C41
Kodak Portra 400
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
View profile →slr-35mm
The Olympus OM-3 Black is the black-body finish variant of the OM-3, Olympus's mechanical-shutter multi-spot-metering professional SLR introduced in 1983-1984. The base OM-3 was already produced in very low numbers - estimated at approximately 10,000 total units across its brief 1983-1986 run - making the black variant a genuine rarity. Mechanically it is identical to the chrome OM-3: fully mechanical shutter running 1/2000s through 1s with no battery dependence, TTL OTF multi-spot metering capable of up to 8 averaged readings, and the characteristic OM compact body. The black finish adds significant collector premium on top of the already high OM-3 price floor.
Reference
Recommended film stocks for the 35mm format your camera takes.
C41
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
View profile →BW
Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
View profile →C41
Kodak Gold 200 is a daylight-balanced C-41 color negative film with warm color, moderate grain, and a classic consumer-film look.
Develop 35mm film
Labs in our directory that process 35mm film.
Before you buy used
About this camera
The rarest variant of an already rare camera - the black-body OM-3, mechanical multi-spot metering from 1984 in a handful of surviving examples.
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Format | 35mm |
| Mount | Olympus OM |
| Years | ~1984-1986 |
| Shutter | 1s - 1/2000s, mechanical horizontal cloth |
| Flash sync | 1/60s |
| Meter | TTL OTF SPD multi-spot, up to 8-point averaging |
| Modes | Manual only |
| Viewfinder | 97% coverage, 0.84x magnification |
| Weight | ~510 g |
| Battery | 2x SR44 (meter only; shutter fully mechanical) |
Olympus announced the OM-3 and OM-4 together in 1983, with production of the OM-3 beginning in 1984. The two bodies shared the same chassis; the OM-4 had an electronic shutter capable of full-auto modes, while the OM-3 retained an entirely mechanical shutter - every speed fires without battery. Both bodies received the multi-spot OTF metering system capable of weighting up to 8 individually metered zones.
The OM-3 Black appears in the second half of the OM-3 production run. Total OM-3 production across both finishes was low; the black version represents a small fraction of that already small number. Olympus discontinued the OM-3 in 1986 due to poor sales — the camera was priced at a significant premium over the OM-4, with fewer features, and aimed at a specialized market of zone-system and precision-exposure shooters who valued mechanical independence.
Olympus revisited the OM-3 concept in 1995 with the OM-3 Ti, a titanium-bodied revival of the same mechanical multi-spot design. The OM-3 Ti was also produced in a black variant. The original 1983-1986 OM-3 Black predates the Ti and is the rarer body; the OM-3 Ti Black is more widely available.
The OM-3 Black occupies a very specific position in the OM collector hierarchy: the combination of mechanical independence, multi-spot metering, and the black finish makes it arguably the most desirable configuration of the original OM-3. For working photographers who prioritize zone-system exposure control and battery-free reliability — landscape, expedition, and scientific photographers among them — the OM-3's metering system is uniquely capable: spot meter multiple zones, average them, and expose mechanically without any battery dependency beyond the meter itself.
The rarity of the OM-3 Black drives prices above even the OM-3 Ti in some markets. Counterfeit bodies (OM-4 units with altered markings) circulate; authentication is essential before purchase at current prices.
All Olympus OM Zuiko lenses are compatible. The multi-spot metering system rewards precise lenses: the 90/2 Macro, 35/2, 21/2, and 24/2 are popular choices for photographers using the OM-3's metering capabilities deliberately.
The F280 Super FP flash synchronizes at 1/2000s with the OM-3's maximum shutter speed — an advantage over earlier OM bodies limited to 1/60s sync. T20, T32, and T45 T-series flashes also work but sync at 1/60s.
Motor Drive 2 and Winder 2 attach to OM-3 bodies. Interchangeable focusing screens (approximately 12 types). Olympus Auto Bellows, slide copier, and macro accessories complete the system.
BW
Ilford HP5 Plus is a flexible ISO 400 black-and-white film with classic grain and strong push-processing tolerance.
View profile →C41
Kodak Ektar 100 is a fine-grain C-41 color negative film with saturated color and high sharpness.
View profile →Olympus OM-3
Image coming soon