Hi Alan, great video. I was lucky enough to purchase an OM1 back in 2010, it was mint and came with 50 mm lens and a lot of accessories including extension tubes extra lenses various focus screens ( my everyday case is still mint! ). I had it professionally serviced couple of years ago. Although nowadays it’s more of a shelf ornament as my MFT Olympus cameras get prime use, I would not sell it. It’s interesting to see the design elements taken from the OM1 35 mm film camera that carried through to the OMD EM5 range. I hope that you will be running a film through it soon.
Sounds like you have a good outfit there Alan, with the way the market is trending I don't think prices of these are going to fall anytime soon with the resurgence of interest in film.
I have an OM-1, too. Though I haven't used it in about 20 years, I still like to keep it around. Great memories of using it. The micro-prism and split-prism focusing screens on those old SLRs were fantastic. Pinpoint manual focus, even with my glasses off. By contrast, manual focus with a dSLR/mirrorless EVF or LCD display isn't as good -- even the camera chirp when you find focus has a wider error margin than the prism screens afforded.
Yes David, it's not until you revert to using one of these that you appreciate how accurate the focussing is; it is another aspect of film SLR cameras that people can enjoy as well as the purely mechanical build quality
If there’s one thing I really appreciate it’s watching, listening, and learning from someone who really has the background and expertise to speak to a topic. This was your video; learning from someone in the know. The cadence and your way of speaking is ideal for these videos. This channel is quickly becoming one of my favourites. Thank you!
That is very kind of you to say! I simply draw on my personal experiences, admittedly gained over a good few years and if it educates or informs people, then I feel my efforts have been rewarded. There will be many more videos to come and I hope you stick with me!
fascinating video Alan, and what a piece of design. I remember lusting after an Olympus as a small boy 🙂 looking at the collection of lenses, etc at 24:25, I wonder if anyone had them all!! hearing the sounds the camera made took me right back to my O' level art days 🙂 the case? that'll buff out surely!!! if it is leather, then you could probably rescue it with some cream and dye?
Alas the case has gone to the gods of Olympus Nick as it was simply disintegrating in my hand! I very much doubt many owned the more exotic Zuiko lenses like the 350mm f2.8 or the 21mm f2 and they fetch silly money today!
Excellent “tour” of the OM-1 Alan, I have the exact one with the exact same lens, the only “issue” that I have (as everyone else) is finding a replacement battery for the light meter. Up until a couple of years ago I was using a Gossen Luna Pro light meter, but after many years of service (to me) it finally died and according to a repair shop it was not cost effective trying to “fix” it. About thirty years ago I photographed a wedding with the OM-1 for a cousin that could not afford to hire a “professional” photographer, so I shot 4 rolls of 36 exposures, printed 4x 6’s (yes, 144), put them in an album and that was my wedding gift (and a toaster oven). Two years later she got divorced, but I never knew who kept the photo album and most importantly, the toaster oven🤣. On a separate note, I did have the light seals replaced on the OM-1 at a repair shop, I didn’t want to screw it up. Be well, stay safe and take care of you.
There are adaptors available so you can fit 2X LR44 batteries into the OM-1 Enrique (no mods required), and I believe this Energizer Epx625G Battery 1.5V is a direct replacement (2.95 Amazon). Yes, I often wonder how many wedding albums survive the first 5 years!
I’m always intrigued by your history lessons (waffles?) Alan. My journey into photography didn’t start until the DSLR era. I think I would’ve been a lot more involved with film cameras and photography had my life not taken so many drastic turns during the 60s, 70s, and 80s. 😎
Life throws curved balls at us from time to time TC, the main thing is that you are enjoying photography NOW and also putting a lot into the hobby with your own YT channel. Nice work my friend 👍
Greetings Alan, that was a super detailed review for anyone considering using one of these, just by sheer coincidence this morning I spotted a Olympus SLR fitted with a Tamron zoom lens on sale in a local charity shop for around £50, I couldn't really get a good look at it because they had it locked in a glass case, if its still there in a few days I will try out of interest to identify the model. My main concern with these old cameras is if I will find the shutters sticking, I had picked up a couple of cheap charity shop buys which appeared to be working in the shop yet after I got them home I discovered the shutter started to stick after a few actions. Always a pleasure to see you. Cheers.
