Olympus OM-2: Two questions about batteries.

[Joao]

Hello
I am well aware of the advantages of silver oxide batteries when compared with their alkaline equivalents. Moreover, the OM-2 user’s manual clearly advises to use ".. two 1.5V silver oxide batteries SR44 (Eveready EPX-76 or equivalents)…”
But alcaline batteries are easier to find and may be used, in my experience, as a temporary replacement when silver oxide ones are not available. I never noticed any problema with them.

However I recently read that:
1 ) Use of an alkaline version (A76, LR44) can cause the dreaded shutter lock
2 ) With alkaline batteries a shift in exposure was noticeable long before the battery check started flashing on and off

I would like to ask to OM-2 users if the above statements are in agreement with your experience.

Thank you in advance for your opinion

Regards
Joao

 

[dtcls100]

That is my experience. Order the silver oxide batteries online. They are pretty cheap then. Alkaline voltages decline steadily over time and use, while silver oxide has a pretty flat discharge curve.

 

[ptpdprinter]

I get my LR44s at the grocery store, so it is not like they are hard to find. Use the correct battery. If you are in a pinch, and can only find the alkalines, use them until you can replace them with the correct battery.

 

[p.giannakis]

My OM2n was giving inconsistent exposure readings even with fresh LR44 cells. Cheap batteries from poundland (30 batteries of different type for a pound) are even worst. Problems solved when used SR44 batteries.

Edit: I don't know about the shutter lock thought, no experience with it.

 

[ptpdprinter]

My OM2n was giving inconsistent exposure readings even with fresh LR44 cells. Cheap batteries from poundland (30 batteries of different type for a pound) are even worst. Problems solved when used SR44 batteries.

Using using fresh, brand-name batteries is recommended. If your OM2n is giving you inconsistent results with the battery it was designed for, then your camera needs servicing.

 

[p.giannakis]

Using using fresh, brand-name batteries is recommended. If your OM2n is giving you inconsistent results with the battery it was designed for, then your camera needs servicing.

My camera does not give inconsistent readings when used with SR44 cells. It gives inconsistent readings when used with LR44 cells, even freshly opened.

 

[Joao]

Thank you for your input.

P. Giannakis : can you confirm if the battery check light was OK when your OM-2 was giving inconsistent results ? This would answer the 2nd point in my O.P.

Best regards
Joao

 

[p.giannakis]

Yes, the check light will be on but on manual mode the light meter will be erring towards overexposure anywhere between +1 to +2 stops. Did not try auto mode with LR44 cells, I bought the recommended SR44 and worked fine.

See my post on my blog regarding the OM2n
http://pansfilmcameras.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/olympus-om-2n.html

 

[Joao]

Yes, the check light will be on but on manual mode the light meter will be erring towards overexposure anywhere between +1 to +2 stops. Did not try auto mode with LR44 cells, I bought the recommended SR44 and worked fine.

See my post on my blog regarding the OM2n
http://pansfilmcameras.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/olympus-om-2n.html

Thank you ! That answers my question.

Regards

Joao

 

[wblynch]

Silver Oxide only. Alkalines in 1980 were better than the cheap ones from China we get now. If not good enough then, then certainly not now.