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Olympus OM-10

 

Olympus OM-10

This is the third Olympus OM in my collection. Somehow I feel certain fascination for these cameras. Olympus OM-10 was introduced in 1979 as the first camera in Olympus OM "two digit" series. It became one of the most popular Olympus models. As a basic consumer model it has only the Aperture-priority Automatic Exposure but still it is able to take advantage of the whole (almost) Olympus System accessories. The manual-exposure adapter for it was provided as an option.

There is dial on this adapter, that makes it possible to set shutter speeds 1 sec. to 1/1000 sec. Without the manual adapter it only works in aperture priority mode. The maximum shutter speed is 1/1000th and the maximum film speed is ASA 1600 . OM-10 does not support TTL dedicated flash but it can work dedicated auto, with the light reading being done on the flash. As it´s "big brothers" the single number OM cameras it has proved to be a reliable instrument even in the hands of the serious amateur.

Specifications

Film Format : 24mm x 36mm
Type: :TTL auto-exposure 35mm SLR camera
Lens mount : OLYMPUS OM Mount. About 50 different Zuiko interchangeable lenses.
Shutter : Electronically controlled cloth focal plane shutter. Manual exposure: B, 1 - 1/1,000 sec. with adapter.
Synchronization : X type contact, hot shoe.
Automatic exposure control : Aperture preferred automatic exposure control electronic shutter type. TTL Direct Light Measuring System, center-weighted average light measurement. Measuring range: ASA 100 from F1.2, about 60 seconds to F16, 1/1,000 second.
Programmed Automatic Exposure : TTL direct, measuring range : approximate. -5 EV ~ 18 EV , 50mm F 1.4
Manual exposure : With a Manual Adapter
Self timer : 15sec. delay
Metering system : Olympus direct metering in body. Full aperture center weighted metering.
Measuring range : EV1.5 - EV17 (ASA 100 with F 1.2 standard lens).
Film speed Setting : ASA 12 - 3200

Olympus OM-10 (black)

To gain more professional look a black version was also offered. It has the same broblem as most of the black cameras. Compared to chrome versions the black body shows often much more marks of use. I was lucky enough to get this black item. It looks like new and brings only one broblem to me. I don´t want to use it because of the pristine finish. Specifications are exactly the same. Some OM-10 cameras are marked : OM-10 QUARTZ, marking is only for the commercial reasons. A noun quartz was "cool" in early Eighties.

OM 10
Oly adapterPower source : Two 1.5V silver oxide batteries Eveready S-76 or equivalents or alkaline manganese batteries LR 44
Viewfinder : Pentaprism type finder.
Finder view-field : 93% of actual picture field.
Reflex mirror : Quick return type (without lockup).
Manual film advance : Lever type with 130° angle for one long or several short strokes, pre-advance angle 30°
Exposure counter : Progressive type with automatic reset.
Film rewind : Rewind crank
Weight : 430g , body alone
Dimensions : 136 x 84 x 50mm, body

Evolt

Logo E-500

A long waited new E-1 was in 2006 changed to a beginner model E-500 (Evolt in U.S.A.) Announced in September 2005, E-500 is the third E-Series digital SLR from Olympus. My choice was a two lens kit and this is what I got:

 

  • The 8.0 effective Megapixel Olympus E-500 camera body
  • 14 - 45 mm, F3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital lens
  • 40 - 150 mm, F3.5-4.5 Zuiko Digital lens
  • BLM-1 lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack
  • Battery charger, BCM-2
  • Shoulder strap
  • USB cable
  • A/V cable
  • CD-ROM featuring Olympus Master software
  • 215 page camera manual
  • Plenty of pleasure and satisfaction

Unlike the previous E-300, the E-500 is a conventionally-styled digital SLR. Camera body material is fibre reinforced polycarbonate and steel. The camera supports both xD and CompactFlash memory cards, which were not included in the kit. The E-500 is equipped with an 8 Megapixel CCD sensor (Mfg by Kodak) which measures 17.3x13mm (Max 3264 x 2448 pixels) and conforms to the FourThirds format.
So, the 14 - 45mm kit lens with this factor (2) gives you a 3x optical range equivalent to 28-90mm on a 35mm camera. The E-500's powered by a single Li-Ion battery pack, rated at 7.2V 1500mAh. Although E-500 can take 400 shots per charge when it's time to recharge It takes a sluggish five hours to fully charge the battery.

Review and Specs at : http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympuse500/
©2006 Reijo Lauro