Difference between revisions of "Olympus OM system"

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(Added 'OM Accessories' info to this page)
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We can distinguish two main ranges of manual focus OM bodies:
 
We can distinguish two main ranges of manual focus OM bodies:
 
* the top range '''[[Olympus OM-1/2/3/4|OM-1/2/3/4]]'''
 
* the top range '''[[Olympus OM-1/2/3/4|OM-1/2/3/4]]'''
 +
:*1972 to 1987 - OM-1 (M-1, OM-1 MD, OM-1n)
 +
:*1978 to 1987 - OM-2 (OM-2n)
 +
:*1984 to 1988 - OM-2SP (OM-2S)
 +
:*1983 to 1986 - OM-3
 +
:*1984 to 1987 - OM-4 (OM-4)
 +
:*1987 to 2002 - OM-4Ti (OM-4T)
 +
:*1995 to 2002 - OM-3Ti
 +
 
* the middle range '''[[Olympus OM-10/20/30/40|OM-10/20/30/40]]'''
 
* the middle range '''[[Olympus OM-10/20/30/40|OM-10/20/30/40]]'''
 +
:*1978 to 1987 - OM-10,OM-10 QD, OM-10 FC
 +
:*1983 to 1987 - OM-20 (OM-G)
 +
:*1983 to 1987 - OM-30 (OM-F)
 +
:*1985 to 1987 - OM-40 Program (OM-PC)
 +
:*1986 to 1991 - OM-707 (OM-77)
 +
:*1988 to 1991 - OM-101 PF (OM-88)
 +
:*1997 to 2002 - OM-2000
  
 
The double-digit 'amateur' line of cameras featured smaller, fixed viewfinders, generally slower top shutter speeds, and cheaper components.
 
The double-digit 'amateur' line of cameras featured smaller, fixed viewfinders, generally slower top shutter speeds, and cheaper components.
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Still later the '''[[Olympus OM2000|OM-2000]]''' was a cheaper body manufactured by [[Cosina]] that could accept the OM lenses, but again did not support OM system components, other than most of the lenses.
 
Still later the '''[[Olympus OM2000|OM-2000]]''' was a cheaper body manufactured by [[Cosina]] that could accept the OM lenses, but again did not support OM system components, other than most of the lenses.
  
 
===Availability===
 
 
The timeline for body releases was as follows:
 
The timeline for body releases was as follows:
 
{{Olympus OM timeline}}
 
{{Olympus OM timeline}}
  
  
'Pro' Bodies:
+
== System ==
*1972 to 1987 - OM-1 (M-1, OM-1 MD, OM-1n)
+
 
*1978 to 1987 - OM-2 (OM-2n)
+
The OM system comprised the OM bodies, the [[Olympus OM lenses|OM lenses]], and many [[Olympus OM accessories|accessories]] covering everything from astrophotography to microphotography. For that reason the OM system has been used for many years, and is still used by astro or macro photographers.
*1984 to 1988 - OM-2SP (OM-2S)
 
*1983 to 1986 - OM-3
 
*1984 to 1987 - OM-4 (OM-4)
 
*1987 to 2002 - OM-4Ti (OM-4T)
 
*1995 to 2002 - OM-3Ti
 
  
 +
The [[Olympus OM|Olympus OM system]] comprised the OM bodies (the top range '''[[Olympus OM-1/2/3/4|OM-1/2/3/4]]''' and the mid range '''[[Olympus OM-10/20/30/40|OM-10/20/30/40]]'''), the '''[[Olympus OM lenses|OM lenses]]''' and many accessories covering everything from astrophotography to microphotography. For that reason the OM system has been used for many years, and is still used by astro or macro photographers. Olympus had arranged them in groups as per below.
  
'Amateur' (double-digit) bodies:
+
=== Motor group ===
*1978 to 1987 - OM-10,OM-10 QD, OM-10 FC
+
<div class="floatright">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/martintaylor/45019585/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/74/195934668_b762306c63_t.jpg]</div>
*1983 to 1987 - OM-20 (OM-G)  
+
<div class="floatright">[http://www.flickr.com/search/groups/?w=46195334%40N00&q=olympus+winder&m=pool Other images]</div>
*1983 to 1987 - OM-30 (OM-F)  
+
 
*1985 to 1987 - OM-40 Program (OM-PC)  
+
* Motor Drive 1 (compatible with all single and double digit OM bodies except the [[Olympus_OM-1/2/3/4|OM-10]])
*1986 to 1991 - OM-707 (OM-77)  
+
* Motor Drive 2, (allows motorized rewind with the [[Olympus OM-1/2/3/4#The OM-3 and OM-4|OM-3 and OM-4]]; compatible with all single and double digit OM bodies except the [[Olympus_OM-1/2/3/4|OM-10]])
*1988 to 1991 - OM-101 PF (OM-88)
+
* Winder 1 (compatible with all [[Olympus_OM-1/2/3/4|single]] and [[Olympus OM-10/20/30/40|double digit]] OM bodies)
*1997 to 2002 - OM-2000
+
* Winder 2 (compatible with all [[Olympus_OM-1/2/3/4|single]] and [[Olympus OM-10/20/30/40|double digit]] OM bodies)
 +
* Winder soft case
 +
* 250 Film Back 1 (compatible with all [[Olympus_OM-1/2/3/4|single digit]] OM bodies)
 +
* 250 Film Back Magazine (compatible with all [[Olympus_OM-1/2/3/4|single digit]] OM bodies)
 +
 
