OM-1 light meter . . . Again

<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>

The camera is about 4 decades old, so it should not be surprising that the meter needle and/or meter circuitry

seems to be failing in a significant number of cameras for sale. If you want to use a camera of this vintage, you will have to deal

with this (like using a hand held meter) or pay what is needed to get it back into working order. It may be a good idea to do a CLA while its in the repair shop (if you choose to repair it).

<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>The light meter is what ended my partnership with my OM-1, the first 35mm camera I ever bought. If memory serves it ended by OM-2 as well. I loved both cameras but the OM-1 will always have the number 1 spot. <br /><br />Film often calls to me as well. ;-) </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>Mine failed after a number of years of a lot of use. This was back in the early 1980s. I just used it until it died. I was so disappointed but I had been through a lot with it. I purchased it while I was in the Marine Corp and deployed to Okinawa. There was a dark room available for use on the base I was stationed at. I'd seen developing and printing done before but that is really where I learned about it. Okinawa was an adventure and I had my OM-1 to document it. It all worked out pretty well. I think the OM-1 was susceptible to light meter failure. </p>

<p>I know exactly what you mean by "disillusioned"!</p>

<p>That's exactly how I feel about film cameras, of which I have about 150, including an OM-1, and OM-2, and OM-10. Last time I tried it, the OM-1's meter worked. But, as other say, it's very old. I love the cameras, but don't like using them.</p>

<p>My digital cameras are much newer and work much better.</p>

<p>Would also like to know why Alec is "digitally disillusioned".</p>

<p>This discussion thread on the OM-1 light meter problem may be helpful. See <a href="http://www.rangefinderforum.com/classics/forum/messages/2/24606.html?1339447989">link</a>.<br /> <br /> Anyhow, this instructive video may be helpful.<a href="

OM-1 Dead Meter / Diode Modification</a></p>

<Oh - and there's nothing like the caustic smell of stop bath.>

Well, I am not sure about that part Alec. Balsamic vinegar. Household ammonia. Cats' spray... I have got my old CdS meter in the Minolta SRT 102 working with Wein cells. I suspect they can repair it. Nothing like the versatility of a hand held Gossen Pilot actually. Old cameras may need foam replacement and other adjustment and labor takes -well- time. If you love it, repair it. And enjoy the chemical smells. I do not miss any of them myself. Aloha. gs

<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>Alec, sorry about your bad experience with digital photography. It is not bad at all. I am a Nikon user, shooting slide film for a long time and finally turned digital. I have never looked back.</p>

<p>Perhaps you should give digital another chance.</p>

<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>If I have an OM-1 even with working meter I would use it without the meter. The trouble of getting the right battery for it isn't worth it for me. Using the camera without meter isn't so big of a deal.</p>

A little TLC goes a long way with those cameras. Good luck fining one that doesn't need work. Oldest bodies are over 40 years old. Every OM-1/1N I repair gets converted to the silver oxide 1.55v battery. Battery is easy to get (357, MS76, KS76, G-13, SR44W, S76, 303). Meter failure can be cause by a half dozen different things, but everything is fixable.

 

John, Camtech, www.zuiko.com