Congratulations on your new Olympus OM-10 camera! Whether you're new to photography or transitioning from digital to film, this manual will guide you through using your camera to capture beautiful moments.
The OM-10 is a 35mm film camera, which means it uses rolls of photographic film to capture images. It's a single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, allowing you to see exactly what the lens sees through the viewfinder. This camera combines the classic feel of film photography with convenient automatic features, making it perfect for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
In this guide, we'll explain everything in simple terms, so don't worry if you're not familiar with camera jargon. By the end, you'll be ready to start your film photography journey!
- Getting to Know Your Camera
- Preparing Your Camera
- Loading Film
- Basic Photography
- Understanding Exposure
- Advanced Techniques
- Using Accessories
- Care and Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Glossary of Terms
Let's start by familiarizing ourselves with the main parts of your OM-10:
[Detailed diagram of OM-10 with all parts labeled]
Key components:
- Lens: This is the "eye" of your camera. It focuses light onto the film.
- Shutter Release Button: Press this to take a photo.
- Film Advance Lever: Wind this after each shot to move to the next frame of film.
- Viewfinder: Look through this to compose your shot.
- Mode Dial: Use this to switch between different camera modes.
- Aperture Ring: Located on the lens, this controls how much light enters the camera.
- Focusing Ring: Also on the lens, use this to make your subject sharp.
- Film Rewind Knob: Use this to rewind your film when you've finished the roll.
- Film Speed (ASA/ISO) Dial: Set this to match the speed of your film.
- Hot Shoe: This is the metal bracket on top where you can attach a flash.
Don't worry if this seems like a lot to remember. We'll go through each part in more detail as we learn how to use the camera.
Before you can start taking photos, you need to set up your camera. This involves installing batteries and getting familiar with some basic operations.
Your OM-10 needs power to operate its light meter and shutter. It uses two 1.5V batteries:
- Locate the battery compartment on the bottom of the camera.
- Open the cover by sliding it in the direction of the arrow.
- Insert two LR44 (also known as A76) batteries. The "+" side should face up.
- Close the cover by sliding it back into place.
Tip: Always carry spare batteries with you. Cold weather can drain batteries faster, so keep them warm in your pocket if you're shooting in low temperatures.
It's a good idea to check your battery power regularly:
- Turn the mode dial (located on top of the camera) to "CHECK".
- Look through the viewfinder. You should see a red light and hear a beeping sound.
- If you don't see the light or hear the beep, it's time to replace your batteries.
The mode dial is your main control center. Here's what each setting does:
- OFF: Turns the camera off to save battery power.
- ON: Normal shooting mode with automatic exposure.
- SELF TIMER: Sets a 12-second delay before taking the photo.
- CHECK: Tests the battery power.
- B: "Bulb" mode for long exposures (requires Manual Adapter, sold separately).
For now, keep it on "ON" for general photography.
Before we load film, let's practice handling the camera:
- Look through the viewfinder. This is how you'll compose your shots.
- Try focusing on objects at different distances by turning the focusing ring on the lens.
- Practice winding the film advance lever. This is how you'll prepare for each new shot.
- Locate the shutter release button and gently press it halfway. This activates the light meter.
- Get used to holding the camera steady. Try bracing your elbows against your body for stability.
Remember, at this stage, you're just getting familiar with the camera. Don't worry about taking perfect shots yet!
Now that you're comfortable handling the camera, it's time to load some film. This process might seem tricky at first, but with practice, it'll become second nature.
Before we start, a quick note on choosing film:
- Film comes in different speeds, measured in ASA (or ISO). Common speeds are 100, 200, and 400.
- Lower numbers (like 100) are best for bright, sunny days.
- Higher numbers (like 400) are better for darker conditions or faster-moving subjects.
- For your first roll, we recommend a versatile 200 or 400 speed film.
-
Find a shaded area. Direct sunlight can expose and ruin your film.
-
Open the camera back:
- Lift the film rewind knob (on top of the camera) until the back pops open.
-
Insert the film cartridge:
- Place the film cartridge in the left chamber of the camera.
- The film cartridge is the metal canister that holds your unexposed film.
-
Prepare the film leader:
- The "film leader" is the short length of film sticking out of the cartridge.
- Gently pull it across to the right side of the camera.
- The leader should be long enough to reach the take-up spool on the right, but not so long that it's difficult to close the back.
-
Insert the film leader:
- On the right side, you'll see the take-up spool with several slits.
- Insert the end of the film leader into any of these slits.
- Make sure the film stays flat and the sprocket holes (the little holes along the edge of the film) align with the camera's sprockets (the small teeth in the camera).
-
Close the camera back:
- Gently close the back until you hear it click shut.
- The film rewind knob should pop back down.
-
Advance the film:
- Wind the film advance lever and press the shutter release button twice.
- This moves fresh film into position and gets rid of the exposed part.
-
Set the frame counter:
- The frame counter (the number visible on top of the camera) should now show "1" or "0".
-
Set the film speed:
- Lift and turn the ASA/ISO dial to match your film speed.
