Body group       OM-3

The OM-3, releases in 1983 was the first of new series of modern professional camera bodies in the OM System, with new features that included LED's instead of needle meters (the amateur line featured this already since 1978 in the OM-10 and later models), spot meter and viewfinder illumination. Besides the OM-3 this modern line consists of the OM-4 (1984), OM-2SP (1984), OM-40 (1985; US:OM-PC), and the current models OM-4Ti (1987) and OM-3Ti (1995).
The OM-3 is a mechanical shutter camera that is much less common than its sister camera, the OM-4. Reasons are that it was much more expensive than the OM-1n and that the latter was not discontinued when the OM-3 became available, that the OM-3 was announced at the same time as the OM-4 and OM-2SP, and that it was already discontinued in 1986. As a result used OM-3's in good shape will sell at the same price levels or even higher as good used OM-4Ti's. The OM-3 was only made in black.

om-3a.jpg (26450 bytes)

 

Main specifications

Type: 35 mm. Single Lens Reflex Camera with mechanically controlled shutter. Motor drive advance: With Motor Drive 1 or 2 unit attached, single frame and continuous advance at speed of 5 frames per second (at exposures of 1/500 sec. and above, with fresh batteries and at normal temperature and humidity).
Film format: 24mm x 36mm. Film rewind: Rewind crank (motorized rewind with Motor Drive 2 possible).
Lens mount: Olympus OM Mount. Viewfinder: Viewfinder with dioptric correction; dioptric correction range from +1 to -3 diopters; finder viewfield: 97% of actual picture field; magnification: 0.84x at infinity with -0.5 diop. (50mm lens).
Shutter: Mechanically controlled cloth focal plane shutter; 1/2000 sec. max. shutter speed (available shutter speeds can be used without batteries). Focusing screens: Wide selection of interchangeable screens (1- and 2-series). Supplied with Focusing Screen 1-13 (microprism/split image-matte type).
Synchronization: X contact (synchronization at speeds of 1/60 sec. or slower); hot shoe with contact for T series flash; 5-pin connector for T series flash; PC synchro socket. Viewfinder information: LCD multi-mode display (2 min. limiter). Shutter speed, spot value(s), highlight mode, shadow mode. Markers for 3 stops under/over exposure. LED indicator for flash ready / flash ok. Built-in illuminator (10 sec. limiter).
Light measuring method: Center-weighted, average light measurement, switchable to spot measurement; spot measurement selective in three modes: multispot, highlight and shadow-based methods. Battery check: 3-level display with LED and auto tone. Electronic beeper muting lever.
Exposure range: EV0~EV19 (ISO/ASA 100, 50mm. F1.4). Power source: Two 1.5V silver-oxide batteries SR44 (Eveready EPX-76) or alkaline manganese batteries LR44.
Exposure control: B., 1sec.-1/2000 sec. (flash synchronization at speed of 1/60 sec. or slower). Camera back: Removable hinge type with memo holder; interchangeable with Recordata backs and 250 Film Back.
Film speed: ISO/ASA 6-3200. Dimensions: 136x84x50mm (body alone).
Manual film advance: Film advance lever with 130° angle for one long or several short strokes and pre-advance angle 30°. Weight: 540 gram.


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