OM-1 MD, Mechanical Gothic Lives On
I bought an OM-1 MD from KEH the other day. $60 with 50 1.8 lens. Cosmetically, it’s a bit rough, and there’s some dust in the finder, but it’s still a damn nice camera. Big, bright viewfinder with a screen that clearly shows focus. Small size. Interesting, but incredibly well thought out ergonomics; putting the shutter speed dial on the lens mount means both exposure controls can be adjusted with out chaning your hand placement. And a great lens. The lens draws more like a really good RF lens instead of like a bargain Japanese lens from the mid 70′s.
In some ways, this shouldn’t be surpising. The OM-1 was originally called the M-1 until Leica made them change the name. Despite being an SLR, the influence of the Leica M is clear particularly when you compare the little OM against it’s Nikon contemporaries. The small size of the body and the emphasis on an excellent viewfinder were both intended to seduce Leica users looking for an SLR option. As a companion to an RF, the OM gives you access to some of the benefits of an SLR without saddling you with a huge brick or compromising your ability to see your subject.
If the el cheapo 50 is any indication of the rest of the lens line, the lenses were designed with a thought towards the RF user as well. The 50 1.8 really does draw like a classic RF lens with moderate contrast, great resolution and pleasant bokeh. But it also focusses much closer than an RF could ever hope for. With the current bargain basement prices of many OM lenses, I’m planning on seeing if this holds true across the board.
If you are looking for a bargain camera with great imaging potential, the OM-1 is worth a look.
Nice write-up and good photos.
Thanks, Rich.
Nice photos from your OM1-MD. Bought one myself last year and cleaned up the deteriorated foam from the viewfinder to protect the pentaprism for the future. Really cleans up the viewfinder too. This site was enormously helpful: http://olympus.dementia.org/Hardware/tutorials/FoamRemoval/index.html
Zuiko glass is magnificent.
Thomas
I’ve got the OM2 as my other camera (the main one’s an M 3 with Summicron 50 (and Jupiter 3, 8 & 9)) and I agree with you; great design for an SLR, great optics and, nowadays, very inexpensive. Am also interested in trying out other lenses than the Zuiko 50/1.8. There’s the 85/2, for example…
Yeah, I’ve thought about the 85/2 as a replacement for the 90 Hex that I use on my Hexar. Although the 90 Hex is a fine lens, the frame lines on the hexar make framing challenging.
The OM 24 f2.8 is also going for cheap these days.
Matt-
I recently discovered OM’s also, when i picked up a OM2N and 50/1.8 for $90. A blast to use in any light, so much as it was low light… haha
I think that’s really the only fault the camera has, lacking the higher shutter speeds. Great fun to use, and really small.
Oh, and all the Zuikos are great.
Hey Chris,
Thanks for stopping by. The OM’s are indeed a blast to use. Simple and intuitive and dirt cheap.
Are you in Korea? I was there teaching English for about 6 months.
You’ve got some cool shots on flickr.
yeah, i’m in the Air Force and stationed in Kunsan, SK.
I found your site searching for stuff on the Hexar RF, as i’ve stumbled upon a deal. I’m probably going to scoop it up next month and put a cheap lens on it for now, but i plan on ending up w/ a 35/1.2 on it.
I guess Kunsan is a bit of a ways from Seoul, but if you ever up that way, drink a bowl of makoli for me in the little fish restaurant in Insadong. It’s down an alley behind the batting cages. It looks like a hole in the wall, but they fry a mean fish and the makoli comes in something like gallon tubs. Cheap too.
Matt,
You’ve got great taste.
These are fantastic cameras. I’ve owned several of them, as well as the OM2n and OM4T.
Did you ever buy any of the other lenses?
Howard, I haven’t got around to getting any of the other lenses, and now it may be too late. The shutter on my OM-1 froze the other day while I was loading it. I haven’t looked at it too closely yet, but it doesn’t sound goo.
Matt,
Amen on the OM-1md. I have two of them and they are little tanks of cameras.
Bill
I have an OM1. It was my first and only SLR. My favourite lens was the 24mm. It became my standard. I’m not sure that a zoom lens improved my approach to photography when I went to the E1.
Rex, many people seem to like the OM 24.
Hi,
My dad’s dream was always to have an OM-1, so I bought a second hand one for him in 1998. It eventually developed some problems, so I sent it to Camtech Photo Services in New York (http://www.zuiko.com/), where the guy did a standard and thorough overhaul for $100, leaving it ‘as new’.
I did have to pay an extra $30 customs tax (I live in Madrid, Spain).
I can honestly recommend this technician to anyone with a faulty OM-1. Check out his web site, where he describes in detail what he does as part of his standard OM-1 overhaul.
I have no affiliation to Camtech. I’m just a very satisfied customer.
Dad gave me an OM-1 in 1974. Still have it and shoot it every week. Had to have it updated to use modern batteries (Camtech does this). New foam seals late in the 20th C. Best recent investments: BEATTIE INTENSCREEN – and I can’t stress this strongly enough – more than the camera is worth, adn worth it. Also, new black lizard covering from Cameraleather.
Favorite lenses: 50mm/1.2 (OMG!), 85mm/2.0 and 35mm/2.0. I have a bunch of more costly RF gear and this kit is equal to almost all of it.
The same choise, 50/1.2 one is the best!
Have Om1, OM 2s, OM-4 T
Hi. I picked up a Olympus MD OM-1 at an estate sale and I am thinking of selling it but I don’t know what battery number it takes to check out the meter. The cosmetic condition is just beautiful! Can someone let me know what battery it takes?
Thanks
Sara
There’s nothing cheap about the OM-series lenses – except the price. They are very well made, optically speaking, and despite what some may think, physically robust. I shot for a few years with two OM-1 bodies and two lenses switching to Nikon only when I needed access to a full system. The system is a high-water mark in SLR development as a tool for artists.
Speaking of which, as you are clearly an artist, I encourage you to try (rent?) a large format camera. MF is fabulous too, but nothing beats the power of the 4×5 neg/trans. Whether you wet print or digitally render after that step is irrelevant – simply a matter of taste.
There are many options for 4×5 but you might consider a Crown Graphic. Very portable and handhold-able.
Cheers. I like your images. Good pictures.
Thanks, Shane. The OM stuff is really just an incredible value. My OM1 still has a jammed mirror, but I’ll eventually get that fixed or replace it.
I’ve looked at Crown Graphics. I think I could some interesting work with one.
[...] After months of sitting on the shelf with a dead shutter, my OM1 returned from the dead last week. While aimlessly fiddling with it, the self-timer became unstuck, thereby freeing the stuck shutter. The first roll through it turned out fine, so the self-timer seems to have been the extent of the problem. [...]
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