Possibly the best 35mm camera ever made.
Written: May 12 '03
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Pros: Elegant, compact design, light weight, titanium casing, metering system, superb lenses.
Cons: No autofocus, but neither does a Leica . . . Limited zoom lenses.
The Bottom Line: If you are looking for your first camera, this is not for you. If you are serious about taking photographs, the OM-4Ti is a superb companion to get you there.
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| philip-london's Full Review: Olympus OM-4TI Film Camera |
Having been introduced by Olympus in the early 1980s as the OM-4, the OM-4 Ti ceased production in March 2003. The cost of producing this gem of a camera, using titanium and other metals instead of extruded plastics, and its associated lenses, became just too high, and the camera was pricing itself out of its market. When its forerunner, the OM-1, was introduced several decades ago, Olympus changed the market for 35mm cameras: the OM1 was compact, rugged, light, simple to use, and had a vast array of lenses and accessories. By the time the OM-4 Ti (and its sister OM-3 Ti) ceased production, it had evolved into a superb photographic instrument for the professional or enthusiastic amateur photographer. Beautiful to look at and a joy to use, it just fits the hand so easily. About half the size and weight (or less) than a Nikon F5. True, it has no autofocus lenses, but neither does Leica. Compare the exquisite engineering of a Zuiko Olympus lens with the plastic of any of the "modern" AF lenses from Nikon, Canon or Minolta. True, it has no fancy all-singing, all-dancing matrix light metering system, but the aperture-priority, off-the-film metering and sophisticated multi-spot memory ability, coupled with a magic "shadow" and "highlight" facility, give the photographer a vast and hugely flexible control over the metering. "Program" modes are for dummies. Having used the OM-4 in environments as diverse as Africa and Antarctica, and having tried several newer cameras from other manufacturers, I found that no other camera handles as well, is as reliable, and produces the goods every time.
There is a raft of Zuiko lenses, all of which share the compact, manageable dimensions of the camera. I use a 28mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.4, 100mm f/2.8, 200mm f/4, and a 35mm f/2.8 Shift lens. Other "nice" lenses include the 28mm f/2, the 85mm f/2, the 300mm f/4.5, and a remarkable 35-80mm f/2.8 zoom. I don't do macrophotography, but the OM system caters for every aspect of this field.
Although Olympus has ceased production of the OM Series, there is now a thriving market in used OM equipment. Don't be tempted by the more consumer OM-10, OM-30 or OM-40 -- only the real thing is worth the trouble. Buy an OM-4 Ti in the best possible condition you can find, and enjoy making pictures, instead of pointing a camera and have technology take the photographs.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): Not on sale
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philip-london
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Reviews written: 3
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