OM, I've become a Zuikoholic!

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Originally Posted by Jack Conrad

I just read that those FTL m42 lenses were thought to have been manufactured
to Olympus' specs by someone other than Olympus. Mamiya maybe?

I profess to know very little about Olympus products in general or the FTL in particular. Apart from an original model Pen waiting for me to CLA it, the aforementioned Trip 35, and now the FTL, I have never owned any of their other cameras.

However the information on this web page suggests that, although it was at the time expedient for Olympus to buy in the design of their first full 35mm format SLR, the camera and the lenses were actually manufactured in house.

In any case, Ivor Matanle rates the lenses highly in his title "Collecting and Using Classic SLRs". In a comparison test of a pocket watch photographed with various lenses, including a 50mm Tessar and 55mm Super Takumar f/1.8, he found that his image of it made with an Olympus FTL and 50mm f/1.8 Zuiko was the sharpest. He also praises the FTL M42 mount 135mm f/3.5 Zuiko as being especially sharp. (I shouldn't mention that, lest I yet develop a desire to acquire one!).

Having a typical case of GAS that afflicts many RFF members, the relative rarity of the FTL means I'm unlikely to part with it without trying it first (which, frankly, means it probably won't be going anywhere!).
Regards,
Brett

[shadowfox]

Originally Posted by Jack Conrad

I just read that those FTL m42 lenses were thought to have been manufactured
to Olympus' specs by someone other than Olympus. Mamiya maybe?

Now that would be funny if Mamiya is the one.
I have a Mamiyaflex TLR with a Zuiko lens on it.

[Leeston]

Hi

Long time lurker and short time poster.

Background...I have two OM-2's, one OM-2N, Lens are 300 4.5,200 4, 135 3.5, 50 1.4, 50 1.8, 50 3.5, 35 2, 35 2.8, 24 2.8.

Whilst recovering from a triple bypass (all good now..thanks) I have had the time etc to read pretty much all of the posts in this thread, I have found very, very little mention of winders, personally I have a winder 2 attached to all three of my camera's, I have always felt and appreciated the extra heft they supply, plus the added grip value, interesting that the new OM-D EM-5 has a very similar grip as a add on, they have certainly maintained heritage.

Maybe it is because I have come from a Nikon f5 and F100 (with grip) before I saw the the OM light, thus I have gotten used to the weight etc.

So I guess my post is this, does anybody else use the winder 2 etc or do you take on board the the slim weight etc philosophy of original Olympus concept.

I really do feel that I appreciate the extra weight etc when using 200 & 300 lens, is that a valid feeling...I always use my camera's with the winders irregardless of the lens used.

Anyway , all things said this is a great thread and I am glad I have finally contributed in some small way.

By the way Keith, you are a Aussie legend and fly the flag high....love your shots and your rural aspect.

Cheers from Oz

Lee

[wblynch]

I have 2 Winder-2's that came my way. I have tried them out but not felt compelled to actually use them. They seem to double the weight of an OM and make things a lot larger.

I once went down to photograph an historic steam train passing by and the winder would have definitely been useful for that event.

By happenstance I got an original Olympus leather cover to fit an OM with the winder. It came in a box of stuff. I didn't know what it was for at first but after receiving my first winder it dawned on me.

[sreed2006]

I sometimes use a Winder 2. It never has been comfortable when I use the camera handheld. There's a little chrome piece of metal (for a strap?) that sticks out at the bottom right, and it pokes my palm, and irritates the heck out of me. The Winder 2 does come in very handy when the camera is mounted on a tripod, though, and that is what I use it for the most now.

[Joe Vitessa]

The Winder 2 is permanently attached to my OM-2n. Really like how the camera balances with it mounted. Plus, it's fast enough to shoot my kids!

[Marihino]

I made it through this whole thread!

I have been lusting after an OM-2n ever since I saw one in a magazine as a kid who was just starting to take pictures with an old Zorki in eastern Europe. About seven years ago I got myself one! It came with a 50mm/1.8, then I added 50mm/1.4, 35mm/2 and 85mm/2 (all silvernose, bought "as seen" from an internet shop for prices which nobody would believe here now, turned out to be perfectly good except for the 35mm which had a lot of tiny cleaning scratches on the front element, adding certain glow to that otherwise nice lens). I also had some accessories, like Winder 2, teleconverter 2x, some flash heads etc.

Then a couple years later in a dark moment of my mental powers I sold the lot. Only managed a year or two without it, so I started buying again - first came a black OM-1n with a silvernose 50mm/1.4, and it still is my favourite rig. Then I cheaply won an auction on a silver OM-2n with a MC 50mm/1.8, and few days later another silver OM-2n. Nobody else was bidding, the description said that the camera seems to be broken (of course it turned out to have a dead battery) and comes with "a lens". The "a lens" I recognized on the tiny picture to be an MC 50mm/1.4, and that made me place the bid. It was that, not a >1.1M (a >1M though, even if it doesn't change anything), looking almost new, but with not-working DOF preview button. I also got a mint 135mm/3.5 (£13) and, also mint (maybe not anymore, as I use it a lot), 28mm/2.8 (£40).
I think I found a bargain 35mm/2 again, this time the very latest version which actually says "MC" on the rim. I've seen it in a little shop few days ago, and will be back there next week to grab it (I don't think a lot of potential Zuiko lovers would find it in a place like that). Seems to be mint, £100.
I also always look out for another 85mm/2, these are sooo expensive now though. I definitely paid less than a hundred squids for it the last time, stupid me to have it sold!
Current bunch then:
OM-1n black (used without batteries)
2x OM-2n silver
50mm/1.8 MC
50mm/1.4 SC silvernose
50mm/1.4 MC (I guess I should A/B/C test these three, trying to come up with ideas for test shoots)
28mm/2.8
135mm/3.5

This thread actually, as someone joked several pages ago, is one of the best OM-lore sources on the net.

