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OM-1 rear dial woes

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Frontier Photo said:
tomrandall86 said:
up a bit but it doesn't turn properly and feels less rigid. Really the aim of the post was to see if anyone had multiple issues with their dials after fixes, as I said it'll be the third time, so maybe this time I'll iterate it's been repaired twice already. I have faith in them, they've been really communicative before, it's just very annoying!
Click to expand...
Have you handled another OM-1 for comparison? It may be that the dials will simply never feel as you want them to feel. In that case, no amount of repairs will get you the dials you are looking for.
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Not different OM-1 units, but the dials are actually supposed to turn. If after a little moisture exposure they completely lock up, and then slide about, that's a problem.

Like I said, I've had two repairs done on it, both times were where the camera came into contact with a bit of light rain or fog, and then that rear dial just became problematic. In fact my current OM-1 has a different serial number than my original purchase, so I think I've got a different replacement model that's developed the same original dial fault.

I'll be contacting OM Systems and getting advice / sending in under warranty. I know many people have had this issue as it's talked about across here on DPReview and on social media; I'll just have to keep in contact with them until it's resolved fully, and then maybe consider never using the model in the slightest of mild weather despite the IP53 rating.
 
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mathazr said:
Frontier Photo said:
tomrandall86 said:
up a bit but it doesn't turn properly and feels less rigid. Really the aim of the post was to see if anyone had multiple issues with their dials after fixes, as I said it'll be the third time, so maybe this time I'll iterate it's been repaired twice already. I have faith in them, they've been really communicative before, it's just very annoying!
Click to expand...
Have you handled another OM-1 for comparison? It may be that the dials will simply never feel as you want them to feel. In that case, no amount of repairs will get you the dials you are looking for.
Click to expand...
To all non-believers, I have just picked up my OM 1.1 from the repair of the dial on the back and as said here already, the dials stop to turn completely, mine did only turn with massive force and small black pieces appeared when turning further. For me it happened the first time, but my second body behaves also not like it has been. If this happened already two times to me, like in the OPs case, I would start to have his thoughts as well, because there will be the time warranty is over and OMDS charges 630 Euro for the repair of one dial, believe it or not.
Click to expand...
And this is my exact worry, to the point.
 
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mathazr said:
Humansvillian said:
mathazr said:
Frontier Photo said:
tomrandall86 said:
up a bit but it doesn't turn properly and feels less rigid. Really the aim of the post was to see if anyone had multiple issues with their dials after fixes, as I said it'll be the third time, so maybe this time I'll iterate it's been repaired twice already. I have faith in them, they've been really communicative before, it's just very annoying!
Click to expand...
Have you handled another OM-1 for comparison? It may be that the dials will simply never feel as you want them to feel. In that case, no amount of repairs will get you the dials you are looking for.
Click to expand...
To all non-believers, I have just picked up my OM 1.1 from the repair of the dial on the back and as said here already, the dials stop to turn completely, mine did only turn with massive force and small black pieces appeared when turning further. For me it happened the first time, but my second body behaves also not like it has been. If this happened already two times to me, like in the OPs case, I would start to have his thoughts as well, because there will be the time warranty is over and OMDS charges 630 Euro for the repair of one dial, believe it or not.
Click to expand...
Pieces of black can only mean it’s a gasket problem.

The engineers must have come up with a new gasket for the dial and there’s quality control issues from the gasket supplier.
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Yea, looks like this is the case.
M44 said:
They don’t all have the problem.
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Sure not, this thread has shown that the dial issue is not common and to have remaining 3 years warranty is helping too. Time will tell.
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Of course they don't all have the problem, many many people are using their original OM-1's in all sorts of conditions, all exceedingly worse than where I've used mine. My case is I think just a bucket of bad luck.

Believe it or not, this sort of thing happens to me all of the time with pretty much any item. I am completely cursed with bad luck with technology and machinery.
 
mathazr said:
M44 said:
They don’t all have the problem.
Click to expand...
Sure not, this thread has shown that the dial issue is not common and to have remaining 3 years warranty is helping too. Time will tell.
Click to expand...
I think it must be uncommon, or there would be a great deal more commotion on this forum. But as someone who has actually experienced the problem (thankfully while still covered by warranty), it is very irritating to read comments like some further up the thread from people who think we can't operate a dial correctly or have unreasonable expectations.

On the plus side, OM's warranty repair service here in Europe has proved to be excellent.
 
I have used this line of cameras since the 2012 release of the E-M5, which was the only camera that I had a dial problem with until now. They were so well built that I haven't ever needed a repair after the E-M5.

I got my OM-1 Mark 2 in Feb/2024 and had no trouble in the humid summer months of 24, but this year in starting in July it has becomes tight sometimes when outside, but never when I am inside, so I do wonder if there is moisture trapped somewhere or if one of the materials used in construction can degrade under certain conditions. IE Quickly changing from cold to hot or getting too hot.

I can still manage it when tight so I haven't sent it for repair, but I should probably contact them about as it seems to be a common enough issue that they might offer a free/inexpensive repair.

I suspect that they've identified the problem by now and have a way to mitigate it.
 
Steve Balcombe said:
I think it must be uncommon, or there would be a great deal more commotion on this forum.
Click to expand...
I don't know about that. I didn't see this thread until now. My OM-1 also has this rear dial issue (the front one is fine). It also developed after shooting outdoors on a rainy day. The dial started to stick and became really hard to turn. It's hard to describe the feeling, but it's extremely unsatisfying and very unsmooth.

It's very possible that many users have this issue, but just haven't spoken up about it. Everyone knows how vocal I am with build quality issues, and even I didn't speak up about it until I saw this thread.
 
tomrandall86 said:
Hi all, so I wanted to see if anyone else has had continuous issues with their rear dials on the OM-1 mk I.

Mine has been off for repair twice now, because any ounce of moisture in the air causes the dial to become silly stiff. Then it loosens up and feels soft and oddly unresponsive.

The first time I sent it off was because I got a bit of rain on it (bear in mind this is meant to be IP53 weather sealed). It came back after a repair and full service.

The second time it happened I was out in fog, and it stiffened up whilst outside.

This time, I was out in the Scottish mountains and again had a bit of rain. I usually finish what I’m shooting, give it a wipe, and put it back in my bag (after being paranoid that the weather sealing just is not what it’s meant to be).

But, lo and behold, it’s locked up again. Becomes very very stiff. I can blow on this rear dial and moisture comes out of it, and becomes loose again. Left overnight, and it stiffens up again.

The second time I sent the camera off I actually got it back with a different serial number, so a different body replacement.

I’m at the point where I’m worried that this is a perpetual issue and the weather and moisture sealing on many of their bodies is not doing its job.

Has anyone had this issue recur time and time again for them? And if so, what did you do? Continuous warranty repairs?

Thanks.

--
Tom
Click to expand...
Did the warranty cover the repair? I'm thinking of sending mine in as well. I haven't done so because I just assumed they wouldn't honor the warranty - given how reluctant they were to honor the warranty of a decentered $10,000 lens.
 
HundredGeese said:
I have used this line of cameras since the 2012 release of the E-M5, which was the only camera that I had a dial problem with until now. They were so well built that I haven't ever needed a repair after the E-M5.
I got my OM-1 Mark 2 in Feb/2024 and had no trouble in the humid summer months of 24, but this year in starting in July it has becomes tight sometimes when outside, but never when I am inside, so I do wonder if there is moisture trapped somewhere or if one of the materials used in construction can degrade under certain conditions. IE Quickly changing from cold to hot or getting too hot.
I can still manage it when tight so I haven't sent it for repair, but I should probably contact them about as it seems to be a common enough issue that they might offer a free/inexpensive repair.
I suspect that they've identified the problem by now and have a way to mitigate it.
Click to expand...
I experience this with the OM-1 Mark II as well. It seems to resolve itself after the camera dries out so I haven’t sent it in yet tho.
 
Sam Bennett said:
HundredGeese said:
I have used this line of cameras since the 2012 release of the E-M5, which was the only camera that I had a dial problem with until now. They were so well built that I haven't ever needed a repair after the E-M5.
I got my OM-1 Mark 2 in Feb/2024 and had no trouble in the humid summer months of 24, but this year in starting in July it has becomes tight sometimes when outside, but never when I am inside, so I do wonder if there is moisture trapped somewhere or if one of the materials used in construction can degrade under certain conditions. IE Quickly changing from cold to hot or getting too hot.
I can still manage it when tight so I haven't sent it for repair, but I should probably contact them about as it seems to be a common enough issue that they might offer a free/inexpensive repair.
I suspect that they've identified the problem by now and have a way to mitigate it.
Click to expand...
I experience this with the OM-1 Mark II as well. It seems to resolve itself after the camera dries out so I haven’t sent it in yet tho.
Click to expand...
 
