Help identifying this Olympus.

Mike Kennedy · 07-04-2009, 03:21 AM

I'm not an Oly. guy but have always lusted after an OM-1,OM-2.This particular camera (see attached photos) has been put on the market in my city.I've just sent a series of questions to the seller but it's a wee bit early in the A.M (5:10) to expect a quick reply.
Anyone recognize this model? What batteries should I have to check the meter?

Note:The self timer does look a little corroded.

Thanks Much

Anon Ymous · 07-04-2009, 03:32 AM

Q.G. · 07-04-2009, 03:45 AM

Batteries are a problem.
They take the infamous mercury cells.
Infamous for not being available anymore.

Mike Kennedy · 07-04-2009, 04:17 AM

Thanks for the info.
Can I run a zinc air 675 1.4 V hearing aid battery? I've used them in many cameras to replace the merc. cell.

elekm · 07-04-2009, 06:31 AM

Yes, you should be able to a zinc-air battery. I think the cap on the self-timer is missing. Same thing on my OM-2.

Andy K · 07-04-2009, 06:36 AM

Looks like an OM-1n MD. The self timer looks to be missing the lever.

Someonenameddavid · 07-04-2009, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy K

Looks like an OM-1n MD. The self timer looks to be missing the lever.

It has the original "fix" detachable hot shoe which implies it is the OM1, OM1MD, (or an M-1, which would be highly collectable since Leica nixed Maitani's M-1 designation for copyright reasons early on) The OM1n takes a silver oxide battery.

Early OM1s did not have the motor drive coupling on the base.

This camera and the Pentax MX were the nearest thing IMHO to an SLR Leica M3 and if either of them had had "Leitz Wetzlar" engraved on them Leica would not be going out of business today.

David

dougjgreen · 07-04-2009, 09:18 AM

It's an OM-1 MD. With a missing self-timer lever. And BTW, the OM-1n doesn't take a silver oxide battery unless it's been modified to do so. All OM-1 variants use 625 mercury cells, but can work fine with 675 zinc-air cells if you put a spacer (such as a rubber o-ring washer of the proper size) into the chamber.

mgb74 · 07-04-2009, 10:11 AM

[quote=dougjgreen;822419... if you put a spacer (such as a rubber o-ring washer of the proper size) into the chamber.[/QUOTE]

A #9 O ring will work.

dougjgreen · 07-04-2009, 10:22 AM

FYI, for places where they don't identify O-rings with number grades, the dimensions of a #9 O-ring are 5/8" OD, 7/16" ID, 3/32" thickness.