Olympus OM20 shutter curtain stays half opened

[olesiar]

Hello to everyone. I got Olympus OM20 camera with one issue: when I'm cocking the shutter - it stays half opened (please refer to the attached photo)



Anyone have any idea - how to fix it?

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Buy another. The OM-20 (OM-G in the USA) is cheap used. I see them all the time for $20.

I have a soft spot for this camera because my first manual camera was an OM-G that my dad bought me when I was 11 years old. Still, they were not a very well-made camera compared to Olympus's pro models like the OM-2, which is very cheap used now, too, and is a much better camera.

 

[p.giannakis]

I believe that this is the result of dirty shutter magnets. Cleaning them involves removing the bottom part of the mirror box.
Here is a tutorial about OM10 _should be the same.
https://youtu.be/oF3_OelqSWM

 

[olesiar]

Buy another. The OM-20 (OM-G in the USA) is cheap used. I see them all the time for $20.

I have a soft spot for this camera because my first manual camera was an OM-G that my dad bought me when I was 11 years old. Still, they were not a very well-made camera compared to Olympus's pro models like the OM-2, which is very cheap used now, too, and is a much better camera.

Thank you, for your reply. I realize that this cameras are quite cheap nowdays and it makes more sence to buy a new one, then to work on this particular unit. However, I want to try to fix it by my self, cause it seems to be interesting challenge)
My main working horse is OM-1n, so I don't really have a big interest about this OM20, but will be happy to get it to live with my own hands.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Thank you, for your reply. I realize that this cameras are quite cheap nowdays and it makes more sence to buy a new one, then to work on this particular unit. However, I want to try to fix it by my self, cause it seems to be interesting challenge)
My main working horse is OM-1n, so I don't really have a big interest about this OM20, but will be happy to get it to live with my own hands.

Send a PM to John Hermanson. He's an RFF member who was Olympus's Service Manager in the USA for many years. He retired and started his own repair business specializing in the OM system. He could give you an idea of what you would need to do, and if its something you can do.

 

[olesiar]

I believe that this is the result of dirty shutter magnets. Cleaning them involves removing the bottom part of the mirror box.
Here is a tutorial about OM10 _should be the same.
https://youtu.be/oF3_OelqSWM

Thank you for your reply!
I've seen this video yesterday, surfing across the possible solutions, but it solving another kind of issue - shutter delay.
I guess this video shows - what I need to work on https://youtu.be/HhtlqzLlRBA?list=PLbBpUKJh6LClYRE3FXLnJ4NjVw4h0CWRw
It looks like I need to reach the shutter roller and to adjust manually with its help the shutter curtain. The problem is that I don't know - how to reach it, cause I cant find right tutorial in the internet. Does anyone know - how to disassemble the camera to reach the shutter roller?

 

[Keith]

First thing I'd be doing is checking inside the guide rails for something obstructing movement of the shutter curtain ... it may just be that simple!

 

[olesiar]

Send a PM to John Hermanson. He's an RFF member who was Olympus's Service Manager in the USA for many years. He retired and started his own repair business specializing in the OM system. He could give you an idea of what you would need to do, and if its something you can do.

Thank you, Christopher! Don't really want to disturb experienced service master with my noob questions, but I might consider it, in case if I will not find better way out)

 

[olesiar]

First thing I'd be doing is checking inside the guide rails for something obstructing movement of the shutter curtain ... it may just be that simple!

I almost sure, that the problem is exactly the same, as it is on the video, I've posted earlier. When I'm pressing the shutter button - the shutter closing completely, so there is nothing obstructing​ it. It seems like somehow the shutter curtain lost its proper position on the shutter roller.

 

[olesiar]

Trying to disassemble the camera, it seems like I fckd it up completely. Well, thats how we came to the first good solution of this topic - get a new camera)
Problem solved.

 

[sreed2006]

And another one bites the dust.

It can be sold for parts, or just wrap it up and send it to John Hermanson as a gift, I suppose.