Olympus-OM
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [OM] OT McKeown's Guide

Subject: Re: [OM] OT McKeown's Guide
From: Walt Wayman <hiwayman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 5 Sep 2002 13:02:42 -0400
John wrote in answer to Mike's question:

>I own it(2001-2002 edition), and would not recommend it for your
>purposes. I paid $80.00 for mine at dealer discount, but if I
>remember right, it is over $100.00 on Amazon. It's descriptions
>are sparse, but enough to identify a camera, and/or differentiate
>model changes most of the time. I just noticed after reading your
>questions that minr does not include any of the 3's or 4's. I 
>love mine for heping me identify the many older camera's I have, 
>but it is not very good for the Olympus OM series. 

I agree as far as OM gear goes.  Coverage of Olympus equipment begins on
page 513 with the "Semi-Olympus Model I," circa 1936, a 120 folder, and
covers all the old 120 rangefinders and twin-lens reflexes on pgs. 514 and
515, starting at the last of 515 with the Pens, then beginning with the
Olympus 35 rangefinders on pg. 517, going through pg. 521, where you'll
find the Quickmatics and the XA's.  The FTL is the first full-frame SLR, on
pg. 521, and the last OM model listed is the OM-40 on pg. 522, and the last
REAL OM is the OM-2n.  There's nothing on the 3 or 4, T or otherwise.

There is a photograph of each model, but the information provided is pretty
sparse.  For instance, one of the more wordy blurbs is found for the OM-1:
"1973-74.  Weighing in at only 660 grams, accepting a full range of
bayonet-mount lenses and interchangeable screens, and introducing a quiet
shutter all imiproved the first impression of the OM-1 as it entered a
world of more experienced and reputed cameras.  Its lenses are still usable
on more current Olympus cameras, and the OM-1 itself, though aging, is
still primarily a usable camera.  Match-needle CdS TTL metering.  Black or
chrome versions.  With normal 50mm/f.18 lens: Black, mint: $250-300. 
Chrome: $120-180."

By comparison, Nikon coverage goes from pg. 495 through 508, so it's not
that much more page-wise, but it covers many, many Nikkor lenses, while in
the Olympus section, there's not word one about lenses, other than to state
what the normal lens was for a particular camera.

Unless you're into collecting really old cameras, or just like reading
about them, my advice would be to save your money for some gear.

Walt

-----------------------------------------------------------
I and the public know
What all schoolchildren learn,
Those to whom evil is done
Do evil in return. 
     --W.H. Auden, 9/1/1939
-----------------------------------------------------------

< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >


<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>
Sponsored by Tako
Impressum | Datenschutz