Loving a Legend

Photographer and journalist David Corfield looks back on his lifelong love affair with one of the finest 35mm film cameras ever made, the Olympus OM-1N…

There’s something almost magical about the Olympus OM-1N, a camera that transcends just being a tool and becomes a personal companion in your creative journey. I love it because it’s a testament to a bygone era, a time when photography demanded a different kind of patience and skill, and this camera embodies that spirit.

First and foremost, the OM-1N is a marvel of engineering. Released in the mid-1970s, it was an evolution of the original OM-1, but the “N” added subtle refinements – improved shutter speed, a brighter viewfinder, and a more precise light meter. It’s a small, compact body – just over a pound – yet it feels substantial in your hands. It’s all mechanical, so no batteries are needed for its basic operation – just a simple, tactile connection between you and your craft. And that is why I love it – it’s pure, unadulterated photography.

But beyond its technical prowess, the OM-1N invites me into a slower, more deliberate world. In a world of instant digital gratification, where every image is just a push of a button, this camera forces me to pause. I have to measure light, adjust aperture, choose my moment. When I look through that bright, simple viewfinder, I’m not just snapping a picture – I’m composing a small piece of time. The OM-1N, with its classic design, is a constant reminder that photography is an act of mindfulness, not just a technical exercise.

I also love the look of the OM-1N’s images. There’s a certain richness to 35mm film – grain that feels organic, negatives that have a depth digital often lacks. Whether it’s a city street or a quiet landscape, the OM-1N turns every frame into a tactile memory. I love the ritual of loading the film – for me, always Tri-X – and the slight mechanical click as it winds, the anticipation as the roll unfolds. In a way, every image is a tiny surprise – only revealed once I develop it.

There’s also a connection to a community that I feel when I shoot with the OM-1N. People recognize it – they see that shiny black body, that classic logo, and it sparks a conversation. Suddenly, I’m not just another person with a camera; I’m part of a long lineage of photographers who understood that a camera like this is a way of seeing, not just recording. And that shared connection is something I treasure – there’s a nostalgia, a sense of heritage that digital cameras can’t quite match.

In short, the Olympus OM-1N is more than just a camera for me. It’s a portal to a different way of seeing the world. Every time I pick it up, I’m reminded that photography is as much about the process as the final image. And in that process, I find joy, focus, and a deep love for a camera that, despite its age, feels reassuringly timeless in my hands.