-Size, weight, craftsmanship.
-Bright, crisp viewfinder.
-Self timer design - can be deactivated.
-May be the easiest to load of all cameras lacking a "quick load" feature.
-That SYSTEM! Lenses, flashes, etc.
-Possibly the best looking SLR ever made, tied with the Pentax Spotmatic without the accessory shoe.
-Meters accurately with ordinary size 675 zinc air hearing aid batteries (may need a shim or O-ring to keep the smaller cell centered in the contacts).
-Value. The discontinued OM-1 and OM-2 line are incredible values now. And in my area OM-mount lenses are dirt cheap in pawn shops, etc., making this an attractive addition to my Canon FD gear for which lenses are getting scarcer and pricier.
-Unlike Canon new FD mount lenses, OM mount lenses are easy to inspect for proper operation of the diaphragm off the body. A big plus for the used-gear buyer.

-Some of those controls! Rewind release, film speed dial, shutter speed, DOF preview. What were they thinking!?!
-That crappy plastic saddle on the detachable hot shoe. But it works, even when cracked. Maybe the "FIX" emblem was a premonition, hmm? Now, where's my super glue ...

I'm a newcomer to the Olympus OM line so my enthusiasm is tempered by relative experience with other SLRs.

Some controls are oddly designed and placed - again, relative to other SLRs. What's with the rewind release prominently displayed on the front? And designed exactly like the mirror lockup control? Weird. Sure, it's handy if a motor drive or winder is attached, but I have no plans to mar this diminutive body with extra weight. I already regard the Vivitar Series 1 28-90mm f/2.8-3.5 zoom hanging off it as a grotesque appendage. This body was made for equally petite primes.

And that depth of field preview may be the unhandiest of all designs. I have relatively thin fingers yet it's still difficult for me to operate the thing. And with no means to lock it down it's value is relatively diminished to me. I prefer the Canon FTbn design which has less vibration since both the mirror can be locked up and iris stopped down before tripping the shutter.

Was it really necessary to make the ASA/ISO film speed dial so prominent and beefy? This design makes sense only if used as a shutter speed dial, since it can be rotated using the index finger. Think of how much more streamlined the OM series would appear with a redesigned film speed control.

And that shutter speed control around the lens mount. Is there anyone who can actually claim to *love* this placement? Really? Unless you don't have a lens mounted on the camera, it's too easy to confuse the lens release and DOF buttons with the flanges for the shutter speed control. It's just goofy.

Having said all that, I love this little camera. The craftsmanship is exquisite. Where the Canon FTbn is built like and feels like a tank, the OM-1 is a luxury touring sedan. Equally well-built, lots more fun to drive.

With that kind of craftsmanship, eccentricities in design are quite forgiveable.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Canon T70, FTbn, TX; Miranda Sensorex; Pentax Spotmatic; various P&S, fixed lens RFs, and autofocus SLRs.

I like its size and brightness of its viewfinder

None

With we could go back to this simplistic design.

Similar Products Used:

OM2S
Minolta

SIZE, FLEXABILITY

NO

STILL ONE OF THE BEST, BULLET-PROOF MANUALS AROUND

Customer Service

NO EXPERIENCE - CAMERA ALWAYS WORKS

Similar Products Used:

OM2

It's compact, and the tactile feel is unparelleled: smooth, buttery, well-damped action. Zuiko lenses are sharp and contrasty including a stellar set of macros. DOF preview, MLU, completely manual and mechanical--battery required only for meter, interchangeable screens, etc.

Sit it next to an N90, and you'll see just how dimunitive is it, even with a motordrive. Handle it after using an FM2n and you'll HEAR and FEEL what you missed.

Oh, it also has a large finder that shows 97% of the FOV. Small meter needle in lower left frame marked off at +/- 1/2 and +/- 1 stop.

A propensity for the accessory shoe to crack (normal with use I guess--but this holds for any add-on accessory for any camera). It continues to funtion, however, so it's not a technical complaint, but rather, cosmetic.

Also, it uses Mercury cells. There are workarounds (as mentioned by other reviewers), but there's still chance to get a cell or two from Germany or Canada or elsewhere, and they last a very long time as they power on the meter and nothing else. One of my -1n bodies is on it's original cell, for 15+ years, and I think the second body is too.

MD caps have a tendency to get lost if you use a motor drive or winder and are not careful in storing the cap. Still, the hole can be taped.

After use at odd/steep angles, meter needle doesn't go down all the way: fix it by stopping lens down completely, shutter@1/1000, lens cap on, cover finder, turn on meter for a few seconds and voila.

