Editing Olympus OM-1/2/3/4

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The [[Olympus OM system|OM-System]] was introduced by [[Olympus]] in 1972, more than a decade later than most of the, by then, well-established 35mm SLR brands. Its success must undoubtedly be attributed to Olympus’ chief designer [[Maitani Yoshihisa]]{{Japanese name order}} and his staff, certainly taking advantage of new technology and increased general 35mm SLR understanding. The nucleus of this system is the brilliantly conceived camera body of remarkably compact design, yet with possibly the best viewfinder in any 35mm SLR camera. The first model introduced was the all-mechanical M-1, soon renamed OM-1, with a full aperture TTL CdS exposure meter and a wide bayonet lens-mount, gradually complemented by several quite sophisticated models. The system is also associated with one of the finest ranges of optics ever made available, the [[Olympus OM lenses|OM-System Zuiko lenses]], and a generous selection of accessories.

The Olympus OM-system camera range fall into two main groups of bodies, the ones discussed in this article, designated by one-digit model numbers, and the two-digit models [[Olympus OM-10/20/30/40|OM-10/20/30/40]] dealt with separately, having more relaxed specifications.
== OM-1 (M-1) ==

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The very first model was presented at Photokina in Cologne in 1972<REF> Francesch, p.&nbsp;167. </REF> and was called the '''Olympus M-1'''. Thirteen years earlier, the release of the [[Nikon F]] had done much to make the [[35mm]] [[SLR]] the standard choice for professionals and higher-spending amateurs who would previously have used [[Leica]] and other [[Rangefinder camera|rangefinders]], but it had driven the market towards heavy and bulky cameras. The Olympus M-1 changed this and with it began a reduction of size, weight and noise of the 35mm SLRs. It was designed by a team led by [[Maitani Yoshihisa]]{{Japanese name order}}, who had already created the [[Olympus Pen]] and [[Olympus Pen F|Pen F]] cameras, noted for their compactness.

Very soon a complaint from Leica forced Olympus to rename the M-1 to '''OM-1''', and apart from the name the two models are identical. Today bodies and lenses with the M name are reputedly uncommon and are sought after by collectors. A rumour, usually attributed to the Olympus company, says that only 5,000 bodies were made.<REF> This rumour was relayed by a previous version of this very page, and might have started as a mistake on one of the Olympus official websites. </REF> However research by Mark Dapoz led to an actual production estimate of 52,000.<REF> [http://olympus.dementia.org/M-1/ The Olympus M-1 Information Page] by Mark Dapoz. </REF>

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The OM-1 is an all-mechanical SLR. It has a very large viewfinder with interchangeable screens but a fixed prism. It also has a through-the-lens exposure meter controlling a needle visible in the viewfinder. It has a very compact body, whose form was retained in later models.

Originally, oldest OM-1 bodies would not accept motor drive. The bottom cover had to be replaced (meaning a new serial number) and the md switch added to mount a motor or winder. The entire slow speed governor, along with some brass speed cams had to be replaced. Oldest OM-1 body castings required holes drilled in 2 locations. Newer "old" OM-1 might only require the addition of the md switch and new bottom cover (switch calibration required). A total of 19 different modifications were made to the original OM-1 to create the OM-1MD. In 1974 the '''OM-1MD''' was launched (MD standing for Motor Drive), to which a motor drive can be attached with no modification. This new version wears a small plate marked MD on the front. Oldest OM-1 MD had the MD sticker on the top cover, next to the rewind release lever. {{br}}

== OM-2 ==

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'''OM-2''' is the automatic version of the OM-1, presented officially in 1975 at the 31st Photo Salon in Paris. An OM-2 prototype was displayed in a showcase at the 1974 Photokina in Cologne, but none of its features were announced.<REF> ''Olympus OM-1 OM-2 OM-10 OM-1<small>N</small> OM-2<small>N</small>'', Éditions V.M., p.&nbsp;12. </REF> Externally it is nearly the same as the OM-1, but the shutter is electronic and the exposure is either automatic ([[aperture priority]]) or manual.