[Ade-oh]

I used to use the Winder 2 which I think is a useful accessory and can improve the grip on OM's if you have big hands, but I prefer the Motordrives with the Control Pack screwed on. These are much more solid and the Motordrive 2 is, in my opinion, the best add-on drive I've ever used: smaller and much less noisy than my Nikon MD-4.

BTW, if anyone wants a Winder 2, I still have one left: yours for the cost of postage and a box from London. PM me if interested.

[TXForester]

OM2s 50/1.8 expired Fuji 200



Same lens on Canon 10D

[Marihino]

My setup:
OM-1n (black), two OM-2n, two 50mm/1.4, one 50mm/1.8, 28mm/2.8, 135mm/3.5

[ronnies]

Just added an OM1n (my first single digit OM) and a second OM10 to the collection. They both came with 50/1.8s as well as a 28/2.8 and a 35-70/3.5-4.5. There's also a Vivitar 75-300/5.6 that I can't find out much about. Two flashes too, a T32 and a T20.

Ronnie

[HarryW]

Was watching a mint 50 mm f1.4 with a s/n over 1.1M on the auction site. Had always wanted one of these but I guess I will have to stick with my f1.8 a wee bit longer.
Unbelievably this went for £177.60. Guess that some folks are using up their Christmas present money and the seller will probably think that it's Christmas all over again.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3210485973...84.m1438.l2649

Regards
Harry

[Gregoyle]

Originally Posted by HarryW

Was watching a mint 50 mm f1.4 with a s/n over 1.1M on the auction site. Had always wanted one of these but I guess I will have to stick with my f1.8 a wee bit longer.
Unbelievably this went for £177.60. Guess that some folks are using up their Christmas present money and the seller will probably think that it's Christmas all over again.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3210485973...84.m1438.l2649

Regards
Harry

The best way I found to get one was when it was for sale with a camera. The 2 digit OM cameras in particular sell for very little, and you can often find one with a 50mm 1.4 for less than the lens would sell for alone. The only downside is that if you are looking for >1.1M, you have to look at each and every picture for the SN.

Incidentally, that is also a good way to find a Made in Japan 50mm 1.8. I think they were bundled with some of the 2 digit OM' s because I see them sold together a lot.

- Greg

[Marihino]

got the 35mm f/2! Happy.

[Jockos]

Sold my 21/3.5 to get a 24/2, received the new lens today albeit not what I expected:



A ton of haze on the backside of the front element

Still waiting for seller response..

[Marihino]

what a bummer :/

[Noll]

I suppose that's an expensive lens to risk a DIY cleaning....but haze on the backside of the front element usually isn't hard to clean. John Hermanson at Zuiko.com should still service it, too, if you can get a partial refund from the seller.

[TXForester]

Just to remind you guys that Zuikos are on cameras other than OMs.

35RC The meter cuts in and out, so these two were guesstimates on exposure. Film is Memories 200.

[Jockos]

Originally Posted by Noll

I suppose that's an expensive lens to risk a DIY cleaning....but haze on the backside of the front element usually isn't hard to clean. John Hermanson at Zuiko.com should still service it, too, if you can get a partial refund from the seller.

I tried to clean it, but the haze just won't come off. Luckily the partial refund I received will cover a new front element from John, so I'm eagerly waiting

The front element is very easy to replace on this lens, only one retainer ring. Wouldn't want to mess with the ones in the optical cell behind it though..

[flip]

90/2 macro on 4ti
APX100 rodinal

[Mystyler]

Hey flip, is the 90mm f2 worth the price of admission? Your photo looks fantastic.

I've never heard a bad word about it, except regarding price. I can't decide if the price is high because it is great in its own right, or just rare.

[flip]

Mystyler, I have the 21/2, 50/2, and 90/2; they are all excellent -- macro or otherwise. They comprise my kit for when I need flexibility that RF doesn`t provide.

[steveniphoto]

do they make pistol grips for the OM-1? i would love to get one if they do.

here are a few shots from a not so recent roll i recently had developed.

[ronnies]

Originally Posted by steveniphoto

do they make pistol grips for the OM-1? i would love to get one if they do.

The Motordrive for the OM1 had a pistol grip type battery holder.

Here's my first single digit OM.

Olympus OM1n by F4ronnie, on Flickr

Ronnie

[Noll]

Quick question, I just cleaned the rotting foam off of my OM1 prism. Do I need to replace that foam with another insulating material or is no further action necessary?