Small but Mighty: The Olympus OM-1
The Olympus Om series features a seemingly endless sequence of numerically named models from the OM-1 and the OM-2 to the OM-4 and OM-10. Making it difficult to decipher the difference and to figure out which one is the best choice for you. Amongst Olympus fans, the Olympus OM-1 always stands out as a fan favourite. But why, out of all the models in the series is the OM-1 considered the best?
To understand the ‘what’ makes the Olympus OM-1 so good, we need to understand the ‘why’ and ‘how’.
The Olympus OM-1 was previously known as the Olympus M-1 before copyright complications with fellow camera maker Leitz whom also produced an M series of their own. The Olympus OM-1 was produced by a team led by Japanese designer Yoshihisa Maitani, who wanted to compete with fellow camera houses like Nikon and Canon in the SLR camera market. What he thought was lacking in the SLR market was a full-frame film camera that was compact and lightweight without compromising SLR technology. Therefore, he set out to make an SLR camera that was 20% smaller in height, width and depth plus 50% lighter in weight, while also improving SLR technology, for example making the shutter capability of the camera 100,000 actuation compared to the average shutter, only achieving 10,000.
He successfully achieved d the advances in turn making the Olympus OM-1 technologically ahead of time. They ensured to look at the entire mechanism, maximise the space and assessed what materials they could use down to the screws swapping the brass screw for steel to further ensure the camera was far lighter but still durable than their counterparts. It was successfully launched in 1972, followed by two sister models: the Olympus OM-1 MD, which allowed the camera to be fitted with a motor drive for easy shooting and the Olympus OM-1n in 1979.
A brief overview of Olympus OM-1 specification:
- Lens mount Olympus OM system
- Viewfinder fixed pentaprism with a coverage of 93% vertical and 97% horizontal with a magnification of 0.92x
- Shutter speed range of 1 sec to 1/1000 sec with B mode for long exposures
- ISO range of 25 to 1600
- Self-timer
- Battery LR44
What makes the OM-1 a fan favourite?
What makes the OM-1 stand out is that this small camera features technology only believed to be found in larger cameras at the time. Such as its enhanced pentaprism that was 30% larger than most SLR mechanisms, which increased the photographer's view of the frame to 97% coverage and 70% brighter than the average SLR viewfinder. It used a lightweight curtain drum and a larger mirror, which ensured that the camera operated silently but also maintained speeds of 1/1000. The Olympus OM-1 design was luxuriously sleek with the shutter cleverly set around the lens rather than the usual top plate, making it easy and seamless to use with every shot. The Olympus OM-1 is an innovative mechanical masterpiece that enhanced the usage of SLR technology and build. It is a camera that performance stands the test of time through its technology, giving photographers full control over their images and confidence that each shot will turn out beautiful.
So will you give the small but mighty Olympus OM-1 film camera a try? You can find both classic and customised versions of the Olympus OM-1 on our website here.