Olympus OM system


The Olympus OM System was a line of 35mm single-lens reflex cameras, lenses and accessories sold by Olympus between 1972 and 2002.
The system was introduced by Olympus in 1972, more than a decade after Nikon, Canon, and other manufacturers had established their own SLR ranges. The range was designed by Yoshihisa Maitani, chief designer for Olympus, and his staff. The nucleus of the system was a series of compact bodies divided into an advanced series and a later consumer-oriented series. The first model was the all-mechanical M-1 which, after pressure from Leica, was renamed OM-1. At the same time the M system was renamed OM System. The camera included a full-aperture TTL Cadmium-sulphide exposure meter, and a bayonet lens mount of relatively large diameter. By the end of the 1970s it was joined by the semi-automatic OM-2 and consumer-oriented OM-10. Olympus continued the naming pattern with the 'professional' OM-3 and OM-4, and the consumer-level OM-20, OM-30 and OM-40. The cameras were accompanied by a series of Zuiko-branded lenses, as well as a generous selection of accessories. The majority of OM bodies and lenses were manual-focus only; the OM-707 of 1986 was the only true autofocus model.

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, optimized for more advanced features and durability. Two-digit 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 SLR cameras had declined greatly. The consumer line returned in 1997 with the Cosina-sourced OM-2000 model. Professional and advanced-amateur demand for the high-end models continued, and they were produced until 2002, along with the consumer-grade OM-2000.

Professional cameras

OM-1

The Olympus OM-1 was a manually-operated 35 mm single-lens reflex camera forming the basis of the OM system in 1972. At first called the Olympus M-1, Leica disputed this designation and it was changed to OM-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. One feature unique to the OM-1, compared to the rest of the OM system, was its mirror lock-up facility which made it ideal for astrophotography and macrophotography.

OM-2

Introduced in 1975, the Olympus OM-2 was a semi-automatic, aperture-priority camera featuring an electronically controlled shutter. It was based on the OM-1 body, and retained compatibility with OM-1 accessories and lenses. It boasted automatic through-the-lens off-the-film metering, and exposure was considered very accurate. This was 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-exposure mode, as in the OM-1. It also introduced the integration of electronic flash into the exposure system using the TTL exposure system.

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 system in addition to the centre-weighted metering of the earlier body. It also featured an LCD similar to the OM-4 which could be illuminated in low light. Its main advantage over the OM-4 was its ability to operate without batteries due to its mechanical design. Batteries were only needed for the exposure meter and LCD. It lacked a self-timer and mirror lock-up functions, however.
In 1995, nine years after the OM-3 was discontinued, the OM-3Ti was released. It shared the improvements over the OM-3 that the OM-4Ti held over the OM-4.

OM-4

The Olympus OM-4, an improved version of the OM-2, was manufactured from 1983 to 1987. It was introduced at a 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 240s to 1/2000s plus bulb, and flash X-sync of 1/60s.
The OM-4 featured a built-in spot meter and was the first camera capable of measuring eight individual areas and averaging them. The light meter used a dual-concentric segmented silicon photo-diode to provide spot or centerweighted readings. It used a graduated linear LCD for the shutter speed at the bottom of the viewfinder to precisely indicate its readings versus the actual camera settings.
In 1986 the OM-4 was improved to a tougher OM-4Ti version, with titanium top and bottom plates, improved weatherproofing and high-speed flash sync. This last version was discontinued in 2002.

Consumer-grade cameras

OM-10

The OM-10 hit the markets in June 1979 at the same time as the OM-2N. The camera was a 35mm focal-plane shutter aperture priority AE SLR camera with an electronic shutter. Only aperture-priority AE was available with the camera unless the optional manual exposure adapter was installed. This allowed the setting of shutter speeds between 1s and 1/1000s,. The camera was equipped with a fixed pentaprism viewfinder which contained an LED exposure indicator. The finder coverage was measured to be 93%.
Exposure control was aperture priority AE using center-weighted light metering. Film speeds of the camera range from ASA 25 to ASA 1600. Film winding was done by using the film-wind lever located on the top right of the camera. Film rewinding was done manually using the film-rewind crank located at the top left. The camera body measured 136 × 83 × 50 mm and weighed approximately.

