Hi Ryan,
I feel for your dilemma. I too was at this very same crossroad about 4 years
ago. At that time I had only a couple of OM1n's and 3 or 4 lens from about
1980. I wanted to get into Close-up and Telephoto photography and to really
build up a complete system. Here is a brief list of some of the factors that
helped make my decision back then.
1. Quality - Oly vs Nikon are considered equal.
2. Photo / lens quality - Equal possibly some edge to Oly in some areas, ie
macro & new 35-80 zoom.
3. Auto focus capabilities - None Factor, at that point and still today. I
have no desire to use or need autofocus.
4. Auto / Manual Metering Mode - I rarely use Auto mode, so I consider auto
capabilities as just one more thing to break down in a body. If I don't use
it, why have it.
5. Cold Weather photography - The nod goes to manual cameras, OM1,3 3Ti and
Nikon FM2.
6. Buying Availability - Certainly Nikon has this hands down. There is always
a ton of both new and used Nikon out there. Olympus is a lot harder to find,
but not impossible. I am just about finished with my system, but it has taken
several years to complete. Both are available new and prices are very close.
Yes, $2,000 for a 3Ti with MD is very high. But a Nikon F5 will cost the
same.
7. Maintanence and Repair ability over the next 20+ years. Certainly Nikon
has the edge here. But, Oly, especially manual cameras will be repairable for
most of our life time. So, I have minor concern here.
But, in all fairness I must admit, a lot has changed in the last 4 years.
Back then, OLY had recently introduced the 3Ti and the very sharp 35-80 zoom.
I thought that OLY would still (even at a slow pace) support it's SLR system
with some new products (at least a new lens). But, I was wrong. To my
knowledge, OLY has no plans of any new introductions. (Not, that we need any,
possibly a high end 100 - 300 zoom). This alone is a very concerning issue.
If I were starting out all over today, I am not sure what I would decide.
Yep! Fooled ya, didn't I. You thought after all this careful thinking that I
was going to say - ONLYOLY FOREVER!.
Good luck with your decision. Let us all know what you decide.
Buddy Walters
Ryan writes:
<< I am basically deciding (like a lot of folks, I guess) between
adding to and building up my OM system and going with a Nikon F3 or F4
system. The OM 3Ti is one whopping expensive camera, and I am left
wondering why...is it built to the "legendary" Nikon F standards?
(150,000 shutter cycles, etc.)
Just trying to feel my way here. I don't want to start any
brushfires, (Nikon vs. Oly) but these are the questions on my mind, and
I guess others as well when they first come here. I started out with
Olympus in the late 70's, and partly I want to switch brands for a big
project I have ahead of me, then I stand back and wonder why. If the
Oly has a "pro quality" SLR, why not stick with it?
Thanks again Ryan McNabb >>
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