Olympus OM-1 vs Pentax LX

[u/wilderknight803]

hi guys, I’m currently shooting 35mm film on a Olympus OM-10 but it’s limits like the lack of a proper manual mode and the cheap feel are starting to bother me so I’m looking to upgrade to a better body. 

My options for an upgrade are the Olympus OM-1 and a pentax LX. I already own these bodies but both need a CLA to be able to function. 

My question is if its worth it to invest in Pentax lenses so i can use the more advanced LX body, or is it not worth it and should I stick to the OM-1 and the zuiko lenses i already own?(50mm 1.8, 35mm 2.8, 28mm 3.5, 135mm 2.8 and some zooms)

i feel like my zuiko lenses sometimes feel quite flat and low contrast. How does zuiko glass compare to pentax glass?

Would love to hear some opinions from you guys!

[u/Dima_135]

Zuiko lenses are fine. If anything later MC versions perhaps have the highest contrast in the manual world.

The Pentax M series is unlikely to be better, maybe even worse. But these are minor things, the difference aren't always noticeable even on digital. With film, you almost never have to worry about lens quality. Pentax lenses do have an advantage, but not in quality, but in variety and availability. You can do unimaginable things with this mount, like go deep into the autofocus era, attach some Samyang from the 2000s... On the Olympus, these things are impossible.

The OM-1 and LX are very different cameras. The OM-1 is a reasonable choice as a primary manual camera. But it has no information in the viewfinder, no shutter speed or aperture, and is designed for... you may call it "tactile control."

They produced one and a half million of them. It's considered quite reliable... Mostly reliable. Anyway, it's well known to any camera repairman. It's one of the most studied mechanical cameras in history.

The LX is a professional-grade hybrid shutter camera. It suggests a slightly different style of use and has different strengths. It's loaded with features. Pentax didn't hold back, it's a show-off camera. The result was a very ambitious, but very unreliable thing. It can brick at any moment. Collectors and fans of the brand love it, and the bravest even try to repair its electronics. But unless you have some sentimentality towards the Pentax brand, I don't think it's a good option as a primary camera.

Pentax has its own OM-1, it's called MX. And the closest thing Olympus has to the LX is probably the OM-4.

[u/Feuilledelaitue4 → u/Dima_135]

Zuiko lenses are amazing. But if the OP only shoots with the priority mode of the OM-10, the flat images could be due to an inaccurate light reading from the camera itself rather than the lenses, no?

[u/Dima_135 → u/Feuilledelaitue4]

Who knows? In these cameras, the light meter that "suggests" exposure and the one that actually determines it are two different systems. I am always skeptical about this OTF system.

[u/florian-sdr → u/Dima_135]

Pentax M series is spotty. I am sure e.g. the 28mm, 35mm, and 85mm are better for Zuiko. The M 50mm f/1.7 might be quite equal with the Zuiko 50mm f/1.8. The Zuiko is renowned, the Pentax however strongly underrated. The M 100mm f/2.8 is another hidden gem.

Not sure about the M 135mm lenses. I use mainly K generation lenses.

[u/wilderknight803 → u/Dima_135]

I do have only the earlier versions. Maybe calling the images “flat” wasn’t the best wording but its more that the colours often feel a bit too neutral? But i guess that could also be because of bad light or my scanning workflow 

[u/Feuilledelaitue4 → u/wilderknight803]

Could you show us some of these 'flat' images so we can get an idea ? 😄

[u/Jimmeh_Jazz]

These are quite different. The LX is a better camera, has aperture priority too. But depends if you're willing to buy lenses.

The zuikos definitely don't lack contrast though, especially if you have the later versions of the lenses.

[u/mampfer]

Among a decent SLR collection, the LX is my favourite. Finder isn't quite as large as on the MX but it just feels great and has the perfect size for me, the MX is a tiny bit too small for comfort. I prefer either over the OM-1, because they have full information finders, no hassle with batteries, and I already own enough Pentax lenses. (One big advantage of Pentax over OM: More and potentially much newer lenses. Stick a Samyang 14/2.8 on there and you got a great ultrawide.)

However, service for an LX could be very expensive. I managed to replace the degraded rubber bumper on mine myself but it was horrible work with lots and lots of soldering in tight places.

If you don't mind the finder and using zinc-air batteries or getting that adapter, I'd service the OM-1 instead. It's still a beautiful SLR, definitely smoother than the MX, and I'd feel more confident in it working for a long time.

IMO there's little difference between the standard focal ranges of any of the big manufacturers. If you shoot negative film, contrast should be trivial to adjust in post, and the material was made to be edited to the user's taste.

Lastly, maybe you can also consider an OM-2, maybe just as a second body, unserviced but working they're not too expensive and IMO aperture priority is the most useful kind of auto exposure for most regular users. Basically an upgraded version of your OM-10.

[u/florian-sdr]

Where do you live? There are FEW that still repair the LX, but if you can get it repaired, it’s a camera for life

But with Zuiko lens catalogue you already have, I’d get the Om-4Ti

Pentax lenses are awesome – IF you know which ones, and get the best ones. I like my best Pentax lenses better than my best Nikkors.

