For those interested, I've found there is a meter error of 1/2 stop
(underexposure) in a Weincell equipped camera, compared to a mercury / MR9
equipped OM-1.
John
Camtech
Pat O'Connor wrote:
> 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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