I find these days that most charity shops sell their good gear online Steve, only keeping the 'iffy' stuff to sell in shop? Yes take a look at that Olympus you saw, quite possibly an OM-10 in which case don't be surprised if it doesn't work as they need 2X LR44 batteries to operate. Might be a way to get some money off, but also a risk if it still doesn't work when you get batteries! Could still be a good price with a nice lens though.
A wonderful revue, spot on. I have an OM 4Ti somewhere, I must look it out. Every time I watch your channel, you enthuse me. Excellent content. Look after your health, you are important.
Well Clare, the OM-4Ti is a pretty rare beast, so I would definitely say go find it! They were well known for draining batteries (even when switched-off) and Olympus offered a fix for that issue, but nevertheless they are lovely cameras and of course tough as old boots! Glad some of my content enthuses you and my leg muscle is now all good thanks.
I always wanted one of these but the closest I could afford was a Pentax ME Super which had a great focus system and small size but was aperture priority exposure (with an odd button operated manual mode).
Yes Ira the ME Super was their answer to the OM-1 (along with the excellent MX) regarding size, and I agree the 2-button manual mode was frustrating in use. Great lenses though.
Incredible knowledge on a format id love to get good at . I still need to use up all my film in my Pentax k1000. It needs better glass though. When you try to focus the viewfinder has black lines all in it
Thank you Eric. The K1000 still has a strong following, particularly with students as they are built to last! I'm sure you will get proficient with more time/practise.
Hi Alan, great video. I was lucky enough to purchase an OM1 back in 2010, it was mint and came with 50 mm lens and a lot of accessories including extension tubes extra lenses various focus screens ( my everyday case is still mint! ). I had it professionally serviced couple of years ago. Although nowadays it’s more of a shelf ornament as my MFT Olympus cameras get prime use, I would not sell it. It’s interesting to see the design elements taken from the OM1 35 mm film camera that carried through to the OMD EM5 range. I hope that you will be running a film through it soon.
Sounds like you have a good outfit there Alan, with the way the market is trending I don't think prices of these are going to fall anytime soon with the resurgence of interest in film.
I have an OM-1, too. Though I haven't used it in about 20 years, I still like to keep it around. Great memories of using it.
The micro-prism and split-prism focusing screens on those old SLRs were fantastic. Pinpoint manual focus, even with my glasses off. By contrast, manual focus with a dSLR/mirrorless EVF or LCD display isn't as good -- even the camera chirp when you find focus has a wider error margin than the prism screens afforded.
Yes David, it's not until you revert to using one of these that you appreciate how accurate the focussing is; it is another aspect of film SLR cameras that people can enjoy as well as the purely mechanical build quality
If there’s one thing I really appreciate it’s watching, listening, and learning from someone who really has the background and expertise to speak to a topic. This was your video; learning from someone in the know. The cadence and your way of speaking is ideal for these videos. This channel is quickly becoming one of my favourites. Thank you!
That is very kind of you to say! I simply draw on my personal experiences, admittedly gained over a good few years and if it educates or informs people, then I feel my efforts have been rewarded. There will be many more videos to come and I hope you stick with me!
Thank you! Olympus OM-1 was and is my all time ‘hero’!!
And the Zuiko lenses… amazing!
As you can probably tell, I am in complete agreement! Thank you so much for commenting 👍
fascinating video Alan, and what a piece of design. I remember lusting after an Olympus as a small boy 🙂
looking at the collection of lenses, etc at 24:25, I wonder if anyone had them all!!
hearing the sounds the camera made took me right back to my O' level art days 🙂 the case? that'll buff out surely!!! if it is leather, then you could probably rescue it with some cream and dye?