The exposure meter of the OM-2 is able to measure the light reflected by the film (1/45th sec and longer) and compensate for any variation of light during long exposures; this is called off-the-film (OTF) metering. The exposure sensor also controls the flash exposure; this is called through-the-lens ([[TTL]]) flash automation or otf flash exposure. The OM-2 was the first camera to have these features (a Minolta patent licensed to Olympus). The TTL flash automation greatly simplifies flash exposure, and was quickly adopted by most other SLR camera makers, while OTF metering was also adopted by some competitors, like the [[Pentax LX]]. The Olympus Quick Auto 310 flashgun was designed for the OM-2, which unfortunately is not compatible with the T series flash units introduced in 1979 together with the new OM-1n and OM-2n.

== OM-1<small sab="747">N</small> and OM-2<small sab="748">N</small> ==
The '''OM-1<small sab="751">N</small>''' is the same as the OM-1 with the following modifications:
* a redesigned film advance lever
* a flash ready/sufficient LED in the viewfinder, as well as automatic X-sync regardless of the position of the speed ring and the FP/X switch, when it is used with a T-series flash unit mounted on Flash Shoe 4.

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The '''OM-2<small sab="760">N</small>''', based on the OM-2, has the same modifications plus:
* a direct contact inside for Recordata backs
* an exposure compensation warning flag
* full-frame averaging at all shutter speeds
* 120 second exposure limit on auto, though in practice, 2n low light exposures will often go to 3.5 minutes. (the OM-2 limit was listed as 60 seconds in the instruction book, but at asa 12 would go as long as 19 minutes while at asa 1600 would end in as little as 19 SECONDS. )

All these models existed in chrome or black. According to [http://olympus.dementix.org/eSIF/om-sif/bodygroup/om1.htm this page of the OM Sales Information File], 25 examples of the black M-1 were made, and there was also a gold version of the OM-1n.

== OM-2SP / OM-2S ==

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The '''OM-2SP''' was introduced in 1984, after the OM-3 and OM-4. In some markets, it was called '''OM-2S'''. Although its name suggests it is a continuation of the OM-2, it has more in common with the OM-4 (and is built on the OM-4 body castings). Due to the governor built into the mirror mechanism (which is key to proper functioning of program mode), camera firing speed with either Motor Drive 1 or 2 is lowered to about 3.5 fps.

Compared to the OM-2n, the OM-2SP adds:
* programmed exposure automation (camera chooses both aperture and shutter speed), added to the aperture priority and manual modes
* a spot meter for use in manual mode
* a slightly modified body, with a fixed hot shoe
* the ISO range is extended from 1600 to 3200
* the viewfinder indicators are LCDs
* the self timer has mirror prefire

The OM-2SP / OM-2S only existed in black.

== OM-4 ==
The '''OM-4''' is the top-of-the-line body with shutter speeds up to 1/2000, released in 1983. The body is built on an all-new aluminum casting, with a new type of viewfinder including [[diopter|dioptric correction]]. With this camera Olympus introduced a new, versatile light-metering system. Besides the normal center-weighted metering the camera is equipped with a "Multi Spot" metering system that allows storage of up to eight measurements on a 2% central spot before making an exposure. The camera's computer electronics calculate the mean of the memorized light values to determine the optimal shutter speed. If desired, the calculated value can be retained for several exposures by using a "Memo" switch. There are also two "Hi Light" and "Shadow" buttons that are used only with spot metering. The "Hi Light" button applies an exposure correction of +2 EV, and is used when taking a spot reading on a light-tone subject for a high-key picture. The "Shadow" button applies the opposite correction of -2<sup>1</sup>/<sub>3</sub> EV to a spot reading on a dark-tone subject, to obtain a low-key picture. In addition, there is an ordinary exposure correction knob, under the rewind knob, that will work for both average and spot measures. The LCD display, visible at the bottom of the viewfinder, shows the shutter speed and the average or spot measures. It also reminds the user when any of the features described above are activated ("Spot", "Memo", "Hi Light", "Shadow" and/or exposure correction). An additional green light indicates that a dedicated flash is attached and ready for use.

