donuty edges. The way the bokeh blooms, the lens acts as though it has an aperture far larger than 4.5 and is more like a 2.8.

The lens does exhibit a little purple fringing, so you will need to take that into account when photographing swans or something like that. For most wildlife and sports stuff, I'm using a Tokina AT-X 100-300/4 zoom which isn't as sharp wide-open, but is quicker to focus and doesn't fringe.

Excuse me, the purple fringe problem is usually only evident on crop-sensor DSLRs, not on film.


Where the 300/4.5 really shines is in portraiture. Man, is it beautiful. I Use it a lot on Four-Thirds bodies and it simpky rocks.

Ken, thanks for that information. I'm considering getting one. I am using the 200 f/5 at the moment which is sometimes not long enough for some sporting events. The closest I can get to 300 is using the 135 f/2.8 with a 2x teleconverter.

 

[Newt_on_Swings]

I really like my OM40, the 50mm 1.4 zuiko is quite amazing. Ive been searching for a nice OM4 for while. I just bought a junker om4t in the hopes to fix it, alas I have my work cut out, the service manual and parts list is ridiculous.

 

[Bateleur]

Lovely collection - Although an OM3 (ti) is on my wish list it remains there. One day perhaps, but in the mean time a mint OM1n picked up a while ago is such a satisfying camera. I used it recently for some zone system exercises I'm doing and fell in love again. My first OM1 was purchased new in 1978 and still elbows the newer siblings aside, it has a few dents but carries happy memories.

And Ken, your question... "When you turn your camera on, does it return the favor?" ... oh yes...

 

[SimonD]

My personal OM herd runs to the following:

OM1n MD (film advance not working)
OM2n
OM4Ti
OM20
OM30
OM40

16mm fisheye
28m f3.5
3 x 50mm F1.8
50mm f1.4
50mm f3.5 macro
35-70mm zoom
135mm f3.5

T20, T32 and F280 flashes

The OMxx bodies don't get enough use but the rest is fairly well exercised and I love the feel of the whole system - so neat compared to DSLRs which are huge by comparison. OM4 and the fisheye are my current favourites.

 

[wblynch]

Very nice, Ken.

They look too modern perched upon those Winders and Motor Drives.

You need an M-1 or a pre-MD OM-1 to join the farm.

Here is a photograph of the current state of the Olympus Living History Farm.

http://zone-10.com

Ken Norton
Zone-10

 

[darinwc]

I would really like an OM4t but I have not been able to convince one to come home with me yet.

Speaking of which, why does it seem like the om4t's are always badly worn?

 

[Les Sarile]

All OM-4T's badly worn? You should look for one with the "JCII Passed" sticker on it . . .

 

[Ken N]

I would really like an OM4t but I have not been able to convince one to come home with me yet.

Speaking of which, why does it seem like the om4t's are always badly worn?

Two reasons come to mind. First of all, the OM-4T bodies are pro bodies, so many of them had seen serious use. The other reason is that the paint on them is not very robust at all. The OM-3Ti has a far better finish, as well as the silver OM-1 bodies.

 

[pen s]

Ah yes, and what a lovely farm it is.
My OM collection looks distinctly worse, much wear but working fine. I feel I have MY perfect setup;
OM-1md
24 f2.8
35 f2.8
50 f1.8
85 f2
135 f3.5
200 f5
Varimagni right angle finder
and finally, OM-2sp as a spare body
Of course this is a hobby for me. Ken is making his gear work for a living.