How to update the OM-1 via an update file on the SD card

[Michael Meissner]

I've updated the instructions linked in the original post to also work with the OM-1 Mark II and OM-5, along with firmware download links.

Unfortunately I'm no longer able to edit the original post to reflect this in the thread's title.

Are you able to roll back to previous FW using this method? There is something I wanted to test on the OM-1 but I had already updated.

In one of the threads here or at mu-43.com, somebody mentioned that they did roll back the OM-1. mark I. Note, the naming scheme changed between firmware 1.5 and 1.6, but one of my posts has both links.

Note, you will not be able to roll back the OM-1 mark II, since it appears the initial firmware is not present at the OM site.

 

[nikeyjunior]

This thread is worth reviving. I just bricked my OM-i1 V1 while updating to firmware 1.7. I was ready to send and pay approx. $500 (yes that's how much OM system quoted) until I found this thread. I followed this procedure GitHub - iKenndac/om-1-manual-firmware-install: Updating an OM-1, OM-1 II, or OM-5 camera the old-fashioned way. and was able to unbrick my OM-1 . In my case, after I turn with OK pressed, I did't see anything on screen displayed but I saw that the focus light was turned on, so I just let it sit until the focus light started blinking as indication update was done. just like it says here.How to fix bricked OM-D E-M1x: Micro Four Thirds Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com). Big big thanks you for the original poster. You saved me $500.

 

[iKenndac]

In my case, after I turn with OK pressed, I did't see anything on screen displayed but I saw that the focus light was turned on, so I just let it sit until the focus light started blinking as indication update was done.

I'm glad you got your camera back!

Your case is the same for everyone — it's mentioned in the original instructions too:

If you did everything correctly, the camera screen will stay blank for a few seconds, then the orange lamp on the front of the camera should illuminate solidly (i.e., not blinking). The update is now installing, and you can release the OK button. The screen will stay blank — don't worry!

 

[Don3rd]

Thank you so much for these manual instructions !!!. Got my camera working again in about 15 minutes.

Bricked my firmware update for my OM-1 Mk II. Have done this so many times with other OEM Cameras/Lenses. OMS, by far is the most difficult, as I have a Mac and getting OM Workspace installed is a chore, followed by the firmware update process itself for the Camera and Lenses.

Thanks again.

Don

P.S. One question. For the file folder name of DC"O"LYMP, is it an "O" or "0" (zero)? Could not tell from the font showing in the instructions so I created both folders with the same BIN file.

 

[Danielvr]

P.S. One question. For the file folder name of DC"O"LYMP, is it an "O" or "0" (zero)?

It's the O (for Olympus).

(when in doubt about O/0, you can just copy/paste the text into an editor of your choice and use a font that shows the difference more clearly).

Could not tell from the font showing in the instructions so I created both folders with the same BIN file.

Good solution!

 

[molan1976]

Hey folks,

A couple of days ago, inspired by the excellent LightSnowDev website, I figured out how to manually update the OM-1 by copying the update file to an SD card. I've contacted the site's owner with the details if they want to update their site, but I see a few people struggling with the update so I thought I'd publish the details in the meantime.

I've published the instructions here on GitHub, including a direct download link for the 1.2 update from Olympus/OMS.

If your initial reaction is to post "But why wouldn't you just use the apps to update?!?" — this is just an additional option for those that might find it useful.

Why would anyone do this instead of using the update function with the OM software?

 

[John Bean (UK)]

Hey folks,

A couple of days ago, inspired by the excellent LightSnowDev website, I figured out how to manually update the OM-1 by copying the update file to an SD card. I've contacted the site's owner with the details if they want to update their site, but I see a few people struggling with the update so I thought I'd publish the details in the meantime.

I've published the instructions here on GitHub, including a direct download link for the 1.2 update from Olympus/OMS.

If your initial reaction is to post "But why wouldn't you just use the apps to update?!?" — this is just an additional option for those that might find it useful.

Why would anyone do this instead of using the update function with the OM software?

Lots of reasons.

For some it's perhaps just a preference (choice is always good), but more likely previous bad experience with the official method. Others may use a computer that can't run the OM software, or perhaps need to revert to an earlier firmware version for some reason.

In my case I used it to install a modified version of the firmware in a E-M5 II to allow focus stacking with the 12-45. The method works for any Olympus/OM, not just the OM1.

As I said: lots of reasons.

--
John Bean [GMT+1]
RIP Elliott Erwitt 26 July 1928 - 29 November 2023

 

[Art_P]

molan1976 wrote:.

Why would anyone do this instead of using the update function with the OM software?

If the camera was bricked during a failed update, this would be the only way to revive it other than sending it in for service.

 

[iKenndac]

[...]

If your initial reaction is to post "But why wouldn't you just use the apps to update?!?" — this is just an additional option for those that might find it useful.

Why would anyone do this instead of using the update function with the OM software?

This is addressed literally in the text you quoted

 

[molan1976]

molan1976 wrote:.

Why would anyone do this instead of using the update function with the OM software?

If the camera was bricked during a failed update, this would be the only way to revive it other than sending it in for service.

That's a fair reason. I just thought, why do something the hard way when there is an easy way?

 

[Michael Meissner]

Why would anyone do this instead of using the update function with the OM software?

I only run Linux systems. I do not normally use Windows or MAC systems. In the past, I have used my wife's Windows laptop, but I prefer not to do that (and I won't use her work computer).

With the OM-1, I can now update the firmware via the OIShare phone app, but that doesn't work for my older cameras.

Every so often, OM/Olympus has a mis-feature, and using the SD card method allows me to revert the firmware if I desire while waiting for them to fix the feature in a future update. Note, using the official method does not allow you to reverse the update.

 

[Don3rd]

Hey folks,

A couple of days ago, inspired by the excellent LightSnowDev website, I figured out how to manually update the OM-1 by copying the update file to an SD card. I've contacted the site's owner with the details if they want to update their site, but I see a few people struggling with the update so I thought I'd publish the details in the meantime.

I've published the instructions here on GitHub, including a direct download link for the 1.2 update from Olympus/OMS.

If your initial reaction is to post "But why wouldn't you just use the apps to update?!?" — this is just an additional option for those that might find it useful.

Why would anyone do this instead of using the update function with the OM software?

Several reasons:

1. If the firmware update is bricked (turned off camera during update, battery dies, etc.) and the camera will not start this is the only method to update the camera firmware, to get it to work again, short of sending to Olympus Repair to do the same process.
2. OM software does not install on a Mac without doing a restart to the boot menu to change security settlings for Mac OS to allow the app to run.

Don