OM2 not behaving!

[ant_freeman]

Hi, after 20+ years of using my OM1n I recently purchased an

OM2 to use as a second camera. The guy selling it assured me

it worked but had a missing/broken switch. I have carefully

removed the top plate according to the proper instructions and

can switch the camera on. The problem is that - you guessed it -

it doesn't appear to work. The shutter/mirror will lock up on

anything except "B". With a bit of testing I note that the meter will

give a reading and then suddenly the needle will drop as though

the power has been cut - this can be traced to making the

slightest movement up or down on the film advance lever. For a

very short period I did manage to get the shutter to fire properly.

I have been told it may be a main board that needs replacing

which is probably not worth the hassle/cost, but any help or

advice on this problem would be most helpful.

[guyvickers]

Hi Ant!

 

My OM2n had electronic problems that the New Zealand repair agent said they could not get parts for. It was overexposing randomly by about two stops. So I have done lots of research to know in future whether buying secondhand OM bodies is an option. If you want a very good reapair agent in US, try Camtech services

http://www.zuiko.com/

 

These links were also helpful to me

http://www.ametro.net/~farrar/zuiko.html

http://brashear.phys.appstate.edu/lhawkins/photo/olympus.faq.html

 

http://members.aol.com/olympusom/lenstests/default.htm

 

http://www.olyfix.com/WAbout.htm

 

Sorry I can't be specific about the problems you have with the body.

Regards

Guy Vickers

[richard_oleson]

Hi Ant:

 

The OM2 shutter will hang as you describe if the power is cut off. The fact that you lose the meter and the shutter simultaneously suggests that it might be something as simple as the main power line from the battery box, possibly a corroded wire or a bad solder connection (or a bit of bad insulation shorting the power line to the chassis). Of course, a more serious problem is also possible, especially given the broken switch... whatever broke that might have broken something else. But I'd take a careful look at the wiring from the battery, and also try to see what's under the wind lever that might put stress on a board or a solder joint.

 

a good OM2 is worth the trouble, if you can figure it out... good luck!

 

rick :)=

[ant_freeman]

Hi Guy and Richard, thanks very much for your replies and

information. I am actually in England so I may need to find a local

repair shop that is not going to charge a fortune just to tell me

the camera is beyond repair! I will look a bit deeper into the

camera power supply wiring to check out any possible faults

there. I did try firing the shutter with the light meter showing a

reading but it wouldn't work - when I got it to fire properly it was

for such a short period I didn't have chance to check if the meter

was functioning.

I was a bit concerned to say the least at the missing on/off switch

so the camera has probably been abused at some point

although generally it looks in pretty good shape and the case

was in good condition and fits my OM1!