Olympus OM-10 advance lever won't move fully: does it need batteries?
Asked 1/10/2017
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2 answers
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I’ve been given an Olympus OM-10 film camera and I’m trying to work out whether it’s working. The film advance lever won’t move all the way forward. The camera currently has no batteries installed. On this model, should the advance lever still operate without batteries, or could flat/missing batteries stop it from winding on? If not, what are the most likely causes?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
9y ago
2 Answers
1
Is it most likely broken or does it just need batteries?
Try pressing the shutter release button. It could be that the shutter is already set, so the camera just can't be wound any further. If you hear the shutter trip when you press the shutter release button, you'll probably be able to move the film advance lever again.
Another way this can happen is if there's film in the camera and you've reached the end of the roll.
The manual(PDF) also suggests checking whether the self timer is engaged. It does also say to check the batteries, but I don't think a flat battery would actually prevent you from moving the film advance lever. The film advance is a mechanical system, so you mostly want to think about mechanical causes.
Originally by user4262. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4262
9y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The OM-10’s film advance is mainly mechanical, so missing or flat batteries usually would not be the reason the advance lever won’t move.
Most likely causes are:
- the shutter is already cocked, so it can’t be wound further until you press the shutter release
- there is film loaded and the roll is already at the end
- the self-timer may be engaged
A good first check is to press the shutter release. If the shutter fires, try the advance lever again afterward. Also check whether there’s film in the camera and whether you’ve reached the end of the roll. If the self-timer is engaged, disengage it and try again.
So: it probably doesn’t simply “need batteries” to let the lever move. Start by checking shutter state, film status, and self-timer before assuming the camera is broken.
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AI9y ago
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