alec61

<p>I wouldn't say it was a "bad" experience.</p> <p>I do consider myself an educated end-user and fairly tech savvy. Being that, I've learned to choose what tech I want and how much of it I want. After a decade of digital photography, I'm left feeling ambivalent toward it.</p> <p>My digital experience was not a rewarding as my film experience. That's all.</p><div></div>

<p>Mary Doo - to answer your question. For some reason I never "connected" with my digital cameras in the same way as I did with my - well first, my cold war Soviet made-for-export Fed3 rangefinder - and my OM-1.<br> After I got my hands on a film scanner and started seeing my digitized film images compared to digital images after various B&W filters, the difference became very obvious to me. There is a je ne sais quoi about a film image, even digitized, that a digital image just doesn't have.<br> That's how I became "digitally disillusioned".<br /><br> However, back to the main point at hand. I found both of your links enlightening. The whole corrosion issue makes quite a bit of sense. Whether the corrosion happened during use, as with John, or in storage, as with mine.<br /><br> I'll work with my pocket Vivitar light meter - even fits an accessory shoe - and save my money for film and developing chemistry.<br /><br> Thanks to everyone that's put their two cents in!<br /></p>

<p>John, when did your light meters fail? While they were still frequent use or after storing them for some time.<br> Mine worked fine as of 2005 when I went digital. I only brought it out storage a couple of months ago.<br> I thought I had done everything right - removed the battery, fired the shutter and then left it uncocked. I, somewhere, came up with three silica pouches, and put it all into a plastic bag (unsealed).<br> However, when I put a new battery in, the light meter behaved as described. My working thesis is there is some desegregation in the electrics happening during storage.<br> Oh - and there's nothing like the caustic smell of stop bath.</p>

<p>Thanks - I thought it might just be a matter of an aging dinosaur, but asked if there was a known issue at work as well.<br> The quotes do included a CLA - still debating. I'll see how the budget goes.<br> And, yep, I'm happy the 'ole hand light meter still works.<br> Otherwise, I'm very pleased the the results. It's nice to shoot <em>real</em> film again!</p>

<p>I did a search seeking an answer for my problem, but the answers didn't fit with my question.<br> After becoming digitally disillusioned and selling my digital equipment, I pulled my old OM-1 out of storage. I did remember to remove the battery before putting it away. Battery compartment is clean. I ordered a Wein zinc-air 1.35v battery and thought I was good to go.<br> Not so fast . . . The light meter behaved erratically, when it decided to work at all. Needle fluctuated between under and over exposed, pegging at either under or over, and showing very erroneous values when it did decided to center.<br> I have quotes from three camera repair shops ranging from $135.00 to $195.00.<br> Uhmm - yeah.<br> After looking on ebay, I began to see more OM-1 bodies with the disclaimer the light meter did not work than those that did work.<br> So, my question is this: Is there something about the light meter that no one is telling us?<br> For the time being I'm using a hand held meter.</p>