Olympus OM4T Broken Lightmeter

[radixsrt]

I've recently gotten my hands on a broken Olympus OM4T. At first the only issue that I found was that the shutter was 'overwound' and the idler gear was in the wrong position, which I corrected. The shutter now works correctly, but I've realized that there is a fault with the lightmeter.

In auto mode, the bar for the lightmeter reading does not move at all, no matter if I change the exposure comp, ISO, or aperture. The shutter does however appear to fire at the correct speeds, and changes the speeds based on the lighting situation. The only time that the bar moves in auto mode is when I change the shutter speed!? I thought that changing the shutter speed in auto mode should not cause any change to the reading on the lightmeter/bar.

In manual mode, it again appears to be 'stuck' at one reading, with the bar not responding whatsoever to any changes in lighting.

This makes me think that this is a fault with the display, but I'm not sure. The top plate will most likely need to come off.

I would love to hear if anyone else has encountered this fault, or has any information regarding it!

 

[Freakscene]

This was what happened to an OM4ti I had when the main circuit board failed. It may need parts. John Hermanson at zuiko.com can fix most OM problems, depending on parts availability.

Marty

 

[davhill]

My experience with failed OM4Ti electronics is “so terribly sorry, it’s a paperweight now”. That was 20 years ago and the parts weren’t available. By all means try the repair guy mentioned but don’t lay any bets on success. Just sayin’

 

[CameraQuest]

As of a few months ago, Zuiko.com still had OM4T meter parts.

 

[David Hughes]

Parts aren't always needed, it could just be a failed soldered connection from the battery and so on. Always best to get these things looked at.


Regards, David

 

[p.giannakis]

Parts aren't always needed, it could just be a failed soldered connection from the battery and so on. Always best to get these things looked at.

Regards, David

Correct.
My OM4 would occasionally "freeze" and metering would not wake up. Sent it for service and was corrosion on contacts. Cleaned and now it works flawlessly.

 

[David Hughes]

Correct.
My OM4 would occasionally "freeze" and metering would not wake up. Sent it for service and was corrosion on contacts. Cleaned and now it works flawlessly.

Thanks, I suspect that a lot of times and I hope a lot of people will confirm it when trying to get their decorations (the flashing versions with PCB's) working for the Xmas tree, house front and so on.

Fifty years ago when all I could afford was an old car I would break all the contacts and then re-make them; just doing that improved things a lot. Same thing happens with car headlights and the earth connection...

Regards, David


PS And 65 years ago a lot of TV's etc were repaired by the technician using a soft brass wire brush on the valves.

 

[davhill]

As of a few months ago, Zuiko.com still had OM4T meter parts.

That’s remarkably encouraging.