Size matters: Olympus OM or Canon FD

Ken N · May 6, 2012

The 2-Series focus screens for the OM bodies are so bright that there is no difference between the matte area and the central split-image and microprism area. The reason is because the entire matte area of the screen is an even finer microprism mesh.

I absolutely love the OM system and have a few of the nicer items. It's all good, but some items, like the OM-3Ti, 35-80 zoom and 100/2 or 90/2 lenses are in a league of their own.

The OM system is the SLR that Leica failed to make.

wblynch · May 7, 2012

waltereegho said:
...
t looks like the overall cost of swapping systems outweigh the benefits....

That's what you think! I believe the advantages of the OM system are definitely "worth it"

Now you'll never know.... (sadly)

Newt_on_Swings · May 8, 2012

Yes more om lenses for us! Seriously I love my om system but it's beating up my bank account.

I love that comment about it being the Leica slr system they failed to make.

dnjl · May 8, 2012

wblynch said:
That's what you think! I believe the advantages of the OM system are definitely "worth it"

Now you'll never know.... (sadly)

You shouldn't tempt me

Ken N · May 8, 2012

waltereegho said:
You shouldn't tempt me

You are feeling weak. You can hear them crying out to you: "O Emmmmmmmm. O Emmmmmmmmmm"

You are feeling woozy. Lightheaded. You are scanning Ebay for all things OM, looking, seeking. Yet not knowing why. Like birds flying north in spring, the call is upon you. You cannot resist.

An OM-1 was popular, maybe one of those can be bought. But wait! There it is... An OM4Ti. Nah, way to much for a fleeting love affair. But if you don't buy it, you'll not be sure that you've gotten the full experience.

Resist! Resist! You must resist.

"NO!" You cry out, "It must not be! I cannot do this!"

Auction closed, an OM body bought. Now for the lenses...

thuggins · May 8, 2012

Ken N said:
The OM system is the SLR that Leica failed to make.

That's why they call it a "Reica".

darinwc · May 9, 2012

OK wash your mouth out with soap now.

pekelnik said:
There is also the late OM 2000. It's made by cosina so people don't consider it a real OM, but it has a number of benefits. It's very small, very light, has spot metering and usual shutter speed selector.

darinwc · May 9, 2012

Ken N said:
The 2-Series focus screens for the OM bodies are so bright that there is no difference between the matte area and the central split-image and microprism area. The reason is because the entire matte area of the screen is an even finer microprism mesh.

The 2-series focus screens are very hard to find and they run $100+ when they do pop up. They were only made for the OM3 as far as I know.

Ken N · May 9, 2012

The 2-series screens were available through the second half of the '90s. I've got them installed in all of my bodies.

Markster · May 10, 2012

I haven't got any OM experience but I do have FD. I've also read a few comments saying that the A-series viewfinders are some of the brightest and clearest ones available. With all the variety in the F-1 viewfinders, I can't say what your individual result may be, but overall I think you'll like the Canon line.

I don't think you need to rely on a 100% mechanical body, though. My AE-1P has been using the same battery for many years now. I have a spare new one just in case, but it's so small you can easily stick a spare in your camera case.

benjiboy · May 12, 2012

Indeed the Canon A and T series Laser cut screens are some of the finest and sharpest screens on any camera ever made, and the PX 28L battery I have in my A1 has been in the camera for around eleven years, it's still good, and I too always carry a spare.

Pumalite · May 12, 2012

Well Benjiboy; tell me what can I do with a T90 I found totally dead even after I changed batteries.

benjiboy · May 13, 2012

Pumalite said:
Well Benjiboy; tell me what can I do with a T90 I found totally dead even after I changed batteries.

What do you mean by " totally dead " how long since the camera has been used ? was there no display on the screen when it was switched on ? have you cleaned off any oxidization on the battery contacts?
One reason for the shutter failing to fire on a T90 is that the shutter magnets become magnetized and won't separate if the camera isn't used regularly, I find that gently beating the camera base on the carpet a few times can free them, if this doesn't work the camera needs to be serviced by a professional.

mawz · May 13, 2012

The OM finders are big but not bright and unless you can find a 2 series screen the focusing screens are mediocre. After using the OM system for a while I came to the conclusion that the OM2000 has the best finder, it's a bit smaller than the OM3/4 finder, and noticeably smaller than the OM1 finder, but brighter than any of the Oly-designed bodies and it has a better focusing screen (brighter and more tooth). I owned the OM-1, OM-4T and OM2000 along with the 24/2.8 MC, 35/2 MC, late 50/1.8 MiJ and an early 50/1.4.

