The OM-3 and OM-4 were sold at the camera store at which I worked in the 80's. Wonderful cameras that were among the best available in their time. The Canon AE-1 Program was hot at that time due to Canon's heavy marketing and the program mode. As a result, I could not get buyers interested in the Olympus cameras - some would not even look at them over a Canon. "Does it have a program mode?" "No." "Then give me the Canon." I would explain they could use aperture priority and some intellect to get better photos, but they would balk at having to do anything to adjust a camera and buy a Canon. That may explain why the OM-3 had such a short production span.
But I mean surely the OM4 and OM3 were marketed for pros and very serious amateurs. That was built into them not having any automatic modes. And perhaps they read the room wrong too, because even the Nikon F3 had aperture priority. But they were wonderful tools for very experienced photographers but frankly it's unsurprising that less confident photographers weren't interested.
@@thecaveofthedead The OM-4 was aperture-priority automatic. The OM-3 was the pro camera. The auto mode and spot metering of the OM-4 made it a much better advanced amateur camera than the AE-1, but ease of use and name recognition through marketing beat everything. People actually believed the Program feature would produce better photos than they could get by building their skill. Kind of like how some are obsessed with sensor size/megapixels/dynamic range in the digital photo world, expecting technology to make art. I cannot tell you how many times people brought their film in and were disappointed in their photos because they thought their "program" camera would correct severe backlighting, subject motion when the "program" lowered the shutter speed without warning, etc. Most of them would have been better served with a good P&S with a built-in flash - most of the ones back then had very sharp and fast (f 2.8) prime lenses and were largely infallible.
I’ve been shooting the OM-2 all my life but I have to say I’ve never been much interested in trying either the 3 or 4, the OM-2 does everything I need really, but these videos are fascinating all the same
Thank you for your comment. Glad to hear that the OM-2 does everything you need. I think it is always fantastic if you've found your perfect piece of gear. :)
The original OM-2 is a great camera -very capable and fun to shoot. All I can say about the multi-spot metering of the OM-3/4 is, you never thought you needed it until you try it, and then you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.
I am shooting OM4Ti and OM1n. The meter on the OM3/4 is nothing than amazing and perfect for shooting slides. Also prefer the OM Zuiko lenses. Great value and easy to carry. Keep on doing these nice film camera reviews. Thank you.
Thanks for the review :-) The OM-3 is a beauty. I got my first OM-4 in 1984, when it was released, and an OM-3 and an additional OM-4 in 1986, and used them for 20 years for actual photography with 24/2.0, 35/2.0, 100/2.0 and 180/2.8. Almost always using manual exposure, thus the OM-3 and OM-4 operated exactly the same. The OM -3 was my favorite. The OM-3Ti had the significantly improved focusing screen 2-13 (which is _very_ rare today) and I upgraded all my cameraes. The viewfinders was the best ever (better than the digital Canon 1Ds mkII that replaced the OM's), the cameras were compact and the operation was pure, unintrusive. The most pleasing cameras I've had
Hello Max. Long time viewer and subscriber to your channel. The video and narration is as usual at an exceptional standard. Jules is looking youthful and stylish perpetually. And Max you are still the consummate gentleman. Thanks to your channel i am happily married to Leica film rangefinders. Take care and thank you for all that you and Jules do
I have searched and searched for any kind of advertisement for the OM-3 without success. I'm pretty sure the Olympus marketing folks had no idea how to pitch this camera. The host makes much of the 80's style of the viewfinder readout, but in typical Olympus form the styling is pretty subdued compared to some other configurations of the era. Some folks don't care for the information running horizontally along the bottom, but as an eyeglass wearer I find this (along with the built in dioptric adjustment knob) very accommodating.
Thanks for the review. I have almost all the OM cameras from M-1 to OM-4Ti. My OM-3 was expensive, but as you pointed out, the OM-3Ti is the most expensive. I had the OM-3Ti with me in Afghanistan, but I could not justify using such an expensive camera. So, just as my spouse put away the Leica M6TTL (for a Leica II), I turned the OM-3Ti into a safe queen. Mostly, I use the OM-4Ti or OM-2s as my every day camera. I am in the market for another OM-3 for everyday shooting. Edit: just bought another OM-3 with grip and padded view piece. This one is not pristine, so will likely become my everyday, default camera.
