Oly 35 LC

[RF'er]

I picked up one of these recently in beautiful condition. I put a fresh battery in and everything except the light meter is working. I know I could use a hand held meter, but, I would like to restore it to original condition. Does anyone know a reliable repair shop on the west coast? (USA) Or perhaps there's someone here on this forum that's willing?

 

[shadowfox]

If you're near Oakland, you can try this camera shop. The owner seems to be very knowledgeable about old cameras, but he may not be cheap.

http://www.icamera.com/

 

[clintock]

That's a mechanical camera, so only the light meter is run by the battery.
Check the wiring to the battery holder and the terminals, that's the first thing to die usually.

 

[charjohncarter]

Make sure the battery is making contact with the terminals. I had to use part of a match (paper) to firm the position of one of my terminals on a Konica C35 which is of the same vintage. After contact was made it worked but the 675 alky battery that was 1.5 volts made the meter read so there was under exposure. I then used the zinc air 1.35 volt hearing aid battery, now the exposure is good.

 

[zuikologist]

The Oly LC I think is the predecessor of the 35SP. It is worth trying to resurrect the meter if the camera is in good shape. make sure the battery and the terminals are clean - cleaning with a little vinegar or rub with a small eraser.

 

[zuikologist]

BTW - great looking camera

 

[Xmas]

Lots off cotton bud or q tip damp with alcohol first, if there is lots of corrosion then the wire from the compartment to the meter may have been damaged.
Vinegar be even more careful with.
An abrasive eraser is abrasive only use when you have run out of patience

Noel

 

[RF'er]

I cleaned the battery compartment with vinegar before installing a new PX 625 battery. This camera has a battery check function which is working and indicates battery is good. That leads me to think the CdS cell is bad. The camera is the pre-35SP model and in excellent shape otherwise. I would like to read more opinions if you have any. If there's something simple I can do, to get the meter working, great! Thanks for the responses thus far.

 

[clintock]

At this point you may want to start into the lens stack-
The aluminum colored ring in the filter threads comes off, then the cast bezel with the writing and meter lens on it.
It's been a while, but I remember there is a wiper and variable resistance circuit board surface inside, and some fine wiring too. Any of that can give trouble, as well as the cell.

Work over a baking pan in case something tries to escape.

 

[zuikologist]

Leave the battery in overnight. Sometimes it helps (or the RF fairy casts a helpful spell).