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Re: [OM] FS: the whole kit - I am disconsolate ...

Subject: Re: [OM] FS: the whole kit - I am disconsolate ...
From: "Barry B. Bean" <bbbean@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 14:57:20 -0500 (CDT)
On Mon, 22 Apr 2002 12:37:43 -0700 (PDT), AG Schnozz wrote:

>A professional--even us "weekend warrior" types must think
>differently than the average photographic "consumer". 

Agreed.

>For
>example, the next three nights I am photographing a big annual
>event.  This will be my fourth year of doing this particular
>shindig.  I just got back my OM-4 from being CLA'd and looked
>forward to using it for this event.  Alas, it isn't to be.  Why?
> Because as a professional I determined that I needed to run a
>test roll through the camera first.  Uh Oh.  Flying shutter
>string problem still exists.

That's why, as a professional, you keep backup bodies around. But you
could have the exact same problem with an F5 - not every repair is
perfect, and bodies do break down (usually at the worst possible
moment).

>As a professional, it is imperitive that I not only test my
>equipment, but know exactly what I am doing with it. 

Actually, I suspect even serious non-pros need to know what they're
doing - at least of good photos are the desired result.

>What does all this have to do with this thread?
>
>Easy.  The Olympus line has been MD (manufacturer discontinued).
> Does this make the equipment instantly obsolete?  Yes and no. 
>For the non-professional, the answer is no.  For the
>professional, the answer is a qualified yes.  It isn't optional
>to have equipment that is reliability-wise questionable.  If you
>cannot reasonably trust your equipment at all times, you
>shouldn't be using that equipment.  PERIOD!  Professional
>photography is a no-compromises situation.

So where are you going to get to the part about why my OM Bodies and
lenses are less reliable than they were before the announcement?

Would I start an OM collection today? No. Would I abandon my
investment and 20+ years spent learning and using OMs? Don't be a
fool. 

Even if there were more Olympus dealers than McDonald's, and every
dealer had a full line of brand spanking new OMs and Zuikos, I'd
still take backup bodies on assignment, I'd still take great pains to
know and test my equipment, and I'd take pains to insure that
everything was in good repair.

So I don't see what's changed for someone already invested in Olys.

>What about "spares"?  

You do the same thing that those of us who live or work in the
hinterlands do - you invest in several. With OM-4T bodies widely
available in the $300-500 range, and OM-2s and OM-1s widely available
for $100-250, there's no reason in the world not to have a couple of
spare bodies.

For that matter, weren't you one of the early proponents of the IS-3?
There's a nearly universal backup.

Glass is a tougher problem, but there again, photographers in the
hinterlands deal wit that problem whatever the make of their camera.
If I bust my 300/2.8, I'm out of the baseball biz for a few days no
matter what. So I'm careful not to do that.


> For how most professionals use their cameras
>an OM-1 serves them as well (if not better) than the latest,
>greatest wonderbrick. 

Agreed 150%



-
B.B. Bean - Have horn, will travel                              
bbbean@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Peach Orchard, MO                                       
http://www.beancotton.com/music.html



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