OM2S erratic meter readings when changing aperture

[Anon Ymous]

Hello all

As the title says, I've got a misbehaving Olympus OM2S. The meter behaves strangely when changing aperture. It won't always do so, but lately it will give a wildly different shutter speed, with a difference of many stops by simply selecting the next aperture value. Selecting the one after that may give a reasonable reading, at two stops difference against the initial. For example, it might say 1/500 at f/8, 1/30 at f/11 and 1/125 at f/16. This doesn't always happen at a specific aperture, but will vary by day or so. Some days it might not have any problems at all. In case you're wondering, I've tried rotating the aperture ring, but it doesn't seem to fix the problem. I suspect the problematic part is whatever moves inside the camera when changing the aperture. The lenses have a tab that moves when changing aperture, so I suspect that there's a potentiometer somewhere near the lens mount. Now, the question is, is this something easily repairable? Is there a chance that this is simply a case of dirt accumulated in decades that needs to be cleaned? I'm not very keen on doing this myself, I'm mostly wondering if it is worth sending it for servicing. After all, the shutter works fine and this camera can be used with an external meter.

Thanks in advance.

 

[grain elevator]

I don't know this camera, but I've had similar issues on Minoltas that were indeed cause by the potentiometer that is actuated by the aperture ring. Many cameras use a ring potentiometer around the lens mount and wire brushes that move around on it. Wire brushes can get bent out of shape and short out, or lose contact, or just be dirty. Might be an easy fix if you're handy with a screwdriver. But I suppose it may be more difficult on the Olympus since the shutter speed dial also clutters up the area.

 

[wiltw]

Perhaps the potentiometer merely needs to have its metal contact surface 'exercised' to remove a bit of accumlated gunk from the atmosphere. If that doesn't help, I suggesting sending it in for repair rather than attempting more on your own. Perhaps a repair shop can provide feedback about repair feasibility, before you even send it in.