 +
 
 +
=== Flash group ===
 +
<div class="floatright"> [http://www.flickr.com/photos/timmythesuk/229022779/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/58/229022779_790bb6ae9e_t.jpg]  </div>
 +
<div class="floatright"> [http://www.flickr.com/search/groups/?q=om%20flash&w=46195334%40N00&m=pool Other images]  </div>
 +
'''Flashes'''
 +
 
 +
*Quick Auto 300 - Guide Number 34, no TTL automation
 +
*Quick Auto 310 - Guide Number 34, TTL Auto with OM-2 only
 +
 
 +
All 'T' Series flashed support TTL automation with compatible OM bodies ([[Olympus_OM-1/2/3/4|OM2]] and variants, [[Olympus_OM-1/2/3/4|OM-4]], [[Olympus_OM-1/2/3/4|OM-4Ti]], [[Olympus_OM-1/2/3/4|OM-3Ti]], [[Olympus_OM-10/20/30/40|OM-40]], [[Olympus_OM-707|OM-707]], [[Olympus_OM-101_/_OM-88|OM-101]]). The Number in the Flash units name corresponds to its Guide number at ISO 100.
 +
*T18 - Coverage equivalent to a 35mm lens. Takes 2&times; AA batteries. Slightly cooler light colour than other T-series units (5600° rather than 5800°)
 +
*T20 - Coverage equivalent to a 35mm lens. Takes 2&times; AA batteries.
 +
*T32 - Coverage equivalent to a 24mm lens, features a tilting head (-15° to 90°). Takes 4&times; AA batteries
 +
*T45 - Coverage equivalent to a 24mm lens, features a tilting (0° to 90°) and swivelling (340°) head. Powered by an external battery pack, this is a large, vertical grip-style flash unit with almost hemi-spherical coverage.
 +
 
 +
*F280 Full-Synchro Flash - Coverage equivalent to a 24mm lens, takes 4&times; AA batteries. Guide number of 28. The first flash in the world to feature full-synchro with all shutter speeds. This 'Super FP' mode works with the [[Olympus_OM-707|OM-707]], [[Olympus_OM-1/2/3/4|OM-4Ti]] and [[Olympus_OM-1/2/3/4|OM-3Ti]] up to shutter speeds of 1/2000 sec.
 +
 
 +
*S20 - Coverage equivalent to a 35mm lens. Takes 2&times; AA batteries. Non-system flash with no TTL automation; slightly warmer colour than all system flashes (5900K). Released alongside the [[Olympus_OM2000|OM-2000]].
 +
 
 +
 
 +
'''Macro/Ring Flashes'''
 +
 
 +
*T10 Ring Flash 1
 +
*T8 Ring Flash 2
 +
*T28 Macro Flashes
 +
 
 +
 
 +
=== Finder group ===
 +
 
 +
 
 +
=== Macro group ===
  
== System ==
 
The OM system comprised the OM bodies, the [[Olympus OM lenses|OM lenses]], and many [[Olympus OM accessories|accessories]] covering everything from astrophotography to microphotography. For that reason the OM system has been used for many years, and is still used by astro or macro photographers.
 
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==

Revision as of 11:16, 16 April 2007

The Olympus OM is a camera system introduced by Olympus in 1972.

The OM system was designed by Yoshihisa Maitani, who halved the weight of the professional SLR camera body with few compromises in reliability or versatility. The OM-1 has been a favorite of astronomers and others in scientific fields for decades. Its light weight, manual operation and mirror lock-up make it ideal for attaching to telescopes and microscopes. The OM system also became a favorite of all those for whom weight without optical compromises was a primary consideration. OMs have been around the world with some of the National Geographic photographers convinced enough to give up their Canons or Nikons, they have also been to the top of Everest with climber Chris Bonington. Professional photographers David Bailey and Lord Lichfield also used to be associated with the OM system.

The OM system continued to develop with advanced electronics for sophisticated metering systems and program modes, with Olympus being the inventor of off-the-film light metering (on the OM-2), sophisticated TTL flash systems, high-key, low-key and multiple spot metering (on the OM-4) and the invention of high-speed sync flash (on the OM-707). However, when the autofocus revolution hit in the late 80s Olympus was late to the market and with a very unsophisticated non-system camera. Manual focus OMs continued to be sold until the end of the century and they still have a faithful following among enthusiasts today - Olympus have even released an adaptor for the digital Four-Thirds system that allows the use of OM lenses on the new DSLR bodies.

During the design periods, Olympus had studied a completely modular camera, like a 35mm Hasselblad, built in prototype form as the OM-X. You can find some details and pictures here.

