JH said:
When the mirror locks halfway, it may indicate dead batteries (that is
where the mirror is supposed to lock). IF dead batteries are the only
problem, shutter should fire and reset when new batteries are put in.
If shutter does not reset with new batteries, then there are other
problems. Mirror magnet may be oily so it cannot release mirror.
Another mirror lock problem can be caused by a pesky little nylon block
which is glued in, above the mirror magnet arm. This block acts as a
bumper and when it come unglued it can become jammed in all the worst
places.
---------------------------
Thanks, John. By watching the action of a working OM-10 with its bottom
cover removed I verified that the problem is as you suggested, that the
mirror magnet is not resetting the mirror lock. With the battery out,
the working OM-10 behaves identically to the non-working OM-10. If I
replace the battery in the working camera I can see the mirror lever
come down and kick what I assume is the first curtain release lever.
The non-working camera doesn't do that even when I use the batteries
from the working camera.
It's now apparent to me that the mirror magnet is there strictly to
prevent fully releasing the mirror and firing the shutter with a weak
battery. Makes sense now.
Metering, battery check and self timer work OK so basic electrical
connections are there. You didn't mention other electrical failure
(switch, wiring, magnet windings) as a likely cause. I assume these
things are rare?
Though pretty good cosmetically this camera isn't worth the expense of a
CLA so I may get to see it's insides with the mirror cage removed. If I
destroy it nothing lost. But I'll be sure to save the prism for an OM-1
which is showing some discoloration in spots.
Chuck Norcutt
Woburn, Massachusetts, USA
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