Olympus OM-4
Encyclopedia
The Olympus OM-4 is an interchangeable lens, 35 mm film
, single lens reflex
(SLR) camera
; manufactured by Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (today Olympus Corporation) in Japan and sold as OM-4 from 1983 to 1987 and as OM-4Ti from 1986 to 2002.
The OM-4 was the improved successor to the Olympus OM-2N and represents the highest evolution of the Olympus OM-series
SLRs (introduced in 1972). Other Olympus OM top models were the OM-1
(originally called the M-1), OM-2
, OM-1N, OM-2N
, OM-2Spot Program, OM-3
and OM-3Ti. They all used the same body configuration, but with improving aluminum alloy chassis, feature levels, internal electronics, and external controls and cosmetics.
and flash X-sync of 1/60th second.
Unlike most SLRs of the era, the OM-4 used an Olympus OM-series standard shutter speed ring concentric with the lens mount instead of a top mounted shutter speed dial.
The OM-4 accepts all lenses with the Olympus OM bayonet mount (introduced in 1972 with the Olympus OM-1). The contemporary Olympus Optical made lenses were called "Zuiko".
The OM-4 is a battery powered (two 1,5 volt silver oxide SR44, V76, 357 cells; use of a 3 volt 1/3N lithium cell is not recommended) electro-mechanically controlled manual focus SLR with manual exposure control or aperture priority
autoexposure.
The OM-4 was the first camera with a built-in multi-spot-meter (2% of view; 3.3˚ with 50 mm lens) and can take up to eight spot measurements and average them. The light meter uses a dual concentric segmented silicon photodiode to provide spot or centerweighted readings. It uses a graduated linear LCD shutter speed display at the bottom of the viewfinder to precisely indicate its readings versus the actual camera settings. The interchangeable focusing screen
, delivered with the camera, had split image rangefinder and microprism collar focusing aids.
The major improvements of the OM-4 compared to the OM-2N were the stronger chassis, gasket weatherproofing, permanently affixed dedicated hot shoe and TTL flash cable connector, linear liquid crystal display
(LCD) shutter speed display, provision for spot-metering, flexible integrated circuit electronics.
Accessories for the OM-4 includes all the Olympus Motor Drive
s made for the OM-System cameras. Motor Drive 2 was introduced with the OM-4 and in addition to automatic film advance (up to 5 frames per second) features a motorized film rewind. The camera can take the Olympus 250 exposure bulk film back (10 meters film = 250 frames) and the Olympus T system flashes. The T45 handle mount electronic flash (guide number 148/45 (feet/meters) at ASA/ISO 100) was also introduced with the OM-4.
The original OM-4 was available in only one color; all black. The introductory US list price for the body only (no lens) was $685. Note that SLRs usually sold for 30 to 40 percent below list price.
The camera dimensions are 87 mm height, 139 mm width, 50 mm depth and 540 g weight.
, Canon
, Minolta
and Pentax
. Between about 1975 and 1985, there was a dramatic shift away from heavy all-metal manual mechanical camera bodies to much more compact bodies with integrated circuit (IC) electronic automation. In addition, because of rapid advances in electronics, the brands continually leapfrogged each other as they brought out models with new or more automatic features. The OM-1 introduced the compact body size that inspired similar sized SLRs of competing manufacturers (Pentax M series, Nikon FE/FM); automatic through-the-lens (TTL) off-the-film (OTF) electronic flash metering was pioneered by the OM-2 in 1975.
In this arena, the OM-4 and its mechanically controlled companion the OM-3 were conservative designs despite their very sophisticated spot-meters. They can be described as the OM-2 and 1 with electronic spot-meter controls grafted on. The OM-4's deliberately limited but tightly focused features were not intended to appeal to beginners. Instead of offering every possible automated bell and whistle, the OM-4's manual spot-metering represented Olympus Optical's ultimate expression of highest possible quality and precision of exposure control for the professional and advanced amateur photographer.
In 1986, a special ultra-durable version of the OM-4 with champagne coloured titanium
top and bottom plates, upgraded electronic circuitry and improved weatherproofing, called and marked the OM-4Ti (OM-4T in the USA) was released with a US list price of $770.