OM-20

The OM-20 was essentially a refinement of the OM-10, replacing that model's rather tricky mode switch with one that was easier to use. The OM-20 also had a built-in shutter-speed dial, a mode display in the view finder and a much stronger winding mechanism which permitted it to be used at 5 frames per second on the OM Motor Drive 2. The shutter magnet and release system had other minor design improvements.

OM-30

Essentially an OM-20 with auto-focus capability. With a normal lens there were lights in the view finder to help the user with manual focusing.
When used with a motor drive or winder unit and the M-In Focus Trigger cord, the lens could be pre-focused on a specific point. As soon as an object moved into that focus zone the camera would trigger a shot.
A special motorised 35-70mm autofocus lens was also available at the time, but is now very rare.

OM-40

A further refinement of the OM-20 with features that were more of interest to serious photographers. It had a lighter, slightly more modern and ergonomic body design. It also had an early form of matrix metering, and a mirror lock-up facility. This was activated when the self-timer was switched on, a feature still rarely found in non-high-end cameras.
Also known in some markets as the OM-PC, the OM-40 had a program mode that automated the selection of both the aperture and the shutter speed.

OM-2000

An Olympus model made by Cosina, the OM-2000 was not considered by Olympus 'die-hard fans' to be a 'true OM' camera.
The OM-2000 had a mechanical, vertical-running shutter in contrast to the traditional OM cameras with their horizontal-running shutter. This allowed the OM-2000 to synchronize an electronic flash at 1/125s. Many photographers found this capability an advantage for the use of "fill flash" in daylight.

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 camera was built as a prototype, and was called the OM-X.

