We review the OM-2 that includes an innovative aperture-priority automatic exposure mode. The Olympus OM system is a line of 35 mm single reflex film and modern, mirrorless digital (MFT) cameras and lenses. The successtory of this popular series dates back to 1972 as chief designer Yoshihisa Maitani invented ‘his’ Olympus Maitani. It was meant as a feasible answer to the German Leica’s M series; small, compact and yet advanced enough to label the series pro-consumer. Technology driven cameras that emerged in a fast evolving series, known for their portability and high-quality optics.
The Olympus OM-1 was a fully manually-operated camera, where as the OM-2 was the successor that brought several improvements, but needed two original Mallory 10L14B2 or Eveready S76 that now can be replaced for the PX625 batteries (still available). It had as one of the first cameras a through-the-lens exposure meter controlling a needle visible in the viewfinder. Introduced in 1975, the OM-2 emerged as a semi-automatic, aperture-priority camera featuring an electronically controlled shutter. Despite being touted as technically superior in photography publications and magazines, Olympus, as a company, lacked the same level of recognition as industry giants like Nikon or Canon. Consequently, some professionals perceived Olympus cameras as inferior, mainly attributing it to their lighter weight (!).


Derived from the OM-1 body, it maintained compatibility with OM-1 accessories and lenses. Noteworthy features included automatic through-the-lens (TTL) and off-the-film (OTF) metering, renowned for its precise exposure calculation based on measured light reflected off the shutter’s surface or the film surface during exposure.
In this, also called Auto Dynamic Metering (ADM) system of the OM-2, the lens-facing side of the first shutter curtain was coated with a computer-generated pattern of white blocks, designed to simulate an average scene. When the mirror flipped up, the metering cell in the base of the mirror box measured the light reflected from the subject, taking into account this pattern of blocks. The timing of the release of the second curtain was dynamically adjusted in real time during the exposure. As the shutter speed increased, the system transitioned to measuring the actual light reflecting off the film surface, and the timing of the second curtain’s release was adapted accordingly. This unique feature endowed cameras equipped with this system the capability to adapt to changes in lighting conditions during the actual exposure. This adaptability proved particularly valuable in specialized applications such as photomicrography and astronomical photography. The camera retained a manual-exposure mode, akin to the OM-1, and innovatively incorporated electronic flash integration into the exposure system through the TTL exposure system.


The shutter operates as a horizontal-running cloth type. In auto-exposure mode, the camera can provide exposures ranging from 60 seconds to 1/1000 seconds. Additionally, the camera features a metered manual-exposure mode, allowing for shutter speeds of 1 second to 1/1000 seconds, along with a Bulb (B) setting. The camera has a hot shoe for a central sync contact. Additionally, the OM-2 model has a reset position on the shutter speed dial adjacent to the B setting. This was used to reset the shutter mechanism in the event of mirror lock-up when the batteries are drained.


The charming thing about the camera is its compactness. It is not a big, bulky SLR like its competitors. The camera fits comfortably in the hand. However, it is full of impressive buttons. The central on/off mechanism is located at the top left next to the rewind button. You can choose manual with light measurement or automatic. With a battery check function as a bonus. In the middle of the prism housing is a removable hot shoe for the flash with X contact. On the right we find the combined ISO/ASA (12-1600) and exposure compensation button (+/- 2 stops). The shutter is sandwiched between this button and the wind lever with another small sight glass for the frame number of the film roll. There is a memory aid on the back where you can insert the cardboard of your film roll. The back unlocked by raising the rewind button, which became the standard for virtually all cameras of the time. The front of the camera is also impressively packed with features. First of all, the release button for rewinding the film roll. A graceful self-timer and on the other side of the lens a traditional Flash cable connection (PC).


The camera has the OM bayonet mount, giving access to a very wide range of high-quality OM lenses. These range from 8 and 16 mm Fisheye lenses, the world famous 21 and 24 mm F2, the classic primes of 28 mm, 35 mm up to telephoto lenses of no less than 1000 mm. The shutter is located in the mount connection and can be directly combined with the aperture of the lens. Very clear! The dial is nice and stiff so that you cannot accidentally change the set shutter speed. Because the lenses are also compactly constructed, a convincing whole of an SLR is created that is also compact. I personally use the 24 mm F.2.8 the most, nice and wide and sharp. Naturally, the OM lens series keeps the aperture automatic on maximum opening for focussing and you can check the effect of changing the aperture by pressing the diagonal buttons on the lens.


On the bottom plate, in addition to the tripod connection, are the battery cover and the connection for the motor winder (motor drive 1/controlgrip 1), which looks just like a battery cover.The camera’s viewfinder image is special. Not only clear and equipped with a matte focus adjustment circle in the middle, but also with two different reading needles for correct shutter exposure. In manual mode, the needle simply points between + and – and indicates under- or overexposure. In the automatic, the needle provides a colourfull and transparent list of shutter speeds and indicates the (in)correct values. Photos can also be taken in the ‘off’ position (without an exposure meter). However, the batteries must be inserted correctly or the camera will not operate. In practice, this sometimes appears to lead to problems, which is why we indicate here the correct way to use the batteries:

There are different opinions about the aesthetic value of the design of the OM series. Some find it hideous, others idolize the design. I myself belong to the latter group because Olympus really distinguishes itself from other brands and meets a common expectation, namely keeping advanced SLR cameras smaller and more compact. The OM-2 has completely succeeded in this!