Hi there Daniel,
As noted this camera in question is the FTL. Here is what I understand to be
the case with this model.
Made before the OM1 (M1) was released as a stop gap. Dates from 1971-72 (maybe
73 too). It is a M42 screw mount body with TTL metering, if I recall correctly
it was engineered to have fully open aperture metering similar to the OM. The
body itself was actually made by Miranda Camera for Olympus. It is very similar
to their designs of the same period and beyond. The shutter speed dial is on
the top of the body in the classical tradition. The lenses may have been made
by them too to Olympus spec. It appears it was never intended to be more than a
stop gap but it did get the following lenses made for it:
50mm F1.8
50mm F1.4
28mm F3.5
35mm F2.8
135mm F3.5
200mm F4
I understand that the 50mm f1.4 suffers from radioactive element yellowing
similar to the OM 55mm f1.2, a subject that was discussed at length recently.
The body should be compatible with other M42 based lenses. Other than having
the Olympus name on it I feel it is a pretty unremarkable camera. At this
distance of time any body is likely to need servicing prior to use, though I
believe that JH doesn't do them at the moment. The foam light seals will
certainly need replacing.
Recently I have thought about getting into it, even going as far as to pick up
one of the lenses. It was not much to write home about, a single coated lens
and heavier than the Om counterpart. But I decided that I liked taking pictures
more than collecting cameras (I am a terrible collector of things as my
suffering wife will attest to). My father has a few M42 lenses in addition to
his OM's so if one came up I might get it for him. I actually have a very fine
example of the handbook as well, which I suppose is looking for a new home.
I would think that of all the M42 type bodies this might be one of the better
ones but I have not done any research into it. I would guess that unless you
have a strong desire to collect it is better to pass on the system. This
particular example has a few dings over it and the lens appears to have been
dropped (see the close up of the front top view). I personally feel they are
way over priced at the moment. I have seen some very rough looking examples
sell for more than what a good OM-1 goes for. With a 50mm lens typical prices
on eBay seem to be from $75 to $150, which for a shelf filling item seems high.
Hope this help you out.
Dan S
----- Original Message -----
From: Daniel Tan <daniel.tan@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2003 5:09 am
Subject: [OM] Olympus FTA?
> Does anybody know what this is?
> http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2966112107&categor
> y=15239
> The only info I can find on it (brief search) is in Japanese and
> Russian.
>
> Daniel
>
>
>
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