Good price for OM-1 with 50/1.4?

[jesse1dog]

You might try switching the on/off switch several times, and give the base of the camera a little 'nudge' against the heel of your hand. That needle might well have stuck a little if the camera hasn't been used for some time. And yes check the battery contacts too.
Just hope it springs into life for you.

jesse

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

It seems as though the mechanical couplings between the shutter speed ring, aperture ring, and meter have failed. I assume the camera is stopping down properly when I shoot, and I know the speeds are close, but the needle, though it responds to light, does not move at all when I turn the rings.

 

[jesse1dog]

Well, that's a real downer - rotten luck there!
Better let John H wave a magic wand over it. At least then you will know the camera will probably last out your lifetime!
All the best with it. The OM-1 is a really nice camera.

jesse

 

[Cale Arthur]

It seems as though the mechanical couplings between the shutter speed ring, aperture ring, and meter have failed.

If you look just inside the lens mount, you'll see a small, black plastic flange (shaped like a backwards 'L', about 8mm in length) that couples one of the lens' aperture arms to the camera. I've seen a few OM-1's where this is stuck somewhere just past the 12:00 position, which will cause metering problems. It would be worth a quick check to see if this at least part of the problem. This flange is supposed to reside around the 10:00 position (ok, 9:45 🙂), and should spring back to that position easily, perhaps after a slight prodding.

Either way, i concur that a trip to JH is in order.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

If you look just inside the lens mount, you'll see a small, black plastic flange (shaped like a backwards 'L', about 8mm in length) that couples one of the lens' aperture arms to the camera. I've seen a few OM-1's where this is stuck somewhere just past the 12:00 position, which will cause metering problems. It would be worth a quick check to see if this at least part of the problem. This flange is supposed to reside around the 10:00 position (ok, 9:45 🙂), and should spring back to that position easily, perhaps after a slight prodding.

Either way, i concur that a trip to JH is in order.

The flange is where it belongs and the spring is smooth and snappy. But moving it has no effect on the meter arm.

What are JH's contact details?

 

[Cale Arthur]

http://zuiko.com/

 

[Sandwick]

Mabelsound - as a slight aside, I recently acquired a 75-150mm zoom for my OM-1, cost me next to nothing and it looks as if it's had a hard life. However, despite my negative assumptions about all 70s zooms, I shot a roll through it a couple of days ago and the results look very good. I've only scanned a couple of the negs (and admittedly I haven't had a chance to look at them closely) but on the basis of my first look I think I will be keeping it. I've read that there is a fair bit of sample variation with these lenses and I may just be very lucky, but I wouldn't get rid of it until you've tried it.

 

[Frontman]

Double check the contacts in your camera, and if you are using Wein cells, make sure to give them time to work (30 minutes or so after removing the tab).

If the needle is moving when the camera is moved, then it is not stuck. Clean the contacts with a pencil eraser, make sure that your Wein cell is contacting both poles in the battery chamber, and that your ASA setting is in a range where you can get a reading.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

No, the needle is definitely not stuck--somehow it has become mechanically uncoupled from the rings. I've sent the camera to John Hermanson.

 

[jesse1dog]

Probably the best move you could make.
Let us know what John finds when he opens up your camera.
Did he give you any idea when you might get it back?

jesse

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Ay caramba, just got the estimate ftom John, it's well over 200 bucks. Guess I made a big mistake buying that camera. But now I'm all in--I'm gonna rescue that thing! He has to replace the meter strings, he says, and is going to clean the lens and reset infinity, as well as convert the battery and replace the seals. So in a sense it's a, um, bargain.

I better love it, you SOB's!

 

[snausages]

why not keep the lens and buy a body from KEH? if there's any problem with it you can return it without hassle.

 

[nikku]

Ouch! But if it's any consolation, John H. can make both the camera and lens like new again, and you really won't be spending a lot more than you would for a 50/1.4 and OM-1 in that condition at KEH. In fact, you may be spending less than you would buying that outfit in good working condition at KEH.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Okay- so I'm thinking my OM-1md, SN over 2M, working meter, was a bargain. It was missing a rewind knob, but the one from a Canonel Ql19 screwed right in.

$200 is a lot of money!

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

why not keep the lens and buy a body from KEH? if there's any problem with it you can return it without hassle.

Eh, Hermanson already took the thing apart, he'd charge me 20 bucks just to return it, and I'm sentimental. It will mean more to me this way, I suppose. And it will be nice to have one that runs on normal batteries.

 

[PlantedTao]

Once John works on it and you get it back and start using it, the $ value will fade and you will have a classic that you will love.
I'm looking for a 50mm 1.4, your experience will be in the back of my mind when I'm looking for a "good deal".
Good luck!

 

[snausages]

Eh, Hermanson already took the thing apart, he'd charge me 20 bucks just to return it, and I'm sentimental. It will mean more to me this way, I suppose. And it will be nice to have one that runs on normal batteries.

fair enough. you're going to love the camera so it's all good...

 

[Sandwick]

I bought my OM-1 from John Hermanson earlier this year, it's a "replacement" for the one that I had stolen from my student flat in Edinburgh twenty years ago. I could have obtained one much more cheaply but, having been overhauled by John, it's in fantastic mechanical condition - I'm very glad that I spent the money on getting it from him. Along with my "silvernose" 50/1.4 it's a wonderful set up.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Is there something special about the "silver nose"? I assume that refers to OM system lenses with the silver ring in front.

 

[Sandwick]

Oops, I'm falling in to the trap of making things sound more complicated than they are. There's nothing I know of that's special about the "silver nose" lenses - but i do like shiny things!