The OM-4Ti also introduced a new electronic flash control system. Normally focal plane shutters are limited in their maximum flash synchronization speed, because of the way they provide fast shutter speeds – timing the second shutter curtain to close more quickly after the first shutter curtain opens. This causes a narrowing of the slit "wiping" the exposure on the film. In effect, a horizontal focal plane shutter made of cloth is only fully open and usable for flash exposure down to 1/60th second. Any faster and a typical 1 millisecond flash burst would only partially expose the film - the part open to the slit. The OM-4Ti overcame this problem by having the new Olympus F280 Full Synchro flash pulse its light continuously over 40 milliseconds, long enough to illuminate the slit as it crossed the entire focal plane, even at shutter speeds as fast as 1/2000th second. However, there is a concomitant loss of flash range.
A black-finished version came out in 1990 listing for $1250 (the natural finished body remained available for $1200).
In the US market the OM-4T was ultimately renamed OM-4Ti in 1997 ($1819 list), without any feature changes before being finally discontinued in 2002.
Olympus Optical failed to make the transition to autofocus (AF) 35 mm SLRs in the wake of the introduction of the landmark Minolta Maxxum 7000
in 1985. Virtually all non-AF SLRs disappeared by 1989. The OM-4 and OM-3 survived because Olympus Optical had no appropriate successors. Its rugged construction also appealed to professional photographers and traditionalist amateurs liked its lack of autofocus. The Olympus OM-4 sold steadily to the fiercely loyal, cult-like Olympus clique, but more and more slowly over its lifetime as it became more and more outdated. It remained in limited production until 2002, when the rise of digital SLRs gave Olympus an opportunity to get back into the SLR camera business with its Four Thirds System
. Time has proven the OM-4 to be very tough and reliable and it is now regarded as one of the finest SLRs of its generation for the serious and purist film photographer.
.
Olympus OM-4Ti was used by the title character in the 1995 remake of Sabrina (1995 film)
with Julia Ormond and Harrison Ford
135 film
The term 135 was introduced by Kodak in 1934 as a designation for cartridge film wide, specifically for still photography. It quickly grew in popularity, surpassing 120 film by the late 1960s to become the most popular photographic film format...
, single lens reflex
Single-lens reflex camera
A single-lens reflex camera is a camera that typically uses a semi-automatic moving mirror system that permits the photographer to see exactly what will be captured by the film or digital imaging system, as opposed to pre-SLR cameras where the view through the viewfinder could be significantly...
(SLR) camera
Camera
A camera is a device that records and stores images. These images may be still photographs or moving images such as videos or movies. The term camera comes from the camera obscura , an early mechanism for projecting images...
; manufactured by Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (today Olympus Corporation) in Japan and sold as OM-4 from 1983 to 1987 and as OM-4Ti from 1986 to 2002.
The OM-4 was the improved successor to the Olympus OM-2N and represents the highest evolution of the Olympus OM-series
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 ....
SLRs (introduced in 1972). Other Olympus OM top models were the OM-1
Olympus OM-1
The Olympus OM-1 is a manually operated 35mm single-lens reflex camera, part of the Olympus OM system.-History:The very first model was presented at the Photokina of Köln in 1972 and was called the Olympus M-1...
(originally called the M-1), OM-2
Olympus OM-2
The Olympus OM-2 was a single-lens reflex system camera produced by Olympus of Japan.-Main Features:The Olympus OM-2 was an aperture priority automatic camera , based on the earlier, successful Olympus OM-1 body...
, OM-1N, OM-2N
Olympus OM-2
The Olympus OM-2 was a single-lens reflex system camera produced by Olympus of Japan.-Main Features:The Olympus OM-2 was an aperture priority automatic camera , based on the earlier, successful Olympus OM-1 body...
, OM-2Spot Program, OM-3
Olympus OM-3
thumb|Olympus OM-3The Olympus OM-3 is a manual camera without automatic exposure modes, and an entirely mechanical shutter. Introduced in 1983, the OM-3 was the first of a new series of professional camera bodies designed to update the OM-1 and OM-2. These new bodies, which continued with the more...
and OM-3Ti. They all used the same body configuration, but with improving aluminum alloy chassis, feature levels, internal electronics, and external controls and cosmetics.
Features
The OM-4 uses a horizontal cloth focal plane shutter with a manual speed range of 1 to 1/2000th second (as long as 240 seconds in automatic mode) plus bulbBulb (photography)
Bulb, abbreviated B, is a shutter speed setting on an adjustable camera that allows for long exposure times under the direct control of the photographer. With this setting, the shutter simply stays open as long as the shutter release button remains depressed...
and flash X-sync of 1/60th second.
