aroth87
Member
I like to browse antique shops looking for cameras and found my best score yet this weekend. Tucked back on a shelf was an Olympus OM-1 with 50/1.8 and Varimagni viewfinder. When I first looked through the finder it was black, so I ran it through a couple of shutter speeds and the finder was still black. Took off the lens and realized mirror lock up was engaged. Once I flipped the mirror back down I looked through the viewfinder and couldn't get anything in focus. Checked the lens and it had a close up filter attached. I turned the meter on and it worked as well. After checking the make sure the lens stopped down properly I looked at the price tag. $8.75!
I don't have any other Olympus gear but decided that the price was too good to pass up. When I went to the register I found out the vendor was giving 10% off everything so I ended up paying $8.56 for it. I'm not sure how long it had been there but I'm guessing the strange looking viewfinder and mirror being locked up deterred most casual shoppers. I still haven't finished my first roll but its been enjoyable to use. The shutter speeds being around the lens mount is neat but I wish I could see the settings in the viewfinder like my Nikon FE. And the lens doesn't focus as smoothly as my Nikkors but seems well built. The thing I really like is the Varimagni finder, whoever had it before obviously used the camera for close up work and I think I'll give it a try too. I guess its time to check out Zuiko prices
Adam
I don't have any other Olympus gear but decided that the price was too good to pass up. When I went to the register I found out the vendor was giving 10% off everything so I ended up paying $8.56 for it. I'm not sure how long it had been there but I'm guessing the strange looking viewfinder and mirror being locked up deterred most casual shoppers. I still haven't finished my first roll but its been enjoyable to use. The shutter speeds being around the lens mount is neat but I wish I could see the settings in the viewfinder like my Nikon FE. And the lens doesn't focus as smoothly as my Nikkors but seems well built. The thing I really like is the Varimagni finder, whoever had it before obviously used the camera for close up work and I think I'll give it a try too. I guess its time to check out Zuiko prices

Adam