OM2 Stuck Shutter

Gid

Gid

Well-known
Local time
1:07 AM
Joined
Mar 10, 2005
Messages
1,794
I've tried searching but to no avail. I sold my OM2 MD to a fellow RFFer, he loaded some film and fired the shutter without taking the lens cap off - presumably in auto - and the shutter appears to have stuck. I've suggested moving to B to reset, but to no avail. Any ideas (he has already put new batteries in - he said the original batteries were run down by the problem)? I've used this for the past year with no problems, but things happen when they happen I suppose.
 
Thank you, Gid, for this post. I hope that the RFF members can help me with the shutter problem.

:)

Tranks in advance!
 
The OM2 can be fussy about batteries. Try new 357 silver oxide batteries. Accept no substitutes.

Having said that, I hope that David did not try to wind on the camera while the shutter was still open during the long exposure with the lens cap on.
 
FrankS said:
The OM2 can be fussy about batteries. Try new 357 silver oxide batteries. Accept no substitutes.

Having said that, I hope that David did not try to wind on the camera while the shutter was still open during the long exposure with the lens cap on.
Click to expand...

What happens then Frank?
 
A mechanical shutter jam won't be cleared by replacing the batteries. Firing on auto with the lens cap on might make the shutter stay open, but would not make the batteries go dead. Simply removing the lens cap, opening f stop should make shutter close. If not, we have a problem. Winding the shutter repeatedly (while the shutter is open on auto) can in some cases cause a jam. If this is a regular "shutter lock" (mirror up, can't be wound) it should be cleared by turning the shutter speed dial to "B". Only 2N allows reset by also pushing meter switch up to "check/reset". John
 
Last edited:
Thank you bdeyes, Franks and John for your message! I try all the suggestions that you wrote, but the camera continue with the jam shutter, so I must repair it soon. :(
 
solved mirror lock problem

solved mirror lock problem

easy peasy, follow the instructions here, simple, had my camera locked away for 7 years, and now its fixed.
Reset Procedure"

* If the mirror is up and the shutter is locked, press the "RESET" button at the lower left corner of the body mount, and rotate the manual shutter speed ring until the reset mark (*) is aligned with the red triangle on the lens mount. Then the mirror comes down, and the shutter is unlocked

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/olympusom1n2/om2/om2manual/index.htm
 
This post relates to my earlier post, I had some problem which is sorted now, this is the additional note I was to add to the post

Thank god for the internet. My fabulous oldest favourite camera, the Olympus OM2 which gave me the most beautiful photos for the past 25 years had a problem about 7 years ago. At that time I searched the net for answers, plus the camera shops, and was told none of the usual sources fixed these cameras, they were too old. they were first released in 1975, but I bought mine 2nd hand about 1980. If I were lucky to find someone privately that was my only solution. I did find someone but he lived in the US, I estimated it may cost me $500 at a minimum, so I opted to buy a new DSLR.
I kept the camera in the hope that one day it could be fixed. Yesterday I made the first move again and bought new batteries, then today I hit the net again, and you will not believe it, found the answer and its now fixed. The manual from that site, highlights exactly the steps to take to correct the problem. I cannot wait to buy film (expensive) and start exploring again. I will have to learn how to use it all over again. I congratulated myself after this little exercise. Just another thing I can tick off my Bucket List. I took my best portrait shots, and the racing speed shots of the horses with this camera. Here is the link in case there are any other OM2 uses
with a mirror lock problem
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/olympusom1n2/om2/om2manual/index.htm
 
Last edited:
I just sold my OM-2md with electrical problems away. I bought an OM-1 from a camera store few months ago, CLA'ed, maybe the best buy ever.
 
Gid said:
I've tried searching but to no avail. I sold my OM2 MD to a fellow RFFer, he loaded some film and fired the shutter without taking the lens cap off - presumably in auto - and the shutter appears to have stuck. I've suggested moving to B to reset, but to no avail. Any ideas (he has already put new batteries in - he said the original batteries were run down by the problem)? I've used this for the past year with no problems, but things happen when they happen I suppose.
Click to expand...

www.zuiko.com, I've been servicing the 2 since it came out. A normally operating 2 should just close the shutter when the cap is removed. If the customer didn't grasp what the shutter was doing, he could have would it over and over again while it was open. THAT could make it jam or cause the curtain strings to come off the pulleys. John
 
here is a link to the Olympus site, with a free download of the original manual, together with an explanation of why the mirror locks, and simple steps to unlock it. No stuffing around as in some sites I visited for the manual. straight from the horses mouth, so to speak. Most of your questions will be answered in the manual. Not bad after 40 odd years since it hit the shops.
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_support_manuals.asp?id=1018
 
I bought an Olympus OM4 with a jammed film advance and shutter. The metering and battery check still worked, but the camera shutter and film are advanced and jammed, and the camera won't fire at B or 1/60 sec, the manual speeds.

