I took my first shot with the OM SYSTEM OM-3 (these links are not affiliate links, and instead direct you to my local camera store - SUPPORT LOCAL!) on February 24, 2025, while the fam and I watched a TV show at night. This is of one of my cats, Jelly Bean, with her peaceful face lit only by the television screen:
I seriously, honestly didn’t even know why I bought the OM-3. Professionally, I was already using tens of thousands of dollars of full frame and medium-format cameras, so why would I need another camera system?
Honestly: I just thought the OM-3 LOOKED cool. I thought I’d buy it, make a few YouTube videos about it, and move on.
Something happened though: this thing won me over.
Every intricate detail is designed with precision and delight, and the more I used it, the more I realized it’s a camera destined to become a legend. I call it Optimus Prime because it’s my favorite camera of all time.
I wasn’t ready for how much tech was packed into the solid but diminutive body. This is a stacked sensor, no-holds-barred, cutting edge camera designed with a throwback, retro-inspired body. The bonus: when I held it… it just felt perfect.
Photography is a fusion between art and technology. Can we create works of art using equipment designed AS works of art? The OM-3 is the answer to that question.
A beautiful machine that helps me create beautiful imagery.
Using the OM-3 was my gateway drug to the rest of OM SYSTEM’s lineup.
First the OM-3, then a few lenses, then their other flagship camera, the OM-1 MarkII, and then a BUNCH more lenses.
Every time I went on a photo trip, I’d take all my gear, including the other cameras… but I’d never touch them. I’d use the OM SYSTEM stuff instead.
West Texas with the OM-3? Pure awesomeness.
Soon, I sold all my other stuff. OM SYSTEM’s cameras are smaller, lighter, cheaper, more versatile, more robust, and their cameras DO MORE STUFF.
They go more places with me, and fit into my life.
And now, something cool happened:
OM SYSTEM asked me to be their next North American Ambassador.
This is a huge honor, and I feel totally comfortable taking on this role because, if you haven’t figured it out, I LOVE THIS GEAR. I sold all my full frame and medium format cameras and lenses, and haven’t regretted it one bit a year and a half later.
(Note: for the curious, they don’t pay us to be ambassadors. I get some discounts, free repairs, and will be considered for select paid opportunities to test out new gear and speak at events.)
OM SYSTEM stuff is pure creative fuel. I’ve never been more prolific with my photography than when I bought these cameras.
Suddenly, I’m a street photographer in Chicago?
And then out in the country, I’m taking soulful, straight-out-of-camera, monochrome images of Sandhill Cranes too. I’m finally taking black and white images that I LOVE using that way-too-cool Creative Dial:
I never thought I’d be recognized for my photography like this. I never imagined I was good enough.
It’s wild to think of how all this happened.
A little more than five years ago, I was a high school teacher. I had been one for almost 20 years!
I never thought I’d become an artist. A writer. A photographer.
I couldn’t survive by making a living with my creative skills. Could I?
I had to learn fast because I quit my entire career in the middle of the day, and I haven’t looked back.
Photography has given me an income AND a way to let my secret inner artist express himself. It’s been an incredible gift.
I’m SUPER excited to be an ambassador, but this doesn’t really change much for me.
This newsletter, Megapixel Road, will always be more about the heart and soul of photography rather than focusing on gear.
Sometimes I’m going to geek out about cameras and lenses like this post, but more than anything, all I want to do is inspire you to get outside and have more fun with your camera, no matter the brand. (I just happen to REALLY dig OM SYSTEM. I was a huge evangelist for the system before they even approached me.)
Thanks for being on this journey with me. Let’s do cool things - TOGETHER.
(THANK YOU, OM SYSTEM! We are going to do some cool stuff!)
Buy the OM-3 (or the OM-1 MarkII) from YOUR LOCAL CAMERA STORE! Support them!
P.S. - If you’re getting this, you’re probably already subscribed to my newsletter, but please share this with any photography enthusiasts who are looking for inspiration, tips and a positive photo community (no judgement here)!
And as always, send me any questions you have or topics you’d like to see me cover in upcoming newsletters or YouTube videos (you can subscribe here).
More than anything, even if you don’t purchase a print, subscribing to my YouTube channel, watching some videos, and leaving me a comment about what you think is a great, free, way to support me!
Oh - and this post is 100% AI-free. Every title, sentence, misspelling, and mistake is mine, and I love that.
DEATH TO THE ROBOTS.
Comments? Leave them below or email me: jerredz@gmail.com
I enjoyed reading this. As a kid, my parents gifted me the Kodak Ektralite. I loved it until my mum gave it away. Four years ago, my wife bought me the Canon 1500D DSLR. I wasn't that serious about photography. I became serious mid-last year. Recently, I bought the Canon EOS R6 MARK III. I love my camera and the process of photography. It has taught me so much about myself and how I view the world. It's stories like this that I love reading about, even if it's nerding about camera brands. Also the back story.
My first "real" digital camera was the PEN-F. I still got it. Then the OM1-MarkII.Beat the shit out of it in the rain, in the mountains, in a riot,beneath a waterfall. It still ticks! And fast focusing! Moved to Fuji but recently picked up the OM again, and it felt so comfortable. Like an old tee shirt. I'm flirting with upgrading. I'm pleasantly surprised that the VC or whatever it was that bought out the system has continued to invest in it. It's an under-recognized system, probably because of the megapixel count. People want huge pixel counts. But...I will say...side by side...fuji vs oly...color...editablity....I love me my fuji. For me, I'd use the OM for the journalistic/meat-and-potato work. The fuji, for the art.