Olympus OM-2 shutter speed ring

[epidemiks]

Hi, new to the forum, taking a breather from my digital SLR and diving back into film and b/w self developing.

i've got a problem my much loved OM-2 where the shutter speed ring has lost it's mojo. It doesn't click/ratchet anymore and pretty much won't do the right shutter speed unless its on 1/1000 or 1. In between, it seems to shoot what sounds around 1/60 and thats it.
I also have an OM-40 P and and OM-1 which are in perfect working order, but I really don't like the feel of them, and I'm wondering whether I can cannibalise the shutter speed mechanism from one of these to use in my OM-2?

Can anyone provide some insight/experience on this? Cheers!

 

[Excalibur2]

My shutter speed ring does nothing as well, set on manual, on my OM20....so also look forward to an answer.

 

[John Hermanson]

It sounds like the spring (that pushes on the ball bearing that rides in the slots of the shutter speed dial) has broken. It's a hairline crack, won't even look cracked when it is taken out, but a little pressure makes it break in two. John

 

[epidemiks]

Thanks for that info John - do you think is this something I could service/replace myself?
If I could track down technical info on the OM2 I'd be brave enough to start pulling it apart, but google has failed my thus far.

 

[mr rusty]

http://olympus.dementia.org/hardware/ ??

 

[epidemiks]

aha, thanks mr rusty. i must confess my googling while at work was not very comprehensive..

 

[John Hermanson]

Not a do-it-yourself job but have at it. Due to the length of the spring tab, you may have to remove the manual meter circuit board. John

 

[epidemiks]

hmm. quote on repair is AUD $275.. maybe it's time to retire this one and get an OM-4t

 

[John Hermanson]

If body is not tampered, my overhaul price is usually $129 + shipping. John

 

[darinwc]

^ John is your best source for anything Olympus.

 

[onepuff]

Don't know about Australia but you could buy a near mint OM-2n on ebay in the UK for about GBP 60.00-80.00 (AUD 100.00-130.00) or about GBP 150.00 (AUD 250.00) newly CLA'd from a dealer so I would be tempted to replace your old one if I was in this position. It depends how attached you are to your old camera.

 

[epidemiks]

If body is not tampered, my overhaul price is usually $129 + shipping. John

Thanks for the info John. I think once shipping back and forth is added it would come close to the local repair price anyway. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with shipping it OS and being apart from it for ~2 months either..
i think ebay is my best bet at this stage