Olympus 88 User manual

INSTRUCTIONS

Thank you for your purchase of an Olympus OM-88 . This newly developed automatic SLR camera
features an advanced power focus system, programmed exposure control and an automatic film handling
system to let you take beautiful pictures with ease. Further, if you use this new type of programmed SLR
camera with a Manual Adapter 2, it also permits aperture-priority automatic exposure and manual
exposure to give you the possibility of creative visual expressions that are possible only with an SLR.
Anyone can enjoy taking pictures with it very easily — not only simple snapshots, but also highly
sophisticated pictures. Before using the camera, please study this instruction manual carefully with the
OM-88 in front of you, so that you can get the very best performance and service life from your new
camera.
Symbols used in this manual
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Using conventional auto flash units
To take better photographs: ................
Programmedexposure ....................
TTL Direct "OTF" Light Metering
Display in the viewfinder .................
Usingthe Manual Adapter2 ............
OM-88 system.............................
Notes on the OM-88 with current
OM SystemUnits ..........................
Conventional OM Lenses ................
Care and Storage ...........................
Questions and Answers ...................
DescriptionofControls.................
Specifications .............................
Manual Adapter 2 Description of
Controls
....................................
Manual Adapter 2 Specifications .....
Preparations
for Taking Pictures ...........
LoadingtheBatteries......................
CheckingtheBatteries....................
Mountingthe Lens ........................
Taking Photographs I .........................
LoadingtheFilm...........................
Taking Photographs .......................
RewindingtheFilm ........................
Taking Photographs II ........................
Using the backlight control button .....
Using the self-timer ........................
UsingOM Lenses ..........................
Taking Photographs III
(flash photography)
............................
Using T-series Electronic Flashes
(T18, T20andT32) ........................
Using the Full-Synchro Flash F280 ....
Taking Photographs IV
Using the OM-88 with the Manual
Adapter
2 ........................................
Mounting the Manual Adapter 2 .......
Aperture-priority auto exposure ........
Manualexposure...........................
Bulb exposure ...............................
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Preparations for Taking Pictures
The OM-88 is designed primarily for use with Olympus AF Lenses and 50mm
F2.0 PF Lens. (Regarding the instructions for use of conventional OM Lenses, refer
to page 17.)
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Open the battery compartment cover by
sliding the knob in the lower part of the grip. 4 LR03 (AAA) batteries
Inset the batteries in the correct direction
and close the cover.
LoadingtheBatteries
Do not use different kinds of batteries or new and old batteries at the same time. If
you are not likely to use the camera for an extended period of time, remove the
batteries. Before changing the batteries, set the mode dial at "OFF".
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The audible and visual signals will tell you
that the batteries have enough power.
As the battery power weakens, both the
audible and visual signals become
intermittent. Replace the batteries as soon as
possible.
(When the batteries are completely
exhausted the audible and visual signals do
not operate at all.)
Set the mode dial at "CHECK".
Always check the batteries after inserting new batteries, when shooting in cold
weather, or if the camera has not been used for a long lime.
Checking the Batteries
5

Mounting the Lens
(if you are using an OM lens, refer to page 17.)
Remove the rear lens cap and the body cap.
Align the red dots on the body and the lens
as shown, push in the lens and turn it slowly
clockwise until it locks. (Do not touch the
button ).
Removing the Lens:
Press the lens release button.
Turn the lens until it stops.
Pull the lens forward to remove it from
the camera body.
Remove the front lens cap.
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Taking Photographs 1
The OM-88 is so designed to allow everyone to enjoy the fascinating world of SLR
photography with ease. This chapter explains its basic procedure how to take
programmed exposure pictures (see page 34 for details).
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Loading the Film
Loading and film-speed selection for DX film arc automatic.
Set the mode dial at "P".
Make sure you are using a DX coded film,
This camera does not accept non-DX
coded films.
8