The OM-3 is very close to my dream analog camera. I'd really like an OM-3Ti, not because improvements over the original version but because the latest cameras was produced "only" 22 years ago. Olympus is out of the camera business so no hope of a revival of the OM-3, but I think it would sell really well (for a film based camera) as it's so close to the "ideal" seventies/early eighties design that a lot of people seem to favor.
It is a wonderful camera. I shot with a OM 4 Ti for 17 years, before I went digital in 2006, when it broke down. But after a couple of years, one day I got crazy and got my self an OM 3 Ti, just for the nolstalgia. Got some lenses too. Some times I load it with B&W film and go out and shoot. It’s such a joy to use. I think this video makes me want to do that again.
I shot Canon analog and my favorite was a FTb and it's still a really good camera IMO and it has a semi spot metering. Not as advanced in any way as the OM-3 but good enough for me except by now they are very old. I still shoot film occasionally with a Canon Eos, but it's so advanced it's almost like shooting digital. Looked up prices on OM-3 Ti and they are just too high at least while I still have a working film-based camera. Hope people who pay that much intend to use the cameras.
Thank you for your review it's really appreciated. I have a mint OM3ti coming this week. I just need to rebuild relationships with my bank manager now.
I am the happy owner of an OM-3Ti in very good condition, although not mint. Also bought most of the seller's f2.0 optics and have supplemented with even more lenses. Also have a "mint" OM-2 that doesn't work, so the hope is that my ugly OM-2s can give up parts. In any case, the OM system has been a part of me for 45 years since I first bought an OM-2 and which partly financed my studies. I have seen almost all of the videos you have produced, and if you have lost a bit of your photographic enthusiasm, you wake up after one of your videos.
I added one of these to the collection in 2022 and it immediately shot up in my ranking. Not really that into Olympus (only got my first one earlier in 2022) but currently have the entire line-up and that OM-3 is soooo nice. It's up there with my F3 and LX and actually knocked the F3 from its no1 position for me. So for favorite (80s) SLR, my ranking is: LX > OM-3 > F3 > .... > Canon New F1. Can't recommend it enough!
Hello to OM shooters. I do own two OM-3 bodies and judge it as a pinnacle of mechanical 35mm bodies of any brand. Both OM-3 serve me flawlessly unlike OM-3Ti, which is overpriced body with less robustness and reliability, absolutely not reflecting the extreme price point. I was happy having a chance to get rid off OM-3Ti. That is camera with improvements making it cheaper to produce paid by poor reliability of the mechanical system. Thumbs up to original OM-3 on the contrary.
Never really wanted the multi-spot thing. A bit of intuition with centre-weighted metering has always worked well for me, but then I've rarely shot anything other than negative film. I have an OM1n and a 2-SP, and love them both. What you didn't mention in this review, perhaps because you've already covered it when you looked at an OM1, is the greatest thing about OM's - the viewfinder! So big, so bright; puts you right in the picture you're making. Zuiko's... unless you want the actual wide open f-stops for depth of focus and/or low light work - the cheaper f2.8's and f3.5's are super sharp. My 24mm f2.8 and 135mm f3.5 are as sharp as my Leica lenses, but I have to say I have f2.8 28mm and 35mm that are not quite so good. Sample variation maybe? I use them all, however, after all it doesn't do one any good to get hung up on this sort of thing. Life's about more than being the most this or that, having the best things; I like embracing imperfection, accepting things as they are, being relaxed with how things just are. Oh yes - I'm shocked by the amount of film you wind on with the back open! I mean, you're wasting a couple of frames there. Just get it to latch, close up, and check it's winding on ok by tightening back the rewind knob and make sure it's being rotated as you wind to the first frame. Works for me!
Nice review! Had both the OM-3 and OM2 S/P back in the days, and sold my entire OM-package, when I switched to Nikon, around 1992, and deeeeeply regret I didn`t keep the OM-3...
The OM3Ti has TTL flash, which is selectable using a switch located around the file speed selector. It also has a very durable anodised coating as titanium and paint part company very easily. I’ve had mine and use it regularly - I don’t believe that things spoil through use, but they do through neglect.
Always enjoy watching your videos delivered in wonderful calm velvety tones. A point of possible interest is the OM3 was the only camera issued with the special bright 2-13 focusing screen installed. They are fairly rare and go for between $150-200 alone when they pop up. I have one in my OM4ti and is a slight improvement but not as much as claimed.
