OM4, anybody?

Steve Mack · Feb 15, 2011

I'm sure that there are many owners of the OM4 out there. I usually go with Nikon gear, but I have it on good authority that an OM4 is maybe even better than a Nikon FM2n, and I'd like to give it a try. Since I looked it up on Google, i'm even more curious about it.

Are there any major points to be aware of if I buy one? Meter issues? Battery problems? Anything?

Thanks to all who reply.

With best regards,

Stephen

PS: It was Thom Hogan who tipped me off about the OM4.

jsouther · Feb 15, 2011

The OM-4 is a brilliant camera. The multi spot metering system is fantastic. I can't ever imagine parting with mine.

The ergonomics are good but I tend to think the shutter releases on the OM-1 and OM-2 are smoother.

Some early OM-4 bodies suffer from battery drain issues. You load your new batteries and then maybe a month later your batteries are dead. Later versions of the OM-4 have the circuitry updated to prevent this. A long time ago I read there is a way of telling if an OM-4 has an updated circuit or not by initiating the battery check on a fresh set of batteries for a minute. On the updated circuitry after about a minute or so of a consistent electronic tone, the tone will chirp on and off. Bodies with the older circuits will stay with a a continuous tone only. Someone correct me if I'm mistaken.

I have a battery draining OM-4 and the battery check tests with what I described. I'll either take the batteries out when I'm not using it, or store it in the bag with the shutter set to "B" as I read again somewhere this slows the drain down. Not sure if thats true or not.

If you are in any way concerned about the battery drain thing, just get an OM-4t or OM-4ti (same camera) as they don't suffer from this problem.

parkpy · Feb 15, 2011

Steve Mack said:
I'm sure that there are many owners of the OM4 out there. I usually go with Nikon gear, but I have it on good authority that an OM4 is maybe even better than a Nikon FM2n, and I'd like to give it a try. Since I looked it up on Google, i'm even more curious about it.

Are there any major points to be aware of if I buy one? Meter issues? Battery problems? Anything?

Thanks to all who reply.

With best regards,

Stephen

PS: It was Thom Hogan who tipped me off about the OM4.

I went from owning an OM-4T to owning an FM-2n. Why? The OM-4T was a bit erratic when it came to actually working. I loved it though. Nice viewfinder (vast compared to the FM2n), the handling is nicer, and the spot meter/metering capabilities are second to none. The accuracy of the light meter is amazing.

I absolutely disliked my FM2n when I got it. Small viewfinder, slower to handle, loud, heavy, big, etc. Center-weighted metering with the +o- meter...bleck.

As much as I would love to get another OM-4T, i'd rather have a camera that will work 100% of the time and not be inoperable at any given moment because of old electronics. The FM-2n is bullet proof camera.

However, I'm still a huge fan of the OM system. The best camera I've ever owned has to be the OM-4T. I had OMs in 24mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.8 and f/1.4, and 85mm f/2.0. Sometimes I wish I would've kept it all. But my Nikon keeps me fairly happy

chriscrawfordphoto · Feb 15, 2011

The OM-4T electronics are very reliable. What, exactly, was yours doing? I have three of them and only one ever gave any trouble. It was caused by a dirty contact, and a CLA fixed it. This happened after 16 years of daily use.

erikg · Feb 15, 2011

Great cameras, get a 4T if you can for the reasons cited. Fantastic meter. FM-2n meter doesn't come close and the advance lever is always sticking you in the forehead. I've had a couple FM-2s go down on me when we used to use them at work, but then I seem to have issues with Nikon stuff crapping out, lots of problems big and small.

parkpy · Feb 15, 2011

chriscrawfordphoto said:
The OM-4T electronics are very reliable. What, exactly, was yours doing? I have three of them and only one ever gave any trouble. It was caused by a dirty contact, and a CLA fixed it. This happened after 16 years of daily use.

After firing the shutter, the mirror would remian locked. I would have to set shutter to bulb and the mirror would unlock.

My OM-4T was a BGN grade camera from Keh.com

Bill Burk · Feb 15, 2011

I have one of the first-run OM-4 and it has always had the battery problem mentioned. Sent it back twice and both times got a clever note hinting that it was my fault for leaving the flash attached. That was before they realized there was a real issue.

I have lost shots thanks to this quirk, but have gotten quite used to it by now. I use alkaline batteries and when I pick it up to use it, I replace them. If I take the camera on a trip, I'll bring a dozen batteries. I find that I go through 3 pairs in a week. The others are more a threat. I've never had to resort to 60 because I always had spares ready and replacing the batteries always made the camera work fine.

Self-timer often causes the batteries to die so I'd make it a policy to use cable release.

chriscrawfordphoto · Feb 16, 2011

parkpy said:
After firing the shutter, the mirror would remian locked. I would have to set shutter to bulb and the mirror would unlock.

My OM-4T was a BGN grade camera from Keh.com

That's caused by a low battery. Another cause is the use of Alkaline or Lithium batteries. The OM-4T requires silver oxide batteries, non-negotiable, or it randomly locks up like that. OM repairman John Hermanson explained it to me once, I think its because the Silver Oxides handle the camera's current draw better.

munz6869 · Feb 16, 2011

I took my recently acquired OM4T to the Werribee Open Range zoo on Sunday, and gave it to the boss to use (with a 220mm lens), and she really enjoyed using it, and rattled off two rolls of HP5 with some upsettingly great pictures (well, at least mine are BIGGER (mamiya 645 super!)). The metering was dead-on and she really liked the nice big, bright viewfinder. No battery issues, and who knows how long those batteries have been in there! I think it will see a lot more use - certainly about 10kg lighter than the EOS1v-HS. I really like the spot metering too - would be a great camera to take cycling with my beater B&J field camera, for metering and "light" documentation....

Marc!

jsouther · Feb 16, 2011

You might consider a OM-4t or ti in champagne colour. I have one of these too. Not only do they look great, I tend to think you might get a better price as most people pay more for the black version.

Pumalite · Feb 16, 2011

Get a 4t. You'll never look back

Cjlacz · Feb 17, 2011

I'm shooting with an OM4t now. Absolutely love it. The meter is great, both center weighted and spot metering. I love the multispot feature. The view finder is huge and I love using it with a mat screen. Great camera, small and light.

Rick A · Feb 17, 2011

I have an OM-4 thats been sitting on a shelf for several years, never had any problems with the circuitry and drained batteries. You just have to remember to switch the shutter selector to a manual speed when putting it away, and make sure nothing rests against the shutter release. It finally jambed after fifteen years of hard use. I really should send it in for service.

SimonD · Feb 17, 2011

I acquired my OM4-Ti while on holiday together with its 50/1.4 lens and the F280 flash. Despite not having the manuals to hand, I got most of a roll of decent shots (many with the flash) and have loved it ever since. As said above, the viewfinder is just great - like looking out of a window - and the metering is very good.
It fights for my attention with the Pen FT.....

John Hermanson · Feb 17, 2011

With original OM-4, chrome unpainted battery cap is essential to avoid battery problems. Also, use silver oxide batteries only and make sure bottom cover screws are tight. John

OM4, anybody?

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