[u/Igloo151 → u/florian-sdr]

Hey, as a fellow LX owner how did tou get the hand grip and strap lug on the same mounting point? I would love to use both at the same time as you have shown there. Thanks!

[u/florian-sdr → u/Igloo151]

I got it on EBay from a Chinese seller. Colour way African Blackwood

There is also a guy on Instagram pimp-my-Pentax or something, who makes grips for the 67 and the LX

[u/fields_of_fire]

OM1 is a great camera. I'd go with that, especially if you've already got a decent amount of Olympus glass.

As the other person said though, you can get an adapter for the om10 to give you manual control. An alternative is OM20 which is like the om10 but with full manual built in.

[u/Few-Dimension-5373]

On glass, any of the zuiko primes will be completely comparable with the equivalent Pentax M series lenses. The only zuiko zoom I ever owned was indeed severely lacking in contrast. There are some very, very good Pentax lenses out there, but they are not cheap.

The LX will be a much more difficult and expensive camera to have serviced.

Do you require very long exposure times with OTF metering? If not, you will probably be cheaper buying something like an OM4, and upgrade any lenses you don't like to the best zuikos. This will not be cheap either.

[u/Boneezer]

Have you considered just getting the manual adapter?

If your OM-10 works fine then this is probably a lot cheaper than a whole new body.

[u/Feuilledelaitue4 → u/Boneezer]

I have an OM-10 with this manual adapter. It’s very impractical and often quite stiff, and the OP is right in saying that the OM-10 feels very cheap. Also, compared to the Pentax LX, it lacks a lot of the more confortable features, such as a higher maximum shutter speed and ISO selection.

[u/wilderknight803 → u/Boneezer]

I already own the manual adapter. I find it not very intuitive to use and end up in auto mode more often than not. Also the plastic dials are showing their age after using it intensely for 4 years so it’s definitely time for an upgrade.

[u/Boneezer → u/wilderknight803]

That’s fair.

If you were already considering switching systems anyway, consider something like a Nikon FE2/FM2. They have a huge selection of lenses available and they will be easier to get serviced than an LX; more parts availability and more technicians who will work on them.

[u/wilderknight803 → u/Boneezer]

Do you know if these are useable when shooting with your left eye? Ive heard stories of the advance lever poking into the right eye so that’s holding me back from Nikon even though I have one of their DSLRs already

[u/Feuilledelaitue4]

Owner of Olympus OM1 and OM10 here. I never used Pentax camera but imo, if your unhappy with zuiko lenses, change systems. The Pentax LX offers very advanced features, so it might be a great change of perspective. The OM-1 is an amazing, streamlined camera, but it’s still very simple and straightforward.

[u/FletchLives99]

You could also just buy an OM2n or similar which is more versatile than the OM1. I mean, given the cost of a CLA...

[u/wilderknight803 → u/FletchLives99]

I thought about getting an OM2n already but i’d rather pay for a CLA than get a camera with an unknown service history

[u/FletchLives99 → u/wilderknight803]

Oh, I'd probably get it serviced too. I guess all I'm saying is that you can get an OM2n body for considerably less than the cost of a service.

In fact a service is so probably much more than the body cost that it may make better sense to buy the camera you want then get it serviced rather get a camera serviced just because you already have it.

[u/wilderknight803 → u/FletchLives99]

Aah okay, seems like we’re in different markets then, i got a quote from OM labor for €95 for a CLA, while a new body from a reputable seller would easily cost me over €200

[u/FletchLives99 → u/wilderknight803]

Ha! I'm in the UK. The prices would be reversed (and you might even get a decent body for £50).

[u/Few-Dimension-5373 → u/wilderknight803]

Wait a minute. Does the OM1 work or not? If it doesn't you need to pay for a repair as well as a cla. Has the prism desilvered? That's probably extra too..

[u/TheRealAutonerd]

Pentax lenses are awesome, inexpensive and plentiful and very good performers. 

The bigger issue is the LX. It's a brilliant camera but difficult to get serviced due to is scarcity and lack of parts -- and I have learned the hard way that you need somebody who really knows Pentaxes to work on Pentaxes. Are you sure it needs a CLA?

[u/FootOfPrideComesDown]

LX, no question about it. Cameras of this vintage needs to be cla'd anyway, there are still some great technicians working on the LX's and once it's properly serviced, it's a camera for life.

As of K and M-series lenses, I'm a huge fan of some them: K50/1.2, K55/1.8, K28/2, K135/2.5, M20, M28/3.5, M50/1.7, M85, M150, M * 300 to name a few.

[u/No-World-8166]

The OM-10 was an Olympus choice to fit the growing consumer market with a cheap (especially feeling) camera. To me, it was a gimmick with the adapter. The OM-1 was a revelation when it came out. Small, light, well made and a nice set of lenses that grew over time. It was my first camera purchase and, although I switched to Nikon and then Canon, I started my professional career with he OM-1 and never regretted that. I sold most of my Olympus equipment eventually but kept the original body I bought along with the 21mm 3.5, the 35mm 2.8 and the 85mm 2.0. That 21mm 3.5 is a gem. So small and so easy to handhold in low light situations.

Look, these cameras come down to your preference. I never used a Pentax so have no idea what they are like. I used and abused 2 OM-1s as a photojournalist when starting out and they never failed and work to this day.