The OM-4 was released at about the same time as the [[Nikon FA]] which introduced matrix metering. The two systems were innovative, but quite different: the OM-4 provides spot measurements and does the necessary computations, but it lets the photographer determine how he wants the picture to be exposed, while the FA compares the light pattern of the picture with a databank of commonly-occurring photographic situations, allowing the photographer to work faster and even palliating his knowledge deficiencies and actually beginning to think for him. (Nikon's approach was the one that would prevail among future 35mm and digital SLRs.) Among the few cameras to have a multi-spot metering system after the OM-4 were the Hasselblad 205 FCC and the Rollei 6008, some of the most expensive medium format cameras.

== OM-3 ==
The '''OM-3''', released in 1984, is a mechanical version of the OM-4, with the same metering system but with a mechanical shutter, without automatic shutter speed exposure control governed by the metering system. It has no TTL flash automation, and no self-timer. It did not sell in great quantities, and was dropped in 1986. People wanting a mechanical camera would rather choose the OM-1n, available at least until 1987, or the OM-4 if requiring the multi-spot metering system. In consequence, it is scarce and the second hand asking price greatly exceeds that of the OM-4.

Both the OM-3 and the OM-4 were only available in black.

== OM-3Ti and OM-4Ti / OM-4T ==

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The '''OM-4Ti''' was released in 1987 and replaced the OM-4. In the United States, it is known as the '''4T''', while 4Ti is used for the rest of the world. In the US, when repair parts supply of '''4T''' top covers ran out, '''4Ti''' tops were substituted. It has the same body as the OM-4 except it has titanium top cover, bottom cover and trim behind the shutter speed dial. It featured full-synchro integration with the stroboscopic [[Olympus_OM_system#Flash_group|F280 flash unit]], allowing flash pictures beyond the X sync speed, up to a maximum of 1/2000 sec. This system was called Super FP sync, and was first featured on the [[Olympus_OM-707|OM-707]]. It was an answer to one of the OM's weaknesses: the low X sync speed of 1/60.

The OM-4Ti was released first with a champagne finish, and later in a black finish. Production ended in 2003.

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The '''OM-3Ti''', released in 1994, is an updated edition of the mechanical body OM-3 produced until 1986. It has the all-mechanical shutter of the OM-3, while its titanium top and bottom covers and some other features is from the OM-4Ti. It has TTL flash automation, itself a rare feature on a mechanical body. It also has the same high-speed flash support as the OM-4Ti. 

The United States distributor also sold the '''OM-3Ti'''. There was no '''OM-3T'''. The '''OM-3Ti''' is the last of the 'true' OM series (the [[Olympus_OM2000|OM-2000]] followed in 1997, but it was made for Olympus by Cosina and was not a true [[Olympus_OM_system|OM system]] camera). At the same time Olympus released a 35–80/2.8 zoom in OM mount.

== The OM-X ==
During the design study of the OM-1, the Olympus design team led by [[Maitani Yoshihisa]]{{Japanese name order}} had worked on a completely modular camera: a 35mm equivalent of a [[Hasselblad]], consisting of a mirror box with interchangable backs as well as finders and so forth. This extraordinary camera was built as a prototype, and was called the '''OM-X'''<ref name = "OMX">[http://web.archive.org/20021108122733/www.geocities.com/maitani_fan/om_interview_2.html Maitani interview].</ref><ref name = "Dream">[http://www.geocities.com/maitani_fan2/omx.html  OM-X: The Dream System].</ref>.

