Olympus OM-2
Olympus OM-2
Olympus OM-2 current value:
OM-2
OM-2 Black
OM-2 MD
OM-2 MD Black
OM-2 N
OM-2 N black
OM-2 N MD
Two years after the OM-1 introduction, Olympus came out with the next great camera, the OM-2. Here they added an automatic option, the only feature missing on the OM-1. The auto mode is of aperture priority.
This model came out in several flavours. First came the plain, or base model, closely followed by the MD option, for motor drive. Thereafter came an ‘N’ model, with little change, and OM-2 S / SP in tow, all made in chrome and black bodies.
The OM-2 much resembles the OM-1. Gone is the prominent ASA setting dial, now embedded in an exposure compensation dial, set in the same location. The tiny ASA change clutch release and the mirror lockup dial were also gone. Also gone is the dedicated mirror lock control, now part of the off/on lever, as below.
The On/Off switch now includes manual, off, auto, and check/reset positions.
- In manual mode, the meter needle in the viewer is set between +/- marks, easy to read.
- Auto mode, a detailed shutter speeds scale appears next to the latter, marked with ‘Auto’ under-title.
- Reset-check, the camera does not operate without batteries. So if the shutter is cocked without a battery, it takes resetting to release the curtain. Setting the lever to reset position also locks up the mirror. A long press to the ‘check’ a red LED in the back lights up, indicating an able battery.
Besides that, metering is via Silicon and CdS sensors at the focal plane. A hot shoe is an accessory of two available types. The ‘N’ model has a red led spot in the viewer, indicating when a (dedicated) flashgun is ready.
An easter egg, to engage the speed to ‘B’ it takes to press a minuscule button at the lens barrel’s left. I think Olympus was influenced by Spielberg’s 1941 movie, where the Japanese captain wows to “make these things smaller”.
The self-timer is the same as its predecessor; delay depends on how far you push the arm. The small lever behind it activates the timer.
DOF by pressing the catch that is in the opposite of the lens release. Not all lenses carry this feature.
List number | 1846 |
Brand | Olympus |
Format | 35mm |
Model | OM-2 N |
Introduced | 1979 |
AKA | |
Qty made | |
Country | Japan |
Type | Compact SLR |
Body material | Metal, chrome and black models |
Mode | Manual, auto, aperture priority |
Weight | 530 gr, Body only |
Class average weight | 620 gr, Body only |
ASA range | 64-1250 |
Kit lens | 1,8/50 |
Lens make | Zuiko |
Filter size | 49 mm |
Lens mount | Bayonet |
Mount size | OM mount |
Aperture | |
shutter | Focal plane cloth horizontal |
Light meter | TTL |
Winder | Lever |
Lock | Yes |
Speeds | B, 1-1000 |
DOF preview | Yes |
Exposure lock | No |
Exposure compensation | Yes |
Shoe | Accessory, hot |
External sync | X/F/M |
Sync speed | 60 |
Timer | Yes |
Battery | LR44 2ea |
Battery style | Button |
Battery voltage | 2.7 |
Integral flash | None |
Other | Works with battery only. |