Do all the single digit Olympus OM cameras have prism foam issues?

gone · Nov 13, 2021

Having been bitten by the little camera bug, I've been cruising the OM camera auctions. A nice OM-1 was described as having debris in the viewfinder, which I assume could be the foam, as a lot of people seem to have that problem.

Do all the original OM cameras have potential issues w/ this, and is it a fix that a shade tree camera repair person could do? Or would it have to go to a real repair shop (assuming that it can be fixed or replaced)? Might need some tools either made or bought to get the top off.

The problem w/ buying one of these online is that if something is in the viewfinder, it could be the prism, or it could be that the viewfinder or mirror needs cleaning. Not every seller is going to know about this, so you may not know what's up until you actually have the camera in hand.

AgX · Nov 13, 2021

Is there any camera with foam seals or paddings where these do not deteriorate? Maybe at same models debris or corrosion do not show up in de finder or show up later.

wiltw · Nov 13, 2021

In 2005, John Hermanson, a very knowledgeable servicer of Olympus gear, wrote this:

"OM-1's (chrome) were produced with prism foam up to approximate serial serial number of about 1,110,000. Above that number (and continuing to where the 1N chrome started) they were produced without prism foam. MANY old OM-1 bodies show deteriorated prism foam by dark green or black blotches in the viewfinder. Once a blotch shows up, it means the old foam has turned to goo and eaten through the paint and aluminum coating on the prism. The only rela fix is to replace the prism. OM-1 Black were also made with prism foam up to the same serial number. Unfortunately, ALL 1N bodies were made WITH prism foam. Hope this helps!"

Someone else, in the same thread, contributed:

"I have put prisms from OM-10s into several OM-1s. They always fit perfectly. I've never seen an OM-10 with foam over the prism, so they were always good."

A few years ago, I sent in my OM-1n (owned since new, purchased in 1981) in for prism foam as preventative maintenance...I saw no evidence of foam or coating deterioration before I sent it in.

plummerl · Nov 13, 2021

The only models subject to prism rot are the OM-1s and OM-2s. Here was a comment by John Hermanson: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/olympus-om-p-foam-problem.11264/#post-151212

I actually had John replace the prism in my 1970s OM-1, using a donor prism from a parts only OM-10 that I picked up for a song.

gone · Nov 13, 2021

Ah, that really helps. Thanks! So I should watch out for it on the 1s/2s cameras.

The 50 1.4 and 1.8 lenses are selling as low as $40, and w/ no real price difference btwn them. That's very affordable for good glass. The 1.4 is supposed to have smoother bokeh, so I'll get one for the MV that's coming w/ a 50 1.8 on it and make a comparison.

This is what makes APUG, oops!, I swear that happened by itself!

This forum has people w/ actual experience, not a lot of opinions. I guess it's time to ante up and be a paying member because, really, where else is there a forum like this?

4season · Nov 13, 2021

Old prisms can likely be reused if you scrape away the discolored and damaged part of the reflective coatings, then apply mirror paint to the now-clear areas. I don't recall whether my OM1n had foam in that area, but my original OM1 sure did, and what a mess it caused. As cameras go, it's pretty easy to pop the top off of these, but I recommend using a rubber cup rather than a spanner to remove the rewind lever cap.

AgX · Nov 13, 2021

wiltw said:
Above that number (and continuing to where the 1N chrome started) they were produced without prism foam.

What became the the substitute for that foam padding?

Ivo Stunga · Nov 13, 2021

Had OM-1 and have OM-1n - no foaming to report. Light metering issues though.

wiltw · Nov 13, 2021

AgX said:
What became the the substitute for that foam padding?

No idea...I paid to address the foam deterioration, they did not tell me exactly what they did.

plummerl · Nov 13, 2021

AgX said:
What became the the substitute for that foam padding?

According to John Hermanson, the prism foam was an Olympus solution to a problem that did not exist. He removes it, but does not replace it.

Kino · Nov 13, 2021

If you like, you can put a thin plastic shim under the clamp for the prism, but otherwise, no need to replace it.

I bought a couple of OM10s when they were dirt cheap, just for this donor concept...

mehguy · Nov 14, 2021

I'd look into getting it serviced my zuiko.com. The last factory trained olympus OM repair man I'm aware of and he will overhaul your camera for a very reasonable cost. I'd look into getting a cheaper body, with more dings here and there, and use the money saved on a good overhaul. You'll end up with a much nicer camera than blowing it all on a Mint+++++ from one of the japanese sellers, for example.

Do all the single digit Olympus OM cameras have prism foam issues?

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