Olympus OM system close-up and macro equipment

When the OM-1 camera was first introduced at Photokina in 1972, it was actually called the M-1. However, Leitz had been using the M1 designation for one of their rangefinder camera since 1959, and they asked Olympus to change the name. By the time that Olympus agreed, a small number of bodies, lenses and accessories had been produced and sold with the M SYSTEM logo instead of the common OM SYSTEM logo, and these are of interest to collectors. The name change took place in January–February 1973. The following relevant M SYSTEM items are known:

• Zuiko Macro 38mm f/3.5
• Extension Tubes
• Auto Bellows
• Slide Copier
• Roll Film Stage
• Macrophoto Stand B Adapter

For more information on the Olympus M System, see The Olympus M-1 Information Page by Mark Dapoz and Wide Angle's Olympus Catalogue by Jaap Korten (select the Collection link).

Zuiko Macro 38mm f/3.5

The Macro 38mm was one of the very first OM lenses, and some boxes were made with the original “M SYSTEM” designation. It is not known if any “M SYSTEM” versions of this lens were made.

“M SYSTEM” box for the Zuiko Macro 38mm f/3.5 bellows macro lens

Extension Tubes

The Tubes are not marked “OM”, so there cannot have been any “M” versions, but some boxes were made with the original “M SYSTEM” logo.

“M SYSTEM” boxes for the 7mm, 14mm and 25mm Extension Tubes
Photograph courtesy of Camera.Japan KK

Auto Bellows

The first version of the Bellows, of which not many were made, has an “M SYSTEM” logo. The “M SYSTEM” logo is on the rear standard, just below the lens mount.

Olympus M System Auto Bellows
Photograph courtesy of Peter and Ingrid Oerlemans (www.secondhandcamera.nl)

Slide Copier

The first version of the Copier, of which not many were made, has an “M SYSTEM” logo.

The M version of the Slide Copier
Photographs courtesy of Stephen Troy

Roll Film Stage

The Stage does not bear a system logo, so there cannot have been any “M” versions, but some boxes were made with the original “M SYSTEM” logo.

“M SYSTEM” box for the Roll Film Stage
Photograph courtesy of Stephen Troy

Macrophoto Stand B Adapter

The first version of the Adapter, of which not many were made, has an “M SYSTEM” logo.

“M SYSTEM” Macrophoto Stand B Adapter
Photograph courtesy of Jaap Korten

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Created 4th January 2007   —   Updated 21st November 2008
Copyright © 2007–2008 Alan Wood