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i started using film since 1999 in high school, then bought a dslr around 2005 and shot with that for a year. digital got really boring and it all looks the same in the end. film is just too beautiful. enough said.
I use the om2 because it was handed down to me from my dad. :)
quite possibly the nicest and easiest camera to use.
Posted 36 months ago.
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If you follow your mind you choose digital nowadays, if you follow your heart you might just choose film, like I did. The OM's are fabulous cameras with all their own character. To me they just feel right, sound right and give me exactly what I need as a photographer.
Posted 36 months ago.
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OM 2 is teh roxx0r, digital is teh suxx0r.
Seriously. I love my OM cameras because they are are VERY well made, take fantastic pictures (even when I cannot!). There's just something very tactile about them that is unmatched by any other. From the wind, the shutter release, the weight in the hand, it all just *fits*. Hard to explain really....
Posted 36 months ago.
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12987234ß [deleted] says:
My OM-2 was gifted to me by my grandfather, so it is my duty to use it, and it's a duty I enjoy doing. This camera is compact, sturdy and very reliable. And it's just so beautiful. The lenses, too, real gems.
I use film because I want complete control over my images. If you use a digital camera, the only thing you decide is what you want to take a picture of. You aim the camera, click the button, and it's all done. Film has a soul, and it doesn't forgive mistakes very easily. Also, film is permanent. It's easy to erase digital files, but to lose images on film you need to, like, burn down your house or something. I kinda like that.
And slide film. Most important thing of all. Nothing more beautiful in the world than slide film.
Posted 36 months ago.
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Film is just... lush. I've used digital cameras on multiple occasions, and although I do miss the ability to view photos as and when I take them, in the long run, I much prefer the "feel" and look of film.
The OM cameras are extremely well made, the same applies to the Zuiko lenses.
I must disagree with funkpilz regarding the lack of control with digital cameras - pretty much all DSLRs these days have a full manual mode, as well as aperture priority semi-auto mode, which is what the OM cameras use when in auto mode.
Not so sure why it's so quiet here. Maybe we mostly prefer to be out and about taking photos? :P
Posted 36 months ago.
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I like the life that seems to exist in a negative.
The OM-2 (and Zuiko lenses) seem to stir up the molecules on the film a little more when I make a photograph.
Posted 36 months ago.
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@Peter Weller: Most digitals have their manual modes buried in incomprehensible menus. OM2 has two rings: Aperture. Shutter speed. Period.
Posted 36 months ago.
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12987234ß [deleted] says:
I was talking about P&S digital cameras. DSLRs have manual modes, but I find those to be a bit... well, it just doesn't feel very manual. Jones put it quite well actually.
Another point about the control is that manual focus is another thing that forces you to go slow, which in my eyes is a very good thing in photography.
Posted 36 months ago.
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On commissioned work I'll use digital as, quite simply, you have to. Although I have started convincing people to let me use film (sharing the costs) and they have always been happy with the outcome. So I'll say, it's a 80% digital, 20% film situation.
On my own projects, I only use film. Why? Main reason is: aesthetics. No digital picture will compare to the subtle, dramatic beauty-ness of an analog one. Well, unless you pay ransom prices for some over the top PS plugin to re-create the Agfa APX look on your digital photo and so on... So what's the point shooting digital anyway.
I don't know whether film is dead or is about to. I don't know how long I'll be able to shoot with my favorite films (Rollei Retro 100, Ilford FP4125, Kodak 160NC & Fuji Pro 400H). But it's quite interesting to notice how my analog cameras (OM-1, OM-2n, OM-2SP & Rolleiflex 3.5) brilliantly perform as compared to 2 years old digital bodies. Which are to be considered obsolete anyway.
So, what is progress and what is not?
Posted 36 months ago.
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I'll have to agree with Matteo: I use digital for macro, important event and birding. Other than that, it is film all the way. I buy expired films whenever I can get hold of them and some are developed with Coffee and Vit C (Caffenol C).
I have been using OM-1n for about 30 years but finding the convenient of OM-2 metering and availability of replacement batteries more at ease. Compact in size with the cold steel inside my hand made me acquired three OM-2 so far. Reliable camera with superb engineering..... and this is definitely progress!
Posted 36 months ago.
