Olympus OM20 Vintage SLR 35mm Film Camera with f/1.8 50mm Prime Lens

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I started with 35mm film cameras, and used the Olympus OM10 as my first camera in the late ’80s working as a freelance photojournalist and photographic editor for a university newspaper in South Africa. I eventually upgraded to a Minolta 7000i at the end of the ’80s, and then a couple of 9000s. after that, I used Nikon Fs, F2s, Nikkormats, and even the Nikonos IVA and V. I had a fully equipped darkroom, and did all my own developing and printing. I mostly shot Ilford XP2 for its wide exposure latitude and ability to be processed in 1 hour labs anywhere in the country, if the need arose. The OM30 met quite limited success; Olympus' early autofocus system wasn't particularly accurate, fast or useful compared to its competitors. Minolta changed the camera market forever in 1985 with the Maxxum 7000, at which time Olympus made one more attempt at an AF OM body — the OM707 released in 1986. Again, this was a case of too little, too late and Olympus transferred focus in AF away from the OM system and into the IS line of cameras.

So there you have part 1 of my camera collecting conscience. I am actively using the Canon, trying different films to see what combination I like with the 1960’s glass. Hope you enjoy the photos and thanks for reading. Look out for part 2 coming soon, with three more freebies featuring medium format. But enough numbers- the point is that this is a camera you can carry over the shoulder comfortably for as long as necessary, and one that can be casually kept at the ready wherever you go. It’s easily smaller than any of its contemporary competition in the world of film photography, and compared to modern DSLRs there’s really no contest. Even today’s mirror-less cameras are hard pressed to compete with the OM-2’s size. For shooters who want a portable and lightweight yet super-proficient camera, the OM-2 is the best solution. Olympus produced a wide variety of OM camera models over the years. These were divided into two distinct series. Cameras with single-digit model numbers were the 'professional' series, optimized for more advanced features and durability. Two-digit (or more) model numbers, or letters, meant a 'consumer' camera designed for ease of use. The only downside to this, is that the camera is always on. While I’m not sure if the meter is constantly running or is only on when the shutter button is pressed, I still feel safer keeping the lens cap on at all times lest I find my batteries have died. The Lens The OM20, also known as OM-20 and OM-G, was a 35-millimeter single lens reflex (SLR) film camera with an electronically controlled horizontal focal plane shutter manufactured by the Olympus Corporation of Japan in 1983. It was a competitively priced alternative to the OM10 with additional functions, and capable of using the same lenses and accessories available in the OM system. This film camera requires a pair of SR44 or LR44 batteries to operate, and without battery power, the film advance lever and shutter will appear jammed.Find sources: "Olympus OM system"– news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR ( December 2013) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) The Olympus OM-G (also known as the OM20 in other markets) was introduced in 1983 as a consumer 35mm SLR. While the OM-1, OM-2 and others were the professional line, the OM-G was of the cheaper options. However, that doesn’t mean it was cheap junk.

Some people don’t like that distorted, circular, or harsh bokeh. However, I’ve always loved this characteristic, and the Zuiko lens certainly gives it. I’ve never been concerned with how razor sharp my lenses are and whether or not I’m perfectly in focus to the edges with no distortion. To me, all these flaws are charm and character. As long as I can focus on my intended subject, the rest can do what it wants: the Zuiko lenses let that happen. With the onset of autofocus cameras into the market, Olympus released two motor-driven bodies which are derivatives of the original OM series the OM-707 and the OM-101, and later a rebranded Cosina model, the OM-2000. Vignetting is the darkening of the corners of an image relative to the center of the image. There are three types of vignetting: optical, mechanical, and natural vignetting. And none of those FF lenses is even remotely as compact and lightweight, which actually is the point here. As I said, the 50-200/2.8-4 is one of quite a few MFT lenses which know no equal on any other system.Legendary Olympus designer Yoshihisa Maitani’s entire professional life’s pursuit was miniaturization. In his earliest days developing the Pen half-frame camera (Olympus’ first major sales success) he was driven by the compactness and quality of his Leica camera. For the rest of his life he pushed Olympus to design and produce smaller cameras with better lenses. The culmination of this pursuit (and the final Olympus camera that Maitani personally designed) was the Olympus XA.

