Weather sealing on manual focus SLRs (Nikon and Olympus)

[Tom Kershaw]

I'm aware that the Nikon auto-focus SLR camera bodies, e.g. the F100, F4, and F5 are substantially weather sealed but how do the manual bodies compare, e.g. the Nikon F3, FM2N, and FM3a? Additionally, how does the Olympus OM-4 compare to the Nikon bodies? I have an OM-2n and would think the weather sealing was less certain than with the F100; but I don't have the F4 or F5 to compare.

Tom

 

[philosomatographer]

The Olympus OM-3Ti/OM-4Ti are supremely well weather-sealed (and, as you know, tiny compact bodies). Have a look at this Camera Magazine "crash test" from 1989:

http://www.zuikoholic.com/omlibrary/review_pdfs/om4ti_crash_test.pdf

Unfortunately, I do not know much about any weather sealing applied to the lenses. None of them have rubber gaskets to seal the lens/camera body mount (although the OM lenses usually fit very well and tight). If I look at my 250mm F2, however, the rear drop-in filter mount has extensive rubber gaskets. I am told, however, that there are no rubber seals around the focusing ring. So - go figure??

If Olympus did not explicitly weather-seal their limited-production, crowning-achievement, über-lens (250mm F2) I very much doubt if they sealed any of the others. So, while the lenses will keep on working when soaked (since there are no electronics in there whatsoever) I probably won't risk an unprotected camera/lens in a monsoon. It is clear, however, that an OM-3/4Ti can take absolutely anything thrown at it - dare I say legendary.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Thanks for the reply. So the 'Ti' models are worth looking at if one is after a more recent Olympus OM camera?

Tom

 

[mopar_guy]

OM-4T Instructions

I am looking at my instruction manual for my OM-4T, Part-A Instructions. On page 77 is a section titled Handling Care. It was not recommended by Olympus to have the cameras out in wet conditions. I am sure that the onboard electronics are most susceptible to damage by wet conditions.

 

[Pupfish]

The Pentax LX was the first dust and moisture sealed SLR c.1980. At the time Nikon also had the full U/W rangefinder dive camera Nikonos, with a lens or two for it that could also be used above the surface--which might be why the F3 didn't have seals. The F4 was IIRC the first Nikon SLR with gaskets.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

I am looking at my instruction manual for my OM-4T, Part-A Instructions. On page 77 is a section titled Handling Care. It was not recommended by Olympus to have the cameras out in wet conditions. I am sure that the onboard electronics are most susceptible to damage by wet conditions.

Have you used your OM-4Ti in wet /drizzling conditions?

Tom

 

[mopar_guy]

Tom,

I bought my first OM-4T new in 1986 and there have been a couple of times that I had the camera out in the rain briefly. I just wiped the water off and let the camera dry in a warm area, no problems. The only problem I ever had with the camera is when I left a T-32 flash attached to the hot shoe, and I bumped the flash slightly. There are 4 very small screws that hold the flash bracket onto the camera and the screws were stripped taking, the hot shoe and flash off together. Most of the time I now use a Power Bounce Grip 2 with my T-32 flash: I have never had the camera repaired or serviced, and it is still going strong 23 years later.

Recently I bought another OM-4T for cheap. The LED display inside the viewfinder was faint/discolored and the camera has since jammed. I suspect that this camera was dunked in water(don't really know for sure) and I want to send that camera in for overhaul as soon as finances allow. These cameras can be a bit expensive to have overhauled, but well worth the money in my opinion.

Dave

 

[mopar_guy]

I have never deliberately mistreated the camera but I don't exactly baby it either. Very tough camera.