Olympus OM system

The Olympus OM system was a line of 35mm single-lens reflex cameras and their associated lenses and accessories sold by Olympus between 1972 and 2002 (some accessories were sold through early 2003).

Camera models

Olympus produced a wide variety of OM camera models over the years. These were divided into two distinct series. Cameras with single-digit model numbers were the professional series, optimised for features and ruggedness rather than ease of use. Two-digit (or more) model numbers, or letters, meant a consumer camera designed for ease of use.

All the consumer-grade models were discontinued after 1992, since the market for manual focus cameras in this segment had dried up. Professional and advanced amateur demand for the high-end models continued, and they were produced until 2002.

Chronology of OM-system cameras

	1970s								1980s										1990s										2000s
Model	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2
M-1
OM-1
OM-1 MD
OM-1N
OM-2
OM-2N
OM-2S/SP
OM-3
OM-3Ti
OM-4
OM-4T/Ti chrome
OM-4T/Ti black
OM-10
OM-10 Quartz
OM-G (OM-20)
OM-F (OM-30)
OM-PC (OM-40)
OM-77AF (OM-707)
OM-88 (OM-101)

Professional cameras

• 
  OM-1 MD
• 
  Olympus OM-2 SP
• 
  Olympus OM-3
• 
  Olympus OM-4T

OM-1

Main article: Olympus OM-1

The Olympus OM-1 is a manually operated 35mm single-lens reflex camera forming the ground of the OM system introduced in 1972, at first called the Olympus M-1. It was designed by a team led by Yoshihisa Maitani with a through-the-lens exposure meter controlling a needle visible in the viewfinder. It was noted for its reduction of size, weight and noise. These features were essentially retained on later models.

OM-2

Main article: Olympus OM-2

Introduced in 1975, the Olympus OM-2 was a semi automatic, aperture priority camera based on the OM-1 body, retaining compatibility with accessories and lenses. It boasts automatic through-the-lens (TTL) off-the-film (OTF) metering: exposure was considered very accurate, calculated by the measured light reflected off the surface of the shutter and/or the film surface during the actual exposure. The camera also offered a manual light-meter mode, as in the OM-1. It also introduces the integration of electronic flash into the exposure system via the same TTL exposure system.

OM-3

Main article: Olympus OM-3

The OM-3 was an updated version of the OM-1, a manual camera without automatic exposure modes, and an entirely mechanical shutter. It featured a multi-spot metering in place of the centre weighted metering on the earlier body.

OM-4

Main article: Olympus OM-4

The Olympus OM-4, an improved version of the OM-2, was manufactured from 1983 to 1987 introduced at US$685 list price for the body alone. It was a battery powered electromechanically controlled manual focus SLR with manual exposure control or aperture priority autoexposure. It used a horizontal cloth focal plane shutter with a speed range of 240 to 1/2000th second plus bulb and flash X-sync of 1/60th second.

It was the first camera with a built-in spot meter (2% of view; 3.3˚ with 50 mm lens) and could measure eight individual spots and average them. The light meter used a dual concentric segmented silicon photodiode to provide spot or centerweighted readings. It used a graduated linear LCD display for the shutter speed at the bottom of the viewfinder to precisely indicate its readings versus the actual camera settings instead of a needle.

In 1986 it was improved to a tougher OM-4Ti (OM-4T in USA) version, with titanium top and bottom plates, improved weatherproofing and high-speed sync with the flash staying on during the entire shutter operation, losing the light hidden by the curtains. This last version was finally discontinued in 2002.

-- -- -- --

[The "It was the first camera with a built-in spot meter " is not entirely correct; please research earlier spot-meter equipped 35mm Olympus rangefinder "35SP" and also other manufacturers of 35mm SLRs, even Mamiya/Sekor made a passable spot-meter equipped 1000DTL model. These were primative by comparison to the exquisite Olympus OM-4, but were beginnings of a better breed of built-in metering systems. The spot meter made the transition from hand-held meters into cameras in the 1970s; usually alongside a more primary wider sensor meter mode, such as Mamiya's; with a button or a switch to activate the spot meter feature, or to change from one meter field of view to another.]

Consumer-grade cameras

OM-10

The OM-10 hit the markets in June of 1979 at the same time as the OM-2N. The camera is a 35mm focal-plane shutter aperture priority AE SLR camera with an electronic shutter. Only aperature priority AE was available with the camera unless the optional manual exposure adapter was installed which allowed the setting of shutters speeds between 1 second and 1/1000 of a second (bulb mode is also available on the camera). The camera is equipped with a fixed pentaprism viewfinder which contains an LED exposure indicator. The finder coverage was measured to be 93%.

