HELP NEEDED (Why else would I post here?)

[camerastoomany]

[glow=red,2,300][/glow]
My collection of rangefinder/viewfinder cameras from the 70's includes several which require the 640 type mercury battery, so I haven't used them.

I decided to try an Olympus EC and accordingly followed the accepted method and fitted two SR44s in the positive well with a cardboard shim. The negative side received a wad of foil. This was successful.

I wound on and pressed the shutter button and the shutter seemed to fire. I opened the back to look through the lens and cocked the shutter but there was no movement of the release button. I then shook the camera gently and tried again. It worked.

So, the short version is that the camera appears to work as it should, but must be shaken before each exposure.

Not an ideal public image. I'd probably look like a nurse shaking down a thermometer rather than a photographer, etc.

Any suggestions as to where I should start?

[mickeyobe]

Simple solution.
Using the tripod mount socket attach a cocktail shaker.
Then people will think you are normal.
And you will have a handy stimulus to creat great pictures.
OR
Slightly bend the camera's battery contacts to make sure the batteries are tightly (no pun intended) seated.
OR
Both.

Mickey

[Deleted]

The fact that you have to shake it indicates the batteries aren't getting good contact. Maybe a thicker wad of foil.

[camerastoomany]

Thanks for the suggestions Mickey and Wayne. No go, however.

I have established that if I don't shake it, but jiggle the shutter button while applying 'normal' pressure until resistance disappears, I can then operate the shutter. A bit slow and invonvenient though. It would seem something is out of alignment inside.

Perhaps, in line with your first suggestion Mickey, I can claim it as a revolutionary new shutter which cocks with just a flick of the wrist!

Perhaps I should put it back on the shelf and choose one of the other dozen 70's compacts I haven't tried with film.