Olympus OM-3 ?

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gliderbee

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I just received a new-to-me Olympus OM-3, and it looks very nice, in a clean and working condition, no dust, clear finder, etc ...

When I use the advance lever, it feels more "dry", a bit less smooth, then my Om-1 or OM-2. My OM-4 feels about the same, maybe even a bit worse.
Is this normal for the OM-3 and/or OM-4, or should I get them a CLA ?

And next question: did the OM-3 have the same problem re: battery use as some versions of the OM-4 ?

Thanks,
Stefan.
 
Congrats on getting an OM3. Even with the steel winding gears, if you use it enough they will smooth out. I checked out an OM3 at a local shop this week (all the OM3 talk here recently is beginning to infect me with another bout of GAS). This particular OM3 was surprisingly smooth, but it had been well-used, so much so that there was brassing on the body around the shutter speed ring. The price on the camera was good (about $400), but I have spent my monthly GAS allowance on a Super Angulon. If they still have the camera next month I will certainly buy it.
 
Thanks ! Now, I can only hope it's not too much affected by batterie drain. As I understood from the OM-4, production was changed to correct that. Anybody an idea about serial numers where the change was done ?

Stefan.

Frontman said:
Congrats on getting an OM3. Even with the steel winding gears, if you use it enough they will smooth out. I checked out an OM3 at a local shop this week (all the OM3 talk here recently is beginning to infect me with another bout of GAS). This particular OM3 was surprisingly smooth, but it had been well-used, so much so that there was brassing on the body around the shutter speed ring. The price on the camera was good (about $400), but I have spent my monthly GAS allowance on a Super Angulon. If they still have the camera next month I will certainly buy it.
Click to expand...
 
I don't know how to discern the difference between those who have the battery drain and those who don't, but since the OM3 is a mechanical camera the battery isn't as much of an issue as it was on the OM4.

John Hermanson can do a CLA on your camera (which is recommended, even if it appears to be in good condition), and as part of the work he performs the fix to stop the battery drain issue.
 
OM-3 has the same wind mechanism as 2s, 4, 4T. It is very different from OM-1 through 2N. Your OM-3 features sliding rollers inside a steel gear. It is reliable, but rougher than the other type and does NOT smooth out with age and use. OM-3 never had any circuit upgrades, so all will have drain similar to the original OM-4. I suggest using silver oxide batteries for longest life.
 
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