A classic beauty pur sang
Written: Oct 03 '00 (Updated Oct 13 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Bulletproof built, vast array of lenses, lightweight, "simplicity", clear manual layout (no fiddly menus or buttons to push)
Cons: "battery consumption", price if new, no preflash with spotmetering
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| OM-4's Full Review: Olympus OM-4TI Film Camera |
I started photography using a Fujica AX5 The Fujica was fun for starters but was a disaster in the electronics department. Then I saved money to get me an OM-4. That was back in '86.
Sophisticated metering system.
The reason I bought the OM-4 was for the metering system. Best of its day.
Superb spotmetering, if you know what you are doing. Calculation of 8 spots maximum, highlight and shadowcontrol, what more do you want. Back then the Canon T90 came close, only one spot. Nikon however did not have one or it was an expensive addon prisma I don't recall. So Olympus took the lead.
Improved OM-4
But the lack of highsyncspeed eventually led me to the OM-4ti when it came out a few years later. The titanium version (hence the ti suffix)is basically the same as a standerd OM-4 but with slightly less weight and some extra features when paired it with the new f280 flash. The OM-4ti together with the f280flash offers syncspeeds up to 1/2000 (maxspeed for OM-series). Great combo for sports. Too bad it often has a mind of it's own. It tends to overexpose (use the compensationdial), but then again it sometimes underexpose when you think you outsmarted the meter.
A manual override on the flash in conjunction with the spotmeter on the camera would've been perfect (like in pro Nikon's or Canon's today). You want to know what's happening to be able to adjust one or the other settings. The 4ti/280 combo is a somewhat fixed combination with automatic exposure times. In this respect the usually good Olympus of the film metering (OTF) can screw up a good picture.
That's why I kept the OM-4 with a T32 next to my Ti/280 combo for a while. Manual settings on the camera and flash let you be in control. Plus panning the camera with action, 1/60 speed and flash to freeze the action, can give extra artistic impression.
Mechanical shutter included.
Always keep sparebatteries at hand though. You can drain the batteries easily, when you put it away in a bag and something presses down on the meterknob slightly. Fortunately you can always make use of the mechshutter of 1/60s. This is also the answer to the battery problem for you out there, since the body doesn't have a lock to shut the camera of.
When you put your camera away for the day, turn the speed ring to the mech 1/60 or B setting. This wil cut of all unwanted batteryconsumption.
(Why don't they mention this in the manual?)
Ergonomics.
For greater handling i.e. balance when using bigger or heavier lenses get that piece of way expensive plastic for better grip on the body.
What about adding a winder or drive? The motordrive is cool but too darn expensive compared to the buildin motors of todays rigs. So the winder2 is OK but ergonomical flawed unless you've a crooked finger.
Say no to plastic.
My main lenses are a 1.4/50 prime, 2.0/24 wide and a 2.0/135 tele. The 2.0/24 is super but the distortion is not up to present level. Try to find the metal hoods to go with the lenses.
One such metalhood saved me and my 2.0/24 when a mountainbiker hit me straighton. The metalhood had a little dent and the whole
shabang took a beating. But thanks to the bulletproof engineering of the OM-prosystem, no plastic here, I and my equipment survived.
Today
I still got my 4ti but traded my OM-4 for a Canon Eos 5 (autofocus has come a long way since the first AF Minolta). The Eos 5 I use for the no brainer shots, too much buttons to push when you really want to take pictures.
I love my OM-4ti for it's straight forward ease of use,ruggedness and plain sexy looks. Sadly Olympus discontinued the OM series. The last model that came out some four years ago was the OM-3ti, a fully manual camera. I upgraded my focusingscreen with the new one from the OM-3ti.
Much brighter!!
Discount or secondhand.
Now for a word of advise: If you see one cheap, buy it! You won't be
disappointed. A timeless classic. She may be quirky sometimes but hey like in a real relationship time will overcome and you'll appreciate her qualities more and more.
Now if only Olympus came up with an OM-5..........
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
OM-4
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Location: The Netherlands
Reviews written: 32
Trusted by: 2 members
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