Olympus om-1 Mirror Lock Problem

David Jones · Jul 14, 2015

I have an Olympus OM-1 that has a problem. The mirror works fine with the shutter but when I operate the mirror lock up the mirror only raises half way. Would that be an expensive repair? I just bought the camera and was wondering if I should send it back. It's a shame because the viewfinder is lovely and clear with none of the prism damage.

dave

baachitraka · Jul 14, 2015

Yes, CLA. Around 60 pounds if you send it to Michael Spencer.

Xmas · Jul 14, 2015

I'd suggest it may be bad reassembly and need strip and reassemble not just CLA so send it back is better bet.

Ricardo Miranda · Jul 14, 2015

David Jones said:
I have an Olympus OM-1 that has a problem. The mirror works fine with the shutter but when I operate the mirror lock up the mirror only raises half way. Would that be an expensive repair? I just bought the camera and was wondering if I should send it back. It's a shame because the viewfinder is lovely and clear with none of the prism damage.

dave

Are you sure you operated it properly?
The switch has to be vertical and there is a small catch at the end.

summicron1 · Jul 14, 2015

this sounds like one of those "hey doc, it hurts when I do this?" deals.

The doctor says "so don't do that."

How often do you use mirror lock-up? Is there a lens that demands it?

The guy why says there's a bit of a push at the end may be right, too.

David Jones · Jul 14, 2015

Thanks for the replies. It is very annoying because everything else is good on it. I have never heard of this problem before. On my Nikon FM and the Yashica FX-3 I once had the self timer works as a mirror lock. Probably doesn't make much difference but the fact that it isn't working on the OM-1 is annoying me a bit because I paid for a fully working one rather than one needing repair!

I will certainly try operating it again.

dave

Xmas · Jul 14, 2015

The mirror should be fully up before the rotary actuator reaches the end stop.

The lock up is used for time photography to minimise movement on a tripod or attached to a telescope.

gone · Jul 14, 2015

I can count the times I've needed mirror lockup on one hand (probably on one finger). A self timer is more important, but not by much. There's never been an instance where I couldn't set the camera up and ask someone if they would mind taking the shot of the wife and I, even w/ 1930's folders. Like the one below of the wife, the babe, and me.

Xmas · Jul 14, 2015

momus said:
I can count the times I've needed mirror lockup on one hand (probably on one finger). A self timer is more important, but not by much. There's never been an instance where I couldn't set the camera up and ask someone if they would mind taking the shot of the wife and I, even w/ 1930's folders. Like the one below of the wife, the babe, and me.

View attachment 112638

But would you buy it without the lock up knowing you would get less than a normal price when you came to sell?

Note the mirror and its damper can fail on OM1s...

David Jones · Jul 15, 2015

That's right. I paid for a fully working camera but would have to sell it as a broken one! I do tend to use the lock up on a tripod. The point about the timer was not to use it as a timer but as a mirror lock up (Nikon FM). If the timer was broken on the FM then I would have no lock up.

I must be very unlucky as I have never heard of this lock up problem on an OM-1. Everything else breaks, yes, but not the lock up!

Dave

Xmas · Jul 15, 2015

David Jones said:
That's right. I paid for a fully working camera but would have to sell it as a broken one! I do tend to use the lock up on a tripod. The point about the timer was not to use it as a timer but as a mirror lock up (Nikon FM). If the timer was broken on the FM then I would have no lock up.

I must be very unlucky as I have never heard of this lock up problem on an OM-1. Everything else breaks, yes, but not the lock up!

Dave

That famous girl Miss Assembly most probably...

darinwc · Jul 16, 2015

If you paid a premium (100$+) then id say defintely return it.
If you got it for a song (<50$) then dont worry about it as long as everything else is clean and working.

Anything in between, its your call.

Olympus om-1 Mirror Lock Problem

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