OM-1 Prism Foam...or lack there of

[Mystyler]

So I'm guessing my OM-1n MD was never built with prism foam?


OM-1N MD Cover removed by Mystyler13, on Flickr


OM-1N MD Prism by Mystyler13, on Flickr

I decided to pay money and have my OM-1 foam removed, "just in case". When I got it back, my otherwise mint OM-1's metal "prism" (i.e., the top metal cover) was slightly bent. I'd had enough of it today and decided to DIY...a Leatherman, a pair of circlip pliers, a reusable film spool, screwdriver and a doorstop later I'm wondering why I didn't do it myself earlier. :bang:

 

[Mystyler]

Hmmm, on closer inspection:


OM-1 Flash Support Bracket by Mystyler13, on Flickr


Foamy Evidence by Mystyler13, on Flickr

I guess they have put some cover over the prism? I know I could take it back and ask, but it is perfectly serviceable and the "bent" top cover was my OCD coming out a bit. Now I'm really just curious.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

The bent top cover would piss me off, and they would be fixing it free. Next time, send your OM gear to John Hermanson at http://www.zuiko.com

He is a retired Olympus tech and service manager, and the BEST Olympus repairman in the USA.

 

[Mystyler]

Sigh...

Sigh...

This is why I shouldn't be left alone with screwdrivers. There was some crap I was seeing through the viewfinder and couldn't work out where it was located, so I took off the eyepiece and it turns out it probably was a tiny bit of foam stuck between the prism and focus screen.


CdS Cell? by Mystyler13, on Flickr


Focus Screen by Mystyler13, on Flickr


Darkside of The Prism by Mystyler13, on Flickr


Prism by Mystyler13, on Flickr

So what initially was intended as a thread wondering if my OM had prism foam, has turned into a quasi-DIY pictorial. Hope you learned something, now I'm going to put it back together.

 

[Mystyler]

The bent top cover would piss me off, and they would be fixing it free. Next time, send your OM gear to John Hermanson at http://www.zuiko.com

He is a retired Olympus tech and service manager, and the BEST Olympus repairman in the USA.

Hey Chris,
I thought long and hard about that, but decided in the end I just didn't want to risk losing it in the post. It is a bloody long way from Oz to the USA. That said, if it ever goes majorly wrong I'm sending it to him.
I should stress, the cover alignment was "bent" out by maybe 2 or 3mm...as I said, my OCD streak coming out. 😉

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I wish I could remember the name, but there used to be an Australian tech mentioned here a lot who had a similar reputation for Olympus repair that JH has in the US. Maybe someone else on RFF can remember?