Lenses

The OM Series lenses had the aperture control ring located at the front of the lens barrel. This was done to move it away from the shutter speed control, which was a ring on the camera body concentric with the lens mount. OM lenses also featured a depth-of-field preview button on the lens, in contrast to most other SLR camera systems, in which the button was placed on the camera body.
The OM lens was designed to sit 46 mm from the film plane. The combination of on-lens aperture control and the generous 'flange focal distance' make OM lenses adaptable to a variety of other camera systems – including Canon EOS models – by using a mount-specific adapter.
LensAngle of viewElements – GroupsDiaphragmAperture rangeClosest focusSmallest fieldFocusingWeightLengthDiameterHoodFilter
8 mm F2.8 Fisheye180° 11–7Auto2.8–220.2 m-Straight helicoid640 g82 mm102 mmNot necessaryBuilt-in
16 mm F3.5 Fisheye180°11–8Auto3.5–220.2 m-Straight helicoid180 g31 mm59 mmNot necessaryBuilt-in
18 mm F3.5100°11–9Auto3.5–160.25 m30×20 cmStraight helicoid250 g42 mm62 mm49 mm Adapter Ring 49→7272 mm Screw-in
21 mm F292°11–9Auto2–160.2 m21×14 cmStraight helicoid250 g43.5 mm60 mm55 mm Screw-in 55 mm Screw-in
21 mm F3.592°7–7Auto3.5–160.2 m21×14 cmStraight helicoid180 g31 mm59 mm49 mm Screw-in49 mm Screw-in
24 mm F284°10–8Auto2–160.25 m23×15 cmStraight helicoid280 g48 mm60 mm55 mm Screw-in55 mm Screw-in
24 mm F2.884°8–7Auto2.8–160.25 m23×15 cmStraight helicoid180 g31 mm59 mm49 mm Screw-in49 mm Screw-in
24 mm F3.5 Shift84° 12-10Manual3.5–220.35 m36×24 cmRotating cam510 g75 mm84 mmFixedBuilt-in
28 mm F275°9–8Auto2–160.3 m27×18 cmStraight helicoid250 g43 mm60 mm49 mm Screw-in49 mm Screw-in
28 mm F2.875°6–6Auto2.8–220.3 m18×27 cmStraight helicoid170 g32 mm60 mm49 mm Screw-in49 mm Screw-in
28 mm F3.575°7–7Auto3.5–160.3 m18×27 cmStraight helicoid180 g31 mm59 mm49 mm Screw-in49 mm Screw-in
35 mm F263°8–7Auto2–160.3 m21×14 cmStraight helicoid240 g42 mm60 mm55 mm Screw-in55 mm Screw-in
35 mm F2.863°7–6Auto2.8–160.3 m21×14 cmStraight helicoid180 g33 mm59 mm51 mm Slide-on49 mm Screw-in
35 mm F2.8 Shift63° 8–7Manual2.8–220.3 m21×14 cmStraight helicoid310 g58 mm68 mm49 mm Screw-in49 mm Screw-in
40 mm F256°6–6Auto2–160.3 m18×12 cmStraight helicoid140 g25 mm60 mm49 mm Screw-in49 mm
Screw-in
50 mm F1.247°7–6Auto1.2–160.45 m24×16 cmStraight helicoid285 g43 mm65 mm51 mm Slide-on49 mm Screw-in
50 mm F1.447°7–6Auto1.4–160.45 m24×16 cmStraight helicoid230 g36 mm 60 mm51 mm Slide-on49 mm Screw-in
50 mm F1.847°6–5
Auto1.8–160.45 m24×16 cmStraight helicoid170 g 31 mm 59 mm 51 mm Slide-on49 mm Screw-in
50 mm F2Macro47°9–7Auto2–160.24 m7.2×4.8 cmStraight helicoid320 g55 mm69 mmNot necessary55 mm Screw-in
50 mm F3.5Macro47°5–4Auto3.5–220.23 m7.2×4.8 cmStraight helicoid200 g40 mm60 mmNot necessary49 mm Screw-in
55 mm F1.243°7–6Auto1.2–160.45 m23×15 cmStraight helicoid310 g47 mm65 mm57 mm Slide-on55 mm Screw-in
85 mm F229°6–4
Auto2–160.85 m25×17 cmStraight helicoid260 g46 mm60 mm49 mm Screw-in49 mm Screw-in
90 mm F2Macro27°9–9Auto2–220.4 m7.2×4.8 cmStraight helicoid550 g71 mm72 mm57 mm Slide-on55 mm Screw-in
