new camera

so i just got an Olympus OM-1 and i normally us a cannon rebel t3i so ive never used a film camera before and im trying to figure out what some things are and what they do. So i know that the batteries for these cameras are hard to find and can be pretty expensive and i also know that the light meter uses the battery but idk what the light meter does or what its used for. I'm not sure what the mirror lock-up does or when i should use it. if any of yall could give me some tips or advice I'd really appreciate it.

Congratulations on your "new" camera. Start off right by getting the users manual (although it is free, he does appreciate a small $3 donation) Olympus OM-1 instruction manual, user manual, free instruction manual, pdf manuals

Nice find! Though I have never owned one I always admired the small size in a very capable system. The glass is superb. Get the manual and some film and learn this system, it will do its part to help you do some excellent work.

 

Rick H.

I have one of those. I "adapted" the battery compartment to hold a 1.35 V hearing aid battery--very cheap, and works perfectly.

The OM-1 is a nice camera. It would be fine if you want to use it without the meter. It's hard to get the meter to work accurately.

Sounds like the camera is capable of operation without the battery, and anyway the meter might be out of calibration anyway so, no need for batteries then?

 

I'll also add that you should indeed get the manual for the camera, it will answer most questions.

To address the question of mirror lock up, I believe that function reduces vibrations within the camera body.

Mirror going upo will cause some vibrations whne the camera is mounted for longer exposures on a tripod. - So people lock their mirrors up to avoid that part of camera induced tripod shake. - The FP shutter should provide another component of shuttershoch though, leaf shutters might have an advantage there. (no, I haven't done my own testing, shooting various cameras on the same crappy tripod.)

I have the slightly later Olympus OM-1md.

 

It is a magnificent camera, and I think you'll enjoy it. One of the best viewfinders on any camera, ever.

 

I did an enthusiastic report on mine

at

LINK The Olympus OM-1 MD - a 1975 variant on the classic.

Edited March 29, 2020 by JDMvW