Unlike most SLRs of the era, the OM-4 used an Olympus OM-series standard shutter speed ring concentric with the lens mount instead of a top mounted shutter speed dial.
The OM-4 accepts all lenses with the Olympus OM bayonet mount (introduced in 1972 with the Olympus OM-1). The contemporary Olympus Optical made lenses were called "Zuiko".
The OM-4 is a battery powered (two 1,5 volt silver oxide SR44, V76, 357 cells; use of a 3 volt 1/3N lithium cell is not recommended) electro-mechanically controlled manual focus SLR with manual exposure control or aperture priority
Aperture priority
Aperture priority, often abbreviated A or Av on a camera mode dial, is a setting on some cameras that allows the user to choose a specific aperture value while the camera selects a shutter speed to match. The camera will ensure proper exposure...
autoexposure.
The OM-4 was the first camera with a built-in multi-spot-meter (2% of view; 3.3˚ with 50 mm lens) and can take up to eight spot measurements and average them. The light meter uses a dual concentric segmented silicon photodiode to provide spot or centerweighted readings. It uses a graduated linear LCD shutter speed display at the bottom of the viewfinder to precisely indicate its readings versus the actual camera settings. The interchangeable focusing screen
Focusing screen
A focusing screen is a flat translucent material, usually ground glass, found in a system camera that allows the user of the camera to preview the framed image in a viewfinder. Often, focusing screens are available in variants with different etched markings for various purposes...
, delivered with the camera, had split image rangefinder and microprism collar focusing aids.
The major improvements of the OM-4 compared to the OM-2N were the stronger chassis, gasket weatherproofing, permanently affixed dedicated hot shoe and TTL flash cable connector, linear liquid crystal display
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display is a flat panel display, electronic visual display, or video display that uses the light modulating properties of liquid crystals . LCs do not emit light directly....
(LCD) shutter speed display, provision for spot-metering, flexible integrated circuit electronics.
Accessories for the OM-4 includes all the Olympus Motor Drive
Motor drive
A motor drive, in the field of photography, is a powered film transport mechanism. Historically, film loading, advancing, and rewinding were all manually driven functions...
s made for the OM-System cameras. Motor Drive 2 was introduced with the OM-4 and in addition to automatic film advance (up to 5 frames per second) features a motorized film rewind. The camera can take the Olympus 250 exposure bulk film back (10 meters film = 250 frames) and the Olympus T system flashes. The T45 handle mount electronic flash (guide number 148/45 (feet/meters) at ASA/ISO 100) was also introduced with the OM-4.
The original OM-4 was available in only one color; all black. The introductory US list price for the body only (no lens) was $685. Note that SLRs usually sold for 30 to 40 percent below list price.
The camera dimensions are 87 mm height, 139 mm width, 50 mm depth and 540 g weight.
Design history
The single digit Olympus OM-series SLRs ignited an SLR revolution in the 1970s and 1980s with intense competition between the major SLR brands: Olympus, NikonNikon
, also known as just Nikon, is a multinational corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, specializing in optics and imaging. Its products include cameras, binoculars, microscopes, measurement instruments, and the steppers used in the photolithography steps of semiconductor fabrication, of which...
, Canon
Canon Inc.
is a Japanese multinational corporation that specialises in the manufacture of imaging and optical products, including cameras, camcorders, photocopiers, steppers and computer printers. Its headquarters are located in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan.-Origins:...
, Minolta
Minolta
Minolta Co., Ltd. was a Japanese worldwide manufacturer of cameras, camera accessories, photocopiers, fax machines, and laser printers. Minolta was founded in Osaka, Japan, in 1928 as . It is perhaps best known for making the first integrated autofocus 35mm SLR camera system...
and Pentax
Pentax
Pentax is a brand name used by Hoya Corporation for its medical-related products & services and Pentax Ricoh Imaging Company for cameras, sport optics , etc. Hoya purchased and merged with the Japanese optics company on March 31, 2008. Hoya's Pentax imaging business was sold to Ricoh Company, Ltd...
