Olympus OM4 Mirror Problem

[bluedog]

Just picked up an OM4 and after 3 shots the mirror became detached from its frame. Any ideas on how the mirror is fixed to the frame? Can I repair it myself or should i send it to a camera technician? Aside form this issue it is a beautiful camera.
Greg

 

[Rick A]

Was it purchased from an individual or reputable dealer? Go back to point of purchase and have them pay a certified tech, or refund at least half your money. There is a very good OM repair shop run by the former Olympus service manager somewhere on Long Island, N.Y. , but I dont know of any in your area. You could buy a repair manual via internet, if you think you are capable. I have an OM-4 body that is seized that I would sell for $50USD plus shipping. PM me if you are interested.
Rick

 

[bluedog]

I bought it from an individual in the UK. I am awaiting a response from him on costs. Otherwise I can send it back but loose on postage.

 

[John Hermanson]

I usually use 4 small dots of 5 minute epoxy for cementing the mirror. All old adhesive must be cleaned off first and you have to be sure to have the correct side of the mirror facing up. If you just bought it, the seller should honor some kind of return on this. John, www.zuiko.com (OM Service since 1977).

 

[bluedog]

Thanks for the info John. One camera repair shop I contacted thought that the mirror coming adrift was quite unusual. Is this the case? Seller says he will cover a repair if cost is reasonable. Otherwise I can send it back for a full refund. Not sure which way to go. Maybe there are other issues not yet discovered. How do you remove old epoxy?

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Just picked up an OM4 and after 3 shots the mirror became detached from its frame. Any ideas on how the mirror is fixed to the frame? Can I repair it myself or should i send it to a camera technician? Aside form this issue it is a beautiful camera.
Greg

Greg,
Take it to Camera Clinic at 56 Easey Street, Collingwood (ph. (03) 9419 5247), www.camera-clinic.com . Don't fiddle or attempt to re-attach the mirror. It sounds like the camera may have been dropped for the mirror to pop out of its frame, so I'd be looking at a thorough inspection of the camera beside the mirror box.

 

[John Hermanson]

Original glue is (I think) small dots of silicon rubber. This was also used in the OM-PC (OM-40) and I saw mirrors falling out of them like a frickin' pez dispenser (JMO). That's why I use epoxy and have never had a redo. Old silicon scrapes up pretty easy. Note which side of the mirror the old glue is on and make sure this side goes down toward mirror frame. John, www.zuiko.com

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

The battery drain glitch of the OM-4 mentioned on the zuiko.com website is a revelation to me, as is the section on OM 4 fakes. Whoa—! Probably not a surprise at all on sleezeBay! From memory in 1984, I used the OM-4 with motordrive for documentary and studio use in the later stages of the uni degree in Fine Arts and can certainly not recall being bugged by battery problems. The more I think about the OM-4 the more nostalgic and appreciative I am of the time I spent with that camera. It was a gem. Don't see many now here in Australia.

 

[John Hermanson]

I have only seen one fake 4Ti but it bothered me enough to devote a page to it. Last I heard, the customer returned it to the dealer and got his money back. I think the dealer took it as trade in from someone and didn't know they had gotten stuck. If buying a used 4, turn the battery check on. If beep and LED turn off automatically in approx. 30 seconds, at least you know it has a newer-style-low-drain board. If you always use silver oxide batteries (357, SR44W, G-13, MS76) drain shouldn't be too much of an issue with the older bodies. John.

 

[bluedog]

Thanks again John. Removal of mirror found that it was only held in by three small dobs of glue. I didn't feel like tackling it myself so it is in the shop to be fixed. Seller is happy to cover this. I don't suppose you would be interested in relocating to Australia? I have 3 OM's to maintain in operating condition I hope to get over to the States next year, so might drop in.
Regards
Greg