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Re: [OM] Light Seal question

Subject: Re: [OM] Light Seal question
From: Moose <olymoose@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2003 13:47:16 -0700
John H. already replied on light leaks. I see he didn't tout the pre-cut sets he sells at www.zuiko.com or the instructions he has there.

If everything is mildly out of focus, have you considered that the camera may be out of adjustment? An SLR has a more complex focal system than a P&S. It is very simple when the picture is taken, but when focusing through the viewfinder, the light is reflected off a mirror and viewed on a screen. If the mirror is not at the right angle or the screen is not correctly set in place, you may focus perfectly on the viewfinder image, but the light path will be of slightly different length than the path from lens to film and everything will be out of focus on film. This is true of all SLRs, not just Olys. Neither of these problems occur through normal use, but weird things happen to cameras, or are done to them and Om-2n are not young.

Since the OM-2n has replaceable viewfinder screens, it is possible for them to get unseated or not be properly seated when installed, through sharp trauma to the camera, ineptitide by a user, etc. Check that the screen is fully and evenly settled into its place and the frame that secures it is snapped firmly in place.

The mirror angle is set by a simple metal stop on the left side of the mirror box that it rests against when down. Although strong enough to resist bending from thousands of shutter cycles, they do occasionally end up bent. It's fairly easy to check if it is far off. Using a fast lens, so DOF will be minimal, set the camera down so the end of a yard or meter stick is at the film plane, set the lens at a close focus distance marked on the lens barrel and see if that distance down the stick is the central, sharpest point of focus in the viewfinder. Infinity focus may also be checked with simple prime lenses (Zooms and big, exotic primes often have varaible infinity focus dependent on ambient temperture because of their complex interior design.) Wide angles aren't much use because of their deep DOF and lenses with interchangeable mounts are suspect for this purpose. With a 50 through about 135mm lens, preferably fast, set the lens at its infinity stop and check if the viewfinder image is in focus. If not, either the lens or the camera is out of adjustment. Although it is less likely lens than camera, check with multiple lenses if the first isn't right, to be sure which it is.

Adjusting the mirror angle isn't particularly difficult for the mechanically adept with the right tool, but can be tedious for the inexperienced. If the camera is worn, dirty, mirror out of adjustment, foam seals shot, etc. it is likely that the meter and/or shutter may be off too. A CLA, which includes replacement of not only the back foam, but also the mirror foam as well as Cleaning, Adjustment, and Lubrication, might be a good idea. Both John <zuiko.com> and Clint <http://olyfix.com/>, our highly valued tech experts on the list, offer this service, warranty their work and have excellent reps with listees.

Moose

Brian wrote:

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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