OM4 alternatives

[thuggins]

Keeping a system consistent definately saves money and frustration in the long run. The OM-4s are readily available, and the 4T's aren't that expensive. The spot meter is a wonderful adjunct. I don't use it very much, but it sure comes in handy at times.

I have to disagree with the comments about a separate spotmeter. I've got a Sekonic that is nearly as big as an OM body, and takes as many batteries. It is very cumbersome to use, and if the lighting is at all variable (scattered clouds), it is practically worthless. There is no comparison to the ease of turning the aperture ring to align the dot to the center, all while keeping the scene composed exactly as you want it. And the OM's are not just a spot meter. They have a multi spot meter that automatically averages the readings. So if you have a problematic scene you can expose it to optimize different regions.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

My learning of spot metering took place with the OM4 in 1984-1987 when I "jumped ship" to Canon. It is a beautiful camera and was a trailblazer for its time, very easy to use and understand, even if what was being displayed was quite small for its time. If it is expensive, I would say it is well worth gunning for at the expense because it has held its value very well. The alternative to the OM4 in medium format is any MF outfit and competent use of spot meter, meaning you'll need to skill up to get the best results through experience. There will be sorry times but I'm sure there will also be great times. There is no real substitute for learning through experience, and relying on a camera to do all the decision making for you can be potentially misleading.

 

[darinwc]

The OM4 is not expensive. Many are available with a bit of brassing and that keeps the price low.
The OM4T is expensive, but doesnt give you any better features besides fast-shutter flash use.

The multi-spot metering of the OM4 is one of the most advanced features of any camera before or after.

 

[Soeren]

While a spotmeter might be cumbersome and extra weight I don't find my Minolta spotmeter eats batteries with an appetite and when the camera is bolted down on the tripod, focused and image composed its a lot easier to crap the meter an do those extra measurements instead on using the camera for it. Then again, simple routine and knowledge makes up for a lot of estra gear and gadgets.
Best regards

 

[Les Sarile]

The multi-spot metering of the OM4 is one of the most advanced features of any camera before or after.

The EOS3 and 1V also implemented multi spot metering of up to 8 points. Personally, I got to know my film's latitude and I only needed one spot to meter.

 

[benjiboy]

AFAIK the OM4Ti never suffered from this problem and I suspect the OM3 didn't either. The latter I really do not know. May be someone more knowledgeable can shed some light as I own one for some days now

The early O.M 4Ti did suffer from excessive battery drain because the problem was so bad that when I sold them for a living my company and some others had so many returned for this fault they refused to buy any more from Olympus U.K until they rectified the fault which was eventually traced by them to the main P.C.B.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

The EOS3 and 1V also implemented multi spot metering of up to 8 points. Personally, I got to know my film's latitude and I only needed one spot to meter.

The system on both is simplified because it does not point out highlight and shadow with averages: it is doing the numerical comparison computationally then displaying the results. The midpoint could be anywhere, so too, those points in highlights and shadows. With a manual spot meter you have full control over what is being metered, how and when and where to average readings (if at all).