I had the OM2-SP back in the eighties, unfortunately mine suffered from a mechanical failure - the shutter curtain I think- I’d shoot a whole roll of film and maybe 2 or 3, at different intervals along the film, would expose. I couldn’t resolve the issue even after taking it to a camera repair shop. I also thought the film advance lever to be very stiff and clunky compared to my brothers OM2n. I’ve been toying with the idea of picking up an OM2n in black. I think the old OM film cameras were one of the best cameras at the time, highly innovative, compact and light. I had a Fuji XT-3 and recently upgraded to the XT-5 because they remind of the old OM system. Nice review, interesting location for the shoot.
I never decided to go for the OM system and I have some nice lenses and bodies for Canon FD and Pentax K, I always found the OM3 interesting. If I'll find one for a bargain at a thrift store I'll get it 😅
I'd love to own one, but I really don't justify the premium nowadays over a set of clean OM-1n and a OM-4 if you want the best of both worlds. I find myself using the self-timer and mirror lock-up features of the OM-1n and OM-4 more often than not, which is something the OM-3 lacks and this provides really sharp results in landscape and macro shots. In my opinion if you don't care about TTL-flash, don't shoot slide film or 1/2000s exposures, but love fully mechanical cameras the OM-1n is really reliable and affordable for beginners or professionals alike. If you don't care about the fully mechanical bit - just get the OM-4. For me the biggest advantage of the newer-style bodies of the OM-2SP/OM-3/OM-4 is the integrated hot-shoe and TTL-connector if you're into flash (macro)photography compared to the fragile and brittle Shoe 4 of the OM-1n and OM-2n. If you like flash - the OM Flash Group is outstanding - ranging from the cheap and light T20 unit to the unique T8 macro ring flash. If you want to try the OM System on the cheap get an OM-40 Program (a.k.a. OM-PC) - extremely good value camera with little drawbacks compared to the single digit OM bodies, and if it breaks it can still be a donor and give life to an older body with prism corrosion.
Recall going to the local UK dealer event and came away impressed complete with a VHS demo tape ! The OM 4 was the more popular but many possible users missed the point preferring multi metering which was coming in. Despite best efforts falling sales and poor reliability (we got almost all OM4 & OM 3 sold during the first year back for servicing/ repair) the future was not going to belong to Olympus. Sad.
I have a OM1n, which is probably the thing that really set me on my film path. I also have a OM4Ti. I do mostly use the OM4 because my OM1n needs a service (shutter caps at 1000/s). The film wind on the OM1n is hypnotically smooth. The wind of the OM4Ti is crunchy, and the shutter has a quite annoying ringing sounds. I've pined over the om3. 2000/s and full mechanical is very attractive. That said, short of some major change in my finanaces, I'm never getting one (I did by a hasselblad 500cm, to own some history, but most OM3 that I have seen cost more than that did, and I didn't have an SLR medium format, so it genuinely filled a gap).
Hi I am very privileged to own om-1, om-2n, om-3ti & om-4ti with a number of Zuiko lenses I really enjoy shooting all them they all have their own characteristics. I enjoy watching your reviews they very good thank you
The OM-4 is a wonderful camera. I used to have a Pentax LX, which I used to think was my dream camera. Turned out to be a very temperamental beast (which, it turns out, is not uncommon for them). Sold it rather than repair it because my OM-4 does almost everything the LX does (aside from the detachable prism head, which I never used anyway), plus something it can't (multi-spot metering), and has proven more reliable and better built.
The front of the OM3 appears to have the TTL flash connector on the front. Pull the cap and you should see the 5-conductor socket for the cable to an Olympus T32 or T45 flash. The battery issue is also brought up with the OM 2SP. i have one and it automatically turns off the meter after a short time to save the battery.
We are based in different cities and rarely manage to come together as a full group unfortunately. We have some footage in an upcoming video where that worked out but it is a rare case. Well observed. :)
Back in the late 80s, early 90s my OM-3 was my most used camera along with the 35mm f2 lens. I owned it and a Hasselblad 500C, eventually sold the OM-3 and kept the Hassy and should have kept the OM-3 instead LOL. Just not worth the collector prices now days to revisit. Mine ate a battery a week until I started removing the battery after each shooting session.
I had bought the om2n in the early '70s. Could be just when it came out. But I could swear that it had the highlight and Shadow and the multi-spot built in, which according to the videos I'm seeing only occurred with the om3 and the om4. Can anybody correct me or support me on the fact that the om2n might have been released with a highlight and Shadow and the multi-spot because I kind of remember using them. I also believe that I had the through the lens metering which Nikon didn't even have, flash metering?
