1. Which one of the new OM bodies (OM reissues with possibly a
few new
features, one under $500, one ca. $700, and an OM-5 under $1500)
would you
buy in the next 2-5 years? Just one or two or all three? (You
have to ask
your own pocketbook and your buying habit.)
I cannot see spending $1500, but I can definitely see spending $500 or
$700 for a well-made, simple-to-operate camera that preserved my
investment in lenses (~10 Zuikos, plus a couple aftermarket) - indeed,
one of my OM bodies (an original OM-1) may need replacing within the
year.
2.Would you like to have an autofocusing OM-x? (Be honest. You
don't need
to be realistic here.)
Yes. I am old enough that autofocus or an assist would be useful,
particularly in low light or with small aperture zoom lenses. I have
been looking at the new Pentax ZX5n, but I am reluctant to maintain two
camera systems. The ZX5n is appealing because it is small, light, and
simple to use - with a minimum of buttons, menus, etc. But if I could
get a focus assist on a (current, supported) OM camera, I could keep my
current investment.
At the end of the day, I suspect the proliferation of black plastic
blobs with computer-like user interfaces is part of what is driving
consumers away from SLRs and toward P&S.
3. Would you be willing to have a somewhat larger OM body so
that several
new features may be accommodated?
No -see #2 above. To be more specific, many of the new "features" that
are proliferating on SLRs these days seem to take the photographer away
from the art of making photographs. As an example, personally, I do not
want apertures in my viewfinder. I appreciate the shutter speed
indicator in my OM-2n, but I want no more detractions in my viewfinder,
so adding bulk to the camera to include more "features" would probably
push me toward buying the Pentax, or a point-and-shoot. (To me, the
OM-4 is already overly complex...which is why I will not replace my
dying OM-1 with an OM-4Ti.)
4. What is the single most important feature of the OM body that
you would
like to see retained? Please narrow your preferences down to the
single
feature. I will not count those votes with two items here.
Guaranteed system compatibility for as long as I own the camera - which
is to say it would feel good if Olympus indicated they were not going to
abandon this market. (Realistically, I suspect that any new "REAL" OM
system body would indicate corporate commitment, at least to me. The
Cosina-based OM2000 seems too half-hearted.)
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