The Olympus OM system was released in 1972. The OM10 was the first consumer OM series
body which was launched in 1979. It accepted the full line of OM
lenses and most of the OM accessories for a lower price than previous models.
The lower price was reflected in the build quality of this camera and the
features available. However, it was still a very competent performer and it reflected the elegant
lines established by the compact OM 1 and 2 and you know what? It really is a beautiful design!
I got this particular model for around 12 to 13 pounds on eBay which I think is really cheap,
however, I did have to buy the separate manual shutter speed adapter which was around
10 pounds as well. So, all in all, I paid around 22 to 23 pounds for this camera and
actually this little manual adapter is really cool! Even though it's a feature which I
believe should be built into the camera, It was an optional extra on this model.
The overall look and feel of the camera is just great.
If you look through the viewfinder you have a depth of field preview which is very useful.
This camera really sounds great just listen to this...
By the way, this will be the first time that I've used this camera so I'm really excited to see what
results we get and uh well let's go so I'm going to be using the Kodak Portra 800 film which I
haven't actually used before, although it's known for its soft contrast and beautiful saturation.
I'm really eager to try it out. Being an 800 iso rated film it's more suited for late evening and
night shooting which if you follow my Instagram you'll know that's when I like to shoot most of
the time. Loading the film into the OM10 is as simple as it gets and is much like any
other 35-millimeter film camera. Simply pop open the back door by pulling up on the winder stick,
insert the film into the cradle, then put the end of the film into the winding mechanism.
Advance the film a few times, and then shut the back door.
So one of the techniques I really like to use for street photography is
the fishing technique. If you haven't heard of that what you do is you find some background,
you find a composition that you like and then you wait for subjects to come into the frame.
Kind of like actors walking onto a set almost. So I think this is it's a decent enough spot,
I just gotta find, sort of, the right, the right composition here.
You know, you could be waiting here for like 20 minutes 30 minutes, or
you only have to wait 30 seconds or something like that, so it's just patience is key!
Ideally, I want one person, three or five people because I tend to like to use the rule of odds
as well in my photography is something which I really enjoy, but just playing a waiting game.
You know what I no, i don't like that shot.
So we've moved just a couple yards down the path and you can find a good compositio...
There is someone coming here so we should be able to get a good shot here hopefully.
You're alright lads, you'll make the shot better probably.
[ __ ] i didn't mean to shoot that man!
Well that's three shots so...
Okay
all right let's move on I'm not sure if that was what I was visualizing but on to the next!
Waiting again for someone to come..
I think actually the first one I got was the best. The one with the old woman with the stick.
I didn't like it, I didn't like it!
20 exposures on the film now, so I think it's time to
test something else and I think next I'm going to do some portraits, but I might wait until we've got the evening light because it's a bit too bright.
That's it for Cardiff.
Okay I think it's okay.
Ready?
Can you take a picture, like this?
Just this bit.
Yeah.
Look up.
Look into the lens.
Don't blink.
3..2..1..
So the arm is the frame, yeah. So it's the frame, got it yeah, 250.
3..2.. arm down slightly that's it, that's it, that's it. Ready?
Bring it more this way, and then that's it, yeah there. 3..2..
1..
Okay.
I think that'll do for the portraits for now.
Overall I'm really happy with the quality of this camera,
and when paired with decent film stock like Portra 800 it produces some wonderful results.
i can't help but think how much of a steal this camera was.
Honestly,
It's insane.
But I must say I still have much to learn when it comes to analogue photography, and if you're like
me and want to start shooting film then I highly recommend the Olympus OM10 as a beginner's choice.
I'll leave you with the rest of the images and look forward to seeing you next time!
Peace!