Olympus RC light meter died

[Kat]

My Olympus RC had a working meter when I got it, but after keeping it on the shelf for a few months, I took it out and found it dead. I have opened the baseplate and looked at Rick Olsen's diagrams, but all it covers is adjustment of the meter, not reviving a dead one. I see a black wire leading to the galvanometer, I don't see any obvious corrosion. Does anyone have ideas what to look for and what could be wrong?

I took a couple of pics, but will have to wait till tomorrow to upload it in my other computer (for some reason my mac won't recognize the camera).

 

[charjohncarter]

I have 'messed' with these meters a little. They are very basic loop wiring. In fact, the Konica C35 has almost, if not, exactly the same meter. If you can unscrew the retaining ring around the meter (if you are sure it is dead) and partially remove it. You can either buy a replacement CDS cell at Radio Shack or get a complete fascia with CDS cell and cut and solder. I might even have a replacement fascia from a Konica it you want it. PM me if you are interested.

 

[Kat]

Hi, wow, I don't know why it never occurred to me it might be the CDS cell...I'm not sure what dead means but definitely the needle is not moving at all on automatic mode. By "retaining ring" do you mean the area around the lens? I'll have to give it a try opening up. I have an extra C35 so perhaps I can use it for parts. Thanks.

Uploading a photo...

 

[charjohncarter]

Right, you have to check the loop circuit. But it is easy to check. And the retaining ring is the one around the lens. It is very thin and has two notched slots to facilitate it's removal, but I still find them hard to remove.

By the way, the Radio Shack replacement is not the same photo resister value as the original so you will have change your ASA setting to accommodate.

 

[ruben]

Hi Kat:

I do understand you are looking to fix your RC. But in case you don't manage to, there are several opportunities this situation opens to you, and you didn't enjoyed before

a) Using of buying a handheld meter. To cut is short before you get more confused opening a thread about which one: the small digital Sekonic L-308. With it you will be able to use ANY non metered camera !

b) Using Neopan 1600 film

c) Start guessing exposures with or without a little help of the hand meter.

d) Using the meter in incident mode (white dome) which will give excellent quick readings.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[photobizzz]

I have a Oly 35RC and have had it pretty far torn down. The "switch" that is the ring you set to automatic also could have something to do with it. If you peel back the leather on the right side of the lens (lens facing you) and take out the screw that holds a small metal plate you will see where the connection is made when you turn the ring, this could be a culprit as well. I had this problem with mine and fixed it, but it took some trial and error as I didnt have a explosion diagram to look at.

 

[shadowfox]

Kat, use Sunny-16 rule.

The RC is more fun that way 🙂

 

[eric]

Kat, use Sunny-16 rule.

The RC is more fun that way 🙂

That's how I use mine! Easy once you get the hang of it. Images with not-so-great exposure are fun to print in the darkroom too. A little challenge is fun.

 

[Kat]

Thanks, guys. Actually, I have another RC with a working meter and that's the one I use. But someone wanted to take this one, and after a long deliberation I decided I didn't really need two, only to find out after a brief test that the meter wasn't working.

photoblizz, sounds a little daunting, I will have to gather my courage to try.🙂

ruben, I tried having a handheld meter before, I discovered I was so lazy to carry it around and use it, I ended up using eric's and shadowfox' suggestion, hehe!