Olympus OM-2n problem

[p.giannakis]

Hi everyone,

I got recently a nice Olympus OM-2n for a couple of pounds. When I switch it on to manual, the camera works as it should, it gives the correct meter readings and all shutter speeds are accurate.
Now, the problem starts when I switch the camera to auto - while the meter reading appears correct, the shutter stays open and the mirror up and it does not reset by switching to "B". The only way to reset it is either take the batteries off, switch it to "manual" or gently tap the bottom plate. I am using the correct batteries SR44.

What's going on with it? Any ideas? Has this happened to anyone else before?

 

[marcr1230]

Are the batteries fresh?

 

[Joao]

Does the shutter close (and the mirror goes down) when you "Reset" the camera - as if were testing the batteries ??
Joao

 

[p.giannakis]

Hi guys,
Yes batteries are fresh and it does not reset vis the usual way (turn the switch to reset or the shutter ring to B). It resets in the ways I described above.

 

[kuzano]

Try 357 batteries... All my Oly's work with those. LR44's MEH!

 

[Fraser]

That's a popular fault with the om2s the auto setting measures light of the film plane and this is the bit that goes wrong while manual mode works as a conventional camera. Sometimes a bit of exercise gets it going also you can try with the film back open with a light shining in from the back. I have one with the exact same problem.

 

[p.giannakis]

I noticed that on auto mode, the shutter remains open for 4 minutes and 45 sec.

 

[Fraser]

Better to use sr44 rather than lr44 seemingly, I've never noticed any difference.

 

[Trius]

Better to use sr44 rather than lr44 seemingly, I've never noticed any difference.

The difference is in the discharge curve.

 

[p.giannakis]

I am using the correct battery - something else must be the problem.

 

[ravilamir]

Are you trying with film or without even a test roll?
Use an old roll if you have one or sacrifice a cheap one like Vista+ 200 from Poundland and test it with bright lights and low light as well.
Read on how the OM-2 and-2N do the Auto exposure.
The meter reading in viewfinder is from cells on the side of viewfinder are just for guidance.
Metering on Auto is done OTF and in real time by the blue cells in film bottom chamber.
Meter doesn't work properly without film being in place or the card that came with camera when it was new from factory. I have never seen these cards been even on sale in 2nd hand.

It might be a magnet that is sticking.
Without use that would happen.
It might free up with use.

 

[jajong]

you might also exercise the asa setting knob a bit: apparently the contacts play an important role in the circuit when on auto (maybe do the same with the manual/auto switch)
Cheers,
Jan

 

[alistair.o]

Hi. I take it you have pressed the reset tab on the side of the lens mount? If not do so and then turn the shutter speed dial until the red reset asterisk lines up with the red triangle.

The mirror should come down and the shutter unlock.

 

[ravilamir]

Hi. I take it you have pressed the reset tab on the side of the lens mount? If not do so and then turn the shutter speed dial until the red reset asterisk lines up with the red triangle.

The mirror should come down and the shutter unlock.

Hi,the -2N doesn't need that or have a red reset asterisk. That is only for the original -2, not the -2N the OP has.

 

[ronnies]

Hi,the -2N doesn't need that or have a red reset asterisk. That is only for the original -2, not the -2N the OP has.

No, but pushing the reset button and turning the shutter to B works on the OM-2n.

Ronnie

 

[ravilamir]

No, but pushing the reset button and turning the shutter to B works on the OM-2n.

Ronnie

Hi Ronnie,

If you know that well the -2N, you'll know there isn't a reset button. The reset is a position on the main switch.
The reset button as you call it is labelled "B lock".
Yes, it should work as you said as turning the shutter speed dial to B should also release the mirror just like the -2 does.
BTW, that button on the bottom never acted as a reset, even on the -2, it only unlocks the shutter dial so the B can be used and on the -2 that is the reset.

But, all of this is irrelevant to the OP problem.
His problem probably lies in a camera that hasn't worked regularly for some time and so is in need of regular exercise.
It probably is just being lazy. 🙂
And in need of a CLA.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

It's a good thing we have several OM fixers in the UK and at a couple of quid for the camera, fixing it will still be a bargain...

Regards, David

 

[ronnies]

Hi Ronnie,

If you know that well the -2N, you'll know there isn't a reset button. The reset is a position on the main switch.
The reset button as you call it is labelled "B lock".
Yes, it should work as you said as turning the shutter speed dial to B should also release the mirror just like the -2 does.
BTW, that button on the bottom never acted as a reset, even on the -2, it only unlocks the shutter dial so the B can be used and on the -2 that is the reset.

But, all of this is irrelevant to the OP problem.
His problem probably lies in a camera that hasn't worked regularly for some time and so is in need of regular exercise.
It probably is just being lazy. 🙂
And in need of a CLA.

I've only handled an OM-2n once, in a charity shop where the mirror had locked up but I managed to unlock it using the 'B LOCK' and B setting. 🙂

Ronnie

 

[ravilamir]

I've only handled an OM-2n once, in a charity shop where the mirror had locked up but I managed to unlock it using the 'B LOCK' and B setting. 🙂

Ronnie

Next time you come to London, I can lend you one of my 5 OM-2. 🙂

 

[Fraser]

i've only got into Olympus oms in the last few months and really only wanted a couple of om4s but in the process of buying lenses have now got a couple of om2s, If you do get it working the viewfinder is amazing it must be by far the brightest of any make.