Still have my om1 om2 all lenses and flash guns winders still love em many a thousands of photos pleasure and work Shame that I can take same or sort of with my phone
Hey guys, thanks for the video. Do you actually recommend a good tech guy that can work on an OM4TI around Berlin? Im currently in London and it was serviced twice and the camera keeps jamming on me. Perhaps German hands can handle the repair a little better. :)
Mechanical cameras is much too overrated ! Cameras with electronic shutter are more precise and last longer, I will go for the Olympus OM-2 Spot/Program. The housing of the prism finder in OM-3 is too big, so you have to tilt the camera much more to see the shutter times !
The OM-3 and OM-4 were sold at the camera store at which I worked in the 80's. Wonderful cameras that were among the best available in their time. The Canon AE-1 Program was hot at that time due to Canon's heavy marketing and the program mode. As a result, I could not get buyers interested in the Olympus cameras - some would not even look at them over a Canon. "Does it have a program mode?" "No." "Then give me the Canon."
I would explain they could use aperture priority and some intellect to get better photos, but they would balk at having to do anything to adjust a camera and buy a Canon.
That may explain why the OM-3 had such a short production span.
And now tell me people (most of them) are not idiots...
@@tomislavmiletic_ I was just a bad salesman!
@@franktatom1837 🤣
But I mean surely the OM4 and OM3 were marketed for pros and very serious amateurs. That was built into them not having any automatic modes. And perhaps they read the room wrong too, because even the Nikon F3 had aperture priority. But they were wonderful tools for very experienced photographers but frankly it's unsurprising that less confident photographers weren't interested.
@@thecaveofthedead The OM-4 was aperture-priority automatic. The OM-3 was the pro camera. The auto mode and spot metering of the OM-4 made it a much better advanced amateur camera than the AE-1, but ease of use and name recognition through marketing beat everything. People actually believed the Program feature would produce better photos than they could get by building their skill. Kind of like how some are obsessed with sensor size/megapixels/dynamic range in the digital photo world, expecting technology to make art.
I cannot tell you how many times people brought their film in and were disappointed in their photos because they thought their "program" camera would correct severe backlighting, subject motion when the "program" lowered the shutter speed without warning, etc. Most of them would have been better served with a good P&S with a built-in flash - most of the ones back then had very sharp and fast (f 2.8) prime lenses and were largely infallible.
I’ve been shooting the OM-2 all my life but I have to say I’ve never been much interested in trying either the 3 or 4, the OM-2 does everything I need really, but these videos are fascinating all the same
Thank you for your comment. Glad to hear that the OM-2 does everything you need. I think it is always fantastic if you've found your perfect piece of gear. :)
The original OM-2 is a great camera -very capable and fun to shoot. All I can say about the multi-spot metering of the OM-3/4 is, you never thought you needed it until you try it, and then you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.
@@thomasfeimer1706 It is
I am shooting OM4Ti and OM1n. The meter on the OM3/4 is nothing than amazing and perfect for shooting slides. Also prefer the OM Zuiko lenses. Great value and easy to carry. Keep on doing these nice film camera reviews. Thank you.
Love the synth music in this episode, it fits the 80s vibe so well!
Glad to hear someone noticed. ;)
Thanks for the review :-) The OM-3 is a beauty. I got my first OM-4 in 1984, when it was released, and an OM-3 and an additional OM-4 in 1986, and used them for 20 years for actual photography with 24/2.0, 35/2.0, 100/2.0 and 180/2.8. Almost always using manual exposure, thus the OM-3 and OM-4 operated exactly the same. The OM -3 was my favorite. The OM-3Ti had the significantly improved focusing screen 2-13 (which is _very_ rare today) and I upgraded all my cameraes. The viewfinders was the best ever (better than the digital Canon 1Ds mkII that replaced the OM's), the cameras were compact and the operation was pure, unintrusive. The most pleasing cameras I've had
Nice collection! I wish I had the means in 90s to buy these beauties! Any chance you willing to sell one of your OM4 ;)
Hello Max. Long time viewer and subscriber to your channel. The video and narration is as usual at an exceptional standard. Jules is looking youthful and stylish perpetually. And Max you are still the consummate gentleman. Thanks to your channel i am happily married to Leica film rangefinders. Take care and thank you for all that you and Jules do
Thank you for your very kind comment. Really appreciate it. :)
I have searched and searched for any kind of advertisement for the OM-3 without success. I'm pretty sure the Olympus marketing folks had no idea how to pitch this camera. The host makes much of the 80's style of the viewfinder readout, but in typical Olympus form the styling is pretty subdued compared to some other configurations of the era. Some folks don't care for the information running horizontally along the bottom, but as an eyeglass wearer I find this (along with the built in dioptric adjustment knob) very accommodating.