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Although I'm still planning to continue shooting with my OM-2n (who could stop shooting with these cameras...?), I'm going to be buying an Olympus E-P1 (primarily because I cannot really afford to keep developing and scanning large amounts of film):
"The life of the camera emanates radiantly throughout; it generates a new excitement whenever I hold it up to frame a shot, it gives me the goosebumps whenever I hear the shutter sound, it envokes satisfaction to see such quality bleeding out of every nook and curve of this beautiful camera.
You guys must think I am crazy - in love with a metal alloy, filled with silicon and plastic.
Well, I can dare that if anyone of you had ever held an OM-1 with an OM Zuiko the first time, I can guarantee you will feel the same. (I never had the chance to hold a PEN; but I can say, the OM is no slouch here).
The heft, the grip, the feel.... It reminds me of my old friend that I had forgotten ever since I went full digital 3 years back. The aura and magic of the OM-1 breathes in the E-P1!" -- Mohamad Fahrurrazi, Thru the eye of the Zuiko
Sounds like an ideal digital camera for us OM-2 fans! I'll be looking out for a backup OM-2 or two, as well as some newer lenses (I really want the Zuiko 50mm f/1.4), especially as Olympus have made an adapter allowing us to use the OM-mount lenses on the E-P1.
Posted 36 months ago.
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@Peter Weller: Only if it wasn't $899 USD. :(
Originally posted 36 months ago.
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MrDAT edited this topic 36 months ago.
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I was in a local camera shop when I spotted an OM2 for $130 w/the 50/1.8. On the walk home I shot a roll of Plus-X and fell in love with the camera.
I already have a handfull of other Olympus cameras (XA, Pen, etc.) so the OM was logical next step.
Digital just bores me to death.
Posted 36 months ago.
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Why film ?
Film makes you go ahhhhhhhhhh
Digital makes you go Ook Ook
Why an Om-2n ?
It's everything you need and nothing more.
For the price (32 gbp !) little comes close.
Posted 36 months ago.
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@Peter Weller: made the same step last year and went for the E-510. Great camera, works brilliant.... but no satisfaction. Look in my stream and you know how it went..... It sits on the shelf and gathers dust while my OM's go with me where ever I go.
Posted 36 months ago.
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Why film ?
Because I'm a tinkerer, Bottles, chemicals and the fact you cant just undo it.
Why an om2 sp.
It's the next step up from my om40's and for £45 inc winder2 and another lens I just had too.
Posted 35 months ago.
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I was looking at a cheap OM-2 in a shop one day and when I picked it up it felt amazing to hold. Much smaller and daintier than my M42-mount SLRs... Anyway, I put it down again and came in the next day, it had gone! I'm glad I didn't buy that camera then though because a couple of weeks later I found an OM-2n with a bag-load of lenses and accessories for it for £70. It's now my favourite camera by a long shot!
Posted 35 months ago.
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a friend of mine let me borrow his Om-2 for my b&w film class and i fell in love with it. I bought one from Ebay and even though i also have a digital SLR I just like the photos I take with my OM more than the dslr.
Posted 35 months ago.
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haraldrt43 [deleted] says:
with my om-2 and 1.4/50 Zuiko MC nearly every shot is a good picture when I use it inside buildings - with negativfilm ISO 100.
Because the switch on and off is broken I use the om-2 every time in off- position - than the exposure time goes from 1/30 sec to 1/1000 sec. With my digicam I check if the light is enough for the slowest time an shoot. Should I need a longer time in "auto" I use a small screwdriver to switch the camera to "auto".
The lenses are wonderfull - I have 135 and 28 also. And use Pentax slr and Nikkormat EL and Minolta XE-5 and Kodak Retina IIIc - most with 50 mm original lenses. I will stay using film for a long time because I like the bokeh of the manual focus lenses and the unsharp background wide open and in short distance.
Originally posted 34 months ago.
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haraldrt43 edited this topic 34 months ago.
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Another advantage of film over digital: you can print your photos in an old fashioned darkroom :-). It is really neat to see your photos - using the old printing techniques and chemicals - on 24x30cm or 30x40cm in beautiful B&W.
Posted 34 months ago.
