Tricking Out The OM-1n

The San Francisco Bay Area went into shelter-in-place mode early, so my photographic endeavors have all taken place at home lately. I’ve been exercising my mechanical cameras and organizing all of the little accessory thingies I have. I’m doing some indoor macro work with my Leica R4s and 60mm Macro-Elmarit. I’ve also been watching A LOT of how to photo videos on You Tube. And very slowly, I am beginning the process of building a small home darkroom.

Before the pandemic hit, I also ordered a cool customized Zuiko 50mm f/1.4 lens for my Olympus OM-1n camera from OM Labor in Germany. Gordon Friedrich customizes OM series cameras and lenses by fully servicing them, stripping them and adding a chrome finish. I didn’t really need another prime lens for my OM system cameras, but I saw one of Gordon’s lenses on an OM-4 in the Olympus OM Facebook group I belong to and some GAS kicked in. I knew I just had to have one of them!

During the process of communicating with Gordon, I learned that there were actually 6 different types of 50mm f/1.4 manual focus lenses manufactured by Olympus:

TYPE 1: Silvernose Single-Coated Old Lens Design
TYPE 2: Silvernose Single-Coated New Lens Design
TYPE 3: Single-Coated
TYPE 4: Multi-Coated
TYPE 5: Enhanced Multi-Coating
TYPE 6: Enhanced Multi-Coating, New/Improved Mechanics

Gordon offers each type in varying price ranges. I decided on the sixth and newest version and contacted Gordon. Even though his website is in German, Gordon’s English is very good and email communications were prompt and he answered all of my questions. It took about ten days for my lens to arrive and when I opened the package, I was amazed! In addition to a nice note from Gordon, my customized Zuiko was cradled in brand new packaging that looks exactly like the original. What attention to detail!

OM Labor Zuiko with retro packaging and custom lens cap

Taking this lens out of its box and protective wrap was like going back in time. The lens looks superb. Focus feels great and the aperture ring clicks are firm and snappy. And a fully serviced and clean lens looks so nice through the OM-1’s huge viewfinder. Can’t wait to get out and make some pictures with this combo.

After I’ve shot some film with my new lens, I am going to do a full review as well as interview Gordon to find out more about OM Labor. He even performs this service on camera bodies. Just take a look at a photo from his website of a customized OM-4Ti. Gulp!

Stay safe everyone.