At 13:16 3/12/02, Stephen Scharf asked:
What's your favorite OM-series body and why? What don't you like
and why? I'd like to know details here folks . . .
I'm also taking the Paul Schings approach to this. With three different
bodies, my favorite is the one most suited to the task(s) at hand.
OM-1n:
Completely mechanical; cell only required for its meter. Survives in very
cold weather, especially winter night shooting (temps below +10F) when the
other two with electronic shutters fail after the cells in them get too
cold. Occasionally serves as 2nd body when two types of film are in use
simultaneously, and for "event" work with Normal Auto flash on a flash
handle and Winder 2, but the OM-2S is preferred for this. I don't normally
use my sole zoom, a 35-105/3.5~4.5 on this body.
OM-2S:
Body of first choice for general photography in aperture priority AE mode
that does not require the sophisticated multi-spot metering of the OM-4,
including "event" work with TTL/OTF flash on a flash handle and the Winder
2. Used for "walk-around" with the 35-105/3.4~4.5 zoom. Occasionally been
used for spot metering in manual mode, but not to the extent the OM-4
has. I don't use the Program mode. A cousin to the OM-4, it operates much
like it in aperture priority AE. Serves as a backup to the OM-4, and as a
2nd body when two types of film are in use simultaneously.
OM-4:
Body of first choice for more complex lighting and sophisticated work that
uses the multi-spot metering and memory functions. Used primarily for the
35mm "serious stuff" with the prime lenses.
I would be remiss if the "other" cameras were not mentioned:
Rollei 35S:
"Walk-around" camera when an SLR is too big, too heavy, too obtrusive,
and/or too noisy. It's the mechanical, manual focus and manual exposure
equivalent of a P&S with a reasonably fast f/2.8 lens. Also used in severe
cold weather when the preferred uses already listed apply; like the OM-1n
its cell only powers the meter.
Contax IIIa [Color Dial]:
Body of first choice for B/W work (Scala 200X) even though I only have a
50mm f/1.5 lens for it. Can easily be used in severe cold weather;
completely mechanical and no power required at all, including for its
selenium meter (which still works accuratetly). I have an ancient
Honeywell flash handle and very occasionally use it indoors for B/W flash
work with the flash in "Normal Auto."
Mamiya M645j:
Used for same purposes as OM-4 when larger film format is desired and for
some portraiture (which I don't do that often).
-- John
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