Olympus OM-1 Review – A Closer Look At The Wonder That Is Olympus’ Classic Camera

Whether you’re a professional photographer or an amateur enthusiast, the Olympus OM-1 is a classic camera that deserves attention. Even though it was first released in 1973, the Olympus OM-1 is still widely used today by photographers of all levels. So, what makes this camera so special and why should you consider buying one? In this article, we will take a closer look at the Olympus OM-1 to explore its features and give our overall verdict on its performance.

What is the Olympus OM-1?

Olympus OM-1 Review – True Classic

In 1972, Olympus released the OM-1, which became an instant classic. It was the first in the OM series of cameras, which were all designed with compactness and durability in mind. The OM-1 was a 35mm SLR camera that featured a unique design and impressive build quality. It quickly became popular with professional photographers and amateurs alike. The OM-1 was succeeded by the OM-2 in 1975, and the two cameras remained in production until the late 1980s.

The Olympus OM-1 is a 35mm film single-lens reflex (SLR) camera body produced by Olympus between 1972 and 1976. Along with its successor, the Olympus OM-2, it was one of the most popular cameras ever produced by Olympus, with over half a million units sold worldwide.

The defining feature of the OM-1 is its compact size; at just over 5 inches wide and 3 inches tall, it is significantly smaller than most other 35mm SLR cameras of its era. This made it very popular with travel photographers who appreciated its portability. But the small size came at a cost; the viewfinder was smaller than average, making it more difficult to compose shots accurately.

Another key feature of the OM-1 is its metering system. Unlike most other SLRs of its day which used center weighted metering, the OM-1 employed TTL full aperture metering using a silicon photocell located behind the lens mount.

The History of the Olympus OM-1

The Olympus OM-1 is a 35mm single-lens reflex camera that was introduced by Olympus in 1972. The OM-1 was the first camera in the Olympus OM series, which became one of the most popular lines of 35mm SLRs ever made. More than 1 million OM-series cameras were produced over a 20-year span.

The OM-1 was notable for its compact size, high build quality, and wide range of accessories. It was also one of the first SLRs to offer through-the-lens (TTL) metering, which made it much easier to get accurate exposures. The TTL system used a CdS meter cell located behind the taking lens, which measured the light passing through the lens (as opposed to using a separate handheld light meter). This allowed for more accurate metering, especially in tricky lighting situations.

The original OM-1 had a top shutter speed of 1/1000 second and offered both manual and semi-automatic ( aperture priority ) exposure control. Later versions of the camera increased the top shutter speed to 1/2000 second and added full manual exposure control. The OM-1 was also available in a black finish (OM-1N), which became very popular with professional photographers.

The Features of the Olympus OM-1

The Olympus OM-1 was one of the most popular cameras of its time, and it’s easy to see why. It was small, lightweight, and had a variety of innovative features that made it a joy to use. Let’s take a closer look at some of the things that made the OM-1 so special.

One of the most notable features of the OM-1 was its electronically controlled shutter. This allowed for much more accurate exposures than previous cameras, which relied on mechanical shutters that were subject to vibration and other issues. The OM-1 also had a very impressive maximum shutter speed of 1/1000th of a second, which was unheard of in a camera of its day.

Another great feature of the OM-1 was its metering system. This allowed the user to select from a variety of different metering modes, depending on the situation. For example, there was an “average” mode that took an exposure reading from the entire frame, and a “spot” mode that only took a reading from a small portion of the frame (usually in the center). This gave users much more control over their exposures than ever before.

The final notable feature of the OM-1 was its interchangeable lens system. This allowed users to swap out different lenses depending on their needs. For example, someone wanting to do wildlife photography could use a long telephoto lens, while someone interested in landscape photography could use a wide-angle lens.

Olympus OM-1 Review: The Pros and Cons of the Olympus OM-1

There are many things to love about the Olympus OM-1, but there are also a few drawbacks. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of this classic camera.

PROS:
-The Olympus OM-1 is incredibly lightweight and portable, making it a great option for travel photography.
-It features a simple, easy-to-use design that is perfect for beginner photographers.
-The image quality is excellent, thanks to the high-quality lens options available for the OM-1.
-This camera is extremely reliable and can last for years of use.

CONS:
-The viewfinder can be difficult to use in low light conditions.
-The battery life is not as good as some other cameras on the market.
-It is not compatible with all the latest technology, such as digital imaging or video recording like other cameras on the market.

Last Shutter Thoughts

In the late 1960’s, Olympus released their first single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, the M-1. The M-1 was a groundbreaking camera that would go on to inspire an entire generation of photographers. The M-1 was followed by the release of the OM series of cameras, which would become one of the most iconic camera lines ever made.

The Olympus OM series of cameras were designed with professional photographers in mind. They were rugged, reliable, and offered a wide range of features that made them ideal for capturing images in all kinds of environments. The OM series quickly gained a reputation for being the best SLR cameras on the market, and they remain highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts to this day.

The Olympus OM-1 is the first camera in the OM series, and it is considered by many to be one of the best 35mm SLR cameras ever made. The OM-1 was introduced in 1972, and it featured a compact body design that was ahead of its time. The OM-1 was also one of the first SLR cameras to offer through-the-lens (TTL) metering, which made exposure planning much easier for photographers.

Despite its age, the Olympus OM-1 is still a very capable camera. It can be easily adapted to use modern lenses and accessories, making it a great choice for those who want to experiment with film photography without breaking the bank. 

If you’re into classic cameras then you might not want to miss out on this great article – The 9 Most Popular Vintage Analog Cameras Of All Time And Why People Love Them.