Help with my Olympus OM-1n

adefreitas · Jun 16, 2014

Hello to all the great people on this site and forum, I have passed a lot of time exploring all the suggestions and writings here and have decided that I wouldn't mind asking for some help from the great supporters and aficionados on this website.

I have recently rekindled my love affair with photography from my younger years and have decided to learn the craft the traditional way by means of a 35mm film camera. So after doing some research on what would work for me and ideally what I found appealing, I settled on getting an Olympus OM camera. So I ended up winning an Olympus OM-1n on Ebay for $50 with a 35-75mm zoom lens and let me tell you this camera looks so new and clean it was a shock when I opened the shipping package.

My question is can anybody recommend someone (technician) in Canada / Toronto area that could give this baby a nice CLA or overhaul make sure all is well with it? It definitely needs to have the light seals replaced and check the foam on the prism to have that removed before it becomes an issue and see if the meter works. So would anyone be able to recommend someone that I can trust to work on this camera? Please and thanks any help would be appreciated

snapguy · Jun 16, 2014

nice

Great camera. Small and lightweight, great big viewfinder and the Olympus glass is first rate. Quiet, too. Good luck.

erikg · Jun 16, 2014

Does it have to be someone in Canada? Camtech is the place for OMs. First rate.

adefreitas · Jun 16, 2014

Camtech is in the US is it not? That sounds like it could get really expensive

Xmas · Jun 16, 2014

replace the light seals yourself.

mouse mat, scissors, double sided pressure sensitive tape, Zippo can, used chop stick, craft knife or
buy a kit

if the prism view is ok you may be ok as some came without prism foam and many have been serviced already

The lenses are more critical many develop fungal infections...

you need a dev tank, changing bag, thermometer

http://www.ilfordphoto.com/aboutus/page.asp?n=31

Les Sarile · Jun 16, 2014

You can check out his prices at Camtech Photo Services
He restored my Olympus Pen FT to work like new but he gets really busy so make sure to check.

MattKing · Jun 16, 2014

John Hermanson at Camtech has lots of Canadian customers. And the conversion he does to permit use of modern batteries is valuable.

There may be someone in Toronto who has OM servicing experience.

nsurit · Jun 17, 2014

Camtech, zuiko.com is the man. You will have no disappointments. Bill Barber

mopar_guy · Jun 17, 2014

John at Camtect only does complete overhauls. The camera will be "as good as new."

adefreitas · Jun 18, 2014

Thanks everyone for the great help. Much appreciated. How expensive will it be to send it out to Camtech in the US? Any other places or people you guys could recommend? Maybe in Canada?

mr rusty · Jun 18, 2014

[QUOTEif the prism view is ok you may be ok as some came without prism foam and many have been serviced already][/QUOTE]

Possibly, but if the light seals are gooey, unlikely. It is definitely worth getting the meter converted to use SR44 silver cells (note NOT lithium LR44). Even if the CLA and service costs twice what you paid, if it is a nice camera you will soon forget what you have spent and will treasure what is undoubtedly one of the finest cameras ever made and a mechanical marvel independent of vulnerable electronics. It will last you a very long time. Despite owning several (!) other cameras my OM1 is one of the most used.

CanonShot · Jun 18, 2014

adefreitas said:
Any other places or people you guys could recommend? Maybe in Canada?

http://acecam.com/camera-repair-6.html#Ontario

Uncle Bill · Jun 19, 2014

Unfortunately that's an outdated list, Gord the owner of Commercial Camera passed on a few years back. I'm in the same boat with a Black OM-2n with a jumpy meter, been meaning to send it down to Camtech but never quite get around to it.

camtec · Jun 19, 2014

Uncle Bill, the jumpy meter can be caused by corrosion on the battery contact where the contact is soldered to a copper wire or the contacts in the body may have corrosion on them. Also the current 1.5volt batteries available are not suitable for the OM-1. It is easy to adapt the circuit to 1.5 v. battery.

dugrant153 · Jun 21, 2014

I have an OM1 that I'm still using that was CLA-ed by John H and I can attest to his great work. Feels like a new camera almost

GRHazelton · Jun 21, 2014

As far as the seal replacement, Jon Goodman sells kits with good instructions. The process is not difficult, but a bit fiddly. Email Jon at JGood21967@aol.com

Jeff L · Jun 21, 2014

Camtech in Hamilton Ontario (not US) repairs and services in the store. I hear they have a good rep and know Olympus well.
I have not used them yet but likely will when some service is necessary. Give them a shout and see what they say- can't hurt.
Good luck

camtec · Jun 21, 2014

A CLA for an OM-1 is easy assuming no major problems exist. I am a retired camera repairman and the average CLA was $ 45.00.

thuggins · Jun 30, 2014

John at Camtech does excellent work and his prices are competitive. But be advised that he has never been fast, and now that he is working "part time" the situation has gone down hill from there. I just got my OM-2 back from him and it took 4-1/2 months, door to door. So if you want to take some Xmas pictures, you'd better send the camera off to him now.

We are lucky to have folks like him around to take care of these cameras, but you should be be aware of all the factors when making a decision.

mr rusty · Jul 1, 2014

I have just had an om2 cla'd and refoamed by Mike spencer at camerarepairs-r-us.co.uk took 2 weeks and cost £55 plus post.

Mike is old school with 50 years experience in camera repairs. Obviously uk, but still an option for specialist services from other places if the postage is acceptable.

I've used him several times now and he is highly recommended for om servicing this side of the pond.

Help with my Olympus OM-1n

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