HOME What's New Site Map Bio Contact Links

Useful the OM Series Information

Olympus OM SLR FAQ and other photography information

OM System Lens Tests by Gary Reese

Olympus mailing list.

If you like to learn more about Olympus cameras and share information with like-minded people all over the world, the thing to do is to subscribe to the Olympus list. For infomation on subscription, follow the link.


For those interested in having a peek at the F280 working distance, you may see the chart.

I am in the process of uploading the scans of the OM System List in Japanese to my FTP directory. Please have a look there to see what are available.

OM2000

The OM2000 was the last model in the OM series cameras. I purchased a kit version in December, 1997 from my local store. I no longer own the 35-70mm/3.5-4.8 lens which came with the camera because I tend to use my 35-70mm/3.5-4.5 lens more. I used to think that the OM2000 as a useful camera to take with me on trips. I note that in Gary Reese's lens tests the OM2000 obtained better results than the OM-1 because the OM2000 comes with a self-timer, that can be used to close down the aperture diaphragm to eliminate the lens vibration. However, lately I've been using the OM-4T/Ti on my trips and when I need a light camera companion, I have been using the Olympus Stylus Epic instead. If you want to get the specs on the OM2000, please look at Press Release on OM2000 at the Olympus America site and in Japanese with the photo of the OM2000.

Olympus Equipment Classifieds

This is a place to sell, buy, or trade Olympus equipment (cameras, lenses, flashes, other accessories, and books). It is free to place your ad, which remains for 30 days. You have an option to add a picture of an item you are selling. You may choose to have your item on an auction. Its traffic is remarkably high, I recommend that you use it before trying other means to sell your Olympus equipment.

Olympus Companies around the World

Olympus Optical Co. in Japan (in Japanese)

Olympus America

Olympus Europa gives info on the Olympus presence in many European countries.

Olympus presence in overseas

Shopping in Japan for the OM Equipment?

I have become acquainted with several Japanese used camera stores in Tokyo as a result of my more frequent trips to visit my family for the past few years. It is relatively easier to find used OM lenses in Tokyo compared to the used camera market available in the United States. However, generally speaking the Japanese prices are higher compared to the US prices. This may be due to the fact that those lenses in the Tokyo stores are better cosmetically compared to those available in the US. Here is a list of the Internet sites which discuss camera (and lens) shopping in Japan.

Buying cameras in Japan
Buying 35mm cameras.
The latter has some links to additional sites. I might add that the prices are better at the stores outside of Ginza and Shinjuku, and I would not bother going to Ginza at all.

Because of my experience in dealing with defective equipment (accessories or non-Olympus used camera bodies), I should point out that you are always taking chances in buying used equipment while visiting anywhere because of difficulty in getting your defective purchase fixed under warranty. The stores generally offer warranties of 3 months to a year, but they expect you to be checking your purchases. I recommend that you have enough time to get your equipment checked over either by you or the Olympus Service Center in Tokyo or elsewhere (done free of charge) before you go back to your own country. It is normally possible to return your purchase within 7 to 10 days for a full refund. The store might be willing to have the repair done but it is generally too slow to be practical unless you stay longer than two weeks. This is because most stores send the defective camera equipment to the manufacturers' service centers.

Speaking of service centers in Tokyo, you might be interested in having your Olympus cameras serviced in Japan if your stay is long enough. The turnaround used to be one week, but it now takes longer than that.

Although I have never tried buying any used equipment without warranties, you might find a bargain without warranties. I have read that there are persons who would buy such equipment and have overhaul repair done on it immediately at a manufacturer's service center. This might work out good when one deals with any bargain OM-3Ti/4T bodies since this way you might be able to have worn parts replaced while Olympus still maintains inventories of repair parts for these models. In addition to replacements of any parts, you generally get your OM bodies cleaned so thoroughly at the Olympus Service Center in Japan that the body almost looks different after an overhaul repair. I have had a few OM bodies treated like that so here I am talking from my experience.

---

Please note that I am simply a photographer who uses the OM cameras and lenses. For manuals and additional information, please call Olympus America at 1-800-622-6372.

---

Update: September 17, 2006