shoebox Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 My boss just gave me an old camera that he no longer uses. It's an Olympus OM10. I play with it a bit and I'm already in love with it. It feels kinda like my leica in that it's old styled and seems to be a mechanical camera. I've the following question: 1) I don't think the build-in meter is working. It doesn't matter as I have a light meter myself. I googled Olympus OM10 and found that this camera only works in aperture priority mode. This is strange because if I flip the camera to 'Manual/adaptor' mode, I can use the camera in as a manuel camera. All shutter speeds sound accurate. So my question is can this camera be used in manual mode? 2) It seems that this camera won't work without battery, is this normal? 3) It comes with a 50mm f1.8 lens. Is this a good lens? Which other olympus lenses are good? Thanks. I really like this camera. Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Blackwell Images Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 ...and you're posting this in the Leica Forum because...? “When you come to a fork in the road, take it ...” – Yogi Berra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoebox Posted March 9, 2006 Author Share Posted March 9, 2006 because i like the leica forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eliot_rosen1 Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 Are you aware that there is an Olympus Forum on photonet. You would be more likely to get an answer there then here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoebox Posted March 9, 2006 Author Share Posted March 9, 2006 Alright. I didn't know there's an Olympus forum. I'll try it later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidv1 Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 Leica forum or not, here's a few answers: The OM-10 was built in the early-to-mid 80's. It's aperture priority, with an optional manual adapter. The adapter pops out from the front, attached with a small headset-style plug. I have no idea why they didn't just build that feature in. It's gotta be a decision from the marketing department. The adapters are getting tough to find on their own. Yup, an electronic shutter requires batteries to operate. Two PX-76, I believe. At least they're alkaline instead of mercury, so they're common. The 50/1.8 is very good. Maybe not up to Summicron quality, but still quite nice. There are two or three versions; later ones are multi-coated instead of single-coated. Most Olympus lenses are good, and a lot of them are cheap now. (Too bad the 40mm isn't one of them!) Look around a bit for reviews. The really wide ones are relatively expensive, but a 28 or 35 is cheap. The OM-10 is a great camera. They're only going for $100 or so with the 50/1.8 lens, so don't be afraid to use yours. Regards, David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoebox Posted March 9, 2006 Author Share Posted March 9, 2006 Thanks dave. I just looked at my camera and there's an adaptor. It's great for me because I like using my camera in manuel mode. I'm looking forward to trying the camera out this weekend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidv1 Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 No sweat. Hope you enjoy it. You can get an OM 28 or 35 for $100 or so. Even the truly great stuff isn't all that expensive by Leica standards. Sadly, the 40mm OM lens seems to have attained cult status. They're going for a lot - $400 or $500. I've got a Minolta CLE 40 (and the beautiful Konica Hexanon 40mm) so I'm in no rush for a 40mm OM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant_nio_ferreira Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 Your 50 is one of the best 50s ever made. Get a Zuiko 28 2.8 and you'll have one of the best combos you can find, regardless of price. If the OM10 breaks down get a second-hand OM-1. Avoid OM-2s and early OM-4s. Don't invest too much in the Olympus system, for parts are no longer available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j.martin___ Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 The 50 1.8 is a good lens, but as previously mentioned, some variants of it are really good. My choice for a second lens would be the 100 2.8 which KEH often has at a good price. I think it represents the best combination of quality/price in the 85-100 range. It is also very compact. There is a discussion about the 40mm on the Olympus forum. I have one, don't regret buying it when I did, but if I didn't have one, I wouldn't buy it now. I like the angle of view, but the last 50mm I bought new for $39 is at least as good, if not better, than the 40mm for which I paid more than 10 times that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philippe_vandenbroeck Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 I'm hanging on to my OM-1O as well. Very first camera I every owned. I love the Zuiko 55mm f1.2. Perhaps not quite the same thing as a Noctilux, but a lot of <a href="http://bravo20.blogspot.com/2006/01/picture-of-day-marit.html" >fun</a> anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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