Last month I bought an OM 4T body along with 28mm/f2.8, 50mm/f1.4,
50mm/f1.8, 50mm/f3.5 [macro], and 100mm/f2.8 lenses. They were all second
hand from an established camera dealer [which also happens to be an
official outlet for Leica, Nikon, and Hasselblad] so I felt comfortable
that I was dealing with a legitimate and reputable source of supply.
I have been using a Leica M3 since 1965 and am M5 since 1987 along with
35mm, 50mm, 90mm, and 135mm Leitz lenses so know all about sharp and
brilliant prints and slides.
I have shot reels of Agfa Optima 100 ISO, Fuji Reala 100 ISO, and Kodak
Portra VC 160 ISO through my OM 4T at a tropical plant conservatory in
Vancouver using only available light coming through the domed glass roof.
The outside weather ranged from bright sunlight in almost clear blue skies
to cloud and overcast skies. The films were all processed at the same place.
I have the following observations:
1. The sharpness and brilliance of the photos at all points on the prints
using all fives lenses at varying speeds and apertures was not one iota
less than I would have expected from my Leitz lenses. There is absolutely
no lack of the depth or 3D effect in these Olympus photos and based on this
three film sample of experience I have to say that I can not imagine any
more superior performance from anywhere else.
2. Under all lighting conditions the performance of the Kodak VC 160 in
reproducing accurate colours of flowers, foliage, and surrounding scenery
was far far far superior to that of the Agfa [which was too red] and that
of the Fuji [which was too green]. I cannot see one print from the Kodak
film which is in need of colour balancing or tweeking......at least for my
eyesight.
3. The spot metering facility of the OM 4T worked like an absolute charm
and produced accurate results 1000f the time.
4. Two spot metered quick "point and shoot" photos of a 10 month old child
using y 100mm lens and subdued available light from a nearby window tells
me that the Kodak VC 160 film is excellent for skin tones without looking
in any way wishy washy or washed out.
5. I am *absolutely* sold on my Olympus equipment [the results are every
bit as good as those from the stuff made in Wetzlar or whereever!] as well
as VC 160 film for flowers and foliage in conditions like those I
experienced last week.
Let's hear it for Olympus.
jh
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