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Re: [OM] The "Wish List" goes on, and on, and on...

Subject: Re: [OM] The "Wish List" goes on, and on, and on...
From: dhurley@xxxxxxxx
Date: Mon, 12 Jan 1998 11:14:57 -0600
On Mon, 12 Jan 1998 09:00:00 -0600 Gene Mayeda
<gmayeda@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:
>Larry:I agree with you.I use aN*k*n N-90s at work and everything you 
>say
>is true about the weight and volume needed to get all the features in
>there.Heck we have a choice of 3 new camera bodies from Olympus.We are
>lucky and don't appreciate it at all.The B&H ad in the Dec.1987 Modern
>Photography lists the OM-4T at $445.Today the price is more than twice
>that.I'm surprised that the OM-4Ti is available new today at any 
>price. 
>-Gene Mayeda
>
>L.J. Clark wrote:
>> 
>> Fellow Olympoids (and Canon/Nikon wannabees):
>> 
>> I've been avoiding the "Wish List" thread up to now.  There seem
>> to be more than a couple of branches, as regards people's wishes.
>> 
>> What is fascinating is the fairly hefty number of suggestions that
>> want to turn an Olympus into a Nikon or Canon.  Some of this seems
>> to stem from the desire to keep the old Zuiko glass.  ....snip......
>> If you want an Olympus that is an OM, then you best forget such
>> things as built-in motor, auto bracketing, a more informative
>> display, AA batteries, and a bunch of other stuff that takes up
>> cubic space in the camera body.  There are some things, such as
>> more sophisticated exposure control, that can be done inside
>> the existing body form (OM-4/3/2S).  But if you want more
>> information displayed on the camera body (such as LCD panels),
>> that takes up real estate now used by some of the mechanical
>> controls.  If you look at some of the bulkier Canons and Nikons,
>> part of what they do depends on having a large surface area to
>> stick displays and little switches. ....snip..... If you want more
feedback to the camera body from the lens, then
>> you better get ready to scrap your Zuikos and stand by for a
>> whole line of new lenses.  Odds are the mount wouldn't even be
>> the same.....snip.... Olympus OM cameras are victims of their own
design philosophy.
>> What most of us like about the cameras (compact size, simple and
>> straightforward operation) is exactly what dialed them out of the
>> do-everything camera market.
>> 
>> If you want all those other junky features on a camera, go out
>> and buy a Nikon or a Canon.
>> 
>> Larry Clark
>
Amen!

If you want a lower, or "mid priced" priced camera, adding features the
isn't the way to get it!  For my money, if Olympus wants to bring out a
"mid priced camera" between the 2000 and the 4Ti, they should simply
re-introduce the OM2n.  Notice I said re-introduce, not re-invent.  They
don't need to add a bunch of features to it, not even spot metering! 
It's already a great camera.  Just give us some new ones!

As for a "dream camera"??  I nominate the 4Ti.  It's got all the
necessary goodies most of us will ever need to take a picture.  What
isn't built in is available as part of the system., or was and could be
again if they wanted it to be.    e.g.:  You want motor drive? Add it on.
 You don't need the speed or extra weight?  Leave the motor at home!  In
short, add "dreams" with more system accessories.  Don't bulk up the
whole body for a rarely used specialty "feature."  I don't need an OM5 or
6.  Give me a digital back for my existing bodies instead.

Sure, there are a few specialty "gimmicks" for certain fields.  Mirror
lock up?.  If you need it often enough, and the self timer work-around
won't satisfy, get a camera with mirror lock up!(bring back the OM1
also?)  I'm sure most of us have something we would change on any camera
we pick up, but to build the behemoth that would include all the
individual needs and wants of every photographer, who could carry it?

The problem with the "OM System" concept is that for the system
accessories to be supplied, there have to be user's who want the
accessories.  If you don't sell enough of the foundations (camera bodies
to attach the accessories to) nobody buys the building blocks, so it's
not worthwhile to continue to produce either one.  The 2000 falls short
in that it doesn't provide for the continuance of the "system".  It might
sell a few lenses, but it won't sell motor drives, winders, dedicated
flashes, TTL cords, or any other accessory.  Olympus needs to provide a
body at the mid-level that introduces the user to the entire system IF
they are interested in continuing the system.  Are they??  Time will
surely tell.

Am I rambling?  Glad to get that off my chest.

Daryl Hurley

 

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