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 profile35mm SLR
Olympus OM-31984
- Format
- 35mm
- Mount
- Olympus OM
- Years
- 1984–1986
- Shutter
- 1s – 1/2000s
- Meter
- ttl-multi-spot-otf
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
Find film for your Olympus OM-3
Recommended film stocks for the 35mm format your camera takes.
ISO 400
BW
Kodak Tri-X 400
Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
View profileC41
Kodak Gold 200
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
- **Authenticity** - the OM-3 Black's value makes it a target for misrepresentation or outright counterfeiting. Verify serial numbers against Olympus production records. An OM-4 body with ground-down or replaced markings is the most common form of fraud. Differences: the OM-3 lacks the OM-4's shutter speed display in the viewfinder and has no automatic exposure modes.
- **Multi-spot meter buttons** - verify all spot-metering controls (individual spot, average, highlight/shadow bias) function correctly. These small buttons are wear points on used bodies.
- **Prism corrosion** - the OM pentaprism silvering issue affects OM-3 bodies as with all OM SLRs.
- **Foam seals and mirror bumper** - standard replacement maintenance.
- **Black finish** - brassing and wear will be visible on any body that has seen use. The OM-3 Black's collector status means clean examples command disproportionate premiums; worn examples are priced primarily as shooters.
- **Shutter speeds** - even mechanical shutters drift over 40 years; have speeds checked. CLA from an OM specialist is essentially mandatory for any body at this price point.
- Service: John Hermanson (Camera Wiz / Camtech). OM-3 service is specialized; not all repair shops are familiar with the multi-spot metering system. CLA $200-400.
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.
Key Specs
Frequently asked questions
- What film does the Olympus OM-3 use?
- The Olympus OM-3 shoots 35mm film.
- What battery does the Olympus OM-3 take?
- The Olympus OM-3 uses a 2x SR44 / LR44 battery.
- What lens mount does the Olympus OM-3 have?
- The Olympus OM-3 uses the Olympus OM mount.
- What shutter speeds does the Olympus OM-3 offer?
- The Olympus OM-3's shutter speeds range from 1s to 1/2000s.
- What light meter does the Olympus OM-3 use?
- The Olympus OM-3 meters with ttl-multi-spot-otf.