I bought the Olympus OM4-Ti film camera based solely on it’s looks. It’s the film camera I’ve used the least. I bought it on E-bay from Japan about a year ago and have only put about 10 rolls of film through it. When it sits on a shelf by itself, it looks great, when you shoot with it, at least when I shoot with it, there’s just something missing. There’s no massive view finder like the Nikon F3, no silky smooth film advance like the Leica MP. In my opinion, the Olympus OM4-Ti is missing the X-factor. I’d stop short of saying it’s all looks and nothing else, because on paper, the Olympus OM4-Ti has a sophisticated metering system, capable of several different metering methods. But for me, the Olympus OM4-Ti just doesn’t have anything that special about it and doesn’t shout “shoot me” like a Leica or the Nikon F3 or even the Contax T3 do.
Olympus OM4-Ti Film Camera
The Olympus OM4-Ti is a very small, almost compact film SLR camera. With a 50mm Zuiko, I can’t say it’s pocketable, but it’s definitely minimal and won’t weigh you down in the least. I’d love to shoot more with the Olympus OM4-Ti but it’s difficult when you have a Leica MP, Nikon F3 and Contax T3 on the shelf. The photos that you get from it are more than okay, and I bet if you showed me prints from the Olympus OM4-Ti and the same subject prints from the Leica MP, I don’t think I or 99% of the general population would be able to tell you which is which. This would be an excellent film camera if you’re just starting out in Film and want a decent, good looking camera to get you going that won’t break the bank. You can pick up an Olympus OM4-Ti for about HKD$2000-$4000, depending on the condition, on Ebay. They’re available all over the world, but as I’ve said many times before, I’d buy one from Japan if you can because the Japanese, in general, tend to look after their gear. There’s some dust on the view finder, otherwise the camera is 90% new. For the amount I use it, I should probably sell it, but it’s such a nice looking camera I can’t get myself to.
Because I don’t shoot with it much, I haven’t figured out or mastered the metering system, but from all reports it’s pretty good. The 50mm Zuiko is kind of legendary, but not really a hall of famer, and this is why the Olympus OM4-Ti Film Camera is the Belinda Carlisle of film cameras.
If I ever get it out a bit more, I’ll be sure to add some thoughts but for now, it’s just decoration.