- This ensures the camera's light meter gives correct exposure readings.
After loading film, it's a good idea to take a couple of "test shots" to ensure everything is working correctly:
- Set the mode dial to "ON".
- Point the camera at any subject (it doesn't matter what).
- Look through the viewfinder and focus by turning the focusing ring.
- Gently press the shutter release button.
- Wind the film advance lever to move to the next frame.
- Repeat this process 2-3 times.
These test shots serve two purposes:
- They advance the film past the initially exposed section.
- They confirm that the camera's mechanical functions are working.
Don't worry about wasting film - it's better to use a few frames than to realize later that your entire roll didn't advance properly!
Congratulations! Your camera is now loaded with film and ready to capture your first real photographs. In the next section, we'll cover the basics of actually taking pictures.
Now that your camera is loaded and ready, let's learn how to take your first photographs!
Proper camera handling is crucial for sharp images:
- Hold the camera with both hands, one supporting the body and the other around the lens.
- Keep your elbows tucked close to your body for stability.
- If shooting vertically, keep the shutter release button on top.
- For extra stability, lean against a wall or sit down.
Remember, steady hands mean sharper photos!
The viewfinder is your window to compose your shot:
- Look through the viewfinder with your eye close to the eyepiece.
- You'll see your scene, along with some additional information:
- In the center, there's a split-image circle surrounded by a microprism collar. This helps with focusing (we'll cover this next).
- On the right side, you'll see a column of numbers. These are shutter speeds (we'll explain these later).
- A needle points to one of these numbers, showing the camera's chosen shutter speed.
Accurate focus is key to sharp images. Here's how to focus:
- Look through the viewfinder at your subject.
- Turn the focusing ring on your lens until your subject appears sharp.
- Use the split-image circle in the center of the viewfinder:
- When out of focus, the image in this circle will appear split.
- As you focus, the split parts will align.
- When the image is continuous across the circle, you're in focus!
- The microprism collar around the split-image circle will also help:
- When out of focus, this area will appear shimmery.
- When in focus, it will look smooth.
Practice focusing on objects at different distances to get comfortable with this process.
The aperture controls how much light enters your camera and affects the depth of field (how much of your image is in focus). It's set using the aperture ring on your lens:
- Lower f-numbers (like f/1.8 or f/2.8) let in more light and create a blurrier background.
- Higher f-numbers (like f/11 or f/16) let in less light but keep more of the image in focus.
For now, in good lighting conditions, try setting your aperture to f/5.6 or f/8. These are versatile settings that work well for many situations.
You're now ready to take your first photo! Here's the step-by-step process:
- Make sure the mode dial is set to "ON".
- Look through the viewfinder and compose your shot.
- Focus on your subject using the focusing ring.
- Gently press the shutter release button halfway. This activates the light meter.
- The needle in the viewfinder will point to a number. This is the shutter speed the camera has chosen.
- If the needle is pointing to a number lower than 30, you might get camera shake. Try opening your aperture (lower f-number) or use a tripod.
- When you're ready, press the shutter release button all the way down to take the photo.
- Wind the film advance lever to move to the next frame.
Congratulations! You've just taken your first photo with your OM-10!
Exposure is all about controlling how much light reaches your film. The OM-10 handles this automatically, but understanding the process will help you take better photos.
Exposure is controlled by three factors:
- Aperture: How wide the lens opens (f-numbers)
- Shutter Speed: How long the shutter stays open
- Film Speed (ASA/ISO): How sensitive your film is to light
The OM-10 sets the shutter speed automatically based on your chosen aperture and film speed.
The numbers in your viewfinder represent fractions of a second:
- 1000 means 1/1000 of a second (very fast)
- 60 means 1/60 of a second
- 4 means 1/4 of a second (quite slow)
Faster shutter speeds (higher numbers) are better for freezing motion. Slower speeds can introduce blur if you're not using a tripod.
While the camera handles exposure automatically, you might want to adjust your aperture for creative reasons:
- Use a wide aperture (low f-number) to blur the background in portraits.
- Use a narrow aperture (high f-number) to keep everything sharp in landscape photos.
Sometimes you might want to override the camera's automatic exposure:
- Locate the exposure compensation dial (it's around the rewind knob).
- Lift and turn it to adjust:
- "+" makes the image brighter
- "-" makes the image darker
Use this for tricky lighting situations, like snow scenes (use +1 or +2) or when shooting a dark subject against a bright background (use -1 or -2).
As you get more comfortable with your OM-10, you might want to try some more advanced techniques.
The self-timer is great for group shots where you want to be in the picture:
- Set the mode dial to "SELF TIMER".
- Compose your shot and focus.
- Press the shutter release button.
- You'll hear a beeping sound, and the self-timer light will blink.
- After about 12 seconds, the camera will take the photo.
- Don't forget to wind on to the next frame!
To see how your chosen aperture will affect your image:
- Look through the viewfinder.
- Press the small button on the lens barrel (near the camera body).
- The view will get darker, but you'll see how much is in focus at your chosen aperture.
This is especially useful for close-up or landscape photography.
