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Re: [OM] Light Seal question

Subject: Re: [OM] Light Seal question
From: Skip Williams <om@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2003 16:18:16 -0500
Brian,

What do you mean "washed out"?  Is it like a veiled underesposure?  Even if you 
see the correct metering in the finder, with an OM2n there are two metering 
systems: one that you see in the finder, and another one that looks at the 
light reflected off the first curtain speckle pattern or the film surface, 
depending on the shutter speed. The actual exposure is determined by the 
off-the-film metering system.  If it's off and underexsposing the film, you'll 
get washed out prints because there's not enough exposure on the film to make 
good prints.

Have you shot some transparancy film to see what is really happenning?  A roll 
of chromes can tell wonders about the quality of a camera.  Get it done and 
returned unmounted, then you can also see around the frames.

Are you seeing spot light leaks?  Are there any light leakages through the 
sprocket holes, or just on the portion of the frame 24x36?

Are the foam seals that cushion the mirror or those that are seal the back 
sticky?  If so, they all need replacement, including the ones cushioning the 
prism, which you can't get to.

Is the shutter holed?  Shine it up to a light source with the mirror flipped up 
to see.

Does the camera look like it's been dropped?  That could cause focus shifts.  

Is the screen installed upside down with the tab filed off?  (I've seen that 
one, if you can believe it.)

Foam seal replacements are available from John Hermanson as a kit or from Micro 
Tools, among other places.

Skip

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>Subject: [OM] Light Seal question
>   From: Brian <belaw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>   Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2003 12:18:46 -0500
>     To: "'olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx'" <olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>
>
>I purchased a OM-2n recently and to be honest, it takes crappy pictures 
>that are washed out appear to be mildly out of focus.  My Canon auto-focus 
>"instamatic" takes better photographs!
>
>I'm using Zuiko lenses only, and they are all clear.  I have ruled out 
>metering problem by cross-checking the camera against my Gossen meter.  I'm 
>also confident it's not processing problems- I always use the same 
>processer, and the quality problems have consistently shown up over 
>multiple rolls of film from this camera.  By process of elimination I'm now 
>wondering if this could be the symptoms of some light leakage.
>
>How do you tell if your light seals are shot?  I understand that the 
>original material used by Oly for their seals is no longer available, so 
>what is the best alternative, and where is it available?
>
>
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