Searching the web, this seems to be a common flaw in the OM4.

Here is how I fixed it.

This photo, credit Rui Jorge Moreno, is a start:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-...fk/-iWGqgtu4Xk/s720/2012-09-10%2000.49.24.jpg

2012-09-10%252000.49.24.jpg

The pictured plate is the main sycnchronizer gear for the film advance, shutter tension drum and the mirror actuation.

First, the plate needs to be removed. Take off the three screws shown.

Then, clean out the gears around. Turn the shutter to B or 1/60 (manual setting).

If you press the shutter release, you'll see that the thin bar to the bottom of the photo moves. There is a pair of lever under the silver gear that also moves. If you move the top and bottom, you'll see that the film advance frees up. That is a great essential first step.

Also look at what the big thick bar is doing. It activates the mirror movement, and it needs to move too. Take this opportunity to study the mechanism and clean things.

On my camera, the reverse lock (forked) lever was completely loose. It is also under the silver gear and needs to move freely. You need to remove the mirror mover bar, via its big cross-head screw. THIS SCREW IS A LEFT HAND SCREW !!!!! Remove the bar and secure the reverse lock (forked) lever.

Then put the mirror lever back into place.

Now, the camera gears need to be timed correctly. You will find that the film advance finishes in 3 positions. One is the correct one - and it ends with the rabbit ears of the silver gear in the right place, per the photo.

Under the synchronization plate (that you've removed), you'll find the shutter tension drum. Advance it to the tensioned position - it will click into place. Advance the film advance to the right place. Now re-install the synchronization plate, with the gears in the right place and the cutouts in the correct orientation.

Now it should all work.
 
Vickko said:
I bought an Olympus OM4 with a jammed film advance and shutter. The metering and battery check still worked, but the camera shutter and film are advanced and jammed, and the camera won't fire at B or 1/60 sec, the manual speeds.

Searching the web, this seems to be a common flaw in the OM4.

Here is how I fixed it.

This photo, credit Rui Jorge Moreno, is a start:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6NZb8Rbu3v0/UE2zl5Q7u-I/AAAAAAAAAfk/-iWGqgtu4Xk/s720/2012-09-10%252000.49.24.jpg

2012-09-10%252000.49.24.jpg

The pictured plate is the main sycnchronizer gear for the film advance, shutter tension drum and the mirror actuation.

First, the plate needs to be removed. Take off the three screws shown.

Then, clean out the gears around. Turn the shutter to B or 1/60 (manual setting).

If you press the shutter release, you'll see that the thin bar to the bottom of the photo moves. There is a pair of lever under the silver gear that also moves. If you move the top and bottom, you'll see that the film advance frees up. That is a great essential first step.

Also look at what the big thick bar is doing. It activates the mirror movement, and it needs to move too. Take this opportunity to study the mechanism and clean things.

On my camera, the reverse lock (forked) lever was completely loose. It is also under the silver gear and needs to move freely. You need to remove the mirror mover bar, via its big cross-head screw. THIS SCREW IS A LEFT HAND SCREW !!!!! Remove the bar and secure the reverse lock (forked) lever.

Then put the mirror lever back into place.

Now, the camera gears need to be timed correctly. You will find that the film advance finishes in 3 positions. One is the correct one - and it ends with the rabbit ears of the silver gear in the right place, per the photo.

Under the synchronization plate (that you've removed), you'll find the shutter tension drum. Advance it to the tensioned position - it will click into place. Advance the film advance to the right place. Now re-install the synchronization plate, with the gears in the right place and the cutouts in the correct orientation.

Now it should all work.
Click to expand...
I know I'm raising a dead thread here but this post just allowed me to resurrect an OM-2SP which was trying to act like a paperweight. Who knows if the fix will hold for the long term - but reviving the dead thread allowed me to revive a dead camera. Thank you!

...Mike
 
This mirror lock up/frozen shutter happened to both my OM-4 and OMTi-4 within a week, on the second times I used them after being serviced.

Couldn't fix it and highly resistant to more money down a black hole.

I am so frustrated by it I just completely quit using the cameras.

I'd just give them away but have too many OM lenses, which I now just use on digital cameras.

Frustrating beyond tolerance!

They used to be prized posessions.

Rant over - moved on.

Texsport
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom