I think this camera looks so cool when worn with the titanium showing and yours is probably the most beautiful I have seen. That you bought it yourself new and the wear is from experiencing life with you is incredibly nostalgic.
It looks pretty cool with the paint worn like that! I bought a mint condition OM-4ti in black for $320 3 days ago. It’s absolutely beautiful and it’ll definitely be with me for life as well as my $50 Olympus OM-2SP that I got with 2 lenses at a elderly lady’s garage sale. It’s crazy that she threw in an Olympus 50mm f/1.4 and Tamron 28-80mm f/3.5-4.2. It’s what started my love for film photography but the camera itself has seen better days. The OVF is pretty dirty and so is the mirror. The mirror is very dirty, so my mint condition OM-4ti with a super clean OVF and mirror is a night and day different. The multi spot metering is really gonna come in handy. I certainly won’t mind seeing my OM-4ti in that similar condition when I get older. It’ll still look beautiful and the titanium looks cool exposed like that.
Good purchases you’ll never regret. And the garage sale zuiko 50mm 1.4 lens alone would set you back well,over 100 dollars in good condition…and it is a total winner lens and that extra stop of speed…compared to the more standard 50mm 1.8…makes a huge difference In flexibility…good buy!
I often shoot with an Olympus OM-2, and you made me want this Olympus OM-4 with its measuring system, yours has a beautiful patina, and carries a beautiful story. Thank you for the video !
Two things: The battery chamber is the outer and the motor drive connection the inner. I have the OM-4 but as far as I know that never changed with the Ti version. More importantly: The spot meter lever stores the readings (up to eight) to memory when turned inwards and clears the memory when turned outwards. One more thing: Turning the self timer switch inwards silences the beep sounds. These functions are the same in OM-4.
Worth mentioning that the mirror will flip up when using the timer. I used it while comparing the 50mm 1.8 to a Zeiss Planar 50mm 2.0, ZM version (changed the film to my Leica, therefore same film, same development). I had already found the Olympus to be excellent, but still expected to find some difference on high magnification. If there is I couldn't see it. It really is that good.
Great review. Don't you find that once a tiny bit of paint wears off the Titanium OM4TIi, it starts to come off in clumps, much more than on the OM1 and OM2 that seem to have brass underneath? This one is nearly a chrome model now!! Somehow a well used OM has its own beauty. I remember a guy in Jessops around 1981 had a beaten up OM2. It was almost more brass than paint!
Also the regular OM-3 and OM-4 are brass. The ones with titanium are OM-3 Ti and OM-4 Ti. The Ti versions seem to loose paint more easily as you point out. Although I don't speak from own experience, but only research online
A tremendous video and story about a tremendous camera. I have always appreciated well designed, well built mechanical devices, and especially those that show their use (not abuse) and appreciation. I have two OM cameras, though they're both double digit models. I hope to get an OM4 in the near future. Kudos!
Thank you very much. I have a immaculate om4ti and never really understood it. I shot film with minolta and canon. Started Olympus with digital and then om10 and now om4ti. For all I have read and watched is video brought to all together. Thank you, and now I will get back to film.
Also my workhorse camera for almost 20 years. Indeed I have it still. If you want to shoot film seriously this is a good option. It has…in no particularly order…1) a spot meter as accurate as the dedicated spot meters you can find but with no fuss to use a function with a memory too, that will average your readings for an over all “best”. And because it is a through the lens meter it of course can factor in filters…esp good for B&W photographers but also measures polarised light. You gotta love it for that alone. I often used it with a grey card in the middle distance metered thru a telephoto lens2) super easy controls as you see here. So for these alone I rarely..almost never, had to discard exposures BECAUSE of the exposure.3) amazingly light and still feels light and compared with the big Pentax s Canons inc digital ones etc it almost seems like a mini camera…unto you see the pictures.3) a range of world beating Zuiko lenses including an amazingly fast 24mm and a fast 50mm workhorse lens. I have about 8 lenses…all prime lenses.4) despite being light and easy to use I normally use a tripod and slow film which can require best exposures at f22 @ 1/8 or whatever. At these slow speed this camera is also a winner. I love mine.
Olympus was so far out and they did this with a compact frame. I was lucky my elderly neighbor sold me his Om2. I learned on a Canon A-1 then later started using Nikons for their AF-D lenses. The Olympus introduced me to a very unique experience. I can’t say Olympus is my favorite but I think they did have the best manual SLR’s. I love my FM3a and it has a good meter and ability to use SB/SU800 flash and trigger but center weighted metering annoys me since becoming accustomed to matrix. Om4 is nearly perfect
Many Thanks for the review, when using the Spot Metering the reading dot is not shown in the view finder. Also, when I use the F280 Flash, the flash charge is not shown as well and the flash confirmation does not show, after firing the flash in the view finder.
I have just purchased one although I have been an om1 user since the eighties I have just run a roll of t max 100 through it with 1.4 50mm and 2.8 135mm amazing sharp and the meter is great
Matured and professional assessment ; a few minor corrections but nonetheless; so pleasant to listen to. Memories of yesteryears refreshed, Arigato guday masta
11:48 I could never afford the Olympus 90mm f/2 macro . I had to go for the Tamron 90mm f/2.5 but still liked it. However, I love the Zuiko 85mm f/2 for out of focus background bokeh but doesn't have very close focus. The 21mm f/3.5 is a fantastic and tiny lens. It just opens up the view and seems razor sharp. The 16mm f/3.5 fisheye similarly. Miniscule, a design masterpiece. All the wide angle primes are lovely really. Well, there isn't an OM system Zuiko lens I would not like to own. They are extraordinarily good in look, feel and use in my view.
The back isn't titanium, but is titanium-coated. The normal steel backs are not coated, and can rust. The backs on the titanium cameras do not rust, and the paint wears off of them quickly as it does off the other titanium parts.
I recently acquired a very attractive champagne finish Olympus OM-4ti. One thing that quickly caught my attention was that there is a front plate around the lens mount that is painted the same color as the titanium top and bottom plates on the camera. On my OM-1's and OM-2's this piece is either silver or black. Do you know if this piece is also titanium on the ti models?
Hi.i love the olympus om4ti,but have had a recent problem with it.i wound the camera and than pressed the rewind button, and now i cant release the shutter,and the rewind button does not pop up.any ideas what might be causing the problem
The shutter may have locked up for some reason, try pushing the little button near the bottom of the lens mount on the camera, and rotate the shutter speed ring to B, that may release it.
The OM3 had a pro feature the OM4 lacked, and that was a fully mechanical shutter. The OM3's shutter could be fired at all speeds if the battery went dead. Also, the OM3 was produced in far fewer numbers than the OM4.
Hope this isn't a repeat -- yewtoob hasn't been registering my comments for the last month. Trying a different browser. Former Olympus Service Manager/specialist in Olympus repairs for 30+ years here. Excellent brief review! I see you are missing the metal plate that goes over the hot shoe and keeps a flash from sliding all the way through. I think you can harvest a replacement from a Shoe 4 -- though it's chrome, it looks good! I have never seen a titanium back cover in the hundreds of 3's and 4's I worked on, though I never thought to check. Could be something that Olympus slipped past me! North American models were all steel. You can check with a magnet -- if someone truly has a titanium back, that would make my day!
Good morning Sir, I do have a question: what are the informations contained in the viewfinder of the Olympus OM-4 TI? Specifically, does it show the selected aperture? Thank you and kind regards, Marc
Thank you for your message. The OM4 Ti does not show the selected aperture in the viewfinder. There is a digital scale on the bottom which shows the shutter speeds, and an indicator which moves up or down showing which speed will be selected as you adjust the aperture.
Hello dear Sir, thank you very much for your prompt answer. Next questions: 1. how do you ("mentally") deal with the aperture missing in the viewfinder? Did you select it instinctively (in order to get the right exposure) through the years? 2. Would you recommend to buy a OM-4 Ti in 2020 (i.e. more than 30 years old)? Regarding the (on-board) electronic? Is it a big risk? I am undecided in buying a OM-4 Ti over a Nikon FM2n (full mechanical).
@@marcnjoku3078 Thanks for your message. I have not had any problems with the aperture ring when shooting with the OM4 camera. The aperture ring is on the front of the lens, and it is easy to guess the aperture when turning it from one stop to the other. You can see the shutter speed recommended or selected shutter speed in the viewfinder as the aperture is changed, so there is no danger of not knowing when the shutter speed becomes too slow. The biggest advantage the OM4 has over the FM2N is the spot meter function, which is amazing, and allows you to get perfect exposures in any lighting situation. As you can see by my camera in the video, the OM4Ti is a very reliable camera, and it has endured a lot of abuse over the years, and still works great.
Thanks for that..i find your approach straightforward and refreshing. Never pegged You for the military type..nor the Mopar for that matter. My first wife was an Olympus OM-1 nut while i labored with an old Nikon F. Very good cameras both when everything was right with them. As for 50mm i am wondering if maybe the Pentax Super Takumar had both of them beat. What do You think, Sir?
The most popular Super Takumar here in Japan is the 50mm f/1.4 with the thorium glass, and it is more highly regarded than the Nikon or Olympus 50mm lenses. It is also rather expensive, and sells for much more than other versions. I don't have any personal experience with that particular lens, the only Pentax SLR I have shot much with is one of the big 67s. I suppose I will have to try out one of those Super Takumars and see what they are about. Someone nearby here in Tokyo has a '71 Plymouth 'Cuda with a 383 magnum for sale, but parking here is not cheap, so getting a second parking spot is out of the question, and I doubt I can convince my wife to sell our current car and replace it with a 50-year-old vehicle with no air conditioning...
The backs are not titanium, but the titanium cameras came with a specific back. Most people would never know the difference, but collectors in Japan do, and the back covers for the OM4 Ti and OM3 Ti cameras sell for more money than the standard covers.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 Long time...I wonder whether you could answer me this. Following your comment, I checked the backs on my OM-4T's with a magnet, thinking that this would confirm if one of them was made of titanium - no luck. However, one old back from an OM-1, no film reminder on it, could not hold the magnet. Do you know what metal they used at the time? If you find the time for a reply would be great. Thanks in advance.
It would be nice to have a tutorial on how to use the metering system. I often shoot black cat and dogs and it kind a hit or miss, how can i use this camera to make it more consistent.
The metering system is simple to use once you get the hang of it. If you are shooting at a black-colored subject, you press the "shadow" button on the top of the camera, then use the Spot button to meter on that subject, it will come out black on your negative instead of some shade of gray.
Great videos I been looking to get a film camera but im getting so confused what camera I want to get, I used to have an Olympus OM2 back in the day but would like a change what do you think of the contax 167mt, ST, RTS I heard the lenses are good also. Thanks Justin
The off switch on the 2 is a lie. It'll still take a photo and calculate the exposure even if set to off, but won't take exposures slower than 1/30th. No OM camera was truly off, they were designed not to be.
I think this camera looks so cool when worn with the titanium showing and yours is probably the most beautiful I have seen. That you bought it yourself new and the wear is from experiencing life with you is incredibly nostalgic.
It looks pretty cool with the paint worn like that! I bought a mint condition OM-4ti in black for $320 3 days ago. It’s absolutely beautiful and it’ll definitely be with me for life as well as my $50 Olympus OM-2SP that I got with 2 lenses at a elderly lady’s garage sale. It’s crazy that she threw in an Olympus 50mm f/1.4 and Tamron 28-80mm f/3.5-4.2. It’s what started my love for film photography but the camera itself has seen better days. The OVF is pretty dirty and so is the mirror. The mirror is very dirty, so my mint condition OM-4ti with a super clean OVF and mirror is a night and day different. The multi spot metering is really gonna come in handy.
I certainly won’t mind seeing my OM-4ti in that similar condition when I get older. It’ll still look beautiful and the titanium looks cool exposed like that.
Good purchases you’ll never regret. And the garage sale zuiko 50mm 1.4 lens alone would set you back well,over 100 dollars in good condition…and it is a total winner lens and that extra stop of speed…compared to the more standard 50mm 1.8…makes a huge difference In flexibility…good buy!
I often shoot with an Olympus OM-2, and you made me want this Olympus OM-4 with its measuring system, yours has a beautiful patina, and carries a beautiful story. Thank you for the video !
