Help, Auto mode problem with my OM-2's.

Hi John

I really feel for you over your two OM-2s - really disappointing.
I think paapoopa is right when he says you will probably only want the Auto feature fairly rarely. However you did want that feature or you would have bought OM-1 or OM-1n bodies in the first place.
I must admit that I recently picked up an OM-2 body and haven't even checked out the Auto feature - again it sounds OK in manual mode. You have me a bit worried now. I'll have to wait till tomorrow to do the check because its just too dark here at present.
Hope the new lenses work out OK when they come tomorrow.

jesse
 
I was looking forward to a black om2n, second body.. :S It would seem that this issue with the "Auto" feature has affected 3 users, perhaps pple with the same issue can sound out so we can tell if its a consistent problem with Om2 bodies.
 
I've never heard of this issue before, but that doesn't mean anything. I've had several OM-2 bodies, and never experienced it, but again, that doesn't mean much. The only problem I've had in auto mode with an OM-2/n is the meter needle sometimes is "stuck", reading above 1/1000s. The display doesn't indicate true shutter speed at time of exposure, though ... that's a different circuit. In my current black OM-2, it may be because the body had had water damage (I bought it used) ... on manual the meter display is fine.

I love the brassing on this body, it has recently been treated to the spa chez Hermanson, and all exposures have been good. I'm trusting it with Kodachrome and a flash set-up (Bounce Grip 2, T20 and T32 flashes) later this week to do some informal portraits of my parents.
 
John and Paapoopa,

Sorry to hear about problems with your OM2's. I got an OM1-MD and an OM2-MD a couple of months ago at a camera show. The OM1 has worked great, but the OM2 seems to be stuck at ASA 400 for some reason. I only noticed it a couple of weeks ago when I put a roll of Fuji Superia 1600 in it, switched the ASA dial to 1600, and noticed the meter readings were way too slow, about what I would expect for 400. I confirmed this with readings, and good exposures, from the OM1. It seems that my OM2 is stuck on ASA 400 no matter where I put the dial. It's not that big a deal since I usually shoot 400 speed anyway, but plan on sending it, or maybe both, to John sometime after the Holidays.

I'm sure there's nothing inherently wrong with OM2's in general - most likely a coincidence that we're all experiencing problems at the same time, but after all, these cameras are over thirty years old and I don't work that well most of the time myself!

Good luck to you both. BTW, I like working in manual mode anyway. It makes me think a little bit more, keeps me on my toes!

Take care,

Greg
 
pggunn said:
John and Paapoopa,

Sorry to hear about problems with your OM2's. I got an OM1-MD and an OM2-MD a couple of months ago at a camera show. The OM1 has worked great, but the OM2 seems to be stuck at ASA 400 for some reason. I only noticed it a couple of weeks ago when I put a roll of Fuji Superia 1600 in it, switched the ASA dial to 1600, and noticed the meter readings were way too slow, about what I would expect for 400. I confirmed this with readings, and good exposures, from the OM1. It seems that my OM2 is stuck on ASA 400 no matter where I put the dial. It's not that big a deal since I usually shoot 400 speed anyway, but plan on sending it, or maybe both, to John sometime after the Holidays.

I'm sure there's nothing inherently wrong with OM2's in general - most likely a coincidence that we're all experiencing problems at the same time, but after all, these cameras are over thirty years old and I don't work that well most of the time myself!

Good luck to you both. BTW, I like working in manual mode anyway. It makes me think a little bit more, keeps me on my toes!

Take care,

Greg
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Glad to see you are enjoying your OMs🙂 I agree, manual mode do make for more contemplative shooting. Btw, you might wanna rate the superia 1600 around 1000 maybe for really low light, i used that before, and got really underexposed shots, or maybe its me😀 hehe
 
I can live with manual mode. If it turns out the lens isn't the problem I guess I'll have a couple OM-1n's disguised as OM-2's.... : ) I still think these are great little cameras and can't wait for my OM-1n & other lenses to arrive tomorrow......
 
johnny9fingers said:
Well, one the guys is a regular here at RFF and I trust him. As far as the other guy, I accidentally sent too much money for the purchase and he returned the excess. So they both seem like trustworthy fellows.
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Actually, I am a "regular" here too. 😉 (Was in the middle of writing you an email just now on the subject...)

John H replied back to me this morning and suggested new batteries + make sure you are using film, which I know we already discussed. He didn't suggest the lens to be a potential culprit, but it certainly seems unlikely that two bodies, both CLA'd, would have the exact same problem. Hopefully we'll find out when your other lenses arrive.

