Olympus OM-30

The Olympus OM-30 is an SLR camera. It was built by Olympus from 1983 to 1987. In the North American market, the camera was sold under the model name Olympus OM-F.

This model was the Japanese company’s first foray into autofocus for the OM system, although strictly speaking the OM-30 is not part of the OM system, this only includes single digit models.

Autofocus is only possible with the Zuiko Auto Zoom 1:4/35-70 mm Auto Focus lens. However, you can only dream of the speed of today’s autofocus systems with this model. Other lenses for the OM bayonet can of course still be used. But of course they have to be focused manually.

The built-in light meter can be used with aperture priority. For this, the photographer sets the desired aperture and the automatic selects exposure time. It can be adjusted with the exposure compensation, two aperture stops brighter or darker. However, the Olympus OM-30 also has a manual mode, aperture and exposure time are freely adjustable in this mode.

The camera comes with a Bulb mode. Here, the shutter can remain open for a variable time. A flash can be used via the hot shoe or the PC flash port.

The 35mm camera has a built-in self-timer. In addition, there is a connection for a cable release and a thread for a tripod. The camera requires five LR44 / SR44 batteries (eBay / Amazon*). Two of the batteries are used for metering and shutter speed control. The remaining three batteries are required for autofocus operation.

Films for the Olympus OM-30

The Olympus OM-30 is loaded with 35mm film. 35mm films are still manufactured today. Developed they can be in most laboratories. Nice 35mm films for color or black and white photography are the Kodak Gold 200* and the AgfaPhoto APX 100*. The camera’s negatives have a size of 24 mm x 36 mm. Thus, 36 exposures are usually possible per film (135-36). The development of the exposed film material is possible in most photo laboratories.