Help identifying this Olympus.

[Mike Kennedy]

I'm not an Oly. guy but have always lusted after an OM-1,OM-2.This particular camera (see attached photos) has been put on the market in my city.I've just sent a series of questions to the seller but it's a wee bit early in the A.M (5:10) to expect a quick reply.
Anyone recognize this model? What batteries should I have to check the meter?

Note:The self timer does look a little corroded.

Thanks Much

 

[Anon Ymous]

OM1

 

[Q.G.]

Batteries are a problem.
They take the infamous mercury cells.
Infamous for not being available anymore.

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Thanks for the info.
Can I run a zinc air 675 1.4 V hearing aid battery? I've used them in many cameras to replace the merc. cell.

 

[elekm]

Yes, you should be able to a zinc-air battery. I think the cap on the self-timer is missing. Same thing on my OM-2.

 

[Andy K]

Looks like an OM-1n MD. The self timer looks to be missing the lever.

 

[Someonenameddavid]

Looks like an OM-1n MD. The self timer looks to be missing the lever.

It has the original "fix" detachable hot shoe which implies it is the OM1, OM1MD, (or an M-1, which would be highly collectable since Leica nixed Maitani's M-1 designation for copyright reasons early on) The OM1n takes a silver oxide battery.

Early OM1s did not have the motor drive coupling on the base.

This camera and the Pentax MX were the nearest thing IMHO to an SLR Leica M3 and if either of them had had "Leitz Wetzlar" engraved on them Leica would not be going out of business today.

David

 

[dougjgreen]

It's an OM-1 MD. With a missing self-timer lever. And BTW, the OM-1n doesn't take a silver oxide battery unless it's been modified to do so. All OM-1 variants use 625 mercury cells, but can work fine with 675 zinc-air cells if you put a spacer (such as a rubber o-ring washer of the proper size) into the chamber.

 

[mgb74]

A #9 O ring will work.

 

[dougjgreen]

FYI, for places where they don't identify O-rings with number grades, the dimensions of a #9 O-ring are 5/8" OD, 7/16" ID, 3/32" thickness.

 

[MattKing]

What does it say on the top of the camera ?

Does it say "MD" on the front left side of the body? If so, it is an OM1-MD. Otherwise, it is an OM1 (or the extremely rare M-1), and will only have the motor drive coupling on the base if it has been modified (and a fair number were modified).

As for the battery, a few years ago I purchased an adapter for about $30.00 that allows use of a G12 silver oxide cell instead. It works great, and can be transferred to other cameras.

I don't think it is an OM1n (wrong hotshoe adapter) but any of the alternatives (M1, OM1, OM1-MD or OM1n) are excellent cameras, depending on condition. Unless a CLA has been done recently, at the very least you will most likely have to replace the seals (common in almost all SLRs of this vintage). In particular, you have to be careful that the seals for the mirror haven't deteriorated badly, because the gunk can migrate into the pentaprism, and cause damage there.

If you have a local repair person you've used before, I would suggest asking them if they do CLAs on OM equipment, and what approximate costs are. If there is noone local, John Hermanson at www.zuiko.com (who posts here regularly) is the goto resource.

There are a lot of OM1s around, so if there are apparent problems (like a missing or corroded self-timer lever) you might want to pass on this unless the price is very favourable.

Matt

PS by the looks of it, I would guess that the lens may be newer than the body.

 

[djohnfot]

The only thing a battery is used for in an OM1 is the light meter. All other functions are totally mechanical.

Many camera service facilities can modify an OM1 to use a 1.5V battery. Or you might be able to find a battery conversion kit - Gossen made one - that will work with the camera as long as they are replacements for a single 625. Zinc-air batteries work just fine but have a short life compared to a standard battery.

Most other cameras that used a 1.3V mercury battery can safely use a 1.5V battery without conversion. The meter will read about a stop high but otherwise no problem. The word is that you cannot do this with many Olympus bodies. I haven't tried it with any of my Oly cameras because I felt it was not worth the risk. I used a battery adapter.

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Thanks all!!
I'm waiting for a reply from the seller so I haven't been able to handle the camera yet.

 

[glockman99]

I'm guessing that it's an OM-1n, because I don't think that the OM-1 versions has that little "MD" marking (but I could be wrong with that).

Unless the guy is selling this camera DIRT CHEAP, I wouldn't bother with it as it looks pretty rough, and the fact that the self-timer lever is missing shows that this camera has not been well taken care of. Also, I'm afraid that some of that caked-on dirt might have found its' way inside of the camera. You'd be MUCH better off looking for a better OM-1n at eBay or Craig's List.

 

[E76]

I'm guessing that it's an OM-1n, because I don't think that the OM-1 versions has that little "MD" marking (but I could be wrong with that).

I have an OM-1 with the MD marking, so it could very well be an OM-1 as well as an OM-1n.

 

[glockman99]

I have an OM-1 with the MD marking, so it could very well be an OM-1 as well as an OM-1n.

I think that your OM-1 has the MD marking on it because you live in MD...

I stand corrected...Dang, this old dog CAN learn new things..

 

[Anastigmatic]

early OM-1's have no motor drive ability, then they made some with MD capability with no MD badge, but had a MD sticker on front top, stickers after all this time can be missing, then later OM-1s had the MD badge on the front, lots of them produced

This one is clearly an OM-1 MD, you can see the 'square' (some are rectangular) MD badge on the front, it has the #1 shoe (Fix) on it which will NOT fit on the OM-1n (it screws on in the opposite direction) , incidentally the shoe appears to be in good condition (the camera is pretty average or below average condition, as mentioned above it is missing the self timer lever), the shoes often get fine cracks in them but they arnt noticeable in the picture. as well as a few things already mentioned above, ask if the light meter works as well, its just a bit odd that the meter switch is in the ON position, he possibly doesnt have batteries in it, or was just testing it while he took the picture but an OM user is most often in the habit of flicking the meter to OFF position if not in use.

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Thanks again for all the information folks.
Still no reply from the seller so I haven't had a chance to "handle" the camera.
If/when I go to see it what would be the recommended items to take (besides $) ?I'm thinking :New 675 battery &O-Ring
Blower,lens cleaner & microfiber cloth.
Coin to open battery compartment.