Bought a OM10 for $10

Looking on my local Craigslist last night, I came across this item offered for $10; an Olympus OM10 with a Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 and an original leather OM10 split case. The body and lens are in sketchy shape but it was just $10 and intended by me for display on a bookshelf only. It's surprisingly heavy.

The power switch moves through "ON" to a "CHECK" position which causes the red light on the face (left of the lens) to illuminate and a tiny buzzer next to the red light sounds.  I presume this to warn that either no film is loaded or an inept person is pushing buttons.  I haven't a clue what the tacked-on "Manual Adapter" is (right of the lens).  It's a cheaply made plastic bit that unplugs from a 1/8 mono jack. Anyway, at least the split-screen viewfinder is entertaining to play with for a few minutes.

I'm currently on the fence about weather to buy a second-hand OM-D E-M10 mkII or a PEN E-PL6.  To me, the E-PL6 is a step-up in build-quality from the E-PL5 while the E-PL7 has a LCD which flips forward from the BOTTOM of the camera (useless on a tripod) vs facing forward on top like the E-PL6.  I already have a VF-4 so I don't expect that I'd miss the EVF on the E-M10 II.

Thoughts or comments about either the old camera or the new ones are welcome.

OM10 with 50mm lens and leather case found on Craigslist for $10

Motorazr wrote:

Looking on my local Craigslist last night, I came across this item offered for $10; an Olympus OM10 with a Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 and an original leather OM10 split case. The body and lens are in sketchy shape but it was just $10 and intended by me for display on a bookshelf only. It's surprisingly heavy.

The power switch moves through "ON" to a "CHECK" position which causes the red light on the face (left of the lens) to illuminate and a tiny buzzer next to the red light sounds. I presume this to warn that either no film is loaded or an inept person is pushing buttons. I haven't a clue what the tacked-on "Manual Adapter" is (right of the lens). It's a cheaply made plastic bit that unplugs from a 1/8 mono jack. Anyway, at least the split-screen viewfinder is entertaining to play with for a few minutes.

I'm currently on the fence about weather to buy a second-hand OM-D E-M10 mkII or a PEN E-PL6. To me, the E-PL6 is a step-up in build-quality from the E-PL5 while the E-PL7 has a LCD which flips forward from the BOTTOM of the camera (useless on a tripod) vs facing forward on top like the E-PL6. I already have a VF-4 so I don't expect that I'd miss the EVF on the E-M10 II.

Thoughts or comments about either the old camera or the new ones are welcome.

OM10 with 50mm lens and leather case found on Craigslist for $10

The manual adapter allows you to set the shutter speed on the camera.  If it didn't have that, it would only allow Aperture priority automatic exposure.

BTW, the OM-10 is basically a worthless  film camera, but the lens might have some value, although you said that the lens is in sketchy shape.

Dutch Newchurch wrote:

'Check' tells you if the battery is dead.

Not to argue but, seriously, if the battery is dead, what powers the red light and the buzzer I'm getting when I flip the power switch to the "Check" position? I had presumed that the little button battery is all there is. Not, of course, that it matters much but I like to have at least a basic understanding.

dougjgreen1 wrote:

The manual adapter allows you to set the shutter speed on the camera. If it didn't have that, it would only allow Aperture priority automatic exposure.

Got it - thanks. I see now that the numbers on the dial are fractions of a second for shutter speed

dougjgreen1 wrote:

BTW, the OM-10 is basically a worthless film camera, but the lens might have some value, although you said that the lens is in sketchy shape.

I feel vaguely insulted. LOL. I think most film cameras are "basically worthless" given the cost of film and processing. To me, this old camera was well worth $10 as a nice bookshelf decoration. Like the camera itself, the lens isn't in good enough shape to bother with - it's a mildly interesting paperweight.

Dutch Newchurch wrote:

Motorazr wrote:

dougjgreen1 wrote:

The manual adapter allows you to set the shutter speed on the camera. If it didn't have that, it would only allow Aperture priority automatic exposure.

Got it - thanks. I see now that the numbers on the dial are fractions of a second for shutter speed

dougjgreen1 wrote:

BTW, the OM-10 is basically a worthless film camera, but the lens might have some value, although you said that the lens is in sketchy shape.

I feel vaguely insulted. LOL. I think most film cameras are "basically worthless" given the cost of film and processing. To me, this old camera was well worth $10 as a nice bookshelf decoration. Like the camera itself, the lens isn't in good enough shape to bother with - it's a mildly interesting paperweight.

Camera snobbery is almost as old as photography itself. When I got my first one, the OM1 cost about £110 and the OM2 about £200. The OM10 was launched at about that time, containing the advanced automatic exposure technology from the OM2 in a polycarbonate body. It cost just under £100.

The manual adapter cost an extra £15. It added manual exposure although I think the viewfinder light meter information was a little unsophisticated.

The OM10 could use all the excellent Zuiko optics, and the third party alternatives.

While it may have included the OM-2 auto-exposure technology, it most certainly did not include the manual exposure control options, nor the viewfinder info, nor the build quality.  But it might be a useful milestone, as it was the first camera Olympus ever crippled by removing the shutter speed control and then offered it as an extra cost option.

As for putting it on a bookshelf, I would contend that chrome-finished metal cameras look better than painted plastic ones.  Olympus made some great film SLRs.  The OM-10 was not one of them.  The OM-2 certainly was.

Motorazr wrote:

dougjgreen1 wrote:

The manual adapter allows you to set the shutter speed on the camera. If it didn't have that, it would only allow Aperture priority automatic exposure.

Got it - thanks. I see now that the numbers on the dial are fractions of a second for shutter speed

dougjgreen1 wrote:

BTW, the OM-10 is basically a worthless film camera, but the lens might have some value, although you said that the lens is in sketchy shape.

I feel vaguely insulted. LOL. I think most film cameras are "basically worthless" given the cost of film and processing. To me, this old camera was well worth $10 as a nice bookshelf decoration. Like the camera itself, the lens isn't in good enough shape to bother with - it's a mildly interesting paperweight.

I bought mine, without any intention of using it.
The sole Purpose is to admire its beauty and to use as an inspiration or a test subject.
And I truly enjoyed it.

I also used it to test the Demo 45mm 1.2 robin is testing during the time...

as has been mentioned the red light is a battery check and the manual adapter allows you to fully use the camera manually, i think many are not so fond of this camera but with a decent lens and film it's still capable even today

couple of shots taken in the last 10 years with a OM10...bit small i know but that's all i have from it

That pic makes it look like the aperture is stopped down, which it shouldn't be unless either a photo is being taken or you're using the depth of field button (bottom right of lens when in use).

How's the view through the viewfinder? I think the sticky magnet problem also causes the aperture to stop down, but also the mirror to flip up , exposing the black and white pattern on the 1st curtain. Easy to check by taking the lens off. If it's this Cleaning magnets  or http://www.instructables.com/id/Olympus-OM10-Sticky-Shutter-Repair/

The top right button on the lens is the lens release ( put there by Maitani so removing a lens is a one hand operation).

If it is the lens and you want to try Disassembly

Robert Evagelista wrote:

I bought mine, without any intention of using it.
The sole Purpose is to admire its beauty and to use as an inspiration or a test subject.
And I truly enjoyed it.

Very nice lighting and compositions. Kudos, Robert.