In a message dated 01/18/2000 8:58:56 AM Eastern Standard Time,
fgernens@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
> Thomas Heide Clausen wrote:
>
> > I've expressed some opinions before (like a few months ago) regarding my
> > preferences for OM2s/p over the OM4.
>
> So did I, in an article I posted on 9 Jan 1999, "Be careful what you wish
> for...", which provoked a huge flamestorm. I have a mint OM-2SP, which
> I use all the time, and an OM-4 which I put up with as a fast-film body
> because of the higher top speed and faster motor drive rate.
>
> > However, it is almost impossible for me to figure out any
> > convenient way of getting my fingers onto the camera, pressing the "spot"
> > button, when otherwise using the winder.
>
FWIW, I have no problems using the spot button with the winder attached. I do
have fairly long fingers, though. I will say that it would be more convenient
if the winder could be tripped using the shutter release button on the body.
As a final comment, I will say that I don't use a winder much on the OM-4.
With the kind of photography I usually use the OM-4 for, I tend to want to
work slow, anyway, and the winder is just superfluous. I love the handling of
the OM-4 with the Camera Grip 1 attached, especially with a small lens like
the 50/1.8 or 28/2.8.
> I can't solve it either. But see below.
>
> > Now, what do you people do in such situations? I may be wierd for
> insisting on
> > having a winder on a camera and at the same time insisting on not using
> > automatic mode
>
> Not really. It is a reasonable choice for, say, bird or sports
> photography, and it should be yours to make, not the manufacturer's.
> Unfortunately, the designer of the OM-4 had a certain way of working
> in mind, and if it isn't yours, well, the nail that sticks up must be
> hammered down. This is, I guess, culturally acceptable in Japan, but
> unfortunately for Olympus most camera buyers (and probably most
> younger Japanese) don't think that way.
>
> The OM-4 does steer you in the direction of auto-only. You can
> lock in a suitable spot reading using MEMO - with the spot meter you
> can press SPOT, jigger MEMO and *then* take the first shot. It keeps
> the reading for an hour, until you bump CLEAR, or until the button
> cells run down from flashing the little red LED, whichever comes
> first. This gives you control over the aperture at a fixed EV. The
> exposure compensation dial is still unreachable, so the spot reading
> is basically for a mid-tone. In short, just lie back and be hammered.
>
> Some time ago someone pointed out the problems operating the shutter
> speed ring and long lenses, compared with the traditional dial on the
> top. In particular, it was mentioned that a third hand was needed (one
> to work the shutter release, one to support the lens, and one to work
> the speed ring) which is not needed on, say, a Nikon FM-2. This is a
> little unfair, because at least some long Zuikos have the aperture
> ring where you're already supporting the lens, while Nikon lenses all
> have the aperture ring at the camera end. So, for Nikons you still
> need a third hand when handholding a long lens. Furthermore, only
> the OM-4 and Contaxes have true exposure locks - when provided,
> Nikon etc. require you to hold the button down, and then you'd
> need a fourth hand. Minolta and Pentax offer toggle locks, but
> they have short timeouts.
>
> So that's why, despite its faults, the OM-4 is a relatively
> good manual focus body for handholding long lenses. In auto mode,
> you only need two hands, which is all I've got. In manual mode,
> you can't set exposure while shooting, which is no worse than
> traditional manual cameras.
I agree that with a long lens on an OM it can be difficult to work the
shutter speed ring when handholding. From a practical viewpoint, If I am
handholding a long lens in manual mode, I am not using the shutter speed ring
very much. I am going to set it a a high speed (1/500 or faster, probably)
and leave it there. If I need to use a slower speed then I need to get the
tripod out anyway. The times I do have problems is when I mount the 100/2.
That lens is not terribly long, but it is quite wide, and things get tight
with the winder attached.
>
> Now, you could easily work in manual with any lens if you could work
> both shutter speed and aperture using your right hand fingers on the
> camera body. Minolta and Canon AF cameras, and I think one or two
> recent Nikons, work this way. Some of them let you set exposure
> compensation using the same thumb dial(s). And they have integral
> motor drives and all-matte screens. Unfortunately, they have some other
> user interface problems and only the most expensive models are much good.
>
> BTW, the OM-4's self-timer is impossible to get at with a Winder 2
> and 300 f/4.5 both fitted. I don't think the winder was at all
> thought out.
The winder predates the OM-4 by a few years, at least, I think.
>
> I hope this post wasn't too long. It isn't even seminal.
Not at all. Quite thought-provoking, actually.
Paul Schings
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