First filters for Olympus OM-1 -- what do I get, how do I know it fits?

-persimmon-tree- · Feb 18, 2023

Hi all,

This is a VERY basic question that I assumed I would be able to easily find an answer to online, but was not. I have an Olympus OM-1 35mm camera and want to get some ND filters for long exposures during daytime. I am interested in some very long exposures (30s-1m) and want something that can add around 9 stops or more.

I don't really understand what kind of filter to get and how to install it, and have never used a filter of any kind before. The end of the lens isn't threaded so it can't screw on, right? The lens cap clips on. From what I looked up, it would take 49mm filters, but I don't know if I need some additional mount.

Can anyone point me to more info or a specific filter recommendation that will for sure work?

Thanks!

Nicholas Lindan · Feb 18, 2023

Threads are on the inside of the 'snout' of the lens. OM's take 49mm, TTBOMK. You can find the manual on-line, I'm sure it has a table of filter sizes.

Don't bother overspending - filters don't wear out so ebay filters are just fine if not scratched.

mshchem · Feb 18, 2023

Used Ebay, get a couple 4 stop filters and stack. You're going to be shooting at smallest aperture. Adox makes very slow film that would help.

-persimmon-tree- · Feb 18, 2023

Thank you! Yes, 49mm is the size from what I found in the manual, I just wasn't sure if it would screw in or need an attachment. Will find some cheap filter and have at it, I appreciate it.

MattKing · Feb 18, 2023

Welcome to Photrio.
One caution - you need to check the lens you are using, not the camera you have it on.
Many of the Olympus OM Zuiko lenses have a 49mm filter thread - most of the standard choices certainly do.
But there are a small number that use a larger thread size. My 35mm f/2 lens being an example - it fits 55mm filters.
There are lens tables for the Zuiko lenses that list the filter size, so that is one source of information.
The lenses themselves sometimes have that filter size information printed on them.
And sometimes the lens caps that fit the filter rings also have that information printed on them.
And of course there are lenses made by other manufacturers that will fit your camera, and those might very well have a different size of filter thread.
So the answer is: check the lens you are using, not the camera.
If you have trouble identifying which lens you have on it, show us a quick snap of this sort:

Rick A · Feb 18, 2023

OEM Zuiko lenses take 49mm filters. Do yourself a favor, buy a step up ring and buy 52mm or 55mm filters to avoid vignetting.

MattKing · Feb 18, 2023

Rick A said:
OEM Zuiko lenses take 49mm filters. Do yourself a favor, buy a step up ring and buy 52mm or 55mm filters to avoid vignetting.

Most of them do - a small number don't.

faberryman · Feb 18, 2023

There is a list of Olympus lenses for its film cameras, including filter sizes, here:

Olympus OM system - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

-persimmon-tree- · Feb 18, 2023

MattKing said:
Welcome to Photrio.
One caution - you need to check the lens you are using, not the camera you have it on.
Many of the Olympus OM Zuiko lenses have a 49mm filter thread - most of the standard choices certainly do.
But there are a small number that use a larger thread size. My 35mm f/2 lens being an example - it fits 55mm filters.
There are lens tables for the Zuiko lenses that list the filter size, so that is one source of information.
The lenses themselves sometimes have that filter size information printed on them.
And sometimes the lens caps that fit the filter rings also have that information printed on them.
And of course there are lenses made by other manufacturers that will fit your camera, and those might very well have a different size of filter thread.
So the answer is: check the lens you are using, not the camera.
If you have trouble identifying which lens you have on it, show us a quick snap of this sort:
View attachment 329979

Unless those numbers (1327600) mean something important, this is the exact same lens I am using. It states:
F. Zuiko
Auto-S
1:1.8
f=50mm
575232
OLYMPUS
OM-SYSTEM

-persimmon-tree- · Feb 18, 2023

Rick A said:
OEM Zuiko lenses take 49mm filters. Do yourself a favor, buy a step up ring and buy 52mm or 55mm filters to avoid vignetting.

can you recommend a step-up ring? I am sure its pretty straightforward but I have never used one before and tend to get simple things wrong! Thanks.

MattKing · Feb 18, 2023

-persimmon-tree- said:
Unless those numbers (1327600) mean something important, this is the exact same lens I am using. It states:
F. Zuiko
Auto-S
1:1.8
f=50mm
575232
OLYMPUS
OM-SYSTEM

49mm filters it is!
As for the 1327600, it is a serial number and it means that that lens is a lot later in production than your 5755232 copy!

