Questions about OM-2n

[specLegacy]

Hello! Just bought an OM-2n, and really excited to shoot some film. Have some questions though before I get started. First, the meter seems to want to sometimes overexpose by up to 2/3 stop (compared to my Fuji X-E2). Is that ok, or is it maybe time for a CLA?

Regarding the ISO/EV dial. When I dial all the way up to ISO 1600, it won't allow me to adjust the exposure compensation to a negative value. When I go down to ISO 12, it does not allow positive exposure compensation. Is that how it's supposed to work?

I received the camera with the self timer lever detached, and was able to fix that last night. Hoping there are DIY fixes to the above, too, since I do like to tinker

Thanks!
Paul

 

[wblynch]

The ASA/ISO setting works like you described. It was engineered that way.

You can not judge exposure on auto unless there is film in the camera.

The OM2N uses the film reflectivity to determine exposure.

Originally they shipped with a film colored card that sat on the pressure plate for testing. These cards are nearly impossible to find now as they were thrown away by the original owners thinking they were packing materials.

 

[specLegacy]

Thanks for the reply. It's a bummer about the ISO dial, and kind of strange. Essentially, it means I can only use between ISO 50 and 400 film if I want to still have the full 2 stops of adjustment?

Regarding the metering, it turns out the seller had loaded the camera with LR44 Alkaline batteries, not silver oxide. I'll have to see if the new batteries will help. From what I understand, the OMs have two meters. One that's used for the dial in the viewfinder, and another one that reads light off the film for slower shutter speeds. The exposure displayed on the viewfinder should be accurate even when there's no film in the camera, right?

 

[mopar_guy]

The TTL meter in Auto Mode works in real time during the exposure and it is not accurate without film loaded.

If you are using Manual Mode, the meter takes a reading that is reflected off of the front of the shutter curtain. The shutter curtain has a pattern of white and black checkers on it to "simulate" the reflectivity of film.

Dave

 

[thuggins]

There is nothing strange about not having exposure compensation at the ISO limits of the camera. Exposure compensation is only another way to set the ISO.

 

[Xmas]

The OM2 instruction manual is abstract

In manual the meter is by a pair of cells in the pentaprism.

In auto the needle display in the finder uses the same pair of cells. But when you fire the shutter the actual metering and exposure is done off the 1st curtin pattern and (then the film and) the second curtin released 'just in time'.

With a standard screen the needle should be within 1/3 of a stop with SR44 (but with LR44 'rien ne va plus').

Lastly there is a third mode if you fire the shutter in off with good batteries you get a normal auto exposure off the 1st curtin and film with the proviso that the auto speed is 1/30 or shorter if it is longer you still get 1/30 ie underexpose.

(Similar with OM10)

RIM more carefully.

 

[specLegacy]

Ah, it all makes sense now. Just got too used to digital, with a separate setting for ISO and exposure compensation. Gave some thought as to what the cap over the ISO dial actually does, and realized how it works. Really neat! The SR44 batteries solved the exposure errors, and now have my second roll in the OM-2n. First roll came out great!