Exposure control is based on aperture priority AE or center-weighted light metering. Film speeds of the camera range from ASA 25 to ASA 1600. Film winding is done by using the film wind lever located on the top right of the camera. Film rewinding is done manually using the film rewind crank located above the film canister on the top left of the camera. The camera body measures 136 × 83 × 50 mm and weights approximately 430 g.

Prototype cameras

OM-X

During the design study of the OM-1, the Olympus design team led by Yoshihisa Maitani had worked on a completely modular camera, like a 35 mm Hasselblad. This fantastic camera was built as a prototype, and was called the OM-X.

Lenses

OM system lenses.

The OM Series lenses are unique in that the aperture control is located on the lens barrel on the opposite side of the focusing ring from the mount. This was done to move it away from the shutter speed control, which is a ring on the camera body immediately behind the lens mount.

The OM lens is designed to sit 46 mm from the film onto which it projects, further away than many other lens systems. The combination of on-lens aperture control and this extra distance make OM lenses adaptable with full (manual) functionality to a variety of other camera systems, including the ubiquitous Canon EOS line with a specialized adapter.

File:Olympus OM Zuiko lenses.jpg

Zuiko lenses range

Zuiko lenses specifications

Lens	Angle of view	Elements - Groups	Diaphragm	Aperture range	Closest focus	Smallest field	Focusing	Weight	Length	Diameter	Hood	Filter
8 mm F2.8 Fisheye	180° (circle)	11-7	Auto	2.8~22	0.2m	-	Straight helicoid	640g	82mm	102mm	Not necessary	Built-in (L39,Y48, O56,R60)
16 mm F3.5 Fisheye	180°	11-8	Auto	3.5~22	0.2m	-	Straight helicoid	180g	31mm	59mm	Not necessary	Built-in (L39,Y48, O56)
18 mm F3.5	100°	11-9	Auto	3.5-16	0.25m	30x20cm	Straight helicoid	250g	42mm	62mm	49mm Adapter Ring 49->72	72mm Screw-in (w.Adapter Ring 49->72)
21 mm F2	92°	11-9	Auto	2-16	0.2m	21x14cm	Straight helicoid	250g	43.5mm	60mm	55mm Screw-in [57mm Slide-on]	55mm Screw-in
21 mm F3.5	92°	7-7	Auto	3.5-16	0.2m	21x14cm	Straight helicoid	180g	31mm	59mm	49mm Screw-in	49mm Screw-in
24 mm F2	84°	10-8	Auto	2-16	0.25m	23x15cm	Straight helicoid	280g	48mm	60mm	55mm Screw-in	55mm Screw-in
24 mm F2.8	84°	8-7	Auto	2.8-16	0.25m	23x15cm	Straight helicoid	180g	31m	59mm	49mm Screw-in	49mm Screw-in
24 mm F3.5 Shift	84° (100° at max. shift)	12-10	Manual	3.5-22	0.35m	36x24cm	Rotating cam(Inner focus)	510g	75mm	84mm	Fixed	Built-in (neutral, Y48,O56, R60)
28 mm F2	75°	9-8	Auto	2-16	0.3m	27x18cm	Straight helicoid	250g	43mm	60mm	49mm Screw-in	49mm Screw-in
28 mm F2.8	75°	6-6	Auto	2.8-22	0.3m	18x27cm	Straight helicoid	170g	32mm	60mm	49mm Screw-in	49mm Screw-in
28 mm F3.5	75°	7-7	Auto	3.5-16	0.3m	18x27cm	Straight helicoid	180g	31mm	59mm	49mm Screw-in	49mm Screw-in
35 mm F2	63°	8-7	Auto	2-16	0.3m	21x14cm	Straight helicoid	240g	42mm	60mm	55mm Screw-in	55mm Screw-in
35 mm F2.8	63°	7-6	Auto	2.8-16	0.3m	21x14cm	Straight helicoid	180g	33mm	59mm	51mm Slide-on	49mm Screw-in
