Olympus M-1

Agreed. The only way I would buy one would be at an estate or yard sale, with the seller not really knowing a market price. I'd pay an amount equal to a near-mint OM-1, I think that would be fair to both. Then I'd actually SHOOT with it, as Maitani-san intended. :D
 
Had one of these for a while years ago before they had any collector value. Just an OM, as far as a shooter is concerned. Interesting bit of history for the Olympus buff, though.
 
Right, a bit of history. And unless it's received timely service, there's a chance foam has de-silvered the pentaprism. Otherwise, it's for the shelf only.
 
Dan, I think that was Jon M that had a post. Seems his GF got a 'Blad from one of the other stores (there were 3) run by the same guy. Don't remember the price though but that seems what I remember.

I would be fun to own one of them but I would have to use. To me, she's too beautiful a camera to sit on a shelf.

I wonder if there were any Black M-1s that made it out into the world?

B2 (;->
 
This could be a lucrative market for those eastern europeans with the metal working skill that turns the top plate of a Zorki 1 into one of a Leica II.
 
From the ad:
"You can tell it is a geniune M1 not only by the name on top but also from the base plate,
for those of you that know, this does not have the motor drive socket as all the M models were pre MD"

My OM-1 doesn't have a motor drive socket. Does that mean it's an early model? I paid £10 for it, but surely it's worth closer to £500 now :)
 
Early OM-1s did not have a drive. Not a lot were made as it was critical to have one to enter the professional market. You can tell these by the lack of an MD label on the front I think.

B2 (;->
 
Olympus M-1/OM-1 heritage:

M1 (very few manufactured, as Leica hinted at legal action over the use of 'M' as a model designator)
OM-1 -- no motor drive capability
OM-1 MD OM-1 with motor drive capability and other improvements
OM-1n OM-1 with additional improvements and enhanced flash capabilities
 
BillBingham2 said:
Dan, I think that was Jon M that had a post. Seems his GF got a 'Blad from one of the other stores (there were 3) run by the same guy. Don't remember the price though but that seems what I remember.

I would be fun to own one of them but I would have to use. To me, she's too beautiful a camera to sit on a shelf.

I wonder if there were any Black M-1s that made it out into the world?

B2 (;->
Click to expand...

I couldn't find the thread, BB2, but I think you probably have it right.

Early on in the run of the OM-1, you had the option of buying a body that was motor drive-capable (hence, the little MD badge on the front of the body) or not. Around the time the OM-1 was new, I recall that getting a body with the motor drive socket was another $20 or so. By the time the 2, 1N and 2N went into production, they were all motor drive-capable.
 
If you want an M1, I can get one for you, and for a lot less than 900 pounds. A clean user-grade camera will run $350 to $400, a minty model will cost $600. Olympus made 5000 of these cameras, almost all of which were sold in Japan. Most Japanese used camera shops have at least 1 in stock, some have dozens.
 
30 years ago at Olympus, a popular OM-1 repair was to convert non-md versions to md capable. IMO it is best not to convert the M-1 (if it were available) as that would diminish it's value. John, www.zuiko.com
 
Trius said:
Olympus M-1/OM-1 heritage:

M1 (very few manufactured, as Leica hinted at legal action over the use of 'M' as a model designator)
OM-1 -- no motor drive capability
OM-1 MD OM-1 with motor drive capability and other improvements
OM-1n OM-1 with additional improvements and enhanced flash capabilities
Click to expand...

Actually the list should read:

M-1: original version, Japan only, no motor drive
OM-1: original version re-badged to avoid trademark violation, worldwide dist.
OM-1 motor modified: original version returned to service center to be modified for the motor drive, no "MD" badge.
OM-1MD: slightly updated body that shipped from factory with motor drive capabiliity
OM-1n: revised OM-1MD with small but very nice ergonomic improvements and flash ready light in VF plus, most likely, other small internal improvements.
 
I bought my 2nd new OM 1 body in early summer of 1977 from Henry's in Toronto and it was motor drive capable out of the box but it had no MD badge.
 
Right, I forgot there were some OM-1 bodies modified to take MD, without the badge. Maitani, forgive me. ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom