Mysterious, Awful Olympus 35 RD Meter problem

The Salaryman · Dec 25, 2009

Hi All

I've got a 35 RD that was refurbed not too long ago by Luton Camera, the UK experts on matters Olympus. I bought it two years ago and have so many cameras that until now I foolishly have not put a film through it. Just picked it up to take some pictures on Christmas Day and it is behaving oddly. In A mode the meter is unresponsive - It is loaded with Porta 800 and set accordingly but no matter what the combo of ASA and shutter speed will not go above F2.8 in the V/F - even when pointed directly into strong light! :-( It was converted by Luton to the OM-1 meter and a modern battery. I replaced the battery and there is no difference - the meter still does not see any light :-( Any ideas or advice very very gratefully received!

j

PHOTOTONE · Dec 25, 2009

Is this a camera that has a power switch for the meter, does it only meter when the shutter release is half pressed? It is possible you have a defect somewhere internally.

darinwc · Dec 25, 2009

Do you have the lens cap on?
(sorry had to ask)

Pepino · Dec 26, 2009

Is it only unresponsive in A mode?

Take the camera off of A mode and select an aperture like 4 or 16. See if the needle moves to the aperture you've chosen. This simple test will at least let you know if the needle is working properly or not. If the needle will still not go above 2.8 when you manually tell it to, then perhaps something is blocking the needle movement.

RH Designs · Dec 26, 2009

I don't know if the RD behaves like the RC, but if so you need to press the shutter release partway to get a meter reading.

The Salaryman · Dec 26, 2009

Hi all thanks for your thoughts.

Yes the lens cap is off - I'm depressing part way to get a reading and the needle moves where it should in manual if I set a different aperture. In fact in A now it seems to stick even lower at 1.7. When I move the camera around to different light sources it does not respond at all. This is with a fresh battery even! I'm awfully confused. It worked great before and since then has just been unmolested in my camera cupboard.

unclemack · Dec 26, 2009

When I was a repairer (retired '01) I would have hoped a customer would contact me in similar circumstances, even if outside the warranty period.
Protecting one's reputation must be even more important nowadays with the growth of fora (it's no good, "forums" hurts my head) like this one.

I only vaguely remember the layout of the camera; I think there was a leaf-and-post switch made (on) at the "A" position. If I'm right this is worth a try - move the control ring repeatedly into and out of the "A" position to work the switch. The self-cleaning properties of this type of switch are almost nonexistent but you may be lucky.

Happy holidays, David.

The Salaryman · Dec 27, 2009

Cheers, David! Same to you. Here's hoping they will sort it out (as they usually claim that a refurb from them will last another 30 years!) or else magic happens!

Xmas · Dec 28, 2009

Hi

Streatching the memory cells here.

Two possibility

i) that you are depressing the shutter button too quickly
ii) the shutter sequence of meter on and then needle trap are two close together

In effect i) or ii) are the same.

Please try in good light i.e. midday sun sloooowly depressing the shutter with the camera set to 400 asa.

I wont get to my Oly for weeks sorry to offer so little help. I think it has the ii) case but is otherwise usable if you are deliberate, I was planning on waiting until something else broke...

Noel

John Hermanson · Dec 30, 2009

There's no way an OM-1 meter can go in an RD. Perhaps they meant that the meter was converted to the silver oxide battery. Try cleaning the battery, battery contact, possibly look for green crust around the screw head holding the battery contact in (do not try to unscrew). Could be a dirty meter switch (hidden deep inside the shutter plate). Good luck. john

Mysterious, Awful Olympus 35 RD Meter problem

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