The Olympus OM2-sp: any comments?

Galah · Jul 2, 2009

Ken N said:
I've had my OM-2S for 23 1/2 years now and other than the ISO selector dial being flaky (common dirty-contacts problem every OM-2 numbered body has), it has performed flawlessly. It's due for another CLA (third one), and it'll be good to go for however long I still shoot film. It already has over 100,000 pictures taken on it...
...Even though I now primarily use the OM-3Ti and OM-4T(i) bodies, the OM-2S' control layout and ergonomics is superior.

Ken, thanks for your insights.

Galah · Jul 2, 2009

Q.G. said:
...Apart from that, great camera.

Thanks for responding,QG .

Q.G. · Jul 3, 2009

"... it skips frames ..."
"The spot meter function isn't as advanced as ..."
"... auto exposure doesn't have the incredible range that ..."
"program mode is pretty basic ..."
"... tends to easily show brassing."
"... need a good source of silver oxide batteries, because the camera really doesn't ever turn off."
"... electrics/electronics in the camera are [...] unrepairable ..."
"... had a couple die on me ..."
"If the circuit dies, the camera is dead."
"... the battery problem was a PITA ..."
"... malfunctions of the viewfinder light and the battery charge testing circuits ..."
"... some of the wind gears [...] and the whole camera jams up."
"... the ISO selector dial being flaky ..."
"... the electronics may be either dead or almost ready to die ..."
"... did have the flash circuit replaced in mine."
"... some of the sections in the display don't work anymore ..."

But apart from that, great camera!

Rol_Lei Nut · Jul 3, 2009

Q.G. said:
"... it skips frames ..."
"The spot meter function isn't as advanced as ..."
"... auto exposure doesn't have the incredible range that ..."
"program mode is pretty basic ..."
<SNIP>
"... the electronics may be either dead or almost ready to die ..."
"... did have the flash circuit replaced in mine."
"... some of the sections in the display don't work anymore ..."

But apart from that, great camera!

Hey, don't knock it... On all the cameras I've had, I've occasionally had to replace batteries and film!
(And they all temporarily jam when the they reach the end of the film)

Q.G. · Jul 3, 2009

Add that to the list.

... and still a great camera!

Ken N · Jul 3, 2009

Q.G. said:
But apart from that, great camera!

Actually, it is. A camera, such as the OM-2S, is kinda like a sports car. Great fun to drive, it feels good and corners wonderfully. But it is a little more finicky to maintain than the average Dodge Minivan.

Honestly, though, every camera can have a list like that with other entries. Imagine making a list about a Hasselblad? Where shall we start?

Q.G. · Jul 3, 2009

Ken N said:
Actually, it is.

When i wrote that it is a great camera, i fully meant what i wrote!

I kept on using it, even though i couldn't tell what the display read.
Kept doing so until i retired 35 mm format entirely.

djohnfot · Jul 13, 2009

A very good body with excellent metering and, of course, those great Zuiko lenses. If you can find an Olympus Autoflash 310 you'll be able to do TTL flash metering with it, too, as long as the body is a 2s or 2n and it has a shoe 2.

Ken N · Jul 13, 2009

djohnfot said:
A very good body with excellent metering and, of course, those great Zuiko lenses. If you can find an Olympus Autoflash 310 you'll be able to do TTL flash metering with it, too, as long as the body is a 2s or 2n and it has a shoe 2.

Any T-series flash will do TTL on the OM-2S. The Autoflash 310 is one of the oldest flashes in the series.

The T32 is probably the best all-around Olympus flash made.

John Hermanson · Jul 13, 2009

The frame skipping is a common fault as these cameras get older. It affects 2S, 3, 3Ti, 4, 4T, 4Ti. If not serviced, it can lead to a full body jam-up. There are latches that are supposed to stop the wind after the shutter is cocked. With age, lubrication in the latches becomes thick and causes the latches to move in slow motion. This allows you to wind past the stop point. John, www.zuiko.com

John Hermanson · Jul 13, 2009

Galah said:
Thanks all for responding, especially to you, John, for your illuminating comments!

Oh, well, it doesn't appear likely that this particular copy will be "a goer" for me, but we'll see when I meet up with the seller on Friday.

He does have, also, a silver OM2 and a black OM2n, so we may swap over for one of them instead of the OM2-sp. Which one would you suggest, John?:confused:

Definitely the 2N. John

Galah · Jul 13, 2009

Thank you all for responding and sharing your insights on the OM series of bodies (and their various issues): I feel much better informed now.

As it is, the seller has had the interlock (on the OM2sp) attended to professionally, so I felt obliged to stick with the OMsp at this time. I have since put another film through it -with no problems.

I had another look at the other two bodies he had (OM2 and OM2n) and have decided that I probably have enough OM bodies for the time being (or until my next temptation ).

However, I have been improving my information base -thanks to all of you- and will be in a better position to "choose wisely" next time.

Thanks again for sharing.

Q.G. · Jul 14, 2009

Galah said:
I had another look at the other two bodies he had (OM2 and OM2n) and have decided that I problably have enough OM bodies for the time being (or until my next temptation ).

As long as you do not also have the ground-breaking, epoch making OM-2(n), you do not have an OM-body.

Galah · Jul 14, 2009

Q.G. said:
As long as you do not also have the ground-breaking, epoch making OM-2(n), you do not have an OM-body.

But I do have the OM2n . That was my first OM body and, I'm afraid, it gave me a rather high expectation of the others

geauxpez · Jul 14, 2009

djohnfot said:
A very good body with excellent metering and, of course, those great Zuiko lenses. If you can find an Olympus Autoflash 310 you'll be able to do TTL flash metering with it, too, as long as the body is a 2s or 2n and it has a shoe 2.

Doesn't the OM2n take shoe 4? (so many numbers and letters)

John Hermanson · Jul 14, 2009

djohnfot said:
A very good body with excellent metering and, of course, those great Zuiko lenses. If you can find an Olympus Autoflash 310 you'll be able to do TTL flash metering with it, too, as long as the body is a 2s or 2n and it has a shoe 2.

310 flash is one of the oldest flash's and does TTL flash with ONLY the plain OM-2 with Shoe 2. Shoe 2 will not go on a 2N because the screw thread for the shoe runs in the opposite direction. Use any T flash (like T32, guide number 104, asa 100) on 2N with Shoe 4 or plain 2 with Shoe 3. 2S shoe is permanently attached and will work fine with T flash. John

Q.G. · Jul 14, 2009

Galah said:
But I do have the OM2n . That was my first OM body and, I'm afraid, it gave me a rather high expectation of the others

Well, then you are set. No need to worry about the other bodies, since having the OM-2n alone will provide ample satisfaction, no matter how you find the other OMs to be.

Ken N · Jul 14, 2009

Galah said:
I had another look at the other two bodies he had (OM2 and OM2n) and have decided that I probably have enough OM bodies for the time being (or until my next temptation ).

You want temptation? Try an OM-3Ti.

Galah · Jul 14, 2009

Thanks all, you have been very helpful!

The Olympus OM2-sp: any comments?

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