Olympus OM1-N

...was first announced in 1973. Olympus were famed for their half frame compact cameras, and 'scaled up' manufacturing techniques to produce one of the smallest most comfortable full frame Single Lens Reflex cameras - ever.

The ergonomics contribute greatly to the the design.

The main controls - shutter speed, focus and f-stop are all worked by the left hand, along the axis of the lens the right is used for shutter release ...
...control on a 'normal' SLR simply sets the film speed of the exposure meter.

The OM1 was designed as a central component in an integrated camera system - winders, flashes and a bewildering range of lenses.

Build quality was second to none, and good examples can still be found at a fraction of the original price tag.

One thing to remember is that at in the less ecologically minded 1970s, mercury batteries ... more

Why should a 30 year old camera design still command respect and affection amongst camera buffs - simply because they got it right first time.

This is a 'clockwork' manual-only device, which was first announced in 1973. Olympus were famed for their half frame compact cameras, and 'scaled up' manufacturing techniques to produce one of the smallest most comfortable full frame Single Lens Reflex cameras - ever.

The ergonomics contribute greatly to the the design.

The main controls - shutter speed, focus and f-stop are all worked by the left hand, along the axis of the lens the right is used for shutter release and wind-on.

What would be the shutter control on a 'normal' SLR simply sets the film speed of the exposure meter.

The OM1 was designed as a central component in an integrated camera system - winders, flashes and a bewildering range of lenses.

Build quality was second to none, and good examples can still be found at a fraction of the original price tag.

One thing to remember is that at in the less ecologically minded 1970s, mercury batteries were commonplace, substituting a standard silver oxide cell will result in incorrect exposure. Specialist batteries based on less toxic ingredients can be bought at a premium, and will rectify this.

Several innovations helped to make this a design classic. Air dampers were used to reduce noise and vibration - the mirror can be locked up, and the comination of interchangable focusing screens has ensured itis is still a favourite with astronomers.

At a time when most people are 'going digital' - good second hand bodies bought for very reasonable prices on Ebay - expect to pay about £70 - or more if it comes with the original box and instructions.

OEM lenses tend to be very good, if a little expensive. Zooms - whilst convenient - tend to lack definition, I tend to keep a 24mm Hoya fitted to my snandard body.

The majority of bodies work perfectly - given that the asking original price of £199 represented a considerable investment, people tended to look after them!

These cameras tend not to be teribly forgiving of harsh treatment - one of the first things to go is the hot shoe flash - second to go tends to be the meter, and thirdly, the film advance and/or curtain mechanism.

Look for obvious signs of abuse - scratches on the baseplate, 'flats' on the casing where it could have been dropped, 'marrs' on the screw fittings and so on.

The mechanics are reasonably straightforward, and whilst the outside remained failry constant, the internals changed slightly over the years. Still, with two bodies with different faults, you ought to be able to bodge one decent body, and still have enough spares to keep it going for quite some time.

Professional repair would normally be out of the question - there are a couple of sites which offer PDF copies of the maintenance manuals.

Most cameras won't need anything more than the PVC covering glued back on (ittended to become unstuck from the body)

Wheras the more highly prised OM2 - the automatic version of the OM1, may attract a higher price, the added complication of electronic shutter control tends to make the OM1 the better buy.

If you get the chance to buy of one of these cameras, go for it. 

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