100 mm F224°7–6Auto2–220.7 m18×12 cmStraight helicoid520 g72 mm70 mmBuilt-in55 mm Screw-in
100 mm F2.824°5–5Auto2.8–221m29×19 cmStraight helicoid230 g48 mm60 mm49 mm Screw-in49 mm Screw-in
135 mm F2.818°5–5Auto2.8–221.5 m32×21 cmStraight helicoid360 g80 mm61 mmBuilt-in55 mm Screw-in
135 mm F3.518°5–4Auto3.5–221.5 m32×21 cmStraight helicoid290 g73 mm60 mmBuilt-in49 mm Screw-in
180 mm F214°10–8Auto2–221.6 m25×17 cmRotating cam 1,900 g174 mm113 mmBuilt-in100 mm Screw-in
180 mm F2.814°5–5Auto2.8–322 m32×21 cmStraight helicoid700 g124 mm80 mmBuilt-in72 mm Screw-in
200 mm F412°5–4Auto4–322.5 m36×24 cmStraight helicoid510 g127 mm67 mmBuilt-in55 mm Screw-in
200 mm F512°6–5Auto5–322.5 m36×25 cmStraight helicoid380 g105 mm62 mmBuilt-in49 mm Screw-in
250 mm F210°12–9Auto2–222.2 m25×17 cmRotating cam 3,900 g246 mm142 mmBuilt-inSlip-in
300 mm F4.58°6–4Auto4.5–323.5 m33×22 cmStraight helicoid1,100 g 181 mm80 mmBuilt-in72 mm
Screw-in
350 mm F2.87°9–7Auto2.8–323 m25×17 cmRotating cam 3,900 g280 mm142 mmBuilt-inSlip-in
400 mm F6.36°5–5Auto6.3–325 m36×24 cmStraight helicoid1,300 g255 mm80 mmBuilt-in72 mm Screw-in
500 mm F8 Reflex5°5–2-F8 4 m28×19 cmStraight helicoid590 g97 mm81 mmBuilt-in72 mm Screw-in
600 mm F6.54°6–4Auto6.5–3211 m55×37 cmRack and pinion2,800 g377 mm110 mmBuilt-in100 mm Screw-in
1000 mm F112.5°5–5Auto11–4530 m98×65 cmRack and pinion4,000 g 662 mm110 mmBuilt-in100 mm Screw-in
28–48 mm F475°–49°8–8Auto4–220.65 m74×49 cm 46×31 cm Rotating helicoid300 g54 mm 65 mm55 mm Screw-in49 mm Screw-in
35–70 mm F3.5–4.563°–34°9–8Auto3.5–220.45 m21.7×14.5 cm Rotating helicoid190 g51 mm62 mm51 mm Slip-on49 mm Screw-in
35–70 mm F3.5–4.863°–34°7–7Auto3.5–22 4.8–32 0.4 m22×15 cmStraight helicoid185 g65 mm63 mm52 mm Screw-in52 mm Screw-in
35–70 mm F3.663°–34°10–8Auto3.6–220.8 m72×48 cm 37.5×25 cm Straight helicoid400 g74 mm67 mm60 mm Slide-on55 mm Screw-in
35–70 mm F464°–34°7–7Auto4–220.75 m72×48 cm 36×24 cm Straight helicoid385 g71 mm69 mm57 mm Slide-on55 mm Screw-in
35–70 mm F4 Auto Focus63°–34°9–8Auto4–220.75 m72×48 cm 36×24 cm Rotating helicoid550 g 70 mm92 mm55 mm Screw-in55 mm Screw-in
35–80 mm F2.863°–30°16–14Auto2.8–220.6 m62×41 cm 31×20 cm rotating focusing helicoid, rotating cam zoomring650 g99 mm69 mmBayonet mount62 mm Screw-in
35–105 mm F3.5–4.563°–23°16–12Auto3.5–22 4.5–22 1.5 m 129×86 cm 45×30 cm close focus: 18×12 cm 25×17 cm rotating focusing helicoid and push-pull zoomring470 g85 mm64 mm55 mm Screw-in55 mm Screw-in
50–250 mm F547°–10°13–10Auto5–321.80 m 103×69 cm 22×14 cm rotating focusing helicoid and push-pull zoomring780 g140 mm72 mmBuilt-in55 mm Screw-in
65–200 mm F437°–12°14–11Auto4–321.2 m 48×32 cm 17×11 cm 12×8 cm rotating focusing helicoid and push-pull zoomring730 g147 mm71 mmBuilt-in55 mm Screw-in
70–210 mm F4.5–5.634°–11°10–7Auto4.5–22 5.6–28 1.14 m?Straight helicoid335 g103 mm63 mm52 mm Screw-in52 mm Screw-in
75–150 mm F432°–16°15–11Auto4–221.6 m64×42 cm 32×21 cm Revolving helicoid440 g115 mm63 mmBuilt-in49 mm Screw-in
85–250 mm F529°–10°15–11Auto5–322 m66–44 cm 23×15 cm Revolving helicoid890 g196 mm70 mmBuilt-in55 mm Screw-in