As to those suggesting that either I or the other seller tried to scam you by saying it had a CLA -- I'd be happy to post a picture of the CLA sticker or have John confirm he did the work on it.

For the record, if the camera IS having a problem, I'd be more than happy to work out something that'll make you happy because I'd hate to charge full price for an OM2 that isn't working 100%. It worked fine when I used it a month or so ago so had no reason to believe it would cause any problems.

edit: got another email from John H, suggesting the lens might be the culprit if you already tried new batteries and made sure film was loaded. So hopefully you're just out a dirt cheap 50/1.8 and the bodies are both fine.
 
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cmedin said:
Actually, I am a "regular" here too. 😉 (Was in the middle of writing you an email just now on the subject...)

John H replied back to me this morning and suggested new batteries + make sure you are using film, which I know we already discussed. He didn't suggest the lens to be a potential culprit, but it certainly seems unlikely that two bodies, both CLA'd, would have the exact same problem. Hopefully we'll find out when your other lenses arrive.

As to those suggesting that either I or the other seller tried to scam you by saying it had a CLA -- I'd be happy to post a picture of the CLA sticker or have John confirm he did the work on it.

For the record, if the camera IS having a problem, I'd be more than happy to work out something that'll make you happy because I'd hate to charge full price for an OM2 that isn't working 100%. It worked fine when I used it a month or so ago so had no reason to believe it would cause any problems.

edit: got another email from John H, suggesting the lens might be the culprit if you already tried new batteries and made sure film was loaded. So hopefully you're just out a dirt cheap 50/1.8 and the bodies are both fine.
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Hi Christer, Now I'm starting to regret I posted this thread before I tried other lenses on the OM-2. I didn't want to give the impression I felt was scammed. Both you and the the other seller were very honest with the conditions of the cameras and I have no reason to doubt you. I just thought by tapping into the vast amount of experience here a quick solution could be found. Primarily I figured I was doing something wrong but didn't know what. The other lenses should arrive this afternoon and I'll give them a try and report.
John
 
Try to get the auto mode working. Very cool on a tripod with up to 4 min auto-exposure ....

6725558_UosAA-M.jpg


OTF measurement is very accurate.
 
johnny9fingers said:
Hi Christer, Now I'm starting to regret I posted this thread before I tried other lenses on the OM-2. I didn't want to give the impression I felt was scammed. Both you and the the other seller were very honest with the conditions of the cameras and I have no reason to doubt you. I just thought by tapping into the vast amount of experience here a quick solution could be found. Primarily I figured I was doing something wrong but didn't know what. The other lenses should arrive this afternoon and I'll give them a try and report.
John
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Oh, I was referring to someone else suggesting you might've been "had" -- wanted to set the record straight! 🙂
 
cmedin said:
Oh, I was referring to someone else suggesting you might've been "had" -- wanted to set the record straight! 🙂
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As long as you and I are good, that's all that matters right now. By the way, I love how these OM's feel when I use them, everything is right where it should be, they are very easy to shoot with and the pictures I've shot so far look great. I'll keep you posted to what happens with the other lenses this afternoon....
John
 
Yeah, the little fifty is a killer performer; I kept mine and am using it on the 1Ds2. Added a 28/3.5, 24/2.8 and 50/1.4 to the stable as well.

The one thing I wish I had was the OM2 viewfinder. Nothing like it.
 
cmedin said:
Oh, I was referring to someone else suggesting you might've been "had" -- wanted to set the record straight! 🙂
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No offence meant to you. I was just relating one of my experiences where I was nearly had by a seller in the local forums, just thought i'd chime in that's all. No ill intentions or accusations abt scamming or anything of that sort. 🙂
 
Just to be clear, in case you were referring to me ... I was NOT implying John had been "had", just that he should inquire and have all the facts. There are CLAs, then there are CLAs ... If I receive a body that has a claim if a CLA, then I want the details. That's not so I can blame someone for a problem, but so I can get it sorted if a problem arises.

Any tech can make an error or have a bad day; even John will tell you that. And since these cameras are old, stuff can happen after the fact, so being able to work with the tech is important.
 
ALL IS WELL My lenses arrived this afternoon. I put the 85/2 on the chrome OM-2, and a 50/1.8 on the black OM-2 and they function perfectly. I feel like such a dope, should have kept my mouth shut until I exhausted every possible solution. I really didn't know a bad lens could cause the problem I was having, I though I'd done something wrong and was worried I had broken the cameras. I apologize to the two fine fellows that sold these little gems to me, for any perception of deception. And thanks to all who chimed in with advice, thats why I posted here, to tap into the vast amount of knowledge here....
Sincerely,
John
 
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