Olympus OM-2n Bulb

Hi,

I got an Olympus om2n a few weeks ago. Everything seems to be working as it should except bulb mode. When I press (and hold) the release button the mirror and curtains close as if its on 1/1000th. At least very quickly. I've tried using a cable release, changing batteries (lr44 and sr44) and without any batteries, nothing helps.

Anyone knows if this i fixable by myself or if I'm just doing something wrong?

I sold my OM2n a week ago so I can't check for you. I never used B so no actual experiences to share either, but wondered if you have tried with the selector lever in both Manual and Auto positions?

Yes, I tried both auto and manual. In auto it seems to ignore that I'm in B and in manual its just shoots at 1/1000th. I haven't checked the speed, but its fast and consistent.

I have one with the same issue, plus some other problems (on auto it doesn't seem to vary the shutter speed no matter the light conditions, plus the mirror often locks up in auto, requiring the check battery/reset procedure). John Hermanson told me that with no lens or film the camera could not be relied to read effectively off the chequered film gate, but that wouldn't explain the mirror lock, which ought to result from a bad battery. I tried three sets of batteries, all testing with a solid red light, and it's odd behaviour continued. I wonder if the battery compartment connections need resoldering, or maybe just the mirror hinges need some lube. It's on it's way to visit John now. It was, of course, a "Nr. Mint 5++++ Recently cleaned and serviced" camera from Japan via eBay.

I have become somewhat disillusioned by the poor quality and inaccurate descriptions of cameras from Japan on eBay. Another 'Mint 5+++" camera lately had a filthy viewfinder and a film take up spool that can hardly be turned at all. I managed to fix all that myself, but left an appropriate feedback. I was contacted by the seller to ask me to give positive feedback for which he would pay $20!

I just checked my OM-2n. B works as one woul expect it, independent from Auto/Manual and batteries inserted or not.

So first double-check that you are really in B and not "next to B" (1s). There is a VERY tiny bulb lock knob on the body.

I can confirm that it's in B

MartinOM-SYS said:

Hi,

I got an Olympus om2n a few weeks ago. Everything seems to be working as it should except bulb mode. When I press (and hold) the release button the mirror and curtains close as if its on 1/1000th. At least very quickly. I've tried using a cable release, changing batteries (lr44 and sr44) and without any batteries, nothing helps.

Anyone knows if this i fixable by myself or if I'm just doing something wrong?

Click to expand...

B is purely mechanical, it should work without batteries. I have seen a few 2/2N that had been worked on, a broken lever in the bottom replaced with one from an OM-1. This can cause B to not work because OM-1 lever is completely different that 2/2N. The 2/2N lever that often breaks due to soft release button use is longer and it's 2nd function physically holds the platen (?) to the face of the electromagnet to keep the shutter open. OR timing of shutter speed dial to gear under the circuit board is set wrong. True, actual auto speed must be tested with film (or test card) loaded and lens mounted. If mirror goes up and shutter does not fire, that is "shutter lock" and can be caused by a dozen different things. Wrong batteries, such as A76, LR44 or lithium CR1/3N sometimes being the culprit, and the first thing that should be checked. Tampered cameras often feature shutter lock (or non-functional B).