In short, nothing serious, but minor quibbles one should note.

Great for astrophotography, scenics. Rugged build can withstand hard and heavy use (including, I am ashamed to admit), impact and moisture. (Lack of) Size good for discreet candids or travelling light. Lens range to die for.

For reference, I've gathered Olympus resource URL; links from http://student.ucr.edu/~siddim01/olympus.html

If you want to be one with the camera, and part of the picture taking process, this OM's for you. Sheer elegant simplicity defined. Use one and you'll know what I mean.

Customer Service

Olympus no longer makes or services the model, so you're with private shops. (Haven't had personal experience (yet) with Camtech, but they're THE place for your OM gear at www.zuiko.com)

Similar Products Used:

Nikon FM2n, 8008 & Canon Rebel G/XS/2k

Always the small size, but the controls are intuitive. The mechanical precision and quality was ignored as soon as the Canon AE-1 hit the market. All cameras used to be made like the OM-1. Even Nikon cheapened their lower line cameras (FM & FE) in a critical point (the drive coupling was plastic). Pentax had the MX, but it was not as common as the OM-1. Stop by a camera store and raise one of these used beauties to your eye. Wind the lever and feel the mechanical precision, fire the shutter and listen to the superbly dampened marvel of a truly quiet shutter. Feel the compact heft of a true "BMW" of cameras. I never used any camera that gave me so much simple, pure satisfaction.

Seems like the Cds meter cells have not stood the test of time. I've seen several not functioning properly. Makes me want to own and repair each one!

If you can accept the purity and simplicity of using a precision instrument without bells and whistles, and you truly love photography but have never worked with only your eye and pure knowledge of the science and art, try one. This may sound very over the top, but like everything in the world touched by technology, going back to the roots offers a realization and understanding of the love, dedication and spiritual cleanliness pioneered in this form of art. Auto fill flash, TTl this and ppower that are great, but could you function without it? do you understand why and how it all cmes together? Have you ever felt like an intruder because of all the whirring and beeping? Take an OM-1 (or for that matter, an FM or MX or M4) out with one lens and a roll of film and feel the passion in pure form with no modern pretense.

Similar Products Used:

Everything, yet nothing short of a Leica M

Solid, rugged but diminutive construction. Superb system backup, including IMHO access to the finest macro system available

Simply the fact that it is no longer manufactured. I think that a 'special edition' is long overdue and am sure that it would be a good seller.
Sourcing of mercury cells is becoming difficult.

I purchased my OM1n a little over 18 years ago. Since then it has seen regular use for landscape, portrait and macro work. It has been at my side for most photographic situations, working flawlessley in heat, cold, dust and moisture. I do use an OM4Ti now, but it has not stopped me putting six rolls of Elitechrome Xtra colour film through it in the last few months. I find its design perfect. The large viewfinder, winder, and location of shutter speed ring are so natural, photgraphy is made almost effortless. Coupled with compact and excellent quality Zuiko optics, the OM1n is a true classic which supremely alone in this world of techno-wonder. If this camera was still available new, I would purchase one immediately. Buy this camera if you love back to basics photography and take pleasure from using truely mechanical tools.

Customer Service

Never needed it!

Similar Products Used:

Olympus OM2n, OM4Ti

Size, functions, Value, selection of lenes (used).

Maybe add multiple exposure

This is such a great camera (performance and price) that I bought three. I was worry about not able to get it any more. They virtually don't exist in my local stores. However, you can still get them in the states. Is too bad Olympus don't really support the OM line much.

Customer Service

None

Similar Products Used:

Nikon & Minolta MFs

Well built
Rugged
Dependable
Light-Weight
Quiet

Batteries?

Probably one of the best manual mode cameras ever made. Light-weight and quiet. I, at one time, had three bodies (mix of OM1 and OM1n). Sold each and every one for more than I paid for them - All three are still going strong (from what I hear from those I sold them to). Only wish someone (are you listening Olympus???) would make a camera like this again. I just hate the current plastic and electronic wonders they sell these days.

Customer Service

Never needed

Similar Products Used:

Nikon FM2n
Nikon F3
Nikkormat FTN
Fujica ST-701

None

None

askldnalf möf

Similar Products Used:

None

Piece of art construction, compact, easy to use basic SLR, incredible lenses fast lenses from Olympus, After you have mastered it it’s part of you. My first camera I ever owned and regret I sold it.

If your going back to basics none what so ever.

A classic masterpiece of engineering marvel. Regret I sold mine.

Customer Service

Never needed

Similar Products Used:

Pentax, Minolta, Chinon