100–200 mm F524°–12°9–6Auto5–322.4 m69×46 cm 37×25 cm rotating focusing helicoid and push-pull zoomring570 g148 mm63 mmBuilt-in49 mm Screw-in
20 mm F29° at highest magnifi-cation6–4Auto2–16-0.86×0.57 cm 0.26×0.18 cm with Auto Bellows, 65–116, Auto Extension Tube 14, 15; fine focusing straight helicoid built-in170 g46 mm60 mmnot necessary-
20 mm F3.59° at highest magnifi-cation4–3Manual3.5–16-0.84×0.56 cm 0.29×0.19 cm with Auto Bellows70 g20 mm32 mmNot necessary21 mm Slide-on
38 mm F2.89° athighest magnifi-cation6–4Auto2.8–22-0.21×0.14 cm 0.54×0.36 cm with Auto Bellows, 65–116, Auto Extension Tube 14, 15; fine focusing straight helicoid built-in.170 g46 mm60 mmNot necessary-
38 mm F3.59° at highest magnification5–4Manual3.5–16-0.20×0.13 cm 0.59×0.39 cm with Auto Bellows90 g28 mm43 mmNot necessary32 mm Slide-on
80 mm F4 9° at highest magnifi-cation6–4Manual4–22-7.20×4.80 cm 1.80×1.20 cm with Auto Bellows200 g46 mm59 mmNot necessary49 mm Screw-in
80 mm F4 9° athighest magnifi-cation6–4Auto4–320.23 m7.20×4.80 cm 1.80×1.20 cm with Auto Bellows, 65–116; fine focusing straight helicoid built-in170 g33 mm60 mmnot necessary49 mm Screw-in
135 mm F4.518°5–4Auto4.5–450.6 m7.2×4.8 cmwith Auto Bellows, 65–116; fine focusing straight helicoid built-in320 g47 mm60 mm57 mm Slide-on55 mm Screw-in
24 mm F2.8AF84°8–7Automatic control on camerabody2.8–220.25 m24×16 cmDriven by AF/PF coupler on camera body170 g32 mm62 mmBuilt-in49 mm Screw-in
28 mm F2.8AF75°6–6Automatic control on camera body2.8–220.3 m27×18 cmDriven by AF/PF coupler on camera body170 g32 mm62 mmBuilt-in49 mm Screw-in
50 mm F1.8AF47°6–5Automatic control on camera body1.8–220.45 m24×16 cmDriven by AF/PF coupler on camera body170 g32 mm62 mmBuilt-in49 mm Screw-in
50 mm F2PF47°6–4Automatic control on camera body2–220.45 m24×16 cmDriven by PF coupler on camera body150 g37 mm64 mmSlide-on49 mm
Screw-in
50 mm F2.8AF Macro47°8–7Automatic controlon camera body2.8–320.2 m3.6×2.4 cmDriven by AF/PF coupler on camera body340 g57 mm66 mmBuilt-in49 mm Screw-in
28–85 mm F3.5–4.5AF75°–29°14–11Automatic control on camera body3.5–22 4.5–27 0.8 m 85×57 cm 22×15 cm Driven by AF/PF coupler on camera body480 g84 mm69 mmSlide-on55 mm Screw-in
35–70 mm F3.5–4.5AF63°–34°9–8Automatic control on camera body3.5–22 4.5–32 0.75 m 40.4×27 cm 21.7×14.5 cm Driven by AF/PF coupler on camera body250 g53 mm69 mmSlide-on49 mm Screw-in
35–70 mm F3.5–4.5PF63°–34°9–8Automatic control on camera body3.5–22 4.5–32 0.75 m 40.4×27 cm 21.7×14.5 cm Driven by PF coupler on camera body250 g53 mm69 mmSlide-on49 mm Screw-in
35–105 mm F3.5–4.5AF63°–23°14–13Automatic control on camera body3.5–22 4.5–27 1.5 m 129×86 cm 22×14 cm Driven by AF/PF coupler on camera body460 g84 mm69 mmSlide-on55 mm Screw-in
70–210 mm F3.5–4.5AF34°–11°12–9Automatic control on camera body3.5–22 4.5–32 1.5 m 52×34 cm 18×12 cm Driven by AF/PF coupler on camera body790 g125 mm76 mmSlide-on55 mm Screw-in

Prototype lenses

Manual Zuiko lenses that were never marketed:
Being a system, Olympus made numerous accessories for professional portrait, photo journalism, sport photography and scientific photography.