Olympus XA: Adjusting Metering

[jbf]

Anyone have experience adjusting the metering on the Olympus XA?

I noticed both the viewfinder meter and the shutter speeds (as measured by audio app on iPhone) show slower speeds than what it should be. Ive heard there are two trimpots / potentiometers that can be adjusted for shutter speeds on this camera.


If not, anyone know someone who can adjust the meter on this camera for me? I've replaced light seals, and will be fixing focus not moving, but would love to have shutter speeds working properly otherwise its a moot point.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Here's the factory service manual, it might have the info you need:

Product Details | Olympus XA Service Manual | Olympus | Service Manuals | Learn Camera Repair

learncamerarepair.com

 

[jbf]

Thanks Chris. I'll take a look.

 

[OlivierAOP]

@jbf let us know how it goes? My XA overexposes by 2 stops. I adjusted the "RV103" potentiometer which seems to affect the shutter timing but not the needle display. But it may affect exposure differently under low light conditions.

I'm guesstimating shutter speed by ear. I can't figure out what "EE" stands for in the service manual?

 

[tbhv55]

@jbf let us know how it goes? My XA overexposes by 2 stops. I adjusted the "RV103" potentiometer which seems to affect the shutter timing but not the needle display. But it may affect exposure differently under low light conditions.

I'm guesstimating shutter speed by ear. I can't figure out what "EE" stands for in the service manual?

I'm no expert, but I've read something to the effect that LR44 (alkaline) batteries can cause over-exposure, due to the gradual fall-off in voltage as they become depleted. By contrast, the SR44 (silver oxide) batteries offer constant voltage..... until they eventually give up.

IIRC, this affects the XA, but not the other cameras in the XA range.

 

[jbf]

@jbf let us know how it goes? My XA overexposes by 2 stops. I adjusted the "RV103" potentiometer which seems to affect the shutter timing but not the needle display. But it may affect exposure differently under low light conditions.

I'm guesstimating shutter speed by ear. I can't figure out what "EE" stands for in the service manual?

EE stands for exposure error.

The viewfinder meter and the cameras shutter exposure meter use two different circuits (and two different cds cells).

So adjusting the RV103 is only going to affect the shutter exposure. The galvanometer needle (the little device that does viewfinder metering) I believe needs to be very very carefully adjusted by hand. Apparently carefully moving the needles arm. That said it’s very easy to break and I haven’t found anyone explaining clearly how it’s done so I’ve refrained.

Might be worth asking on the Learn Camera Repair FB group page.

 

[jbf]

I'm no expert, but I've read something to the effect that LR44 (alkaline) batteries can cause over-exposure, due to the gradual fall-off in voltage as they become depleted. By contrast, the SR44 (silver oxide) batteries offer constant voltage..... until they eventually give up.

IIRC, this affects the XA, but not the other cameras in the XA range.

Yeah I never use Alkaline unless it’s required by the camera. The cds cells in my camera are simply going bad due to age. I’ve adjusted it as close as I can get.