Two things: The battery chamber is the outer and the motor drive connection the inner. I have the OM-4 but as far as I know that never changed with the Ti version. More importantly: The spot meter lever stores the readings (up to eight) to memory when turned inwards and clears the memory when turned outwards. One more thing: Turning the self timer switch inwards silences the beep sounds. These functions are the same in OM-4.
Love the fact you have had it so long and it is has been with you on life’s adventures
Great video - I'm still using my OM-4Ti that I bought in 1988. Love the flexibility of the spot metering.
Worth mentioning that the mirror will flip up when using the timer. I used it while comparing the 50mm 1.8 to a Zeiss Planar 50mm 2.0, ZM version (changed the film to my Leica, therefore same film, same development). I had already found the Olympus to be excellent, but still expected to find some difference on high magnification. If there is I couldn't see it. It really is that good.
Great review. Don't you find that once a tiny bit of paint wears off the Titanium OM4TIi, it starts to come off in clumps, much more than on the OM1 and OM2 that seem to have brass underneath? This one is nearly a chrome model now!! Somehow a well used OM has its own beauty. I remember a guy in Jessops around 1981 had a beaten up OM2. It was almost more brass than paint!
I'm gonna take the sandpaper to my OM4Ti after this!
@@davebellamy4867 Sandpaper will only ruin the look, the nature wear of these cameras are very different from artificial ones
Also the regular OM-3 and OM-4 are brass. The ones with titanium are OM-3 Ti and OM-4 Ti. The Ti versions seem to loose paint more easily as you point out. Although I don't speak from own experience, but only research online
A tremendous video and story about a tremendous camera. I have always appreciated well designed, well built mechanical devices, and especially those that show their use (not abuse) and appreciation. I have two OM cameras, though they're both double digit models. I hope to get an OM4 in the near future. Kudos!
I wish I still had my original little OM10 from 1981
Thank you very much. I have a immaculate om4ti and never really understood it. I shot film with minolta and canon. Started Olympus with digital and then om10 and now om4ti. For all I have read and watched is video brought to all together. Thank you, and now I will get back to film.
Quite amazing camera I've used one since early 90's
Also my workhorse camera for almost 20 years. Indeed I have it still. If you want to shoot film seriously this is a good option. It has…in no particularly order…1) a spot meter as accurate as the dedicated spot meters you can find but with no fuss to use a function with a memory too, that will average your readings for an over all “best”. And because it is a through the lens meter it of course can factor in filters…esp good for B&W photographers but also measures polarised light. You gotta love it for that alone. I often used it with a grey card in the middle distance metered thru a telephoto lens2) super easy controls as you see here. So for these alone I rarely..almost never, had to discard exposures BECAUSE of the exposure.3) amazingly light and still feels light and compared with the big Pentax s Canons inc digital ones etc it almost seems like a mini camera…unto you see the pictures.3) a range of world beating Zuiko lenses including an amazingly fast 24mm and a fast 50mm workhorse lens. I have about 8 lenses…all prime lenses.4) despite being light and easy to use I normally use a tripod and slow film which can require best exposures at f22 @ 1/8 or whatever. At these slow speed this camera is also a winner. I love mine.
Thx for your review, I bought the OM4ti few month ago as brand new, it's a amazing camera.
Olympus was so far out and they did this with a compact frame. I was lucky my elderly neighbor sold me his Om2. I learned on a Canon A-1 then later started using Nikons for their AF-D lenses. The Olympus introduced me to a very unique experience. I can’t say Olympus is my favorite but I think they did have the best manual SLR’s. I love my FM3a and it has a good meter and ability to use SB/SU800 flash and trigger but center weighted metering annoys me since becoming accustomed to matrix. Om4 is nearly perfect
Damn what a story! Were you able to share those photos taken from your time at the army? Would love to see them!!
Many Thanks for the review, when using the Spot Metering the reading dot is not shown in the view finder. Also, when I use the F280 Flash, the flash charge is not shown as well and the flash confirmation does not show, after firing the flash in the view finder.
According to wikipedia, OM4ti in black was introduced in 1990, so how were you able to buy it 1987? Bit confusing.
