Techno porn: The Olympus OM 2

[jameschuas]

<p>Just recently acquired a used Olympus OM2, and I've already ran 4 rolls of film through it. A roll for testing, and 3 rolls worth of miscellaneous shoots. I'll put up some of the photos later, but first, here's the camera.<br>

#1<br>

<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4644879686_9495a9bd95.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="375" /><br>

#2<br>

<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4644262291_d1c29b64ca.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="375" /><br>

#3<br>

<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4644880400_7b5597c1c1.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="375" /><br>

#4<br>

<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3369/4644877364_a72f46545f.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="375" /><br>

Everything works as it should, except for a slight problem with the meter needle. It just doesn't respond to light, but the auto exposures have been working so far.<br>

Thanks for viewing. :)</p>

 

[david_carroll4]

<p>AFAIK, the OM-2 had two completely independent metering systems - the actual meter in the mirror box, which governed OTF and TTL flash metering, and a separate viewfinder-based system for manual metering and to "predict" what sort of shutter speed you could expect when shooting on auto. Even of the viewfinder meter is kaput, the camera will still operate perfectly on auto exposure using the OTF meter, you just won't know what shutter speed it selects - you can pretty much guesstimate it, though. OMs look good in black - I have an old OM-1n and an OM-4T, both black - never owned an OM-2, but I have used one, and they're nice little cameras. Enjoy.</p>

[maderik]

<p>My OM-2 is the opposite: it usually works in manual mode, but automatic seems to hang up (either very long shutter speeds or never closing.) One day I might have it fixed, but I really bought it to get the silver nose 50mm f/1.4, 28mm & 135mm lenses for my OM-1. Looked at that way, the body was free so I can't complain.</p>

[JDMvW]

<p>Aside from that sort of jury-rigged looking flash shoe, this is one of the nicest cameras around in terms of design. A genuine classic.</p>

[steve_levine]

<p>In 1976, the paper I worked for at that time, bought a dozen of these. Within 9 months one of the sports guys blew out a shutter on one. And the much heavier Nikons came back off the shelf. In fairness to the Olympus, he was running a motor drive and his camera likely saw 500-1000 rolls a month. Soon some NY Times shooters reported shutter failures. Then suddenly unfounded rumors circulated about the cloth shutters not being durable. This was Olympus' death in the pro market at that time.</p>

<p>The camera below had a short pro career and probably only saw a few hundred rolls of Tri-X. It was given to me as if it were some evil thing. Over the next 20 years, I put many rolls of perfectly exposed slide film through it.</p><div></div>

[john_hermanson2]

<p>Add a Shoe 3 and you can use all the T flash's in full otf mode. Shoe 2 is for QA310 flash only. For some, OM-2 is better for otf flash than the 2N as the 2 shutter will stay open if there is not enough flash output to complete the exposure. Can produce interesting ghosting and painting with light effects IF that is your objective. If that's not what you want then you see your pics and say "what the F*#k?" Nice looking body. Sounds like somethings wrong if meter needle is not moving. John</p>

[rick_drawbridge]

<p>Strange how the Olys never really caught on as a pro camera since the whole system had everything to offer, and I think it's true that their size and fine detailing gives an impression of delicacy. Some of my contemporaries scathingly referred to them as "girl cameras", and the rumours about shutter failure never helped... I find the quality of their design and construction outstanding, and they're certainly some of the best-looking SLR's around. Thanks, James, for some very nice pictures and an interesting post.</p>

[Andy Collins]

<p>Mine is a black OM-2n, a truly beautiful design. Fortunately everything on it is working at present, and I hope it remains that way. Great post, James...your Oly is certainly a good looking camera that deserves to be shown off. The OMs are one of the nicest looking cameras <em>ever!</em></p>

[john_hermanson2]

<p>500-1000 rolls a month? That's a lot. In the 80's, the UPI photographers gave similar usage and NEVER wore out a shutter curtain (and I serviced the bodies at Olympus when the UPI guys brought them in for CLA, done while they waited). Even now, I see old curtains, but I have never seen one in 30 years with ripped, torn, destroyed shutter curtains that was not helped along in some way with abuse by way of the user. John</p>

[jameschuas]

<p>Thanks for all the comments for the camera. I guess the Olympus OM has its place in our hearts. :) I have just sent the camera out to fix the problem with the needle. I've been reading up quite a bit and seeking some advice, and it was mentioned that the problem may be a particular wire that may be corroded near the battery area. We'll see how it goes. I'll post some shots form this camera shortly. </p>

[carl_sanders_photography]

<p>Hi there James, how fabulous, used a couple of these for off shore work rather than Nikons because they were so light and nimble to use. Excellent design apart from robustness, tended to end their life if dropped. I was on the look out for one to play with and get back into film for the fun of it, where abouts did you come across this one? Looks in excellent condition, wish Olympus would bring out a digital version of it, best wishes : D</p>