Olympus Resurrection

Jao

Jao

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Spurred on by Tikkathreebarrels OM-2 purchase and the discussion in that thread I have decided, not before time perhaps to resurrect my Olympus OM-1N.

With this in mind I have acquired a cheap 50mm f1.8 Zuiko, pictured in the shot below, which I will use until a Zuiko 35mm f2.8 comes up at a sensible price.

Those with good eyesight will see from the original slightly redacted purchase receipt that I bought the OM-1N new on the 7th September 1979. Back then it cost me £107.00, a small fortune and it was another three months before I could afford a lens for it. I was still in the 6th Form at the time though! The OM-1N was bought from a very fine although now long gone camera dealership in central Birmingham. Although I have some bias in thinking it was a fine store, the likes of which I am not sure exist any more.

I travelled the world in my youth with this camera, 2 other OM bodies and 6 Zuiko lenses. I have a filing cabinet full of the slides and negs I shot with this kit.

I stopped shooting with Olympus equipment on the 22nd January 1994.

I sold all my OM lenses and my OM-2SP back in the spring of 1994, although I still have the OM-3 body that made up the trio. There is a very funny and simultaneously sad story attached to that camera and I won’t bore you all with it but the OM-3, the best camera Olympus ever made in my opinion, is dead, indeed it died spectacularly and will never shoot again.

The long summer of work that funded the OM-1N meant that for nostalgia I kept it, put it in its box where it has remained until a few days ago. I worked out it has moved house with me 8 times and probably hasn't seen daylight for 18 years! I know that is shocking:cuckoo:

Today in November 2012 the OM-1N is in pretty good nick for its years and forced retirement. All the shutter speeds seem fine, the self-timer runs smoothly although I need to replace the light seals and mirrors foam I suspect.

I love my Nikon’s and have I have used them and Nikkor glass since I switched from OM, but I did have a moment this afternoon when I fitted the lens to the body and thought “Good God this viewfinder is bright!”


I will be surfing the interweb tonight to find an OM light seal set and a PX625 1.35v equivelent to see if the meter will spring to life!

I have far too many cameras probably, but I have a fridge full of film and this OM might just help to even the score a little!:lol:


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The Olympus kit always looked like a wonderful system - and a camera that you've held onto for 30+ years is always a great story.

For seals, I thoroughly recommend Jon Goodman - he's in America but he does pre-cut seal kits, which come with basic tools and clear instructions. You can contact him by email, the seals usually reach your doorstep in under a week: JGood21967@aol.com

I've used him countless times, as have other people in Film & Conventional who can vouch for his services.
 
freecom2 said:
The Olympus kit always looked like a wonderful system - and a camera that you've held onto for 30+ years is always a great story.

For seals, I thoroughly recommend Jon Goodman - he's in America but he does pre-cut seal kits, which come with basic tools and clear instructions. You can contact him by email, the seals usually reach your doorstep in under a week: JGood21967@aol.com

I've used him countless times, as have other people in Film & Conventional who can vouch for his services.
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Olympus made remarkable cameras in 70's and 80's and I have many happy memories of using this kit.

Cheers for the heads up on Jon goodman, I'll get on to him tonight for some seals.:thumbs:
 
Jao said:
Cheers for the heads up on Jon goodman, I'll get on to him tonight for some seals.:thumbs:
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Not sure he'd appreciate that... he usually only accepts payment with PayPal :nuts:
 
This makes great reading. I bought the first ever OM1 to come into Derby, decades ago. I have 5 OM bodies and 16 lenses. It was speaking to the late Lord Patrick Lichfield, at his home, when he said I should buy one! The best move I ever made. My lovely OM3 still works. Good luck with your search for lenses. They are out there. I use mine, via adapter, on my Panasonic G3. They are still truly stunning. Thank you for this breath of photographic 'fresh air'.
 
Peter, many thanks for your comment. Clearly you are an OM photographer.

I am just waiting now on the light seal kit and a Wien 1.35v cell to bring my OM-1N back to life!
 
The OM-3, an utterly exceptional camera met its end at the bottom of the Aegian Sea. Much to my deep upset, pardon the pun, it was plunged into the depths from the deck of an overcrowded boat in the summer of 1994 when I was holidaying in the Greek islands.

You will see from the poor quality iPhone photo below that I still have its mortal remains!

How is this given its plunge into the watery deep, why is it not resting at the bottom of the warm Greek waters? Well, when it went overboard it was around my neck! I too went overboard with it!

The camera and I went into the warm blue sea when too many people all rushed to the same side of the boat, in the rush I was pushed overboard, all be it unintentionally.

Sadly, salt water and mechanical cameras don't mix and the OM-3 is now a heavy rust encrusted paperweight! I was unable to replace in spite of a reasonable insurance payout, hence the shift to Nikon.

The moral of the tale is if you are going to mess about in boats make sure the boat is big enough for the number of people aboard!

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Poor thing! The camera not you, you clearly dried out :D

+1 for the John Goodman recommendation, I've just enquired about seals for the OM-10 and the Trip.
 
Just started reading this and on your OP the word redacted hit me.:D

So why, when, who, which, what, where and How, these are my best friends, so an answer please.

Rudyard insisted that I ask;)

Love the see the rest my friend.:thumbs:.

Richard.
 
steveo_mcg said:
Poor thing! The camera not you, you clearly dried out :D

+1 for the John Goodman recommendation, I've just enquired about seals for the OM-10 and the Trip.
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I did eventually dry out although I have never quite gotten over the loss:'(

Jon has been excellent, new light seals are in the air as we speak!

medwaygreen said:
Just started reading this and on your OP the word redacted hit me.:D

So why, when, who, which, what, where and How, these are my best friends, so an answer please.

Rudyard insisted that I ask;)

Love the see the rest my friend.:thumbs:.

Richard.
Click to expand...

I too keep six honest serving-men. They taught me all I know! :lol:
 
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