35 mm F2.8 Shift	63° (83° at max. shift)	8-7	Manual	2.8-22	0.3m	21x14cm	Straigh helicoid	310g	58mm	68mm	49mm Screw-in	49mm Screw-in
40 mm F2	56°	6-6	Auto	2-16	0.3m	18x12cm	Straight helicoid	140g	25mm	60mm	49mm Screw-in	49mm Screw-in
50 mm F1.2	47°	7-6	Auto	1.2-16	0.45m	24x16cm.	Straight helicoid	285g	43mm.	65mm.	51mm Slide-on	49mm Screw-in
50 mm F1.4	47°	7-6	Auto	1.4-16	0.45m	24x16cm	Straight helicoid	230g	36mm [40mm]	60mm	51mm Slide-on	49mm Screw-in
50 mm F1.8	47°	6-5 [6-4]	Auto	1.8-16	0.45m	24x16cm	Straight helicoid	170g [165g]	31mm [32mm]	59mm [61mm]	51mm Slide-on	49mm Screw-in
50 mm F2Macro	47°	9-7	Auto	2-16	0.24m	7.2x4.8cm	Straight helicoid	320g	55mm	69mm	Not necessary	55mm Screw-in
50 mm F3.5Macro	47°	5-4	Auto	3.5-22	0.23m	7.2x4.8cm	Straight helicoid	200g	40mm	60mm	Not necessary	49mm Screw-in
55 mm F1.2	43°	7-6	Auto	1.2-16	0.45m	23x15cm	Straight helicoid	310g	47mm	65mm	57mm Slide-on	55mm Screw-in
85 mm F2	29°	6-4 [5-4]	Auto	2-16	0.85m	25x17cm	Straight helicoid	260g	46mm	60mm	49mm Screw-in	49mm Screw-in
90 mm F2Macro	27°	9-9	Auto	2-22	0.4m	7.2x4.8cm	Straight helicoid	550g	71mm	72mm	57mm Slide-on	55mm Screw-in
100 mm F2	24°	7-6	Auto	2-22	0.7m	18x12cm	Straight helicoid	520g	72mm	70mm	Built-in	55mm Screw-in
100 mm F2.8	24°	5-5	Auto	2.8-22	1m	29x19cm	Straight helicoid	230g	48mm	60mm	49mm Screw-in	49mm Screw-in
135 mm F2.8	18°	5-5	Auto	2.8-22	1.5m	32x21cm	Straight helicoid	360g	80mm	61mm	Built-in	55mm Screw-in
135 mm F3.5	18°	5-4	Auto	3.5-22	1.5m	32x21cm	Straight helicoid	290g	73mm	60mm	Built-in	49mm Screw-in
180 mm F2	14°	10-8	Auto	2-22	1.6m	25x17cm	Rotating cam (Inner focus)	1900g	174mm	113mm	Built-in	100mm Screw-in
180 mm F2.8	14°	5-5	Auto	2.8-32	2m	32x21cm	Straight helicoid	700g	124mm	80mm	Built-in	72mm Screw-in
200 mm F4	12°	5-4	Auto	4-32	2.5m	36x24cm	Straight helicoid	510g	127mm	67mm	Built-in	55mm Screw-in
200 mm F5	12°	6-5	Auto	5-32	2.5m	36x25cm	Straight helicoid	380g	105mm	62mm	Built-in	49mm Screw-in
250 mm F2	10°	12-9	Auto	2-22	2.2m	25x17cm	Rotating cam (Inner focus)	3900g	246mm	142mm	Built-in	Slip-in (46mm rear filter)
300 mm F4.5	8°	6-4	Auto	4.5-32	3.5m	33x22cm	Straight helicoid	1100g (1020g w o tripod collar)	181mm	80mm	Built-in	72mm Screw-in
350 mm F2.8	7°	9-7	Auto	2.8-32	3m	25x17cm	Rotating cam (Inner focus)	3900g	280mm	142mm	Built-in	Slip-in (46mm rear filter)
400 mm F6.3	6°	5-5	Auto	6.3-32	5m	36x24cm	Straight helicoid	1300g	255mm	80mm	Built-in	72mm Screw-in
500 mm F8Reflex	5°	5-2	-	Single aperture of F8	4m	28x19cm	Straight helicoid	590g	97mm	81mm	Built-in	72mm Screw-in
600 mm F6.5	4°	6-4	Auto	6.5-32	11m	55x37cm	Rack and pinion	2800g	377mm	110mm	Built-in	100mm Screw-in
1000 mm F11	2.5°	5-5	Auto	11-45	30m	98x65cm	Rack and pinion	4000g [4150g]	662mm	110mm	Built-in	100mm Screw-in
28-48 mm F4	75°-49°	8-8	Auto	4-22	0.65m	74x49cm(28mm) 46x31cm(48mm)	Rotating helicoid	300g	54mm (at 48mm setting)	65mm	55mm Screw-in	49mm Screw-in
35-70 mm F3.5-4.5	63°~34°	9-8	Auto	3.5-22	0.45m	21.7x14.5cm (close focus, 70mm)	Rotating helicoid	190g	51mm	62mm	51mm Slip-on	49mm Screw-in
