Dear Arild:
Welcome to the list - you didn't pick the best day to join!
The 625G is listed as a 1.5 volt battery. This high a voltage [can]
cause damage to you meter. An alkaline battery also has the wrong
discharge curve. Your metering will be erratic as the battery ages
during its service life.
You options are:
1. Use the Wein air-zinc cells. These work okay, but have a relatively
short service life, compared to the old mercury battery.
2. Buy a drop in adapter, which uses a "357" type battery. This is a
good solution, if you can swallow the cost of the adapter (about 30
USD). See
http://www.criscam.com/mr9b.htm
For details. The Rollei people have devised a home-made version of the
adapter, if you have more time than money.
3. Have your camera repairman convert the camera to use silver-oxide
batteries. I have my OM-1 at Camtech right now for a Clean, Lubricate,
and Adjust (CLA). John Hermanson includes the conversion in the cost of
the CLA. This is probably your best route in the long run, as the foam
seals in the back are probably rotten, and will need replacing soon
anyway. John's website is at:
http://www.zuiko.com/
You might want to try using an external hand-held meter, or the meter
from another camera to determine your exposure. Shoot a few rolls of
film through your OM-1, and see how you like it.
I'm sure other list members will ideas for dealers in Europe. I have
purchased from Jaap Korten. Mr. Korten took the time to write to me
(e-mail) to see if I was happy with my $25 purchase from him!
Unexpected service in this day and age. His web site is at:
http://www.wide-angle.nl/cgi-bin/welcome.cgi?ref=206.228.118&session_id=200601-151450
KEH in Atlanta, GA (USA) will also cheerfully take your money! They
have an OM-2n in EX condition for $179 USD, and $119 USD in BGN
("Bargain") grade. The OM-2 has many extra capabilities over an OM-1.
The 'n' version is the more desirable model.
Finally, you should know that these topics have come up on the list in
the past. You can search the list archives for the answers to these and
other mysteries.
Good luck!
Bill Stanke
Arild Eikenæs Vengen wrote:
>
> Hi, I`m new to this list (and new to Olympus OM) so if I do something
> wrong, just tell me. I have searched the archives for meter-problems,
> but not found an exact answer.
>
> Ok, here we go. I`m offered to buy a real cheap OM-1 MD from a friend,
> there`s only one problem, the meter don`t seem to work. My friend took
> it to the repair shop, they changed the battery to a Energizer EPX625G,
> and then it worked in the shop, but not when he got home. This is a few
> weeks since now, and I don`t think the battery-drain is this big. There
> are no meter-response at all when I turn the meter on.
>
> I`ve read on the list and in the faq that it is important that the
> battery is 1,35volt mercury, in the faq it the battery is called 625N,
> mine is called 625G, does this make a difference? I`ve understood that
> it`s not allowed to market the mercury-batteries here in europe any
> more, that`s why I wondered if my friend/I have got the wrong kind?
>
> Actually I was shopping for a OM-2, and not OM-1, but if I can fix this
> without costing an arm and a leg I might as well go with the OM-1. Where
> do I find cheap OM-2`s in Europe?
>
> Regards,
> Arild E. Vengen
> Forde, Norway
>
> BTW: Any thoughts on these lenses that followed the camera? One standard
> 50mm 1,8f old Zuiko lens, a 35-105mm f/3,5-4,5 dc Zuiko lens and a
> Tokina 70-210mm, f/3,5.
>
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