== Notes ==
<references />

== Bibliography ==
* {{Francesch Olympus}}
* ''Olympus OM-1 OM-2 OM-10 OM-1<small>N</small> OM-2<small>N</small>'', Ronan Loaëc, Michel de Ferrières, Jean-Maurice Corrèze, supervised by Gérard Bouhot, with the participation of Francis Delvert, 2nd edition revised by Serge Bergal, 1980, published by Éditions V.M., Paris, ISBN 2-86257-021-X

== Links ==
=== General links ===
In English:
*[https://vintagecameraReviews.com/brands/olympus/olympus-om-1/ Olympus OM-1 Review] by VintageCameraReviews
*[https://vintagecamerareviews.com/brands/olympus/olympus-om-2/ Olympus OM-2 Review] by VintageCameraReviews
*[https://vintagecamerareviews.com/brands/olympus/olympus-om-3/ Olympus OM-3 Review] by VintageCameraReviews
*[https://vintagecamerareviews.com/brands/olympus/olympus-om-4/ Olympus OM-4 Review] by VintageCameraReviews
*[http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/history/camera/om.cfm OM series history page] of the [http://www.olympus-global.com/en/global/ Olympus official website]
* [http://olympus.dementia.org/eSIF/om-sif.htm The Unofficial Olympus OM Sales Information File] describes every part of the OM system
* [http://olympus.dementia.org/M-1/ The Olympus M-1 Information Page] by Mark Dapoz
* [http://www.arransalerno.com/olympus-m-1/ Olympus M-1] profile on arransalerno.com
* [http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/olympusom1n2/index.htm OM-1<small>N</small>, OM-2<small>N</small> and OM-2SP Modern Classics] at [http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/photography.htm Photography in Malaysia]
* [https://www.michael-elliott.photography/post/olympus-om-1-camera-like-no-other Olympus OM-1 Review] by Michael Elliott
* [http://brashear.phys.appstate.edu/lhawkins/photo/olympus.faq.html OM SLR FAQ] by R. Lee Hawkins
* [http://web.archive.org/20021008191518/www.geocities.com/maitani_fan/home.html Maitani Fan website] by Chris Lee, with some details about the OM-X
* [http://www.ne.jp/asahi/japan/manual-camera/m11.htm M-1], [http://www.ne.jp/asahi/japan/manual-camera/om11.htm OM-1], [http://www.ne.jp/asahi/japan/manual-camera/om3b1.htm OM-3], [http://www.ne.jp/asahi/japan/manual-camera/om3ti1.htm OM-3Ti] and [http://www.ne.jp/asahi/japan/manual-camera/om4ti1.htm OM-4Ti] at N.&nbsp;Maekawa's [http://www.ne.jp/asahi/japan/manual-camera/ Manual Camera website] (the main page is in Japanese)
* [http://lauro.fi/olympus1.htm OM-1], [http://lauro.fi/olympus2.htm OM-2S] and [http://lauro.fi/olympus4.htm OM-4] at [http://lauro.fi/index.htm Reijo Lauro's camera site]
* [http://camarasclassicas.blogspot.com/2010/09/yoshihisa-maitani-and-cult-of-olympus.html Yoshihisa Maitani and the cult of Olympus] at [http://camarasclassicas.blogspot.com/ Classic Cameras] by RaúlM.
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idBdXXKXj9g OM-1 Video Manual by Shawnee Union]
* [http://auctionpricetracker.com/en/Type/Detail/202 Olympus OM-4/OM-4 Ti Statistic Price Info's] at AuctionPriceTracker
* [http://auctionpricetracker.com/en/Type/Detail/208 Olympus OM-3 Statistic Price Info's] at AuctionPriceTracker

In French:
* [http://35mm-compact.com/reflex/olympusom1.htm OM-1], [http://35mm-compact.com/reflex/olympusom1n.htm OM-1<small>N</small>], [http://35mm-compact.com/reflex/olympusom2n.htm OM-2<small>N</small>] and [http://35mm-compact.com/reflex/olympusom4.htm OM-4] at Lionel's [http://35mm-compact.com/ 35mm-compact.com]
* On [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php www.collection-appareils.fr] by Sylvain Halgand :
**  [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=12510 Olympus OM-1]
**  [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=15446 Olympus OM-1]
**  [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11631 Olympus OM-1 MD]
**  [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=928 Olympus OM-10]
**  [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=1744 Olympus OM-101]
**  [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11632 Olympus OM-1n MD]
**  [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11633 Olympus OM-1n MD]
**  [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=2383 Olympus OM-1n MD]
**  [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11634 Olympus OM-2]
**  [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=12502 Olympus OM-2 sp]
**  [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=12155 Olympus OM-2 SP]
**  [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11635 Olympus OM-2n]
**  [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11636 Olympus OM-2n]
**  [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=13213 Olympus OM-4]
**  [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11637 Olympus OM-4 Ti]