35-70 mm F3.5-4.8	63°~34°	7-7	Auto	3.5-22(35mm) 4.8-32(70mm)	0.4m	22x15cm	Straight helicoid	185g	65mm	63mm	52mm Screw-in	52mm Screw-in
35-70 mm F3.6	63°-34°	10-8	Auto	3.6-22	0.8m	72x48cm(35mm) 37.5x25cm(70mm)	Straight helicoid	400g	74mm	67mm	60mm Slide-on	55mm Screw-in
35-70 mm F4	64°-34°	7-7	Auto	4-22	0.75m	72x48cm(35mm) 36x24cm(70mm)	Straight helicoid	385g	71mm	69mm	57mm Slide-on	55mm Screw-in
35-70 mm F4 Auto Focus	63°~34°	9-8	Auto	4-22	0.75m	72x48cm(35mm) 36x24cm(70mm)	Rotating helicoid	550g (w o batteries)	70mm	92mm	55mm Screw-in	55mm Screw-in
35-80 mm F2.8	63°-30°	16-14	Auto	2.8-22	0.6m	62x41cm(35mm) 31x20cm(80mm)	rotating focusing helicoid, rotating cam zoomring	650g	99mm	69mm	Bayonet mount	62mm Screw-in
35-105 mm F3.5-4.5	63°-23°	16-12	Auto	3.5-22(35mm) 4.5-22(105mm)	1.5m (0.31m at close focus)	129x86cm(35mm) 45x30cm(105mm) close focus: 18x12cm(35mm) 25x17cm(105mm)	rotating focusing helicoid and push-pull zoomring	470g	85mm	64mm	55mm Screw-in	55mm Screw-in
50-250 mm F5	47°-10°	13-10	Auto	5-32	1.80m (1.53m at 250mm, close focus)	103x69cm(50mm) 22x14cm(250mm)	rotating focusing helicoid and push-pull zoomring	780g	140mm	72mm	Built-in	55mm Screw-in
65-200 mm F4	37°-12°	14-11	Auto	4-32	1.2m (0.85m at close focus, 200mm)	48x32cm(65mm) 17x11cm(200mm) 12x8cm(200mm, close focus)	rotating focusing helicoid and push-pull zoomring	730g	147mm	71mm	Built-in	55mm Screw-in
70-210 mm F4.5-5.6	34°-11°	10-7	Auto	4.5-22(70mm) 5.6-28(210mm)	1.14m	?	Straight helicoid	335g	103mm	63mm	52mm Screw-in	52mm Screw-in
75-150 mm F4	32°-16°	15-11	Auto	4-22	1.6m	64x42cm(75mm) 32x21cm(150mm)	Revolving helicoid	440g	115mm	63mm	Built-in	49mm Screw-in
85-250 mm F5	29°-10°	15-11	Auto	5-32	2m	66x44cm(85mm) 23x15cm(250mm)	Revolving helicoid	890g	196mm	70mm	Built-in	55mm Screw-in
100-200 mm F5	24°-12°	9-6	Auto	5-32	2.4m	69x46cm(100mm) 37x25cm(200mm)	rotating focusing helicoid and push-pull zoomring	570g	148mm	63mm	Built-in	49mm Screw-in
20 mm F2	9° at highest magnifi-cation	6-4	Auto	2-16	-	0.86x0.57cm(4.2x) 0.26x0.18cm(13.6x)	with Auto Bellows, 65~116, Auto Extension Tube 14, 15; fine focusing straight helicoid built-in	170g	46mm	60mm	not necessary	-
20 mm F3.5	9° at highest magnifi-cation	4-3	Manual	3.5-16	-	0.84x0.56cm(4.3x) 0.29x0.19cm(12.4x)	with Auto Bellows	70g	20mm	32mm	Not necessary	21mm Slide-on
38 mm F2.8	9° athighest magnifi-cation	6-4	Auto	2.8-22	-	0.21x0.14cm(1.7x) 0.54x0.36cm(6.7x)	with Auto Bellows, 65~116, Auto Extension Tube 14, 15; fine focusing straight helicoid built-in.	170g	46mm	60mm	Not necessary	-
38 mm F3.5	9° at highest magnification	5-4	Manual	3.5-16	-	0.20x0.13cm(1.8x) 0.59x0.39cm(6.1x)	with Auto Bellows	90g	28mm	43mm	Not necessary	32mm Slide-on
80 mm F4 (Manual)	9° at highest magnifi-cation	6-4	Manual	4-22	-	7.20x4.80cm(2.3x) 1.80x1.20cm(2.0x)	with Auto Bellows	200g	46mm	59mm	Not necessary	49mm Screw-in
80 mm F4 (Auto)	9° athighest magnifi-cation	6-4	Auto	4-32	0.23m	7.20x4.80cm(2.3x) 1.80x1.20cm(2.0x)	with Auto Bellows, 65~116; fine focusing straight helicoid built-in	170g	33mm	60mm	not necessary	49mm Screw-in
135 mm F4.5	18°	5-4	Auto	4.5-45	0.6m	7.2x4.8cm	with Auto Bellows, 65~116; fine focusing straight helicoid built-in	320g	47mm	60mm	57mm Slide-on	55mm Screw-in
24 mm F2.8AF	84°	8-7	Automatic control on camerabody	2.8-22	0.25m	24x16cm	Driven by AF/PF coupler on camera body	170g	32mm	62mm	Built-in	49mm Screw-in
28 mm F2.8AF	75°	6-6	Automatic control on camera body	2.8-22	0.3m	27x18cm	Driven by AF/PF coupler on camera body	170g	32mm	62mm	Built-in	49mm Screw-in
50 mm F1.8AF	47°	6-5	Automatic control on camera body	1.8-22	0.45m	24x16cm	Driven by AF/PF coupler on camera body	170g	32mm	62mm	Built-in	49mm Screw-in
50 mm F2PF	47°	6-4	Automatic control on camera body	2-22	0.45m	24x16cm	Driven by PF coupler on camera body	150g	37mm	64mm	Slide-on	49mm Screw-in
50 mm F2.8AF Macro	47°	8-7	Automatic controlon camera body	2.8-32	0.2m	3.6x2.4cm	Driven by AF/PF coupler on camera body	340g	57mm	66mm	Built-in	49mm Screw-in
28-85 mm F3.5-4.5AF	75°-29°	14-11	Automatic control on camera body	3.5-22(28mm) 4.5-27(85mm)	0.8m (at close focus: 0.6m)	85x57cm(28mm) 22x15cm(85mm)	Driven by AF/PF coupler on camera body	480g	84mm	69mm	Slide-on	55mm Screw-in
35-70 mm F3.5-4.5AF	63°-34°	9-8	Automatic control on camera body	3.5-22(35mm) 4.5-32(70mm)	0.75m (at close focus: 0.45m)	40.4x27cm(35mm) 21.7x14.5cm(70mm, close focus)	Driven by AF/PF coupler on camera body	250g	53mm	69mm	Slide-on	49mm Screw-in
35-70 mm F3.5-4.5PF	63°-34°	9-8	Automatic control on camera body	3.5-22(35mm) 4.5-32(70mm)	0.75m (at close focus 0.45m)	40.4x27cm(35mm) 21.7x14.5cm(70mm, close focus)	Driven by PF coupler on camera body	250g	53mm	69mm	Slide-on	49mm Screw-in
35-105 mm F3.5-4.5AF	63°-23°	14-13	Automatic control on camera body	3.5-22(35mm) 4.5-27(105mm)	1.5m (at close focus: 0.85m)	129x86cm(35mm) 22x14cm(105mm, close focus)	Driven by AF/PF coupler on camera body	460g	84mm	69mm	Slide-on	55mm Screw-in
70-210 mm F3.5-4.5AF	34°-11°	12-9	Automatic control on camera body	3.5-22(70mm) 4.5-32(210mm)	1.5m (at close focus: 1.35m)	52x34cm(70mm) 18x12cm(210mm, close focus)	Driven by AF/PF coupler on camera body	790g	125mm	76mm	Slide-on	55mm Screw-in

Accessories

Being a system, Olympus made numerous accessories to get a professional usage of the OM cameras : portrait, photo journalism, sport photography, scientific photography.

• motor drives and exchangeable camera back for 250 exposures
• lighting : dedicated flashes, shoes, cords, connectors, power sources, adapters and filters
• interchangeable focusing screens instead of bulkier exchangeable finders
• macrophotography : extension tubes, stands & bases, lightings and accessories
• microphotography : systems and connecting, focusing, automatic and manual exposure units
• technical photograph : data recording backs, endoscope and astrophotography adapters,
• cases, grips, cable release, battery holders

External links

• Olympus OM Lens Gallery and Reviews