. Between about 1975 and 1985, there was a dramatic shift away from heavy all-metal manual mechanical camera bodies to much more compact bodies with integrated circuit (IC) electronic automation. In addition, because of rapid advances in electronics, the brands continually leapfrogged each other as they brought out models with new or more automatic features. The OM-1 introduced the compact body size that inspired similar sized SLRs of competing manufacturers (Pentax M series, Nikon FE/FM); automatic through-the-lens (TTL) off-the-film (OTF) electronic flash metering was pioneered by the OM-2 in 1975.
In this arena, the OM-4 and its mechanically controlled companion the OM-3 were conservative designs despite their very sophisticated spot-meters. They can be described as the OM-2 and 1 with electronic spot-meter controls grafted on. The OM-4's deliberately limited but tightly focused features were not intended to appeal to beginners. Instead of offering every possible automated bell and whistle, the OM-4's manual spot-metering represented Olympus Optical's ultimate expression of highest possible quality and precision of exposure control for the professional and advanced amateur photographer.
In 1986, a special ultra-durable version of the OM-4 with champagne coloured titanium
Titanium
Titanium is a chemical element with the symbol Ti and atomic number 22. It has a low density and is a strong, lustrous, corrosion-resistant transition metal with a silver color....
top and bottom plates, upgraded electronic circuitry and improved weatherproofing, called and marked the OM-4Ti (OM-4T in the USA) was released with a US list price of $770.
The OM-4Ti also introduced a new electronic flash control system. Normally focal plane shutters are limited in their maximum flash synchronization speed, because of the way they provide fast shutter speeds – timing the second shutter curtain to close more quickly after the first shutter curtain opens. This causes a narrowing of the slit "wiping" the exposure on the film. In effect, a horizontal focal plane shutter made of cloth is only fully open and usable for flash exposure down to 1/60th second. Any faster and a typical 1 millisecond flash burst would only partially expose the film - the part open to the slit. The OM-4Ti overcame this problem by having the new Olympus F280 Full Synchro flash pulse its light continuously over 40 milliseconds, long enough to illuminate the slit as it crossed the entire focal plane, even at shutter speeds as fast as 1/2000th second. However, there is a concomitant loss of flash range.
A black-finished version came out in 1990 listing for $1250 (the natural finished body remained available for $1200).
In the US market the OM-4T was ultimately renamed OM-4Ti in 1997 ($1819 list), without any feature changes before being finally discontinued in 2002.
Olympus Optical failed to make the transition to autofocus (AF) 35 mm SLRs in the wake of the introduction of the landmark Minolta Maxxum 7000
Minolta Maxxum 7000
The Minolta MAXXUM 7000 35mm SLR camera was introduced in 1985. It marked a significant milestone in photography as it was the first camera to feature both integrated autofocus and motorised film advance, the standard configuration for later amateur and professional single lens reflex...
in 1985. Virtually all non-AF SLRs disappeared by 1989. The OM-4 and OM-3 survived because Olympus Optical had no appropriate successors. Its rugged construction also appealed to professional photographers and traditionalist amateurs liked its lack of autofocus. The Olympus OM-4 sold steadily to the fiercely loyal, cult-like Olympus clique, but more and more slowly over its lifetime as it became more and more outdated. It remained in limited production until 2002, when the rise of digital SLRs gave Olympus an opportunity to get back into the SLR camera business with its Four Thirds System
Four Thirds System
The Four Thirds system is a standard created by Olympus and Kodak for digital single-lens reflex camera design and development.The system provides a standard that, with digital cameras and lenses available from multiple manufacturers, allows for the interchange of lenses and bodies from different...
. Time has proven the OM-4 to be very tough and reliable and it is now regarded as one of the finest SLRs of its generation for the serious and purist film photographer.
In popular culture
Olympus OM-4 Ti appeared in the opening title for the movie Licence To KillLicence to Kill
Licence to Kill, released in 1989, is the sixteenth entry in the Eon Productions James Bond series and the first one not to use the title of an Ian Fleming novel. It marks Timothy Dalton's second and final performance in his brief tenure in the lead role of James Bond...
.
Olympus OM-4Ti was used by the title character in the 1995 remake of Sabrina (1995 film)
Sabrina (1995 film)
Sabrina is a 1995 romantic comedy-drama film adapted by Barbara Benedek and David Rayfiel, based on the 1954 screenplay of the same name, which in turn was based upon a play titled Sabrina Fair....
with Julia Ormond and Harrison Ford