OM 1n asa dial

When the unlocking button is depressed, should the dial rotate freely or click on each advance?

Thanks!

The manual doesn't say..In case you need a copy, go here for a free copy, although he appreciates a nominal donation https://www.cameramanuals.org/olympus_pdf/olympus_om-1.pdf. On the OM2n, which is slightly different, you pull up on a surrounding ring instead of pushing a button, the rotation is free, although there seem to be slight detents which lock the desired ISO in place..

Hi,

 

It should move freely but allow it to click into position, hope that makes sesne.

 

Kind regards

If you hold the button down while turning the knob it will move freely. When you get to the setting you want, release the button and wiggle the knob slightly until it locks securely at that setting (you'll feel a definite click, then it won't turn anymore). Been using OM-1 on and off since 1976, all the examples I've owned work in that manner. The only difference I've noted is some OM-1 knobs rotate completely smoothly when the button is pressed, while others retain a slight detent feeling as the knob is rotated. The end result is the same in either version: about half the time, I need to wiggle the knob to make it lock into the detent after releasing the button. This isn't made particularly clear in the instruction manual.

Just to confuse matters, there is some additional information I would add. Some models of the OM-1 and OM-1n used a plastic housing inside the ASA knob, while others used steel. (On all of them, the outer knurled part is chromed and shiny, so you can't tell just by looking.) In any event, with the plastic insert, it is possible to force the knob without pushing in the release button, in which case you might shear off one or more of the plastic teeth that lock the knob at a particular ASA setting. This/these plastic teeth then drop into the camera, and sometimes jam in the wind gears, either in the upper end of the camera or down at the bottom.

 

Every OM-1/1n should be set on each and every ASA setting and the knob gently turned to see if it can be changed to the next setting without pushing in the button. If so, you will want to check carefully in the grease in the lower end after removing the bottom cover, and (if you are willing to remove the top cover) in the grease around the wind mechanism at the top end too, until you account for each and every broken plastic tooth. Until then, be aware that the camera might jam at any time.