Alas the case has gone to the gods of Olympus Nick as it was simply disintegrating in my hand! I very much doubt many owned the more exotic Zuiko lenses like the 350mm f2.8 or the 21mm f2 and they fetch silly money today!
Excellent “tour” of the OM-1 Alan, I have the exact one with the exact same lens, the only “issue” that I have (as everyone else) is finding a replacement battery for the light meter. Up until a couple of years ago I was using a Gossen Luna Pro light meter, but after many years of service (to me) it finally died and according to a repair shop it was not cost effective trying to “fix” it. About thirty years ago I photographed a wedding with the OM-1 for a cousin that could not afford to hire a “professional” photographer, so I shot 4 rolls of 36 exposures, printed 4x 6’s (yes, 144), put them in an album and that was my wedding gift (and a toaster oven). Two years later she got divorced, but I never knew who kept the photo album and most importantly, the toaster oven🤣. On a separate note, I did have the light seals replaced on the OM-1 at a repair shop, I didn’t want to screw it up. Be well, stay safe and take care of you.
There are adaptors available so you can fit 2X LR44 batteries into the OM-1 Enrique (no mods required), and I believe this Energizer Epx625G Battery 1.5V is a direct replacement (2.95 Amazon).
Yes, I often wonder how many wedding albums survive the first 5 years!
@@photographyforenjoyment Thank you for the information on the battery, I'll take a look and report back.
I’m always intrigued by your history lessons (waffles?) Alan. My journey into photography didn’t start until the DSLR era. I think I would’ve been a lot more involved with film cameras and photography had my life not taken so many drastic turns during the 60s, 70s, and 80s. 😎
Life throws curved balls at us from time to time TC, the main thing is that you are enjoying photography NOW and also putting a lot into the hobby with your own YT channel. Nice work my friend 👍
@@photographyforenjoyment Thank you so much for the kind words and your continuing support brother!
💜😎💜
Greetings Alan, that was a super detailed review for anyone considering using one of these, just by sheer coincidence this morning I spotted a Olympus SLR fitted with a Tamron zoom lens on sale in a local charity shop for around £50, I couldn't really get a good look at it because they had it locked in a glass case, if its still there in a few days I will try out of interest to identify the model.
My main concern with these old cameras is if I will find the shutters sticking, I had picked up a couple of cheap charity shop buys which appeared to be working in the shop yet after I got them home I discovered the shutter started to stick after a few actions.
Always a pleasure to see you.
Cheers.
I find these days that most charity shops sell their good gear online Steve, only keeping the 'iffy' stuff to sell in shop? Yes take a look at that Olympus you saw, quite possibly an OM-10 in which case don't be surprised if it doesn't work as they need 2X LR44 batteries to operate. Might be a way to get some money off, but also a risk if it still doesn't work when you get batteries! Could still be a good price with a nice lens though.
A wonderful revue, spot on. I have an OM 4Ti somewhere, I must look it out. Every time I watch your channel, you enthuse me. Excellent content.
Look after your health, you are important.
Well Clare, the OM-4Ti is a pretty rare beast, so I would definitely say go find it! They were well known for draining batteries (even when switched-off) and Olympus offered a fix for that issue, but nevertheless they are lovely cameras and of course tough as old boots! Glad some of my content enthuses you and my leg muscle is now all good thanks.
I always wanted one of these but the closest I could afford was a Pentax ME Super which had a great focus system and small size but was aperture priority exposure (with an odd button operated manual mode).
Yes Ira the ME Super was their answer to the OM-1 (along with the excellent MX) regarding size, and I agree the 2-button manual mode was frustrating in use. Great lenses though.
Incredible knowledge on a format id love to get good at . I still need to use up all my film in my Pentax k1000. It needs better glass though. When you try to focus the viewfinder has black lines all in it
Thank you Eric. The K1000 still has a strong following, particularly with students as they are built to last! I'm sure you will get proficient with more time/practise.