In Spanish:
* [http://www.hugorodriguez.com/articulos/olympusom1.htm OM-1] and [http://www.hugorodriguez.com/articulos/olympusom4ti.htm OM-4Ti] in the [http://www.hugorodriguez.com/ website of Hugo Rodriguez]
In Japanese:
* [http://www.pluto.dti.ne.jp/~masaki-k/camera%20OlympusOM1.htm OM-1] at [http://www.pluto.dti.ne.jp/~masaki-k/newpage2.htm La Chambre Claire]
* [http://homepage2.nifty.com/ko-ga/SecondClass/OLYMPUS_page.html Olympus page] at [http://homepage2.nifty.com/ko-ga/index.html Photograph and Camera] by Tomoyuki Shimizu
In Chinese:
* [http://www.ccc2000.net/Camera/Details.aspx?ID=3765 M-1], [http://www.ccc2000.net/Camera/Details.aspx?ID=3787 OM-1<small>N</small>], [http://www.ccc2000.net/Camera/Details.aspx?ID=3797 OM-2<small>N</small>], [http://www.ccc2000.net/Camera/Details.aspx?ID=3780 OM-2SP], [http://www.ccc2000.net/Camera/Details.aspx?ID=3827 OM-3Ti] and [http://www.ccc2000.net/Camera/Details.aspx?ID=3175 OM-4T] at [http://www.ccc2000.net/camera/ www.ccc2000.net]

In German:
* [http://auctionpricetracker.com/de/Type/Detail/202 Olympus OM-4/OM-4 Ti Statistic Price Info's] at AuctionPriceTracker
* [http://auctionpricetracker.com/de/Type/Detail/208 Olympus OM-3 Statistic Price Info's] at AuctionPriceTracker

In Italian:
* [http://auctionpricetracker.com/it/Type/Detail/202 Olympus OM-4/OM-4 Ti Statistic Price Info's] at AuctionPriceTracker
* [http://auctionpricetracker.com/it/Type/Detail/208 Olympus OM-3 Statistic Price Info's] at AuctionPriceTracker

=== Literature and manuals ===
In English:
* US patent by Olympus: "[http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=US4137539&F=0 Single lens reflex camera]" describing the OM-1
* [http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_support.asp?id=83 Downloadable manuals] in the [http://www.olympusamerica.com/index.asp Olympus America official website]
* [http://www.nadir.it/ob-fot_piccolo/olympus_om4/test-modern.htm A 1983 test of the OM-4 in the Italian magazine Reflex], available at the [http://www.nadir.it/index.htm Nadir Magazine website]

=== Repairs ===
* [http://olympus.dementix.org/Hardware/ The Olympus Hardware Resource Page — online repair manuals], provided by Mark Dapoz, including tutorials for [http://olympus.dementix.org/Hardware/tutorials/OM-1CoverRemoval/ top cover removal] and [http://olympus.dementix.org/Hardware/tutorials/FoamRemoval/ prism foam replacement]
* [http://photographic.co.nz/cameraworks/cameras/om1_shutter OM-1 Repair — Basic shutter job] in [http://photographic.co.nz/cameraworks/Default.htm Robert Ian Axford's Camera-Works]
* [http://www.zuiko.com/ John Hermanson's Olympus OM Service]
* [http://photographic.co.nz/cameraworks/cameras/om1_shutter/ OM-1 shutter] at [http://photographic.co.nz/cameraworks/Default.htm Robert Ian Axford's Camera Works]


{{olympus classic}}
[[Category: Japanese 35mm SLR]]
[[Category: Olympus OM mount]]
[[Category: Olympus]]
[[Category: O]]