I'm drooling over OM3 and OM3 Ti for over 30 years. But those where always out of my price range. Course I still didn't won the lottery...
Thanks for the review. I have almost all the OM cameras from M-1 to OM-4Ti. My OM-3 was expensive, but as you pointed out, the OM-3Ti is the most expensive. I had the OM-3Ti with me in Afghanistan, but I could not justify using such an expensive camera. So, just as my spouse put away the Leica M6TTL (for a Leica II), I turned the OM-3Ti into a safe queen. Mostly, I use the OM-4Ti or OM-2s as my every day camera. I am in the market for another OM-3 for everyday shooting.
Edit: just bought another OM-3 with grip and padded view piece. This one is not pristine, so will likely become my everyday, default camera.
Waren schöne Bilder dabei.❤
The OM-3 is very close to my dream analog camera. I'd really like an OM-3Ti, not because improvements over the original version but because the latest cameras was produced "only" 22 years ago. Olympus is out of the camera business so no hope of a revival of the OM-3, but I think it would sell really well (for a film based camera) as it's so close to the "ideal" seventies/early eighties design that a lot of people seem to favor.
It is a wonderful camera. I shot with a OM 4 Ti for 17 years, before I went digital in 2006, when it broke down. But after a couple of years, one day I got crazy and got my self an OM 3 Ti, just for the nolstalgia. Got some lenses too. Some times I load it with B&W film and go out and shoot. It’s such a joy to use. I think this video makes me want to do that again.
I shot Canon analog and my favorite was a FTb and it's still a really good camera IMO and it has a semi spot metering. Not as advanced in any way as the OM-3 but good enough for me except by now they are very old. I still shoot film occasionally with a Canon Eos, but it's so advanced it's almost like shooting digital. Looked up prices on OM-3 Ti and they are just too high at least while I still have a working film-based camera. Hope people who pay that much intend to use the cameras.
Thank you for your review it's really appreciated. I have a mint OM3ti coming this week. I just need to rebuild relationships with my bank manager now.
Another exceptional video Max!
I am the happy owner of an OM-3Ti in very good condition, although not mint. Also bought most of the seller's f2.0 optics and have supplemented with even more lenses. Also have a "mint" OM-2 that doesn't work, so the hope is that my ugly OM-2s can give up parts. In any case, the OM system has been a part of me for 45 years since I first bought an OM-2 and which partly financed my studies.
I have seen almost all of the videos you have produced, and if you have lost a bit of your photographic enthusiasm, you wake up after one of your videos.
Back in the game !! just purchased 2 x OM1's Ive tried the other models and I just find the OM1 so analogue and fantastic to use .
I would like an OM-3 with the Maitani 40mm f/2 please. Thoroughly enjoyable presentation as always!
Thank you for your comment. And yes, that would be a fantastic compact combination.
I added one of these to the collection in 2022 and it immediately shot up in my ranking. Not really that into Olympus (only got my first one earlier in 2022) but currently have the entire line-up and that OM-3 is soooo nice. It's up there with my F3 and LX and actually knocked the F3 from its no1 position for me. So for favorite (80s) SLR, my ranking is: LX > OM-3 > F3 > .... > Canon New F1. Can't recommend it enough!
Thank you for your comment. Your personal ranking is very interesting. Makes sense to me...
I have a OM-1 and OM-4. The OM-1 was the first camera I ever bought. I just recently picked up the OM-4
Nice. Good choices.
Hello to OM shooters. I do own two OM-3 bodies and judge it as a pinnacle of mechanical 35mm bodies of any brand. Both OM-3 serve me flawlessly unlike OM-3Ti, which is overpriced body with less robustness and reliability, absolutely not reflecting the extreme price point. I was happy having a chance to get rid off OM-3Ti. That is camera with improvements making it cheaper to produce paid by poor reliability of the mechanical system. Thumbs up to original OM-3 on the contrary.
