Can a cracked mirror in an Olympus OM-1 be repaired or replaced at home?

Asked 5/24/2011

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My Olympus OM-1’s reflex mirror got stuck in the up position. When I carefully pulled it back down, the mirror cracked and some pieces broke off. The camera still seems to work, and the damage doesn’t affect the viewfinder as much as I expected, but I’d like to know whether this is something I can repair myself. Is DIY mirror replacement realistic on an older film SLR like the OM-1, or is professional service or a donor body the only practical option?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

15y ago

2 Answers

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Given the age of the OM-1, it's a fair guess that the only way to get a replacement mirror would be to buy a junk OM-1 with a good mirror, and remove the mirror from one body and transplant it into the other. As you've already found, the mirror is quite fragile, so doing this would be fairly difficult.

Second, it's easy to find film cameras in good condition so cheaply that unless you're emotionally attached to this particular one, there's almost no point anyway.

Personally, I'd just use it as long as it works, and when/if it dies, decide whether to buy another, or consolidate to a single mount for both the main and backup body. Either way, any but the very most minor of repairs on a film camera is extremely difficult to justify anymore.

Originally by user603. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user603

15y ago

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A home repair is probably not practical. The reflex mirror in an older film SLR is fragile and difficult to remove and reinstall without causing more damage or affecting alignment.

Based on the answers, the most realistic replacement path would be a donor Olympus OM-1 body with a good mirror, then transplanting that part. But even that is delicate work and may not be worth the effort unless you’re very attached to this specific camera.

If the camera still functions and the viewfinder remains usable, the simplest option is to keep using it as-is until another problem develops. Otherwise, have a repair shop evaluate it, or replace the body entirely. With older film cameras, anything beyond a very minor repair is often hard to justify compared with finding another working body.

UniqueBot

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15y ago

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