Lest anybody think that I'm trying to start a Nikon/Canon war on the
Olympus list, please let me explain my reasoning behind bringing this to
the list:
The Olympus system was argueably the finest professional SLR system of the
'70's and early '80's. Nikon was way too "industrial" to be elegant.
Canon was rather hit-and-miss during that time too. Minolta was actually a
serious contender along with Pentax. It was an exciting time to be a
photographer as each system had clear advantages and target users. But for
the serious photo-journalist, Leica was still the "standard" but was losing
ground fast.
In the mid-80's Olympus introduced the OM-3 which was to directly compete
with the Nikon F3 (which lost a lot of weight/size in comparison to the
F2). The OM-4 was to directly compete with Minolta and Canon's offerings.
Unfortunately, superior technology will lose to giving the consumer what
they want. Canon created a format with the EOS line that brought better
ergonomics and new features to a rather stale product category.
Olympus lost interest in the professional SLR market and pretty much
abandoned the professional (non-medical and other specialty) scene back in
the mid-80's. Further developments to the line, which include the OM-3Ti
and OM-4Ti, could be considered an insult to those of us who wished for a
new AF body with even some modern amenities. For crying out loud, the
OM-4Ti doesn't even have indoor plumbing. <g>
My situation is a bit different than many of you who primarily use the
Olympus system for pleasure. As a professional user my demands are a bit
more severe. #1 requirement of a professional system is AVAILABILITY. If
my camera body dies, can I run down to the camera shop (that has
professional equipment) and rent a replacement? How about when I need a
600mm lens for an assignment--could I get a rental? How about when I need
servicing of my equipment, what type of turnaround time are we looking at?
#2 requirement is flexability. My Olympus equipment isn't up to today's
standards for sports/wildlife work. Sure the OM's would work, but so would
a Kodak Brownie.
I bring up the Canon/Nikon subject because, like it or not, I MUST convert
to either system. I must have autofocus. I must have a speedy motor drive,
I must have advanced flash features. However, I also must have excellent
quality lenses and the capabilities of the OM-2S and OM-4.
I will most likely get either an EOS-3 or F5. Yes, these wonderbricks are
big and heavy, but I've resigned myself to that. I will be looking for the
system that works the way I think and "see". I will rent both systems and
spend a little time with each to determine which one gets in my way the
least. The one that "feels" like the Olympus will probably win, but it is
frustrating to look at these wonderbricks and scratch my head trying to
figure out why the metering fluctuates with light entering the viewfinder.
Even my OM-2S doesn't do that!
Most of you, who've been on the list for a while, know that I absolutely
love the OM system. Switching to a different system is going to be one of
the toughest things and is not being done without serious reservations. I
will keep you all informed of the progress as it develops and my reasoning
behind the decisions I make. I know that there are others on the list that
must be facing the same situation and just maybe this excercise won't be in
vain.
I'll be finding out this week if the bank will want me to sell the
equipment or just keep it in reserve for the mortgage. I've got $1500-2000
worth of stuff and even though it ain't much it would be just enough to
cover the closing costs and some of the downpayment.
Ken
Kenneth E. Norton
Image66 Photography
image66@xxxxxxx
(217) 224-5004
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