My first camera was an Olympus OM-1. I used it a lot in the late 70's for rock climbing and travel photos, when I was a student in the UK. I still have many of the photos, but the camera didn't make it home with me. I used a Mamiya Sekor MSX 1000 in the early 80's, and switched to Pentax in around 1984 when the Mamiya was swiped. Twenty years later in 2004, I switched to Canon digital. In between, I used many Pentax and Contax 35mm SLR's, as well as Fuji MF rangefinders and a Shen Hao 4x5 LF camera.
The OM series was a nice line of cameras. I think the OM-1 was my 3rd or 4th SLR. And I grew the system along side my Nikon system. Here's where it was when I sold it although this photograph doesn't show the OM-4. Nor the OM-10 which I gave away when I got my OM-4.
Yeah, that's a beautiful body! I've not owned one but I almost bought one about a month ago - mint condition and just radiating with that glow of a camera that's been cared for all it's life. Was only $100 with lens.
I came very close to getting the original Canon F-1. But, after climbing and shooting with Galen Rowell for a couple of days, I immediately purchased a black Nikon FM. It just felt so good and natural in my hands.
I was lucky enough to have parents who encouraged my interests, and got me an EOS Rebel when I was 12 or 13. I've still got it packed up in the garage somewhere.
When I first started, it was with a Canon AT-1, match needle metering - simple and a great way to learn. A year later I got a Canon A-1, but still liked the AT-1 better.
When my gear was stolen, I decided to switch to Nikon, with an FM, then an F-3. Been with Nikon ever since. Still use one of my F-3's now and then, but my go to camera is now the D2Xs.
