Ken--You should have saved this for April 1, but it is a great evaluation
at any rate.
Mike
>After a number of years of using my OM-1(md) I've decided to take a serious
>look at the ergonomics and capabilities of this camera. Here are some of
>my findings:
>
>1. Meter Switch. What a lousy idea. I think that the meter should
>operate whenever I hold the camera to my eye. Why Olympus didn't
>incorporate an eye-presence sensor is beyond me.
>
>2. Manual film loading. What? Even the instamatic 110 cameras of the day
>incorporated drop in film loading. How stupid and time consuming it is to
>thread the film through the slot and make sure that the sprocket holes line
>up properly. And then you even have to close the door yourself.
>
>3. Manual film advance/rewind. Sure, there is a motor drive socket on the
>bottom, but Olympus should have incorporated a built-in motor drive.
>
>4. Chrome body reflects too much light. The metal body could also conduct
>electricity if you touched the camera to a powerline and kill you.
>Polycarbonite bodies are far safer. Besides, the chrome body doesn't brass
>and show off that you have actually used the camera.
>
>5. Removable hot shoe. What a stupid idea. I think that the hot shoe
>should have been fixed (actually it says fix on it) so it always presses
>into your forehead and jabs your fingers while rewinding.
>
>6. Mirror lock-up. If this was such an important feature, all camera
>bodies would have it. Duh!
>
>7. Meter needle sticks into viewfinder. How are we supposed to compose
>pictures with this thing waving around distracting us from our composition.
> Every other camera maker has settled on little dots or arrows telling you
>which way to adjust exposure. Don't you know that blinking dots are a far
>better way to tell you that you are 1/2 stop off than a continous movement
>meter?
>
>8. Meter is unlighted. How can you meter the subject if you can't see the
>meter? Or for that matter--the subject?
>
>9. No ISO dial. The film speed selector is the now defunct ASA dial.
>Can't set the film speed anymore. Besides the ASA dial is 25-1600. Does
>anybody actually shoot 25 speed film anymore? Of course, the OM-1 doesn't
>have auto DX film setting.
>
>10. Body doesn't have DOF preview button. These are built into the lenses.
> Olympus should have followed Nikon's "standard" and put it in an
>impossible to reach position while being able to look through the lens.
>Actually, this is a wasted feature anyway because most cameras today don't
>even allow DOF preview. See, the OM-1 is non-standard again.
>
>11. Lens mount shutter speed ring. Only medium format cameras incorporate
>this. Olympus should have ignored Hassleblad's design and copied Nikon's
>top of the camera, impossible to adjust while looking through the
>viewfinder and keeping your finger on the shutter-release design. How stupid.
>
>12. Shutter is too smooth and quiet. If a smooth and quiet shutter is so
>important then why is Canon selling so many EOS-1n cameras? Obviously the
>market doesn't care about damped mirror return or camera shake.
>
>13. Too small and lightweight. With the high level of sales of the Nikon
>F5 and Canon EOS-1n it is obvious that Olympus missed the mark with the OM-1.
>
>14. Large, bright viewfinder. Olympus should have copied Canon with a
>hidiously small and distant viewfinder.
>
>15. Mechanical shutter. EVERYBODY has electronic shutters. Where did
>Olympus get off with this one.
>
>16. Lens mount allows one handed operation. Why would you ever need to
>change lenses one handed? How many other brands allow this?
>
>What a piece of junk. I can't believe that I have successfully used this
>camera for so many years. If I had known that it would have traveled on
>nearly 200 international and domestic trips with me over the years would I
>have bought it? Or that I've been stuck using it because all of my other
>camera bodies died in the cold?
>
>Olympus really did a boner with the OM-1. It is so obsolete to warrent
>museum status. Why should I have to think to use a camera. Why can't I
>just pick it up and snap a picture like I can with the Kodak disposable? I
>even have to load film in it myself!
>
>This is really stupid. I can't wait to dump this cheeseball piece of crud.
> Too bad I can't return it for a full refund. Biggest waste of $100 I've
>ever had.
>
>Ken (appologies to Frank for taking off on his post) Norton
>
>
>Kenneth E. Norton
>Image66 Photography
>
>image66@xxxxxxx
>(217) 224-5004
>
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Mike Stoesz, VP
Rainbow Photography Inc.
213 Grand Av.
Laramie, Wy., USA
82070
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