I have just purchased one although I have been an om1 user since the eighties I have just run a roll of t max 100 through it with 1.4 50mm and 2.8 135mm amazing sharp and the meter is great
Matured and professional assessment ; a few minor corrections but nonetheless; so pleasant to listen to. Memories of yesteryears refreshed, Arigato guday masta
11:48 I could never afford the Olympus 90mm f/2 macro . I had to go for the Tamron 90mm f/2.5 but still liked it. However, I love the Zuiko 85mm f/2 for out of focus background bokeh but doesn't have very close focus. The 21mm f/3.5 is a fantastic and tiny lens. It just opens up the view and seems razor sharp. The 16mm f/3.5 fisheye similarly. Miniscule, a design masterpiece. All the wide angle primes are lovely really. Well, there isn't an OM system Zuiko lens I would not like to own. They are extraordinarily good in look, feel and use in my view.
How do you confirm the original Ti has a titanium back? Does your back respond to magnets if you put one near it?
The back isn't titanium, but is titanium-coated. The normal steel backs are not coated, and can rust. The backs on the titanium cameras do not rust, and the paint wears off of them quickly as it does off the other titanium parts.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 Thank you for the detailed explanation!
Outstanding video very detail, thank you for your service. And you sound great block of instructions sound like an instructor. Ready a good job
I recently acquired a very attractive champagne finish Olympus OM-4ti. One thing that quickly caught my attention was that there is a front plate around the lens mount that is painted the same color as the titanium top and bottom plates on the camera. On my OM-1's and OM-2's this piece is either silver or black. Do you know if this piece is also titanium on the ti models?
Hi.i love the olympus om4ti,but have had a recent problem with it.i wound the camera and than pressed the rewind button, and now i cant release the shutter,and the rewind button does not pop up.any ideas what might be causing the problem
The shutter may have locked up for some reason, try pushing the little button near the bottom of the lens mount on the camera, and rotate the shutter speed ring to B, that may release it.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 hello.i have sorted it.had to take the base plate of,the cause was the idle gear. It was out of sync
Why does the OM-3 go for so much? Seems like the 4 was a better camera?
The OM3 had a pro feature the OM4 lacked, and that was a fully mechanical shutter. The OM3's shutter could be fired at all speeds if the battery went dead. Also, the OM3 was produced in far fewer numbers than the OM4.
What an excellent video and explanation......
Wow, I just discovered your channel. Bloody marvellous, thank you.
Hope this isn't a repeat -- yewtoob hasn't been registering my comments for the last month. Trying a different browser.
Former Olympus Service Manager/specialist in Olympus repairs for 30+ years here.
Excellent brief review! I see you are missing the metal plate that goes over the hot shoe and keeps a flash from sliding all the way through. I think you can harvest a replacement from a Shoe 4 -- though it's chrome, it looks good!
I have never seen a titanium back cover in the hundreds of 3's and 4's I worked on, though I never thought to check. Could be something that Olympus slipped past me! North American models were all steel. You can check with a magnet -- if someone truly has a titanium back, that would make my day!
I was given one of these brand new in box a few years ago. It was going to be thrown away including various other Olympus items all boxed.
Good morning Sir,
I do have a question: what are the informations contained in the viewfinder of the Olympus OM-4 TI? Specifically, does it show the selected aperture?
Thank you and kind regards, Marc
Thank you for your message. The OM4 Ti does not show the selected aperture in the viewfinder. There is a digital scale on the bottom which shows the shutter speeds, and an indicator which moves up or down showing which speed will be selected as you adjust the aperture.
Hello dear Sir,
thank you very much for your prompt answer.
Next questions:
1. how do you ("mentally") deal with the aperture missing in the viewfinder? Did you select it instinctively (in order to get the right exposure) through the years?
2. Would you recommend to buy a OM-4 Ti in 2020 (i.e. more than 30 years old)? Regarding the (on-board) electronic? Is it a big risk? I am undecided in buying a OM-4 Ti over a Nikon FM2n (full mechanical).