Great video as always and nice images. One of my favourite 35mm cameras.
Never really wanted the multi-spot thing. A bit of intuition with centre-weighted metering has always worked well for me, but then I've rarely shot anything other than negative film. I have an OM1n and a 2-SP, and love them both. What you didn't mention in this review, perhaps because you've already covered it when you looked at an OM1, is the greatest thing about OM's - the viewfinder! So big, so bright; puts you right in the picture you're making. Zuiko's... unless you want the actual wide open f-stops for depth of focus and/or low light work - the cheaper f2.8's and f3.5's are super sharp. My 24mm f2.8 and 135mm f3.5 are as sharp as my Leica lenses, but I have to say I have f2.8 28mm and 35mm that are not quite so good. Sample variation maybe? I use them all, however, after all it doesn't do one any good to get hung up on this sort of thing. Life's about more than being the most this or that, having the best things; I like embracing imperfection, accepting things as they are, being relaxed with how things just are.
Oh yes - I'm shocked by the amount of film you wind on with the back open! I mean, you're wasting a couple of frames there. Just get it to latch, close up, and check it's winding on ok by tightening back the rewind knob and make sure it's being rotated as you wind to the first frame. Works for me!
Nice review! Had both the OM-3 and OM2 S/P back in the days, and sold my entire OM-package, when I switched to Nikon, around 1992, and deeeeeply regret I didn`t keep the OM-3...
Thanks for posting this!
Wow that 100mm lens is compact!
If you liked the OM-1, the 3 is pure love. Made even better and superior metering.
The OM3Ti has TTL flash, which is selectable using a switch located around the file speed selector. It also has a very durable anodised coating as titanium and paint part company very easily. I’ve had mine and use it regularly - I don’t believe that things spoil through use, but they do through neglect.
The OM-4 sounds like a good option
Always enjoy watching your videos delivered in wonderful calm velvety tones. A point of possible interest is the OM3 was the only camera issued with the special bright 2-13 focusing screen installed. They are fairly rare and go for between $150-200 alone when they pop up. I have one in my OM4ti and is a slight improvement but not as much as claimed.
Oh nice. Thank you for your kind comment and the additional piece of information. I wasn't aware of that. Really cool.
I had the OM2-SP back in the eighties, unfortunately mine suffered from a mechanical failure - the shutter curtain I think- I’d shoot a whole roll of film and maybe 2 or 3, at different intervals along the film, would expose.
I couldn’t resolve the issue even after taking it to a camera repair shop. I also thought the film advance lever to be very stiff and clunky compared to my brothers OM2n. I’ve been toying with the idea of picking up an OM2n in black. I think the old OM film cameras were one of the best cameras at the time, highly innovative, compact and light. I had a Fuji XT-3 and recently upgraded to the XT-5 because they remind of the old OM system.
Nice review, interesting location for the shoot.
I never decided to go for the OM system and I have some nice lenses and bodies for Canon FD and Pentax K, I always found the OM3 interesting. If I'll find one for a bargain at a thrift store I'll get it 😅
I'd love to own one, but I really don't justify the premium nowadays over a set of clean OM-1n and a OM-4 if you want the best of both worlds. I find myself using the self-timer and mirror lock-up features of the OM-1n and OM-4 more often than not, which is something the OM-3 lacks and this provides really sharp results in landscape and macro shots. In my opinion if you don't care about TTL-flash, don't shoot slide film or 1/2000s exposures, but love fully mechanical cameras the OM-1n is really reliable and affordable for beginners or professionals alike. If you don't care about the fully mechanical bit - just get the OM-4. For me the biggest advantage of the newer-style bodies of the OM-2SP/OM-3/OM-4 is the integrated hot-shoe and TTL-connector if you're into flash (macro)photography compared to the fragile and brittle Shoe 4 of the OM-1n and OM-2n. If you like flash - the OM Flash Group is outstanding - ranging from the cheap and light T20 unit to the unique T8 macro ring flash.
If you want to try the OM System on the cheap get an OM-40 Program (a.k.a. OM-PC) - extremely good value camera with little drawbacks compared to the single digit OM bodies, and if it breaks it can still be a donor and give life to an older body with prism corrosion.
Recall going to the local UK dealer event and came away impressed complete with a VHS demo tape ! The OM 4 was the more popular but many possible users missed the point preferring multi metering which was coming in. Despite best efforts falling sales and poor reliability (we got almost all OM4 & OM 3 sold during the first year back for servicing/ repair) the future was not going to belong to Olympus. Sad.
