Today I thought I would write up a review on the Olympus OM-1. This is a difficult review to make simply because this camera is, in my humble estimation, one of the best film cameras ever produced. It is small, one of the smallest film SLR ever made, is extremely reliable and a joy to use. When you use such a masterpiece it is difficult to find fault with it, but I will do my best to provide a fair and balanced review. Spoiler alert...I highly recommend this camera!
After the Nikon F displaced the rangefinder as "the professionals choice" Olympus came out with the OM-1. It was 1972 and the large and heavy Nikon F had taken the profession by storm. The problem was that the Nikon F was large, much larger and heavier than the rangefinders it was built to replace. Olympus solved all that by producing a brilliant design in a small package, and as an added bonus it was one of the most advanced cameras on the market!
The OM-1 is an all mechanical camera with a light-meter visible through the viewfinder. The viewfinder is large and bright and the needle for exposure reading is simple to use and easy to see. The version I have is labeled "MD" which means it was ready to use a Motor Drive.
Its small size, and full compliment of excellent glass made the OM-1 the top camera for travel photographers. It shoots on 135 film and is one of the most dependable cameras ever made. This is a compact precision instrument designed from the ground up to be the last film camera anyone would have to buy. It singlehandedly put Olympus on the map as one of the premiere camera manufacturers in the 1970's and early 1980's.
After the Nikon F displaced the rangefinder as "the professionals choice" Olympus came out with the OM-1. It was 1972 and the large and heavy Nikon F had taken the profession by storm. The problem was that the Nikon F was large, much larger and heavier than the rangefinders it was built to replace. Olympus solved all that by producing a brilliant design in a small package, and as an added bonus it was one of the most advanced cameras on the market!
The OM-1 is an all mechanical camera with a light-meter visible through the viewfinder. The viewfinder is large and bright and the needle for exposure reading is simple to use and easy to see. The version I have is labeled "MD" which means it was ready to use a Motor Drive.
Its small size, and full compliment of excellent glass made the OM-1 the top camera for travel photographers. It shoots on 135 film and is one of the most dependable cameras ever made. This is a compact precision instrument designed from the ground up to be the last film camera anyone would have to buy. It singlehandedly put Olympus on the map as one of the premiere camera manufacturers in the 1970's and early 1980's.
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To the left is the viewfinder. The picture makes the right side seem very dark but it is how I held the camera as I wanted to show the exposure needle on the left.
The viewfinder is large, clear and easy to use. Looking through you can see where you are in terms of exposure and alter the shutter speed and aperture without taking your eye off the shutter. All the shutter and aperture controls are on the front housing allowing you to quickly adjust either with one hand. Once the film ISO is set there is no need to touch the upper part of the camera except the press the shutter or advance the film. Ergonomics at its best! |
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There is a simple On / Off switch for the light meter and the battery is easily replaceable from the bottom plate. There is a removable hot shoe as well.
Film ISO options range from ISO 25 through 1600 giving a wide selection of films to use. I would not suggest using anything of a higher ISO because the meter needle is subjective and does not give a good indication of how under or over exposed you are. There is a self timer in the front and the rewind switch to the left of the lens. The camera is set to go from BULM setting then 1 second all the way through 1/1000 of a second. This is not as quick as the Nikon F3 but fast enough for the film. The lens removal is done by pressing two buttons on the lens and twisting. One handed, simple operation. And one of those buttons also acts as the aperture preview button. |
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The picture above is of my OM-D-EM5 and the Olympus OM-1. The resemblance is clear as Olympus went retro with a great camera in the OMD series.
The Good:
The camera is mechanical perfection and the Zuiko glass is some of the best ever made. The lenses are small, light and brilliantly made as well. It has one of the largest and brightest viewfinder available and the focusing screens can be changed out easily. The size, weight and functionality are a dream. There is no need to compromise on functionality for the sake of portability. It is a very good looking camera which usually draws a crowd.
The Bad:
This is where it gets tough...I would have to say that the mercury battery which is 1.3 volts is an issue. They have stopped making this battery which means you either have to modify the camera or purchase special 1.3 volts. I ended up buying a small, chipped battery voltage converter and use it without any issues. This drops the voltage of the currently available batteries of 1.5 volts down to the required 1.3volts.
Overall:
Perfect glass, perfect functionality and all this for an affordable price! I have no idea why this camera is NOT in the hands of every film shooter out there. The look of the camera is so brilliant that modern day Olympus has built their new digital cameras in the same shape.
They are easy to purchase and have several great places to have them CLA (Cleaned, Lubricated and Adjusted), and once done it will provide decades of use.
Price & Value:
You can get a good condition OM-1 with one of the worlds best 50mm f/1.8 lenses all for about USD 150-200! That is cheap for one of the best cameras ever made. If you add another USD 50 you can get the chipped adapter that allows a 1.5 volt battery to be used and drops the voltage to the required 1.3v. And that is it, you can have a professional, compact camera with exceptional glass and have plenty of money for film.
Give me the OM-1, the Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 and a few rolls of film and I will find more joy than the most celebrated vacation spots.
Good Information:
For a great overall video please click HERE.
For the MR-9 adapter check it out HERE.
For a manual please look HERE (and considering making a donation).
Video on how to use an OM-1 look HERE.
Below are some of the shots I took with this camera.
The camera is mechanical perfection and the Zuiko glass is some of the best ever made. The lenses are small, light and brilliantly made as well. It has one of the largest and brightest viewfinder available and the focusing screens can be changed out easily. The size, weight and functionality are a dream. There is no need to compromise on functionality for the sake of portability. It is a very good looking camera which usually draws a crowd.
The Bad:
This is where it gets tough...I would have to say that the mercury battery which is 1.3 volts is an issue. They have stopped making this battery which means you either have to modify the camera or purchase special 1.3 volts. I ended up buying a small, chipped battery voltage converter and use it without any issues. This drops the voltage of the currently available batteries of 1.5 volts down to the required 1.3volts.
Overall:
Perfect glass, perfect functionality and all this for an affordable price! I have no idea why this camera is NOT in the hands of every film shooter out there. The look of the camera is so brilliant that modern day Olympus has built their new digital cameras in the same shape.
They are easy to purchase and have several great places to have them CLA (Cleaned, Lubricated and Adjusted), and once done it will provide decades of use.
Price & Value:
You can get a good condition OM-1 with one of the worlds best 50mm f/1.8 lenses all for about USD 150-200! That is cheap for one of the best cameras ever made. If you add another USD 50 you can get the chipped adapter that allows a 1.5 volt battery to be used and drops the voltage to the required 1.3v. And that is it, you can have a professional, compact camera with exceptional glass and have plenty of money for film.
Give me the OM-1, the Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 and a few rolls of film and I will find more joy than the most celebrated vacation spots.
Good Information:
For a great overall video please click HERE.
For the MR-9 adapter check it out HERE.
For a manual please look HERE (and considering making a donation).
Video on how to use an OM-1 look HERE.
Below are some of the shots I took with this camera.
