Olympus OM-4 - Question on LCD in the viewfinder

[ianp]

I have just received a BGN OM-4 from KEH that appears to be in overall very good condition. The only question I have is that the LCD in the VF appears to have a small black square at the bottom right that goes pink and opaque when the illumination button is pressed. The square is bordered at the top by the '+-' exposure compensation indicators and to the right by the 'shadow' and 'highlight text'.


I have fresh batteries installed, of course, and the square is noticeably darker than the rest of the LCD and very obviously lighter when it goes when illuminated.


Looking through the manual, this area of the LCD appears to be related to the charge status and exposure status of a flash unit. I'm just wondering if it is normal for this back square to be present when no flash is attached or could it be a bad LCD segment ?


It doesn't appear to be an issue that affects functionality, but a bit of an annoyance to the inner OCD.


Thanks

 

[Chan Tran]

Not owning an OM-4 so my guess is that the black square is a LED and not part of the LCD. It would light up when the flash is ready and for confirming flash exposure. It should light up because it hard to see the LCD when it's dark. When you turn the back light on it's pink which I think normal because it's red.

 

[wiltw]

It's been so long, I had to look it up to be certain!

Spot.......... Memo
Hilight.......... +-(Plus/Minus)
Shadow..........Lightning(Flash ready/confirmation)

 

[Les Sarile]

I have an OM-4T which I believe should have the same display as your OM-4. If so then I can confirm there is no black square present there with no flash attached. When you press the illumination light, the whole LCD is evenly illuminated in a very mild orange tone - there is not a hot spot.

 

[Xmas]

I have just received a BGN OM-4 from KEH that appears to be in overall very good condition. The only question I have is that the LCD in the VF appears to have a small black square at the bottom right that goes pink and opaque when the illumination button is pressed. The square is bordered at the top by the '+-' exposure compensation indicators and to the right by the 'shadow' and 'highlight text'.


I have fresh batteries installed, of course, and the square is noticeably darker than the rest of the LCD and very obviously lighter when it goes when illuminated.


Looking through the manual, this area of the LCD appears to be related to the charge status and exposure status of a flash unit. I'm just wondering if it is normal for this back square to be present when no flash is attached or could it be a bad LCD segment ?


It doesn't appear to be an issue that affects functionality, but a bit of an annoyance to the inner OCD.


Thanks

My OM4 #1070xxx has on the bottom right a black rectangle (portrait) and just to left of it a (landscape) area that is more translucent.
I'll check the others later if you are still concerned?

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

I don't know the -4, but the -2SP that has a vertical LCD might be similar. There is a darker square at the top where the flash light is. It isn't part of the LCD.

 

[Rick A]

It's not an issue, it's just caused by the placement of the led . Under normal illumination by the front panel (white bar on front of prism housing)doesn't hit it, but led is off to the side, and does hit it.

 

[ianp]

Thank you all for your replies. They were very useful and I can now confirm that this black square is indeed an LED that is used when a flash is attached.

After reading the posts first thing in the morning, I called up a friend who also dabbles in SLRs and for the price of a cup of coffee, he gave me a Sunpack 266 with dedicated OM mount. Sure enough, when the flash is charged and ready to fire the dark square turns red and a little flash symbol is illuminated.

The inner OCD is sated.