MattKing · Feb 18, 2023

And if you plan on staying with that lens or within the Zuiko OM line, you probably are fine with 49mm filters - no step up ring necessary.
Rick A's suggestion is great for people like us who use a lot of different lenses.

-persimmon-tree- · Feb 18, 2023

MattKing said:
And if you plan on staying with that lens or within the Zuiko OM line, you probably are fine with 49mm filters - no step up ring necessary.
Rick A's suggestion is great for people like us who use a lot of different lenses.

Awesome, I appreciate the response! This forum has been extremely helpful so far given my extreme lack of knowledge. Will find a 49mm filter and start experimenting.

MattKing · Feb 18, 2023

If you are using 9X ND filters on an SLR, you will find that you need to compose, focus and meter before putting on the filter. There is a lot of filter handling involved, so consider wearing gloves.
And one other thing. If you were planning to achieve 9x ND by stacking several filters, than Rick A's suggestion of a step up ring is a good one. Using several filters at the same time can degrade the image, and lead to vignetting.

-persimmon-tree- · Feb 18, 2023

MattKing said:
If you are using 9X ND filters on an SLR, you will find that you need to compose, focus and meter before putting on the filter. There is a lot of filter handling involved, so consider wearing gloves.
And one other thing. If you were planning to achieve 9x ND by stacking several filters, than Rick A's suggestion of a step up ring is a good one. Using several filters at the same time can degrade the image, and lead to vignetting.

That makes sense -- and is it correct that you have to compose with the SLR because with the filter on it is just too dark to see your composition?

Larryc001 · Feb 18, 2023

A tip for you. Buy two cheap polarizers from eBay. They are cheap. Put both on the lens. As you rotate one of them, the density will continuously change from none to completely dark. Just a suggestion.

Bill Burk · Feb 18, 2023

Considering your intention to make long exposures, you may want an infrared filter. This is visually black but transmits infrared. Even though true infrared film is hard to find, there are some films with near infrared or extended red sensitivity that might work with long exposures to give you that “Wood effect” (white foliage).

wiltw · Feb 18, 2023

Larryc001 said:
A tip for you. Buy two cheap polarizers from eBay. They are cheap. Put both on the lens. As you rotate one of them, the density will continuously change from none to completely dark. Just a suggestion.

Depending upon the brand of polarizing filter or ND filter, high density value filtration can tint color photos so anything 'white' will not simply be denser but also have a noticeable tint to the coloration.
Look carefully before you buy, or run the risk of tinting color photos.
An article about the phenomenon https://nisioptics.co.uk/nd-filters-without-colour-cast/

Autonerd · Feb 18, 2023

-persimmon-tree- said:
Hi all,

This is a VERY basic question that I assumed I would be able to easily find an answer to online, but was not. I have an Olympus OM-1 35mm camera and want to get some ND filters for long exposures during daytime. I am interested in some very long exposures (30s-1m) and want something that can add around 9 stops or more.

Thanks!

Another way around this problem: FPP sells very slow color film (ISO 1.6!!): https://filmphotographystore.com/products/35mm-color-kodak-super-low-speed-1-roll

Aaron

Nodda Duma · Feb 19, 2023

Btw, filtering for 9 stops = log(2^9) = 0.3*9 = ND 2.7 filter. Look for an ND 3.0 filter in 49mm thread (10 stops and open up your aperture one additional stop) and you will get what you want.

Account for reciprocity failure of the film when you set your exposure time. Info will be in the film’s data sheet. I’d suggest Fuji Acros if you’re shooting B&W so your exposure times don’t draw out too long.

reddesert · Feb 19, 2023

Larryc001 said:
A tip for you. Buy two cheap polarizers from eBay. They are cheap. Put both on the lens. As you rotate one of them, the density will continuously change from none to completely dark. Just a suggestion.

Stacking polarizers to make a variable ND works if the first (outer) polarizer is linear, but not if it is a circular polarizer (try it). It is possible to see and anticipate color casts if you look through them at a light bulb or similar.

Rick A · Feb 19, 2023

MattKing said:
And if you plan on staying with that lens or within the Zuiko OM line, you probably are fine with 49mm filters - no step up ring necessary.
Rick A's suggestion is great for people like us who use a lot of different lenses.

If you stack filters you start to get vignetting, especially with wide angle lenses. I've experienced vignetting with 24mm lenses and just one filter, that's why I recommend a step up ring and larger filters. Of course, if you own several different brands of lenses that require different size filters it's best to buy the largest size needed and adapters for the smaller lenses. Another good possibility is buying Cokin or Lee filters with the correct adapter and use square filters.

First filters for Olympus OM-1 -- what do I get, how do I know it fits?

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