Olympus OM-11972

History

The OM-1 was originally announced as the M-1 in 1972 — a name Leica disputed due to their established M-series designation. Olympus renamed the line to OM-1 after roughly 50,000 units; early M-1 Black bodies are particularly collectible. The black variant followed the same production cadence as the chrome body through the OM-1n (1979) revision, which added an LED flash-ready indicator in the viewfinder and a mechanical film-advance lever reset. The OM-1 Black and OM-1n Black ran concurrently until the OM-1 line was discontinued in 1987.

The black finish on this era's Olympus bodies used a lacquer coating over the alloy top and base plates. Brass components show through at wear points — strap lugs, shutter speed dial, and base plate corners brassing most visibly — which is considered characteristic rather than a defect by collectors familiar with the type.

Why It Matters

The OM-1's importance in 35mm SLR history applies equally to both finishes: Maitani's design demonstrated that a full professional system camera could be 30% smaller and lighter than a Nikon F2 while accepting a complete ecosystem of lenses, motor drives, and accessories. The black body version was the tool of choice for photographers who required reduced lens-flare risk from body reflections and a lower visual profile — conditions common in photojournalism and theatre photography.

The viewfinder remains one of the brightest and largest in any 35mm SLR. The shutter speed dial placement around the lens mount rather than on the top plate allows shutter speed and aperture changes with a single hand without releasing the eyepiece — a Maitani signature retained across the OM line.

Lenses & Accessories

All Olympus OM Zuiko lenses are compatible. The OM system covered 16mm fisheye through 1000mm telephoto with lenses notably more compact than Nikon F or Canon FD equivalents of the period.

Key lenses: 50/1.4, 50/1.8 (six-element), 28/2.8, 35/2, 100/2.8, 90/2 Macro, 21/2, 200/4.

Motor Drive 1 (requires OM-1 MD variant of the body), Winder 1, Winder 2. T-series flashes (T20, T32, T45) — note 1/60s sync speed. Interchangeable focusing screens (approximately 12 types). Data backs.

Sample Photographers / Notable Use

• The OM-1 (both finishes) was used by Patrick Lichfield for Vogue and royal portrait work in the 1970s.
• David Bailey and Jane Bown shot on OM system bodies during this period.
• The black body variant was preferred by photojournalists shooting in environments where a silver camera would attract attention or catch unwanted reflections.

References

• Camera-Wiki: Olympus OM-1
• Wikipedia: Olympus OM-1
• Butkus manual archive - OM-1 and OM-1n service and user manuals.