Following the failure of the OM System to adapt to the autofocus revolution, Olympus turned its attentions elsewhere - to compact cameras and the IS series of fixed lens SLRs. Recently, Olympus have designed and released a new camera system onto the market: the 'designed for digital' Four-Thirds System.

Bodies

The very first bodies, launched in 1972, were called M-1. These were later renamed to 'OM-1' following a dispute about the name with Leitz.

We can distinguish two main ranges of manual focus OM bodies:

  • 1972 to 1987 - OM-1 (M-1, OM-1 MD, OM-1n)
  • 1978 to 1987 - OM-2 (OM-2n)
  • 1984 to 1988 - OM-2SP (OM-2S)
  • 1983 to 1986 - OM-3
  • 1984 to 1987 - OM-4 (OM-4)
  • 1987 to 2002 - OM-4Ti (OM-4T)
  • 1995 to 2002 - OM-3Ti
  • 1978 to 1987 - OM-10,OM-10 QD, OM-10 FC
  • 1983 to 1987 - OM-20 (OM-G)
  • 1983 to 1987 - OM-30 (OM-F)
  • 1985 to 1987 - OM-40 Program (OM-PC)
  • 1986 to 1991 - OM-707 (OM-77)
  • 1988 to 1991 - OM-101 PF (OM-88)
  • 1997 to 2002 - OM-2000

The double-digit 'amateur' line of cameras featured smaller, fixed viewfinders, generally slower top shutter speeds, and cheaper components.

Later Olympus introduced two automatic models - the OM-707 and OM-101 which sold poorly, trailed the market somewhat in feature set, and lacked functionality with most of the OM System components.

Still later the OM-2000 was a cheaper body manufactured by Cosina that could accept the OM lenses, but again did not support OM system components, other than most of the lenses.

The timeline for body releases was as follows:

Olympus OM Timeline

Model

72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02
OM-1
OM-2
OM-10
OM-3
OM-20
OM-30
OM-4
OM-2SP
OM-40
OM-77
OM-4Ti
OM-88
OM-3Ti
OM-2000
Pro (Single-digit) bodies marked in lighter blue.


System

The OM system comprised the OM bodies, the OM lenses, and many accessories covering everything from astrophotography to microphotography. For that reason the OM system has been used for many years, and is still used by astro or macro photographers.

The Olympus OM system comprised the OM bodies (the top range OM-1/2/3/4 and the mid range OM-10/20/30/40), the OM lenses and many accessories covering everything from astrophotography to microphotography. For that reason the OM system has been used for many years, and is still used by astro or macro photographers. Olympus had arranged them in groups as per below.

Motor group

195934668_b762306c63_t.jpg
  • Motor Drive 1 (compatible with all single and double digit OM bodies except the OM-10)
  • Motor Drive 2, (allows motorized rewind with the OM-3 and OM-4; compatible with all single and double digit OM bodies except the OM-10)
  • Winder 1 (compatible with all single and double digit OM bodies)
  • Winder 2 (compatible with all single and double digit OM bodies)
  • Winder soft case
  • 250 Film Back 1 (compatible with all single digit OM bodies)
  • 250 Film Back Magazine (compatible with all single digit OM bodies)


Flash group

229022779_790bb6ae9e_t.jpg

Flashes

  • Quick Auto 300 - Guide Number 34, no TTL automation
  • Quick Auto 310 - Guide Number 34, TTL Auto with OM-2 only

All 'T' Series flashed support TTL automation with compatible OM bodies (OM2 and variants, OM-4, OM-4Ti, OM-3Ti, OM-40, OM-707, OM-101). The Number in the Flash units name corresponds to its Guide number at ISO 100.

  • T18 - Coverage equivalent to a 35mm lens. Takes 2× AA batteries. Slightly cooler light colour than other T-series units (5600° rather than 5800°)
  • T20 - Coverage equivalent to a 35mm lens. Takes 2× AA batteries.
  • T32 - Coverage equivalent to a 24mm lens, features a tilting head (-15° to 90°). Takes 4× AA batteries
  • T45 - Coverage equivalent to a 24mm lens, features a tilting (0° to 90°) and swivelling (340°) head. Powered by an external battery pack, this is a large, vertical grip-style flash unit with almost hemi-spherical coverage.
  • F280 Full-Synchro Flash - Coverage equivalent to a 24mm lens, takes 4× AA batteries. Guide number of 28. The first flash in the world to feature full-synchro with all shutter speeds. This 'Super FP' mode works with the OM-707, OM-4Ti and OM-3Ti up to shutter speeds of 1/2000 sec.
  • S20 - Coverage equivalent to a 35mm lens. Takes 2× AA batteries. Non-system flash with no TTL automation; slightly warmer colour than all system flashes (5900K). Released alongside the OM-2000.


Macro/Ring Flashes

  • T10 Ring Flash 1
  • T8 Ring Flash 2
  • T28 Macro Flashes


Finder group

Macro group

Links

Olympus Classic Cameras
Semi | Semi II | Six | Chrome Six | Flex | Standard | 35 | Ace | Pen | Pen F | FTL | OM-1/2/3/4 | OM-10/20/30/40 | Trip | µ (mju:) | XA