Olympus letters

I have the Olympus OM-2n with two lenses (50/1.4 and 35-105/3.5-4.5)

and I honestly think those two lenses will suffice for a long time to

come (I really use the 50 almost all the time anyway).

<br><br>

Got some <a href="http://pbase.com/terriwu">self portraits</a> taken

with both lenses but not too much yet.

<br><br>

Got a question that I hope is not too naive: I've noticed that

Olympus sometimes add a letter after the model number and I think

there is more than one OM-camera that have got 'n' added (and I've

seen an 's' as well).

<br><br>

What words does these letters represent? It is at simple as 'n'

means 'new'?

Yes, the "n" means new, as in a later updated, or improved version, as simple as that.

The "s" is actually a shortened way to denote the OM-2 spot/program body (OM-2S) from a "regular" OM-2 or OM-2n. The "spot-program" does have a spot meter and a program mode.

There are many sites with all things OM.

My favorite is:

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/olympusom1n2/index.htm

As stated, "n" means "new". The 1n and 2n replaced the 1 and 2, respectively in 1979. The most significant change was the ability to use the then-new T-series flash, albeit at a fixed 1/60th sec. sync speed. Using Shoe 4, the OM-2n set to "auto" with a T-series flash was fully automated with OTF "off-the-film" flash exposure.

"S" (or "SP" in the non-U.S.) meant "spot meter" and only applied to the OM-2S. There were a couple of variants to the OM-3 and OM-4 that used titanium top plates and bottom plates; these were the OM-3T/4T (or Ti in non-U.S.).

It seems that product differentiation is the key to getting consumers to pony up for new stuff even when the old stuff works well. Gee, that almost sounded profound ... Nahhh ;-).

The differences between OM2 and OM2n were:

- Different flash shoe (although the OM2 can use the T-series flashes with Shoe 3)

- Flash ready light in viewfinder

- Shutter defaults to 1/60 second when flash recharges (In OM2, shutter will stay open if flash is inadequate)

- +/- exposure compensation warning flag in viewfinder

- Stainless steel reinforcements in neckstrap lugs

- Slow shutter speeds to 120 sec min (was 60 sec in OM2, though many examples far exceeded this time)

Although the OM2 can provide TTL flash either with the Quick Auto 310 flash (Shoe 2) or the T20 and T32 flashes (Shoe 3), the OM2N accepts only Shoe 4, which gives TTL operation with the T20 and T32, but not with the 310.

rick :)=