OM1 and Vary magnifier

OM is a very well constructed camera body which  meets all the requirements to be an successful tool for film and slide astrophotography.

I can focus in the following important features of OM1 in astrophotography.

1. Lightweight .

2.  No battery requirement for B function.

3.  Mirror lock.

4. Interchangeable screens .

Starting from the last it is important to say that you can find cheap bright  focusing screens from Olympus range which is very good for astrophotography. You can choose the especially designed for astrophotography type 8 which is at lest equal to the Beattie bright screen for Olympus.

A button close to the lens as it is seems to the last photo can look the mirror and this some times can helps you to reduce the vibrations especially when the tube position can't permit any other action.

The vary magnifier  is a beautiful and very well constructed tool which has a moving prism for magnifications X 1.25 and X 2.5 Also it can be rotated independent 360 degrees .

It has an adjustable focus  by an rotating ring just after the plastic eye relief. To use the magnifier successfully you have first to adjust its focus on your eyes as follow: In day time attach the magnifier on the camera body and adjust the focus in your eyes rotating the focusing ring until to clear focus on the internal camera's focusing screen . This is the point where your eyes are   focused and you have to note the position and to adjust it on this point every time you use it.

The sense looking thru the magnifier is significant improved and this helps you to frame and focus the image.

I use this tool all the times either because some times the position of camera can't permit any other view  either as an tool for making more accurate focus.

Both the camera and magnifier are not produced any more and if you think it is suitable for you you have to search on the second hand market.

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Last edit: 08.29.2000 .