An Olympus model made by Cosina, [3] the OM-2000 was not considered by Olympus 'die-hard fans' to be a 'true OM' camera. Anyone who has personal experience of purchasing a second-hand camera knows that the first roll you expose is a test roll, but for me, it was more than one. Using a mixture of both lenses, most of the images – if not all of them – came out blurred. After a few rolls and testing different things, I was starting to get frustrated. This wasn’t my first time with film, so I felt that I knew what I was doing, but this was really testing me. I decided to put the camera away for a while so I could save up and find a camera store that still did services and repairs whilst I continued my university studies. Kodak Colour Plus 200 Kodak Colour Plus 200 No doubt, the built-in manual option places the OM-G superior to the OM10, however, I find I don’t shoot this camera in manual very often. For that, I’ll probably grab the AE-1, or the X-700: but for auto, the OM-G is my absolute go-to. Being small and light as it is, combined with its solid metrring, it’s a joy for easy, more fast pace shooting while also having a manual option or compensation if you need it.

Then there’s the Olympus Pen W, the incredibly rare, wide-angle-lens-equipped, half-frame compact that was manufactured for less than one year. This machine is the least common Olympus Pen production model ever made, and finding one in pristine condition today is many Olympus fans’ Holy Grail (got one – review coming soon). but Pana actually has the much smaller 20-60mm kitlens"—which is neither as good nor as fast as the 10-25, even when considering equivalence. There is no equivalent lens available for any other system. Olympus OM consumer SLR cameras, which carry the 2-digit nomenclature - OM-10, OM-20, OM-30, and OM-40, with a different model designation for the US market, started with the introduction of the OM 10 in 1978. The first model, the OM-10, was introduced six years after the professional model OM-1, and three years after the OM-2. All OM models use the same line of Olympus OM lenses, giving them all the Depth of View (DOF) preview functionality, which was standard on most OM Lenses. The OM-4 featured a built-in spot meter [of a narrow acceptance angle, see Canon FTb] (2% of view; 3.3˚ with 50mm lens) and was the first camera capable of measuring eight individual areas and averaging them. The light meter used a dual-concentric segmented silicon photo-diode to provide spot or centerweighted readings. It used a graduated linear LCD for the shutter speed at the bottom of the viewfinder to precisely indicate its readings versus the actual camera settings. This camera design has Off-the-Film (OTF) exposure control that involves a sensor, which faced the film surface and measured the light reflected off the film. This method was much more accurate than simply measuring light entering into the exposing chamber. Consequently, this camera has a more accurate metering system that enables the photographer to set the exposure more precisely.

Most often, we hear of the Olympus OM10 as the consumer OM SLR, but for some reason, the OM-G is looked. While the OM1 and OM2 are certainly a notch or two above the OM-G, the OM10 – I would say – is a notch below, yet it still receives more praise.

To make the OM double-digit cameras more affordable, Olympus made these cameras from less durable raw materials, and they reduced the shutter-speeds. While the single-digit OM’s could achieve a shutter speed of 1/2000s, the OM-20 had a 1/1000 seconds shutter speed. So here I am, a few days later putting the final touches on the latest edition of our ongoing feature, The Essentials. We’ve already listed the very best from Nikon, Minolta, and Canon, and today we’re showcasing the best of the best from the brand that Maitani built. From impossibly small rangefinders to never-miss point-and-shoots, revolutionary SLRs and even the odd Olympus TLR, here are some amazing Olympus cameras to add to the collection. The OM10 was the first consumer OM series body. Launched in 1979 it accepted the full line of OM lenses and most of the OM accessories for a lower price. The lower price was reflected in the construction of this camera and the features available, however, it was still a very competent performer and it reflected the elegant lines established by the compact OM-1 and 2 designs. Early production runs of the OM10 have known malfunction issues with electronics, metering, and shutter magnets. source needed Olympus later changed the shutter to a 'Type II' design to correct the latter problem. source needed