Jim -
Are you sure it's not an OM-1_n_? The OM-1n's sync circuit is polarized
- meaning the current from the flash, through the camera, and back to
the flash via the PC cord _must_ "flow" in the right direction.
(Olympus did this in an effort to make the hot shoe "X" sync only, by
putting a diode inline. In so doing, they created a whole different
problem.) As others have mentioned, try reversing the plug that goes
from the studio strobe to the camera - that may solve the problem.
If you're really using an OM-1, does the flash fire whenever you plug it
in? The hot shoe port may be shorted - try removing the shoe (if it's
there) and cleaning down inside the port in the top of the camera. Use
a tissue rolled into a point and twist it into the opening. Then blow
some air into it to clean it out.
Another possibility is that your camera has a problem with arcing in the
sync switches that only shows up when using a high powered (studio)
flash. Olympus used steel screws through the insulators that hold the
sync contacts on middle-vintage OM-1's that sometimes would arc -
they're replaced with plastic screws in later models. Or it could be
arcing anywhere - pinched insulation, etc - and only shows up with
high-powered flashes. These will need a good technician, preferably an
Oympus specialist.
Good luck!
Imagineer
Jim Patterson wrote:
>
> I am using an OM-1MD camera I bought in 1976. I have never had a problem
> with it in the hundreds of rolls I have shot. The other day I tried using
> it in a studio using several strobe lights in the local colleges photo
> department. When shooting the shots, everything seemed to sync. However,
> upon developing, the shutter was blocking part or nearly all of the shots
> in 900f the negatives. Only 2 pictures worked perfectly. I have used a
> vivitar 283 flash unit with hot shoe for years and never had a sync problem
> at 1/60 of a second. What is going on here?? Maybe the old OM-1 cannot be
> used in state of the art photo labs using professional strobe lights?? Any
> thoughts on what may be the problem would be appreciated!! Maybe I need to
> go down to 1/30 or 1/15 of a second to get it to sync????
> James (Jim) Patterson
> System 1
> 396 San Diego Ave
> Ventura, California 93004
> 805-659-6838
> 805-659-1437 fax
> system1@xxxxxxxx
>
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