Can Anyone Give Me Olympus OM-1 Meter Advice?

agentlossing

agentlossing

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I just picked up an OM-1 which appears to be in really good condition, and picked up a wein cell battery for the meter. It seems to work right, except that as I started using it, I began to notice some strange behavior.

I think the aperture sensing lever inside the camera mount isn't returning like it's supposed to (at least I think it's supposed to). This is intermittent, but when it happens, the meter doesn't respond to changes to the aperture on the lens, even though the lens is functioning like it's supposed to. The lever moves to indicate to the camera that the aperture is being stopped down, but it appears that the corresponding lever in the camera mount gets stuck further on, so it doesn't stay linked to the lever on the lens. I can still stop down the lens using the stop down lever on the lens, and the meter responds as the viewfinder darkens. But when the lever inside seems to not be moving along with the lens, the meter doesn't respond as I close down and open up the aperture setting (keeping in mind that the camera is leaving the actual aperture value at maximum for use of the viewfinder).

When the behavior is happening, I can take off the lens and notice that a plastic ring/lever that seems to link up at its stop position with the aperture sensing lever on the lens is somewhere midway through its track. It only moves one way (back to its zero point), and moves quite easily when I push it. But it seems to me like this should be spring loaded (and a technical manual I found online for the camera confirms this). So I'm thinking the spring may have either been stretched out and exhausted, or disconnected or broken.

Can anyone provide confirmation, or advice? Thanks in advance.
 
Yes, the aperture-sensing 'lever' (not sure of the right word) in the camera should be spring loaded. When the aperture ring is rotated, there is a tab at the back of the lens that moves this spring-loaded lever.
 
Thanks, that's what I figured. So it should return to its zero-point when the lens is removed, right? There is a metal prong/post where it stops. However when I remove the lens, the aperture sensing lever inside the camera is often frozen in place somewhere along its track, and easily slides back, one way, but not the other. I am thinking when I open the aperture, it pushes it along its track, but when I stop the aperture back down, it doesn't return.
 
Thanks a bunch, that video was exactly what I needed to see to confirm mine is not working properly. I will probably see if the shop will take a return, it's a pity since I really liked the small and beautiful package the OM-1 makes. I'll be on the lookout for another. I'm not opposed to using it without the meter functioning properly, but I paid what I'd consider to be a bit too much for a camera that doesn't meter properly.
 
I had a similar problem ages ago and was told that the two don't often line up and move together as they should and that the quick solution was to exercise the one on the lens; then get them both (body and lens) checked by a competent technician. On my one it was the lens that needed stripping down and cleaning etc.

They also said that sometime the fault can leave the mirror up and the shutter halfway across the frame.

I hope I've got that right, it was some time ago and things often get simplified when talking to mere customers...


Regards, David
 
This one is pretty clear since the lever inside the camera doesn't travel back like it should under a spring load. It might even be a simple fix, but having just bought the camera I think I will try the path of least resistance, i.e. returning it and finding another one.
 
I was curious if the spring could be accessed by removing the lens mount, so I took the mount off a parts camera I have. The aperture indexing lever is actually a tab that is on a circular ring that rotates around the lens axis, and there is a little string attached to it. The other end of the string is apparently connected to a spring (which is internal and can't be seen.) Perhaps this little string has been severed.

Good luck finding another OM, they are fine little cameras and worth the hunt.
 
Wow, string sounds like an... interesting choice! Were there very many other mechanisms or potential to screw things up in getting to the lever/ring?
 
String is a loose description, 'thin cable' might describe things better. You should be able to see it (or lack of it, if it's been severed) by removing 3 screws that hold the bayonet mount in place.
 
I would hesitate about trying to fix it oneself unless you know what you are doing. If you mess it up, you may not be able to return it.
 
An update: I opened up the lens mount and managed to get a look at the "coupling cord" - it's still attached to the spring, as there is a bit of tension, but only near the terminal end of the lever's travel. I think the spring is just stretched or exhausted, it was probably stored for a long time with the lens on the camera and the aperture set to where the lever would be at its maximum extension. Since the spring is hidden and much further delving into the camera would be required to go any further, it's going back to the retailer. A short and somewhat sad story, but there you go (this is why I say we need new film cameras to be manufactured).
 
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