As to lenses, the 35/2 is unexceptional, certainly not as good as the FD 35/2 SSC. The 50/1.4's vary with late models (serials over 1.1Million) being excellent and early models being rather mediocre

Frankly with that set of requirements (small body, mechanical, 35/2 and 50/1.4 as good as the FD) you should be looking at a Pentax LX. It's got the advantage of being a mechanical and AE camera, it's small, has a brilliant finder (as good as an F-1n) and has an excellent set of normals available from both Pentax and Zeiss (the ZK 35/2 and 50/1.4)

As to me, I replaced the OM's with a pair of Contax bodies and then replaced those with an FM and FM2.

benjiboy · Jun 1, 2012

Ken N said:
The 2-Series focus screens for the OM bodies are so bright that there is no difference between the matte area and the central split-image and microprism area. The reason is because the entire matte area of the screen is an even finer microprism mesh.

I absolutely love the OM system and have a few of the nicer items. It's all good, but some items, like the OM-3Ti, 35-80 zoom and 100/2 or 90/2 lenses are in a league of their own.

The OM system is the SLR that Leica failed to make.

Olympus wanted to call their first O.M. S.L.R. the Olympus M1, but had to call it the OM1 because of potential copyright issues with Leica.

Pumalite · Jun 2, 2012

benjiboy said:
What do you mean by " totally dead " how long since the camera has been used ? was there no display on the screen when it was switched on ? have you cleaned off any oxidization on the battery contacts?
One reason for the shutter failing to fire on a T90 is that the shutter magnets become magnetized and won't separate if the camera isn't used regularly, I find that gently beating the camera base on the carpet a few times can free them, if this doesn't work the camera needs to be serviced by a professional.

Thanks for the advise. I talked to numerous technicians; nobody wanted to work on her. I knew it was a matter ot thorough cleaning and nothing more
Everybody said: "it's too old, there are no parts, etc. Finally I went to the Owner of a Camara Store. He said leave to me. He went to the first technician I went. Short story; the camera suffered a thorough cleaning. Today is like knew. Price: 15 bucks

Pumalite · Jun 2, 2012

benjiboy said:
What do you mean by " totally dead " how long since the camera has been used ? was there no display on the screen when it was switched on ? have you cleaned off any oxidization on the battery contacts?
One reason for the shutter failing to fire on a T90 is that the shutter magnets become magnetized and won't separate if the camera isn't used regularly, I find that gently beating the camera base on the carpet a few times can free them, if this doesn't work the camera needs to be serviced by a professional.

I found a professional to do a thorough cleaning. Price: 15 bucks. Today is like brand new

benjiboy · Jun 2, 2012

Pumalite said:
Thanks for the advise. I talked to numerous technicians; nobody wanted to work on her. I knew it was a matter ot thorough cleaning and nothing more
Everybody said: "it's too old, there are no parts, etc. Finally I went to the Owner of a Camara Store. He said leave to me. He went to the first technician I went. Short story; the camera suffered a thorough cleaning. Today is like knew. Price: 15 bucks

I'm pleased I could help Pamalite, I would strongly advise you to make sure you fire the T90 shutter on a regular basis, it's a camera that needs to be used.

blockend · Jun 2, 2012

waltereegho said:
Thanks, everyone. I've decided to keep my FD system and just deal with the extra weight. It looks like the overall cost of swapping systems outweigh the benefits.

Good decision. I've owned Olympus OM and Canon FD and there's nothing between them worth the trade. If you want a light, almost pocketable Canon I'd recommend the AV-1. It's overlooked as downmarket but the auto metering is excellent, there's a 1.5 stop override button and you can easily change the ASA for more subtle exposure variations.
I own a T90, an A-1, and an FTb but my two AV-1s are used most often because they're virtually point and shoot for street work, especially with a wide angle lens. Another under-estimated camera that's available cheaply is the AT-1. Full manual, a good light meter, readily available batteries, an electromagnetic shutter and access to the FD lens system.

Tony-S · Jun 3, 2012

And let's not forget the AL-1. Focus confirmation is pretty good in decent light.

Size matters: Olympus OM or Canon FD

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