Sending a camera off to be fixed?

toadstool

toadstool

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Toni
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I've got an old OM-1 sitting here.. not sure what's wrong with it and would like to get it fixed. Is there anywhere I could send it off? We have a small store here and I'm going to talk to the old guy in there but thought I'd see if I had any other options first :)
 
How do you know something is wrong in the first place? The OM-1 requires 1.35V batteries so it might be an electrics issue.
 
It has sticky shutter blades and the aperture rings appear stuck but it was left sitting in a damp attic for who knows how many years so I'm sure that's not that only problem!
 
toadstool said:
It has sticky shutter blades and the aperture rings appear stuck but it was left sitting in a damp attic for who knows how many years so I'm sure that's not that only problem!
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Possibly just needs a clean and service, see the old guy in the little shop!
 
Aye, the old guy in the shop (Cameratiks) I belive does good business from repairs. So I'm guessing he's not that bad.
 
Although I have never used them, THESE seem to be good Olympus specialists.
 
steveo_mcg said:
Aye, the old guy in the shop (Cameratiks) I belive does good business from repairs. So I'm guessing he's not that bad.
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Yeah, that's who I meant! Prices are often sky high when I've been in but I suppose you're also paying to support a local business which I'm happy to do. I'll just pop along there and come back if, for some reason, he passes. Not going to pass up on the chance of a visit anyway. It's floor to ceiling eye candy :love:

Hopefully it is just a clean and service! It's my much loved uncles old camera; he gave it to me a few months ago so I'd be over the moon to get it working/cleaned up and usable again :)
 
toadstool said:
It has sticky shutter blades and the aperture rings appear stuck but it was left sitting in a damp attic for who knows how many years so I'm sure that's not that only problem!
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Take the lens off and try the camera without it :shrug:
 
excalibur2 said:
Take the lens off and try the camera without it :shrug:
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What, exactly, am I looking for? I've shot film before and have processing/darkroom experience but I'm rusty and don't know much about possibly broken cameras.. Like what I should be looking for! :help:

The needle in the viewfinder stays where it is, no matter if it's pointed at something super bright or really dark. For example, if I point it to the ceiling light bulb it stays in the middle. If I point it at my black sofa, it stays in the middle. If I change the aperture or shutter speed though, it moves. I'm really not familiar with this camera at all. The last film camera I used was a Nikon and a Zenit before that.

The shutter is no where near as bad as I thought it'd be and it looks surprisingly... new inside. I'm wondering if I've got the OM-1 mixed up with another camera my husband ended up binning ages ago :bonk: The mirror does occasionally lock up though.
 
toadstool said:
Yeah, that's who I meant! Prices are often sky high when I've been in but I suppose you're also paying to support a local business which I'm happy to do. I'll just pop along there and come back if, for some reason, he passes. Not going to pass up on the chance of a visit anyway. It's floor to ceiling eye candy :love:

Hopefully it is just a clean and service! It's my much loved uncles old camera; he gave it to me a few months ago so I'd be over the moon to get it working/cleaned up and usable again :)
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Yeah his second hand stuff is megabucks.
 
steveo_mcg said:
Yeah his second hand stuff is megabucks.
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And yet he'll offer you buttons on any kit you want to trade in or sell because, "no one shoots film any more, no one wants it". :suspect:


Toni, I'm not sure if the metering on the OM-1 works the same way as my OM-2 but it'll give you funny readings if you don't have a film loaded because it reads off the film plane (or something, I read it on the internet once ;)).

If it looks clean and everything seems to move ok, stick a cheapo film in it and see what happens. The mirror locking up could be as simple as it having an old battery so try a new one too. One thing at a time though, rule out each thing in turn!
 
Strappy said:
And yet he'll offer you buttons on any kit you want to trade in or sell because, "no one shoots film any more, no one wants it". :suspect:
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His reasoning for the price of the OM stuff I was looking at the first time was that its compatible with dijikal so it's in demand. Maybe it is. His MF cameras I looked at last time were also about £100 more than some of the other dealer sites.
 
^^^^ What he said!
 
Strappy said:
And yet he'll offer you buttons on any kit you want to trade in or sell because, "no one shoots film any more, no one wants it". :suspect:


Toni, I'm not sure if the metering on the OM-1 works the same way as my OM-2 but it'll give you funny readings if you don't have a film loaded because it reads off the film plane (or something, I read it on the internet once ;)).

If it looks clean and everything seems to move ok, stick a cheapo film in it and see what happens. The mirror locking up could be as simple as it having an old battery so try a new one too. One thing at a time though, rule out each thing in turn!
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steveo_mcg said:
His reasoning for the price of the OM stuff I was looking at the first time was that its compatible with dijikal so it's in demand. Maybe it is. His MF cameras I looked at last time were also about £100 more than some of the other dealer sites.
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The last time I was in (a while ago!) there was an Oly Trip for £55. I got mine for a fiver and wonder if I could have got it cheaper elsewhere :lol:

I've got film here so may as well give it a go!

Am I right in understanding the batteries are no longer available?
 
Honestly, I've no idea about the batteries. If it takes a 1.35v mercury cell, then no, you can't buy them any more (in this country). Have a look at the Small Battery Company as they list alternatives.
 
It is 1.35v mercury cell Dean. Thanks for the site!

I think the focus is off. It's looking sharp when the 2 halves aren't aligned and soft when they are. I wear glasses so I don't think it's my sight.
 
toadstool said:
What, exactly, am I looking for? I've shot film before and have processing/darkroom experience but I'm rusty and don't know much about possibly broken cameras.. Like what I should be looking for! :help:

The needle in the viewfinder stays where it is, no matter if it's pointed at something super bright or really dark. For example, if I point it to the ceiling light bulb it stays in the middle. If I point it at my black sofa, it stays in the middle. If I change the aperture or shutter speed though, it moves. I'm really not familiar with this camera at all. The last film camera I used was a Nikon and a Zenit before that.

The shutter is no where near as bad as I thought it'd be and it looks surprisingly... new inside. I'm wondering if I've got the OM-1 mixed up with another camera my husband ended up binning ages ago :bonk: The mirror does occasionally lock up though.
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Well I got the impression from your post that the lens wasn't working properly.
 
If the size is that of the AG13 which is 1,5V then the best cheaper alternative maybe the the Zinc Air 675 1.4V which should calibrate all things working, to less than half a stop, so most times not worth worrying about. They being air batteries do not last as long, but are very consistent.
 
toadstool - there's another place on Montrose Terrace near Abbeyhill. Can't remember the name and I've never used it. He seems to keep odd hours though.


Found it:

http://www.jpcameras.co.uk/
 
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desf said:
toadstool - there's another place on Montrose Terrace near Abbeyhill. Can't remember the name and I've never used it. He seems to keep odd hours though.


Found it:

http://www.jpcameras.co.uk/
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Yep, been there, he's practically retired hence the odd hours. Talks a good game, really knows his stuff and his shop is one of those treasure troves you could spend hours getting lost in if he let you go behind the counter. He let me take odds and ends like body caps and old straps from big boxes of them for free as I was getting a T90 serviced and a couple of lenses cleaned.

Of course, there's a "however" to this story. My T90 wasn't serviced properly and had to go back for a fix under warranty and as this was after I'd moved south, I had to post it back. Four months, numerous emails and ignored phone messages culminating in a threat of legal action before I got it back, albeit fixed properly this time.

I think that if you're local and can call in regularly to chase him up, you'll get a reasonable service. Otherwise, treat with caution.
 
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