Hi everyone,
At a pawn shop in Guelph, Ontario, I bought an OM-1 and found the light
meter did not work properly. Sometimes with a fresh mercury battery, it
would give some wierd reading and then fail to register anything. I
brought it to several camera repair people and they said there was
nothing wrong with all the usual things (plastic screw, wiring), but the
light meter would have to be replaced. (lots $$$$)
I was told by one very wise photographer/ repair guy that either I could
get the meter fixed, buy a separate light meter or read the instructions
on each and every box of film. He added that the new films, i.e. Kodak
Royal Gold have very high exposure latitude, (3 stops under to 2 stops
over) and I would almost assuredly get good results with my old beauty.
He was right and I have just shot six of the best exposed rolls of film
in my life.
Of course I had to read and follow the film instructions, but it was
worth it. I ended up learning a lot about 'old sol', the illuminator of
800f all photographs. And my manual flash never needs a meter. Night
photography seems to be an informed trial and error proposition at the
best of times.
So, I was doing good work without a light meter, judging light
conditions by simple observation, listening to the precise working of my
olympus shutter when I realized what the problem was with my light
meter. My camera was in mint shape inside and outside, just as if
someone shelved it for 20 years. (probally after he/she got a little too
retentive about film brands, light meters off by 1/2 stop, etc. I put my
mercury battery in, worked the on/off switch 30 - 40 times, to scrape
off any metal oxides on the switch contacts, and it worked (1 f-stop
low), the next day it worked fine; (iso200 f11 1/250sec full sunlight).
So I got my camera's light meter back, but now I am always mindful of
what the meter should be reading for a given lighting situation. I
bought some zinc/air hearing aid batteries (1.4v) and they work very
well, the battery is much smaller and lighter than the mercury battery.
The battery contact holds the zinc/air securely to the battery
compartment cover. Works very good.
I'm sharing, because I learned that our compact OM-1s are truly miracles
of engineering and vision, even with their fritzy light meters. I
learned that these OM-1 cameras should be cherished. It is probally
approaching 'impossible' to manufacture new cameras that would resemble
the OM-1 in crafting for a reasonable price. And in a pinch they work
fine without a battery for the light meter!
So, by trying some new technology film in my golden technology camera,
and reading the film instructions, and accepting the light meter
limitations of my OM-1, I ended up having some real fun with my
camera!!!
Sincerely and respectfully submitted to your great online group...
Pat O'Connor
patio@xxxxxxxx
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