I bought my OM-1 in 1975, so at the ripe age of 15, I researched the heck
out of the market at the time. My choices came down to the OM-1, Konica
Autoreflex T3, and a Miranda dx-3 (I think I also looked at a Topcon Super
DM too). After much knashing of teeth, I settled on the sexy OM-1. I
didn't look at the big, clunky Nikon, Canon, or Nikkormats of the time.
They were too "professional". The OM-1 ultimately proved to be a good
decision with its full system flexibility and high-profile brand. The
Konica, Miranda, and Topcon simply faded away, while the Nikon and Canons
(and Minolta) stayed heavy. The Minolta SRT-101 was very popular at the
time, but it had the "I'm an amatuer and this is all I can afford." look,
which wasn't cool enough for me.
When I was in college (78-82), there were two other newspaper and yearbood
photographers that I hung around with. One was a rich kid who had all Nikon
equipment; very impressive, very professional looking, very heavy. The
other had the only SLR that I really liked other than my OM's: the Pentax
LX. It was about the same size as the OM's, and had all the system goodies
(MD, Finders, Macro stuff, etc.). To this day, I'd like to have an LX as a
toy, but I haven't brought myself to buy one. The pro that I worked for in
the university had Nikons and Leica M's (which I lusted after until 3 yrs
ago when I bought into the M system).
But I stuck with my OM's for many years thereafter, buying & selling many
pieces over the years. Ironically, I bought the majority of my equipment in
the late 70's-early 80's from Cambridge Camera Exchange. They were a very
reputable shop at the time. This was when 47th Photo ruled the roost in the
NYC camera circles.
I think the only body left that is original from those days is my trusty
black OM-2n bought in the late 70's. The OM-1 was dropped in college onto a
brick walk equipped with a 75-150/4 MD1/18v Grip and suffered a cracked
mirror box, deemed an un-economical repair, and replaced with an OM-1n. I
bought an OM-4 immediately when they were released in 1984, which I just
sold this year. I've now settled on the OM-2n, 2, and two 4t's.
Ahhhhh....nostalgia. What a lovely thing it is.......
Skip never-having-bought-an-autofocus-SLR-and-it-doesnt-bother-me
afildes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
> Was anyone on the list shopping for an SLR in
> >the early to mid-70s?
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