I have a OM1n, which is probably the thing that really set me on my film path. I also have a OM4Ti. I do mostly use the OM4 because my OM1n needs a service (shutter caps at 1000/s). The film wind on the OM1n is hypnotically smooth. The wind of the OM4Ti is crunchy, and the shutter has a quite annoying ringing sounds. I've pined over the om3. 2000/s and full mechanical is very attractive. That said, short of some major change in my finanaces, I'm never getting one (I did by a hasselblad 500cm, to own some history, but most OM3 that I have seen cost more than that did, and I didn't have an SLR medium format, so it genuinely filled a gap).
The music in this review slaps
Haha, thanks.
Hi I am very privileged to own om-1, om-2n, om-3ti & om-4ti with a number of Zuiko lenses I really enjoy shooting all them they all have their own characteristics.
I enjoy watching your reviews they very good thank you
Thanks for this. If I were to consider an OM camera, it'd have to be the OM-4. Not that I need to given I have Pentax K, Nikon F and Leica R systems.
Haha, sounds like you are settled. :)
@@AnalogInsights yeah, but itchy fingers. It's a system that I've always been curious about.
The OM-4 is a wonderful camera. I used to have a Pentax LX, which I used to think was my dream camera. Turned out to be a very temperamental beast (which, it turns out, is not uncommon for them). Sold it rather than repair it because my OM-4 does almost everything the LX does (aside from the detachable prism head, which I never used anyway), plus something it can't (multi-spot metering), and has proven more reliable and better built.
gotta do the A-1 next
The front of the OM3 appears to have the TTL flash connector on the front. Pull the cap and you should see the 5-conductor socket for the cable to an Olympus T32 or T45 flash. The battery issue is also brought up with the OM 2SP. i have one and it automatically turns off the meter after a short time to save the battery.
I've got a om1, om3, and om4t that rarely get used. Perhaps after watching this, I'll give them all a roll or so
Great review! Just curious.. why Greg and Jules are never are never seen together in the videos?
We are based in different cities and rarely manage to come together as a full group unfortunately. We have some footage in an upcoming video where that worked out but it is a rare case. Well observed. :)
@@AnalogInsights ok, makes sense… looking forward to that video!
Back in the late 80s, early 90s my OM-3 was my most used camera along with the 35mm f2 lens. I owned it and a Hasselblad 500C, eventually sold the OM-3 and kept the Hassy and should have kept the OM-3 instead LOL. Just not worth the collector prices now days to revisit. Mine ate a battery a week until I started removing the battery after each shooting session.
I had bought the om2n in the early '70s. Could be just when it came out. But I could swear that it had the highlight and Shadow and the multi-spot built in, which according to the videos I'm seeing only occurred with the om3 and the om4.
Can anybody correct me or support me on the fact that the om2n might have been released with a highlight and Shadow and the multi-spot because I kind of remember using them.
I also believe that I had the through the lens metering which Nikon didn't even have, flash metering?
Still have my om1 om2 all lenses and flash guns winders still love em many a thousands of photos pleasure and work Shame that I can take same or sort of with my phone
What type of mechanical shutter does the OM-3 have? Is it a cloth shutter moving horizontally?
You are correct, it is a horizontal movement cloth shutter. Maximum shutter speed of 1/2000 second.
I bought the OM-4Ti instead and wished I bought this camera instead!
I have the OM-3Ti and the OM-4Ti and I like both of them.
@@HoischenFA So do I... Although I'm considering selling the OM3Ti to fund my next OM-1 Mark II. I'll keep both my OM-4Ti and Pen-FV though...
Hey guys, thanks for the video. Do you actually recommend a good tech guy that can work on an OM4TI around Berlin? Im currently in London and it was serviced twice and the camera keeps jamming on me. Perhaps German hands can handle the repair a little better. :)
Try this guy: instagram.com/om.analog?igsh=MTJxaGZweGJ5OGd1cw==
Which OM lenses did you like the best?
Sharp outfit there.
Thank you. That’s very kind.
Mechanical cameras is much too overrated ! Cameras with electronic shutter are more precise and last longer, I will go for the Olympus OM-2 Spot/Program. The housing of the prism finder in OM-3 is too big, so you have to tilt the camera much more to see the shutter times !