@@marcnjoku3078 Thanks for your message. I have not had any problems with the aperture ring when shooting with the OM4 camera. The aperture ring is on the front of the lens, and it is easy to guess the aperture when turning it from one stop to the other. You can see the shutter speed recommended or selected shutter speed in the viewfinder as the aperture is changed, so there is no danger of not knowing when the shutter speed becomes too slow. The biggest advantage the OM4 has over the FM2N is the spot meter function, which is amazing, and allows you to get perfect exposures in any lighting situation. As you can see by my camera in the video, the OM4Ti is a very reliable camera, and it has endured a lot of abuse over the years, and still works great.
Thanks for that..i find your approach straightforward and refreshing. Never pegged You for the military type..nor the Mopar for that matter. My first wife was an Olympus OM-1 nut while i labored with an old Nikon F. Very good cameras both when everything was right with them. As for 50mm i am wondering if maybe the Pentax Super Takumar had both of them beat. What do You think, Sir?
The most popular Super Takumar here in Japan is the 50mm f/1.4 with the thorium glass, and it is more highly regarded than the Nikon or Olympus 50mm lenses. It is also rather expensive, and sells for much more than other versions. I don't have any personal experience with that particular lens, the only Pentax SLR I have shot much with is one of the big 67s. I suppose I will have to try out one of those Super Takumars and see what they are about. Someone nearby here in Tokyo has a '71 Plymouth 'Cuda with a 383 magnum for sale, but parking here is not cheap, so getting a second parking spot is out of the question, and I doubt I can convince my wife to sell our current car and replace it with a 50-year-old vehicle with no air conditioning...
100mm f2....one of the finest lens ever produced...! 21mm f2, 24mm f2,
They are wonderful lenses, so much so that they are catching up with, and even becoming more expensive than those made by Leica.
Only the top and bottom covers were made of titanium. Not the backs.
Nice presentation, as usual.
The backs are not titanium, but the titanium cameras came with a specific back. Most people would never know the difference, but collectors in Japan do, and the back covers for the OM4 Ti and OM3 Ti cameras sell for more money than the standard covers.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 Long time...I wonder whether you could answer me this. Following your comment, I checked the backs on my OM-4T's with a magnet, thinking that this would confirm if one of them was made of titanium - no luck. However, one old back from an OM-1, no film reminder on it, could not hold the magnet. Do you know what metal they used at the time? If you find the time for a reply would be great. Thanks in advance.
It would be nice to have a tutorial on how to use the metering system. I often shoot black cat and dogs and it kind a hit or miss, how can i use this camera to make it more consistent.
The metering system is simple to use once you get the hang of it. If you are shooting at a black-colored subject, you press the "shadow" button on the top of the camera, then use the Spot button to meter on that subject, it will come out black on your negative instead of some shade of gray.
Great videos I been looking to get a film camera but im getting so confused what camera I want to get, I used to have an Olympus OM2 back in the day but would like a change what do you think of the contax 167mt, ST, RTS I heard the lenses are good also. Thanks Justin
Hi. This camera work only with the dedicated flash?
Tks.
No, it can use standard flash. The extra contacts in the hotshoe are for the dedicated T280 flash.
The om1 & om2n have an off switch.
Where is the off switch on the om4ti to save batteries.
The off switch on the 2 is a lie. It'll still take a photo and calculate the exposure even if set to off, but won't take exposures slower than 1/30th. No OM camera was truly off, they were designed not to be.
How much would one olympus om 4i you have been revewing cost in english pounds? Do u have a old school writeing address to your shops in japan?
does it lock the mirror when it has no batteries?
Late reply. It won't work without batteries except for one shutter speed. It has a mechanical 1/60th setting at the far end of the shutter speed ring.
Awesome review. Thank you
Considering it was really used, was it ever serviced or broken down on you?
The camera has had no failures, it continues to work well.
The way a camera should look, used.
Fav camera. Do you sell the grip for it or know where I can find one?
Impossible to find those grips.
Will you sell me this camera? It’s beautiful!
How can anyone get a camera looking so beat up.? You would have to drag it behind you as you drive your car ?
Cool camera !!!👍
eBay… absurd prices!! I bought a perfect OM4 for 100 euro instead of the absurd prices on eBay…
How wide in degrees is the spot measuring circle?
Thought this was Jordan Peterson speaking