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I've had an OM-2n for almost a year now. I initially became interested in OM again to support my digital habit of fitting OM lenses to an E-410 as my budget could not afford ZD lenses. Then I saw my dream lens. A 24mm f2.8 attached to an OM-2n for 900Dkr. So I bought it and the next thing I knew my DSLR shutter failed. So during warranty repairs I just started to use film again.
I move between the two now. But increasingly find the digital images too clean and perfect. They seem to possess little soul?
Also I find that using analogue technology slows me down and makes me more considered in my picture taking.
My collection of glass has now grown to include the 50mm Macro and 135mm f2.8 tele as well. Great on the OM and E-410.
Originally posted 34 months ago.
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..anologital.. edited this topic 34 months ago.
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I've been kicking myself for not buying the OM2n that was sitting next to the OM1 that I actually did buy. Now I'm tracking a couple of OM2n's. There are also plenty of the so-called 'SP' version available, but I gather that these are suffering from a bad rep, although I suspect not entirely well-founded.
Anyway, just to intro myself: I have an OM4-Ti with the 35/2.8 (bought for about US$290) and an OM1 with the standard 50/1.8 (US$125).
I am now looking for a late model 50/1.4 to supplement all of the above.
Posted 34 months ago.
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I've got am OM2sp given to me for College Graduation by my parents 22 years ago. I've been shooting it on and off ever since. It sat in a closet for about four years with hardly a roll of film used. But for the last three years it has been cranking out the rolls. Like above, I like the way different films perform, the subtle variations in color rendering, the latitude in exposures, the differnt black and white films and me developing them. The camera and the huge collection of lenses I've acquired, all zuiko, just feel so good to use. Real quality instruments. And when I'm using them or on vacation with them, I've had people walk up to me and comment on what an awesome camera that is. A 22 year old camera evoking responses like that. BTW, I've got and e-410 that I shoot also. It's fun also, it reminds me of my OM, but for really creative efforts, OM to the rescue.
Posted 31 months ago.
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Well, since my last post I've managed to purchase a silver OM2n and an OM2-SP. I got both for peanuts. And then today, my second OM2n arrived in the mail, a black one and body only.
So why 2 OM2n's, you ask. Because of the large VF, the smooth winding action and just overall feel. I rank the OM2 above my OM4-Ti!
Posted 31 months ago.
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Why film? Why not? It just has a certain character that digital can't quite reproduce and can be capable of far more in terms of resolution and image quality.
Why OM-2? I have used two other systems; Minolta MD and Canon FD. When I went digital, I went to four-thirds, so it only seemed natural to supplement it with a compatible film system. I almost didn't get into OM after handling an OM-4. It felt odd and unrefined. Then I found an OM-2. The OM-2n is the most advanced, and yet the easiest to use, manual focus SLR I have had the privilege to shoot with. It is so smooth and precise, it feels more like a Swiss watch. The large viewfinder is wonderful. Only unfortunate Olympus hasn't put that kind of finder in many of their DSLRs. I look forward to shooting film with my OM-2n for many years.
Posted 31 months ago.
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"...it feels like a swiss watch..." Yes, I completely agree! I have a couple of OM2sp's, but they feel a bit fragile compared with my OM2 which has been all over the world with me, including the Brazilian rainforest!
Posted 30 months ago.
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The OM-2/2n is a great camera: great viewfinder and unsurpassed low-light metering. Erogonomically great, sensible interface.
Also, film does have some advantages... like long term storage...
Posted 25 months ago.
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Quote from findingtheview : "I rank the OM2 above my OM4-Ti! "
I second that and you can see in my stream :-)
Posted 25 months ago.
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I'm new to this group and new to the OM experience. i have been shooting film now for nearly 3 years after shooting DSLRs some 2 years prior to that. before even that i had always had an interest in photography but not in any serious manner.
Since switching back to film I have shot pretty exclusively with rangefinders of varying quality and i now shoot with a Leica M2. general consensus among the rangefinder/Leica camp is that the ideal SLR companion to your Leica is an olympus OM camera and in particular the OM-2n. so off the back of that i took the plunge and bought an OM-2n and boy does this thing stand up against the Leica!
Both of those cameras became instant sweethearts as soon as i unpacked them and held them to my eye. i'm happy to shoot them together and don't feel limited by one over the other. Such superb heavy brass lumps of solid photographing pleasure :)
Posted 22 months ago.
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