OM-1 Advice.

ColinW

ColinW

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I bought a black OM-1n off fleabay for next to nothing due to it having no ASA dial cover (see attached photos) and because the 50mm lens was sticky. I'm going to get a new top cover but I'm desperate to run a film through it. The question is will the missing ASA cover allow light to leak into the film. I don't think so but I'm not sure and would appreciate any advice. Besides the ASA cover everything else works perfectly. Thanks. (Sorry about the evil, evil digital photos)
 

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I shouldn't think there's danger of light leaking into the body. Does "everything else works perfectly" include the meter?
 
Payasam,

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I put in a battery from my RC and it responded ok. I know how to set the ASA mechanism from the Olympus Dementia site but I was thinking of using 'Sunny 16' anyway. Of course, it's not until you develop the first spool that you find out how 'perfectly' it works ;).
 
Man, I opened the top of OM-1 a few times, but it didn't occur to me whether light can leak into the film chamber or not from the ASA dial... how about improvising a cover for now, using a cap from bottled-water maybe, and then tape it down with black tape, just in case.
 
Bit of a pain not having that dial.
Like you I looked at the Dementia site.
Can't see how light could spill onto the film because of the missing dial - there is no seal for that area.
Have you the spare part?
Could try Michael Spencer who has just done my OM-1n and supplied a new re-wind knob for £3.50.
Replacement 50mm lenses 'made in japan' are around at very reasonable prices often on OM-10s.
Have fun.
jesse
 
I can't speak for the OM, but I have been inside one of my Fujica ST cameras, and I don't see how you could have a light leak there unless something else was removed that would let light in. Actually, I think most SLR cameras wouldn't let light in even with the whole top deck removed.

Good luck with that. The OM line is a good line of cameras, and favored by many here at RFF.
 
Be careful (ie don't) use a sticky lens. (I assume you mean that the aperture blades are sticky.) If there is enough resistance, the aperture contol arm mechanism of the camera may be damaged. This happened to me on a Nikon F4 with a 50mm f1.4 that developed sticky/oily aperture blades unbeknownst to me. Repair on the camera will cost $170, cleaning the lens's aperture blades, $40.
 
Guys,

Thanks for all the replies and advice. I won't be using the sticky lens as I have 2 'MIJ's' that I got with other OM's and a 1.4 silvernose. I'm going to open it up just for a look... :).

Jesse: Yes, Michael Spencer gets a good rep but I tend to use Keith Leedham (http://www.klcamerarepairs.co.uk/) who's a genius. Sorted my OM4's jammed shutter and gave it a service and returned it within 4 days of posting. It now works better than ever.

Chris: An ugly OM?! Wash your mouse out! :D.
 
Not only is the asa cover off (normally referring to just the asa number plate), the problem is that the entire knob (which is stamped in at the factory) is gone. You're right, you will have to replace the entire top. If trying to shoot as is, you may get light leak. If you put the tab on top of the meter just a hair past the 3:00 position, that is asa 100. Asa 400 is straight up 12:00. Hope this helps. John
 
Chris,

An injured OM is sure a sad thing to behold. Rest assured it's now in a loving home.

John,

Thanks for the tip regarding the ASA settings.
 
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