For exposures longer than 1 second (like night photography), you'll need the optional Manual Adapter:
- Attach the Manual Adapter to your camera.
- Set it to "B" (Bulb) mode.
- Use a tripod to keep the camera steady.
- Press and hold the shutter release for as long as you want the exposure to be.
Remember, the shutter stays open as long as you hold the button!
In the next sections, we'll cover using accessories, caring for your camera, and troubleshooting common issues.
Your OM-10 is compatible with various accessories that can enhance your photography experience. Let's explore some of the most useful ones.
Using a flash can help in low light situations or to fill in shadows in bright daylight.
The "hot shoe" is the metal bracket on top of your camera where you can attach a flash:
- It's called "hot" because it has electrical contacts that communicate with the flash.
- The shoe holds the flash securely and aligns it with your camera.
- Slide the flash into the hot shoe until it clicks.
- Turn on the flash.
- Set your camera's mode dial to "ON".
- The camera will automatically set the correct shutter speed (usually 1/60 second).
- Adjust the flash's power based on the distance to your subject (refer to the flash manual).
Remember, the built-in light meter doesn't account for flash, so you may need to experiment a bit.
The Winder 2 is an optional accessory that automatically advances your film after each shot.
- Faster shooting: Great for action or sports photography.
- Easier one-handed operation.
- Allows for continuous shooting at about 2.5 frames per second.
- Remove the battery cover from the bottom of your camera.
- Attach the Winder 2 to the bottom of the camera.
- Choose between single frame or continuous shooting modes.
Note: The Winder 2 uses its own batteries, separate from the camera's.
One of the great features of the OM-10 is its ability to use different lenses. Here are some common types:
- Standard Lens (50mm): Versatile, similar to human eye view.
- Wide Angle (e.g., 28mm): Captures a wider scene, great for landscapes.
- Telephoto (e.g., 200mm): Magnifies distant subjects, good for wildlife or sports.
- Macro: For extreme close-ups of small subjects.
To change lenses:
- Press the lens release button on the camera body.
- Twist the lens counterclockwise and remove it.
- Line up the new lens with the mount, and twist clockwise until it clicks.
Always be careful when changing lenses to avoid getting dust on your film or mirror.
Proper care of your OM-10 will ensure it lasts for many years of photography enjoyment.
- Keep your camera dry and clean. Avoid sandy or dusty environments.
- Use a soft brush or blower to remove dust from the body and lens.
- Never touch the mirror or focusing screen inside the camera.
- Keep your camera in a cool, dry place when not in use.
- Remove batteries if storing the camera for a long time.
- Use a lens cap when the camera is not in use.
- Clean the lens with a soft, lint-free cloth or lens tissue.
- For stubborn marks, use lens cleaning fluid (never apply directly to the lens).
If the viewfinder seems dirty:
- Use a blower to remove loose dust.
- If needed, very gently wipe with a soft, clean cloth.
- Never use cleaning fluids on the viewfinder.
Have your camera serviced by a professional every few years, especially if:
- It's been exposed to extreme conditions (like salt water or sand).
- You notice any mechanical issues.
- You're planning a big photo trip and want to ensure everything is working perfectly.
Even with the best care, you might occasionally encounter issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
- Check if the batteries are inserted correctly and have power.
- Make sure the film is loaded properly and advanced.
- Ensure the rewind button on the bottom of the camera isn't pressed.
- Check if you're focusing correctly.
- Use a faster shutter speed or a tripod in low light.
- Make sure the lens is clean.
- Check if the lens cap is off!
- Ensure you're not underexposing (try using exposure compensation).
- In low light, use a wider aperture, slower shutter speed, or flash.
- Make sure the film is loaded correctly.
- Check if you've reached the end of the roll.
- Ensure the rewind button isn't pressed.
- Check if the camera back is closed properly.
- The light seals might need replacing (a job for a professional).
- If it's a grinding sound when advancing film, check for proper film loading.
- For other unusual noises, have the camera professionally checked.
Remember, if you're unsure about any issue, it's best to consult a professional to avoid potentially damaging your camera.
- Aperture: The opening in the lens that controls how much light enters the camera.
- ASA/ISO: A measure of film sensitivity to light.
- Depth of Field: The area in front of and behind the focus point that appears sharp.
- Exposure: The amount of light that reaches the film.
- F-stop: The number that indicates the size of the aperture opening.
- Film Leader: The part of the film that sticks out of the canister, used to load the film.
- Hot Shoe: The mounting point on top of the camera for attaching a flash.
- SLR (Single Lens Reflex): A type of camera that allows you to see exactly what the lens sees.
- Shutter Speed: The length of time the shutter stays open, exposing the film to light.
- Viewfinder: The eyepiece you look through to compose your shot.
Congratulations! You now have a comprehensive understanding of your Olympus OM-10 camera. Remember, the best way to improve your photography is through practice. Don't be afraid to experiment with different settings and techniques.
Photography is about capturing moments and expressing your unique vision. Your OM-10 is a powerful tool to help you do just that. Enjoy your journey into the world of film photography!