The Olympus OM-2 (35mm Camera) was introduced by Olympus in 1975, three years after the introduction of OM-1. Although it is known that OM-2 is an improved electronic version camera as compared to its predecessors, the OM-2, 35mm Camera has more new features which marked the Olympus as one of the most innovative 35mm SLR camera manufacturer of the seventies. It is not possible to cover all the aspects of this camera in a single review, but can be concise to compile some most noticeable features of this product.
The OM-2 35mm camera is a classic, professional manual-focus 35mm single lens reflex (SLR) camera having 35mm focal-plane shutter. The body is 136 x 83 x 50mm in dimensions and 750 grams in weight (with f1.4/50mm lens). The picture size is of 24 x 36mm with film format is of 24mmx36mm. The rotation angle of the Zuiko interchangeable Lens is 70° with flange back of 46mm. The camera back is of removable hinge type and is also interchangeable. The Shutter speed is 1 - 1/1000 sec. Two 1.5V silver oxide batteries (Eveready (or UCAR) EPX76 or equivalent) are needed to operate the camera.
The well-known feature of Olympus OM-2 camera was the incorporation of TTL direct metering for the first time in the world. Other features are shutter-priority automatic and manual exposure control modes, advanced OTF (off the film) direct light measurement, interchangeable lenses, simple film loading, Reflex mirror, .92x viewfinder magnification, 97 % viewfinder frame coverage, motor drive advance, a slower power winder, manual film advance, self-timer, focusing screens, film speed range of ASA (ISO) 12 – 6400, mirror. There is a 3-stage battery check lamp (light emitting diode) which indicates depleted charge, full voltage and exhaustion of batteries.
Earlier before the advent of OM-2, exposure meter built in electronic-shutter AE cameras were not able to read light while shutter was running. So it read light before shutter was released, and aperture, or shutter speed was calculated out of the light data. But with TTL direct metering, light was read just as the light reached the surface of the film through built-in exposure meter giving ambient light and flash metering. The Motor Drive Advance with single frame attached continues advance at 5 frames per second. The automatic exposure control ranges from 120 seconds to 1/1000 seconds. The Viewfinder is of pentaprism type wide-vision which makes the camera more effective for 97% of actual picture field and apparent field of vertical view of 23°30' and horizontal view of 35°.
The Smallest, light weight, strongest, full featured 35mm OM-2 camera, in 1975 is still unmatched and hard to duplicate after 34 years since its introduction. The automatic exposure function of the OM-2 extends the functionality of the camera to a new level. The Full TTL with lens and 310 auto flash, shutter in auto mode takes nearly perfect pictures. The Motor drive ideal for weddings works without fail. The body of the camera has brought new meaning to reliability, versatility, and portability in the demanding world of the modern photographer.
