Olympus OM-2 memo back on OM-1N?

Photic Visions · Jan 4, 2016

I love my Oly OM-1 but I pine for a memo holder such as on the OM-2's back. Does anyone know if they are interchangeable? If so, are there any drawbacks or considerations to be aware of?

Thanks!

wblynch · Jan 4, 2016

It will work on the OM-1N (although you don't say which back it is)

The earliest backs used a pc cord connection to trigger. The newer ones used contacts that are in the body. The M-1, OM-1 and OM-2 did not have those contacts.

Some of the backs could not store a date greater than 1997 (or some such year), so that might be a limitation.

I think only the RecorData 4 back can do 21st century dates. (might be wrong there but I don't believe my 3 back can)

Photic Visions · Jan 4, 2016

Hi Bill, thanks for the response. I should clarify that I'm looking for the strictly low-tech memo back, as in the stock back that comes with the OM-2. It's just a convenient holder for the box top so that I can remember what kind of film I have loaded.

I think you're referring to data backs, of which there are 4 versions. You're right that the last one does reach into the 21st century, but not as far as 2016, unfortunately..

Poisson Du Jour · Jan 4, 2016

HAMA makes (or made, in the past-tense, as I haven't seen one for a long time now) a self-adhesive box-top memo holder for the back of cameras. The adhesive was said to be so robust as to take the 'leatherette' backing off with it on removal!

The equal-best alternative is to attach a keyring to the neck strap and clip the box top in that. Visible all the time if that's what is needed. This is what I do for my faithful Pentax 67.

Ricardo Miranda · Jan 4, 2016

Yes, the backs from the OM-2/2N are interchangeable with all OM-1/MD/N.

frank · Jan 4, 2016

sharpie on masking tape on bottom of camera.

Photic Visions · Jan 4, 2016

Poisson: Thanks for the tip. I went to their website but alas, no memo holders.
Ricardo: Thanks for the confirmation. Off I go in search of a totaled OM-2 that landed face-first!
Frank: That's exactly my current technique!

frank · Jan 4, 2016

You can tear off a flap of the cardboard packaging of a roll of film with the iso number, and slip it into the hotshot, but the OM1 has a removable hot shoe and is not always present.

wblynch · Jan 4, 2016

Oh, the memo holder back. Sorry for not reading better.

Yes, sure they are interchangeable.

BUT, the pre-MD OM-1's had a smaller pressure plate so don't switch those or you will be sorry.

aoresteen · Jan 4, 2016

Been doing this for years. A number of my OM-1s have OM-2 backs on them. Makes getting a recover kit a bit harder I've been looking for one recently and OM-2 backs seem a bit scarce right now.

Photic Visions · Jan 7, 2016

Thanks for the info, folks! Too bad the OM-2 backs are so scarce. I don't want to contribute to the problem so I may just look for an ugly OM-2 with a good-looking back.

Rick A · Jan 7, 2016

My OM-1 sports a back from an OM-4.

Olympus OM-2 memo back on OM-1N?

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