HicHic said:
Sam Bennett said:
HundredGeese said:
I have used this line of cameras since the 2012 release of the E-M5, which was the only camera that I had a dial problem with until now. They were so well built that I haven't ever needed a repair after the E-M5.
I got my OM-1 Mark 2 in Feb/2024 and had no trouble in the humid summer months of 24, but this year in starting in July it has becomes tight sometimes when outside, but never when I am inside, so I do wonder if there is moisture trapped somewhere or if one of the materials used in construction can degrade under certain conditions. IE Quickly changing from cold to hot or getting too hot.
I can still manage it when tight so I haven't sent it for repair, but I should probably contact them about as it seems to be a common enough issue that they might offer a free/inexpensive repair.
I suspect that they've identified the problem by now and have a way to mitigate it.
Click to expand...
I experience this with the OM-1 Mark II as well. It seems to resolve itself after the camera dries out so I haven’t sent it in yet tho.
Click to expand...
Mine still has that stuck feeling even after drying out.
Click to expand...
I wonder if there is a shim or gasket that deteriorates and swells with moisture in the dial mechanism. Once compromised and possibly damaged by forced use, the part looses its initial shape, hence the added friction even after it dries out. From day one I adopted an avoidance strategy and so far have not had any issue with my OM-1 purchased soon after its release, cross fingers, but weather sealing is one reason some people choose this camera and getting wet is part of their use-case. That's a bummer.

--
Roger
 
Last edited:
Regor250 said:
HicHic said:
Sam Bennett said:
HundredGeese said:
I have used this line of cameras since the 2012 release of the E-M5, which was the only camera that I had a dial problem with until now. They were so well built that I haven't ever needed a repair after the E-M5.
I got my OM-1 Mark 2 in Feb/2024 and had no trouble in the humid summer months of 24, but this year in starting in July it has becomes tight sometimes when outside, but never when I am inside, so I do wonder if there is moisture trapped somewhere or if one of the materials used in construction can degrade under certain conditions. IE Quickly changing from cold to hot or getting too hot.
I can still manage it when tight so I haven't sent it for repair, but I should probably contact them about as it seems to be a common enough issue that they might offer a free/inexpensive repair.
I suspect that they've identified the problem by now and have a way to mitigate it.
Click to expand...
I experience this with the OM-1 Mark II as well. It seems to resolve itself after the camera dries out so I haven’t sent it in yet tho.
Click to expand...
Mine still has that stuck feeling even after drying out.
Click to expand...
I wonder if there is a shim or gasket that deteriorates and swells with moisture in the dial mechanism. Once compromised and possibly damaged by forced use, the part looses its initial shape, hence the added friction even after it dries out. From day one I adopted an avoidance strategy and so far have not had any issue with my OM-1 purchased soon after its release, cross fingers, but weather sealing is one reason some people choose this camera and getting wet is part of their use-case. That's a bummer.
Click to expand...
 
HicHic said:
Regor250 said:
HicHic said:
Sam Bennett said:
HundredGeese said:
I have used this line of cameras since the 2012 release of the E-M5, which was the only camera that I had a dial problem with until now. They were so well built that I haven't ever needed a repair after the E-M5.
I got my OM-1 Mark 2 in Feb/2024 and had no trouble in the humid summer months of 24, but this year in starting in July it has becomes tight sometimes when outside, but never when I am inside, so I do wonder if there is moisture trapped somewhere or if one of the materials used in construction can degrade under certain conditions. IE Quickly changing from cold to hot or getting too hot.
I can still manage it when tight so I haven't sent it for repair, but I should probably contact them about as it seems to be a common enough issue that they might offer a free/inexpensive repair.
I suspect that they've identified the problem by now and have a way to mitigate it.
Click to expand...
I experience this with the OM-1 Mark II as well. It seems to resolve itself after the camera dries out so I haven’t sent it in yet tho.
Click to expand...
Mine still has that stuck feeling even after drying out.
Click to expand...
I wonder if there is a shim or gasket that deteriorates and swells with moisture in the dial mechanism. Once compromised and possibly damaged by forced use, the part looses its initial shape, hence the added friction even after it dries out. From day one I adopted an avoidance strategy and so far have not had any issue with my OM-1 purchased soon after its release, cross fingers, but weather sealing is one reason some people choose this camera and getting wet is part of their use-case. That's a bummer.
Click to expand...
Yeah maybe...I wonder why it only impacts the rear dial.
Click to expand...
Perhaps because most people would keep their finger set on the front dial much more than the rear dial, hence preventing significant water ingress when shooting, or it could be that one drains more easily than the other, reducing exposure time to water. I would presume that material deterioration by water is because of a long exposure. If for some reason water remains trapped in the rear dial, it could easily sit there for days if not weeks. Just a guess.
HicHic said:
I'm feeling it again and I'm reminded of the annoyance of using it. The dial doesn't turn smoothly anymore, and it requires more force to initiate the turn. This causes me to accidentally go 2-3 clicks over when I'm just trying to go 1 click. After you overcome that initial force of friction, it's easier to turn (but still feels unsmooth and has more friction than the front dial).
Click to expand...
--
Roger
 
Last edited:
They did repair my OM 1.1 back dial in warranty. It was returned in my body and its been way better, but it has been never as smooth like on my second body. Now, after one year the issue is still there, but manageable. I will see how it behaves in autumn, when it gets cold and wet again. I probably return it to repair a second time before warranty ends. I have seen the invoice which was sent by mistake to my local photostore. They did charge 630 Euro for this repair as they thought I do not have valid warranty. So my advise is to send it in as long as you have warranty or it might get expensive later.
 
