Olympus OM-40 Program

The Olympus OM-40 Program is an SLR camera for 35mm film. It is the successor of the Olympus OM-20 and the last double-digit OM model.

In 1985, the camera was introduced by the Japanese company Olympus. The biggest further development, compared to the OM-20, is the program automatic. At the same time, the body of the camera was rubberized for a better feel. On the American market, the camera was offered under the name OM-PC.

The lens of the Olympus OM-40 Program is interchangeable. The available lenses for this bayonet are impressive. There is a lens from Olympus for all important focal lengths. As with other models in the series, the focus has to be set manually.

The Olympus OM-40 offers two automatic exposure modes, aperture priority and program mode. If you choose the program automatic, both aperture and exposure time are set automatically. You can influence the automatic mode with the exposure compensation and the aperture ring. Depending on which aperture is set, the camera does not select an aperture below it.

With aperture priority, the photographer sets the desired aperture and the camera measures the exposure and sets a correct exposure time accordingly.

The exposure meter can be used with all films with a sensitivity between ISO 25 and ISO 1600. The film speed can be read by the camera through the DX coding of the film cartridge.

The photo camera comes with a Bulb mode. This allows the shutter to remain open for a variable amount of time to expose the film. Hot-shoe flashes can be used with the Olympus OM-40 Program. There is also a PC flash socket, for example to use studio flashes with the camera.

A tripod can be connected to the Olympus OM-40 Program. A cable release can also be used with the camera. Additionally, the self-timer can be used for taking pictures. Power is supplied by two LR44 / SR44 batteries (eBay / Amazon*).

Like the Olympus OM-4, the OM-40 is only available in an all-black finish.

Films for the Olympus OM-40 Program

The Olympus OM-40 Program takes its pictures on 35mm film. 35mm films are still offered by various manufacturers. For black and white pictures in 35mm format, the Kodak T-Max 400* is a good choice. For color images, you can reach for the Kodak Portra 400*.