The Olympus OM's

reinis · May 2, 2005

Well, I'm keeping an EYE on those OM4 on the ebay as well.
Now I'm confused. I thought the Om 3T was something more like the Om1 , but I read it also has got a Multi-Spot meter and other things like 4T.
But guess the 3T is a very rare item.

John Koehrer · May 2, 2005

Interesting mod.
It's very similar (except for the mounting) to several "cold weather" battery boxes. With long leads it would be good for that.

Woolliscroft · May 2, 2005

I too have never had any trouble using alkaline batteries with OMs in the cold of with old batteries. The OM viewfinders don't display the set aperture, but I have never found it a problem to remember it. In auto OM4s show the shutter speed set, in manual they show a horizontal electronic version of a match needle meter across the bottom in 1/3 stop increments. The reading will change to reflect the highlight/shadow buttons and the display shows which, if either, is in use. It also puts little dots above the line to show spot readings, along with an average value for multiple spot readings. It also has a +/- sign for the meter bias and a flash status lamp for OM T series dedicated guns. There is a button to illuminate the display in dark conditions. I think the max auto shutter speed is still 120 secs, + B. The 3 is a manual only version of the 4 and has all the added bells and whistles.

David.

reinis · May 2, 2005

Ok, thanks, well, if the lens has the DOF preview, the aperature isn't really needed in the viewfinder.

Reinis

reinis · May 4, 2005

One more question - the difference between the OM4 and OM4Ti was only the Ti body and electronics, that consume less energy, right?

hortense · May 4, 2005

Ostensibly, the OM-4t also solve the reliability/failure problems with preceeding models including the OM-4. Since I've had my OM-4t since it was released many years ago, I've had no problems.

reinis · May 4, 2005

Well, You are frightening me now.
Is the OM4 that bad and is the OM4Ti that much better?
And - is the OM4 more unreliable than OM2SP
I'm asking such foolish questions, because I''ve never kad any business with such cameras, and I'm sure You here know much more and can help me.
So - can I buy the OM4 without extra fear for having it break down?

And, finally - thank You - all of You

Mark Layne · May 4, 2005

I have an OM-4 which has been to the hospital 3 times and its shutter is as flaky now as it ever was
Not putting any more money in it
Mark

Woolliscroft · May 4, 2005

I have had an OM-4 since they came out sometime in the 1980s and it has been good as gold ever since despite very heavy use in some nasty places (archaeological sites) and often by some pretty rough people (my students). The only trouble it has ever had was getting sand in the shutter speed dial which was a) my fault for dropping it in the Jordanian desert and b) an easy fix. My only moan is that it gets through batteries faster than my other OMs. It is a joy to use and, with my 4Ti, is probably my most used camera. Don't panic. There are poorly made examples of any product ever made and sadly Mark sounds like he might have got a duff OM-4. It doesn't mean that most of them aren't fine.

David.

reinis · May 5, 2005

I've heard that the batteries drain even if You don't use the camera.
By taking out one of the batteries, could their life be extended?
I'm afraid I won't find the needed Silver oxide batteries here in Latvia.

reinis · May 5, 2005

Earl Dunbar said:
reinis: The batteries used in the OM-2, OM-2n, OM-2S/Program, OM-3 and OM-4 are 2x 357,(or its replacement 392/384,) LR44 and compatible. Use ONLY silver, not alkaline or lithium. The characteristic power curve of the 357/392/384 type batteries is to maintain a stable 1.5v until the end of their life. (see http://zuiko.com/PAGE15.HTML) These batteries can be had very cheaply through mailorder and will last as long as 6 months -year depending on usage. I think the battery drain problem is WAY over-hyped.

Also note that the spot metering on the OM-2s and Spot/Program is only in manual mode.

BTW, I saw some OM-4s on eBay that might go within your price range, so don't give up hope. And shop other sources, too. KEH sometimes has good deals on an OM-4, and their ratings are very conservative from what I've gathered.

Enjoy!

