Olympus M1 Film Pressure Plate Orientation

[OM1234]

I was checking my Olympus M1 production dates (stamped on the pressure plates) and noticed that the film pressure plate is not symetrical about the rivots locating the spring plate. Of my 8 M1's 4 had the short side to the left looking from the inside and the other 4 the short side was to the right. Which way should it be and why or does it not make any difference.


The later OM cameras all seem to have non symetical pressure plates as well.

Any comments.

 

[zuiko85]

Don't know but John Hermanson (Camtech, www.zuiko.com) would probably know the answer.

 

[John Hermanson]

Oldest M-1 and OM-1 have smaller pressure plates. Back cover itself is different from newer production and is made of a thicker softer metal (back latches go out of alignment easier). There is only one correct orientation for the small pressure plate in the older back: V shaped notch in pressure plate spring goes toward the latch (not the hinge). John