Cameras

I have had an interest in photography since I was at school and began to develop and print my own black and white photos. Over the years I have owned and used a number of cameras, my favorites however were ‘a design classic’ and having now sold them I miss them!     

I am referring to the Olympus OM series of  35mm cameras.     

I was lucky enough to be a student at a time when we actually received a grant from the Government. Somehow (despite living in the bar)I managed to save enough in my first year to buy an Olympus OM1n - my love affair had started.     

Olympus OM1

 

The OM1 was small but perfectly formed, very solid but capable of fitting in your pocket with a small standard lens. Over a period of years I built up a full range of  lens’ from wide to telephoto and a large amount of the flash system – the first to accurately meter through the lens – fantastically accurate exposures.     

Later I added two further bodies;     

An OM2sp which allowed me to make maximum use of the flash system and was as small as the OM1.     

Olympus OM2SP

 

An OM3 - a camera that todays point and shoot photographers would not understand. This was a fully manual camera but with massive capability to override exposures. I loved this camera and it was the only one that could replace the OM1 fully.     

Olympus OM3

 

Subsequently I made the decision to go digital and sold my 35mm kit – frankly a big mistake as my Olympus digital SLR is not a patch on my OM system cameras. However that was a few years ago and things appear to be improving in the digital world.     

E-P1 with it's elders

 

I have now moved to the new micro four thirds system – the Olympus Pen (E-P1)  

It’s small form is very reminiscent of my OM1, and it’s build quality is excellent, a pocketable camera again?  

Results so far have been very good, it’s ability to produce good quality results in poor light is very impressive.

I didn’t think that I would find something to replace an SLR, but so far I am very happy with the Pen. Image quality and size being the biggest thing.