Earl

Well, I visited some shops to see if I can get what I need.
From the link:
"OM-2S Best Battery: "357" 1.5V Silver Oxide. (No Alkaline,
No Lithium) other silver oxide 1.5v batteries, can be used
(MS76, SR44, G13 etc) "
Well, I don't remember which were those, but 357, SR44, 392 and 384 - they're not similar.
Some of them were tiny, but the other type - somewhat larger.
The 384 was 7,9 x 3,6 mm, that's the little one.
And - that was strange the alkaline batteries were more expensive than the silver.
I checked some "RENATA" silver batteries.
Guess this is the right one:
http://www.battery-house.co.uk/button/357.shtml

Earl Dunbar · May 8, 2005

See http://olympus.dementia.org/Hardware/357_batteries.html for more info on the 357s.

Twin City Supply has been my source of 357s (~ $0.65 ea), but I think from discussions on the OM list, it appears there is a replacement for the 357. Sorry if I was in error regarding the replacement. If you can still get the 357, they will work. Sony SR44W is also of the same type/characteristics.

And yes, removing the batteries from an OM4 or 2s that has a battery drain problem will preserve battery life.

Earl

Earl Dunbar · May 10, 2005

Technical data (including graphs of discharge characteristics) can be found at data.energizer.com. The 357 is obsoleted and replaced with the 357-303. The capacity is reduced to 150mAh from 175mAh, and the discharge curve is way different. It would probably not be a good choice for any camera requiring a 1.5v battery. Use the Sony SR44W, or any true equivalent to the original 357.

Earl

reinis · May 10, 2005

Earl Dunbar said:
Technical data (including graphs of discharge characteristics) can be found at data.energizer.com. The 357 is obsoleted and replaced with the 357-303. The capacity is reduced to 150mAh from 175mAh, and the discharge curve is way different. It would probably not be a good choice for any camera requiring a 1.5v battery. Use the Sony SR44W, or any true equivalent to the original 357.

Earl

Thanks, I'm not sure I'll find any ENERGIZER batteries around here, though. But thanks.
I'll try to get any other manufacturer discharge curves.

Reinis

PS

http://www.renata.com/pdf/watch/DB357.03.pdf
this looks better, and I know where to get those RENATA

Earl Dunbar · May 10, 2005

Yeah, Reinis, that curve looks great. Buy a bunch!

Earl

John Hermanson · Sep 22, 2005

Please see my website for differences between the OM-2 and 2N.
www.zuiko.com/PAGE14.HTML
The best difference is that ALL 2N bodies have ALL the improvements ever made to the plain OM-2 over the course of it's production. Compared to very old OM-2 (serial number 100,000 to 200,000), the OM-2N is ultra dependable. Always use silver oxide batteries (MS76, SR44, G13, 357, 303) as alkaline (A76, LR44) and lithium (CR1/3N) batteries cause lockup and meter errors (these battery types came out after the camera was designed).

highpeak · Sep 22, 2005

I love my OM2n, it's so compact with a 35mm lens so I carry it in my bag all the time. I never had any problem with it.

OM2n is really cheap, of course, a OM4Ti would be a much better choice if you have extra money to spend.

gnashings · Sep 23, 2005

You guys have to stop this - I don't need another 35mm camera!!! These OM's look so cool... and seem to have a lot going for them in terms of features...

dancqu · Sep 23, 2005

Earl Dunbar said:
All OMs have DOF preview.
OM1, OM1n, OM2, OM2n, lenses, bellows,
Varimagnifinder, (2x) 35SP, (2a) XA, 35RC, etc.
I'm a sick person.

No 2000? I've that and an OM1n. I've wondered for
some time what made a 1n of a 1. Dan

Earl Dunbar · Sep 23, 2005

dancqu said:
No 2000? I've that and an OM1n. I've wondered for
some time what made a 1n of a 1. Dan

Well, the 2000 is a different animal, eh? IIRC it's really a Cosina body. Nothing wrong with that, I suppose, but it's not built like a single-digit OM.

Thanks, John, for chiming in regarding the fact that the 2n had all the invisible, internal improvements as well as the addition of TTL support for the T series flashes. We often forget those types of things.

Earl

The Olympus OM's

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