M44 said:
They did repair my OM 1.1 back dial in warranty. It was returned in my body and its been way better, but it has been never as smooth like on my second body. Now, after one year the issue is still there, but manageable. I will see how it behaves in autumn, when it gets cold and wet again. I probably return it to repair a second time before warranty ends. I have seen the invoice which was sent by mistake to my local photostore. They did charge 630 Euro for this repair as they thought I do not have valid warranty. So my advise is to send it in as long as you have warranty or it might get expensive later.
Click to expand...
Did you have to pay any shipping fees or did OM System cover everything?
 
HicHic said:
M44 said:
They did repair my OM 1.1 back dial in warranty. It was returned in my body and its been way better, but it has been never as smooth like on my second body. Now, after one year the issue is still there, but manageable. I will see how it behaves in autumn, when it gets cold and wet again. I probably return it to repair a second time before warranty ends. I have seen the invoice which was sent by mistake to my local photostore. They did charge 630 Euro for this repair as they thought I do not have valid warranty. So my advise is to send it in as long as you have warranty or it might get expensive later.
Click to expand...
Did you have to pay any shipping fees or did OM System cover everything?
Click to expand...
I did my warranty repair through the photostore where I bought the cameras and they did not charge anything. But I am not sure how this is with a direct repair case. Maybe others here can say something to this point.
 
M44 said:
HicHic said:
M44 said:
They did repair my OM 1.1 back dial in warranty. It was returned in my body and its been way better, but it has been never as smooth like on my second body. Now, after one year the issue is still there, but manageable. I will see how it behaves in autumn, when it gets cold and wet again. I probably return it to repair a second time before warranty ends. I have seen the invoice which was sent by mistake to my local photostore. They did charge 630 Euro for this repair as they thought I do not have valid warranty. So my advise is to send it in as long as you have warranty or it might get expensive later.
Click to expand...
Did you have to pay any shipping fees or did OM System cover everything?
Click to expand...
I did my warranty repair through the photostore where I bought the cameras and they did not charge anything. But I am not sure how this is with a direct repair case. Maybe others here can say something to this point.
Click to expand...
Mine was purchased from OM System directly.
 
HicHic said:
Did you have to pay any shipping fees or did OM System cover everything?
Click to expand...
I've had two warranty repairs. The first time I was a bit anxious because the lens (it was my 60 macro) had to go from the UK to Portugal, but it went completely smoothly, and yes, OM paid shipping both ways. Great service really.

The second was for the dials to be fixed on my OM-1. Equally happy experience and again no shipping costs.
 
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Steve Balcombe said:
HicHic said:
Did you have to pay any shipping fees or did OM System cover everything?
Click to expand...
I've had two warranty repairs. The first time I was a bit anxious because the lens (it was my 60 macro) had to go from the UK to Portugal, but it went completely smoothly, and yes, OM paid shipping both ways. Great service really.

The second was for the dials to be fixed on my OM-1. Equally happy experience and again no shipping costs.
Click to expand...
 
After my OM1.1 stiff dial warranty repair, the dials became OK to use, but not near as good as another OM1.1 and an OM1.2 that I have handled.
 
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Regor250 said:
Perhaps because most people would keep their finger set on the front dial much more than the rear dial, hence preventing significant water ingress when shooting, or it could be that one drains more easily than the other, reducing exposure time to water. I would presume that material deterioration by water is because of a long exposure. If for some reason water remains trapped in the rear dial, it could easily sit there for days if not weeks. Just a guess.
Click to expand...
Both of my OM1.1 bodies developed wheel dials stickiness issue.

One body, it was the front dial after the long shoot in the rain not heavy but not light either. After a year later before I was planning to sent it in, the problem disappeared until today! The other body was in use that day as well but nothing happened to it.

The other body, the front wheel is noticeably stiffer but workable after two years. More noticeable when I am looking through EVF to look at the image. The rear dial got slightly bit sticky. Unless I am paying attention to it or compare to the other body, it is hardly noticeable. Unfortunately the issues developed after warranty ran out.

The good news, they don't impact the usability at all to me and I have no plan for getting a new bodies. I would take a look again when OM announce their OM1.2 successor.
 
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