Open the camera back by sliding the release
knob.
Avoiding direct sunlight, inset the film
cartridge.
Take care not to touch the shutter curtain
with your finger or the film leader.
Align the film leader with the red mark and
insert the sprocket teeth in the film
perforations.
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* If the mode dial is at "OFF", the film will
not advance.
Close the camera back.
The camera will automatically advance the
film and the exposure counter will show "1".
When the film is incorrectly loaded, the
camera will warn you with audible and
visual signals. Reload the film.
Film type confirmation is possible through
the film window in the camera back.
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Taking Photographs
Set the mode dial at "P".
The will turn on in the viewfinder. If it
blinks the shutter will trip at 1/60 sec. or a
slower. In this case, use flash or mount the
camera on a tripod. (Lightly press the
shutter release if the viewfinder display
doesn't show. The display in the viewfinder
will remain on for 30 seconds.)
Focus on the focusing screen with the power
focus dial. *Do not touch the lens front part.
Look through the viewfinder
and aim the camera at your
subject.
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Depress the shutter release. The film will
automatically advance for the next shot.
When the dial is turned to the right, the lens When turned to the left, the lens focuses on
focuses on closer subjects. farther subject.
* The speed of the lens movement changes in accordance with a rotation speed of the dial.
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Press the rewind button.
The film will be rewound automatically.
Make sure the film has come to its end.
After making sure the motor noise stops,
open the camera back and unload the film.
As soon as you open the camera back, the
exposure counter will return to "S".
The film is completely rewound into the
cartridge.
When the end of film is reached, the motor
whir stops midway, and if the shutter release
is depressed, the camera will warn you with
audible and visual signals.
Rewinding the Film
Film rewinding is also automatic.
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Taking Photographs II
The OM-88 is designed primarily for use with Olympus AF Lens and 50mm F2.0
PF lens, but you can also use conventional OM Lenses with it. This chapter
explains various functions which expand your picture-taking possibilities, and how
to use OM Lenses.
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Using the backlight control button
If your subject stands against a bright
background, the main subject in the front
will turn out dark.
While pressing the backlight control button,
depress the shutter release.
* Backlight control does not function when
film speed is set at ISO 25.
The main subject will turn out beautifully
exposed, almost unaffected by the bright
background.
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Using the self-timer
Mount the camera on a tripod or other steady surface.
While pressing the self-timer button
depress the shutter release
Focus on your subject with the power focus
dial.
Audible and visual signals will let you know
that the self-timer has started.
The shutter will trip after 12 seconds, the
audible signal will change its tone two
seconds before the shutter trips.
* The self-timer can be cancelled by pressing
the self-timer button again or switching the
mode dial to "OFF".
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Using OM Lenses
With OM Lenses, the camera will always take pictures in the aperture-priority auto
exposure mode when the mode dial is set at P, A or M. (See page 44 for details)
Mount the Lens.
Align the red dots and turn the lens slowly
until it locks.
Example:
Choose your desired aperture.
Aperture
ISO 100
Weather/
Lighting
condition
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Focus on the subject by turning the focus
ring on the lens barrel and depress the
shutter release.
* The lens will not move by turning the
power focus dial.
To dismount the lens, press the button on
the lens side, hold it there and turn the lens
until it detaches.
It is impossible to dismount it with the
button on the camera side.
* This button is designed for AF and PF
lens.
* With an OM Lens on the camera, no
display will appear in the viewfinder.
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The OM-88 incorporates a "OTF" Program (refer to page 37) mode for controlling
T-series flashes (T18, T20 and T32 etc.) and the Full-Synchro Flash F280. Taking
flash pictures with it is very easy without troublesome settings. This chapter
explains the procedure for shooting with these flash units, especially with T18.
(If you are using other auto flash units, refer to page 31.)
The following explanation is based on the use of Olympus AF Lenses and 50mm
F2.0PF Lens.
Regarding the instructions for use of conventional OM Lenses, refer to page 44.
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Taking Photographs III (flash photography)