Fix Old Cameras: Nikon EM Stuck Meter

Nikon EM with meter needle that sticks. This tutorial video shows are the issue of a sticking meter needle in a Nikon EM can be corrected by removing the viewfinder screen and accessing the meter needle position.
classic camera repair - www.phototronic...
A few tools and books - www.amazon.com...

[@jonbellamymusic]

My grandfather's Nikon FE2 meter would stick when it went below 60ish. Although the meter needle didn't have foam like the EM I took a small brush and cleaned up the area. Seems to have fixed the issue I was having! Thank you.

[@FixOldCameras]

Thank you for your interest and suggestion. Due to the complexity of that type of shutter the procedure is fairly complicated and if featured would probably end up being a three or four part Fix Old Cameras video series.

[@ilovealbundy]

Sour videos are really fantastic and gold worth!

[@95chavz]

Thank you so much for your help, I have a Nikon EM with that same problem and I was finally able to fix it!!

[@tchomusic]

I love your channel. So much help. Another successful fix.

[@FixOldCameras]

Great to hear of you success. Thank you for your interest in Fix Old Cameras.

[@ifthebeltiscrackedor]

I scraped with a dentist tool. I havent yet seen It work again despite new batteries plus scraping on terminals. Read somwhere something about some bending of some contact at the preassure plate so I'll try that. As I followed this tutorial I started cleaning dust inside the camera whi gave me a worse result in the end so beware.

[@harringtonphotog]

Mike always does a great job! Actually this is my camera that he used in the video. I would still rather have him do the repair instead of me! But I do find it interesting! lol!

[@aidancollins6292]

I have a couple of EMs with the same problem: the light meter only works when the film has not been wound on. Once the film is wound forward and the shutter release is primed, the exposure is locked from the metered scene prior to advancing the film. Any suggestions?

[@kamilsuchocki8576]

Light meter calibration in Nikon EM?

[@tagejaxy]

Thankyou for great videos, would you consider making a video about replacement of the ribbons in a Contax II/Kiev shutter, there are some guides to doing this, but I would like very much to see one of your detailed closeup videos about this repair as I recently have aquired one of theese fine old rangefinders with that problem.

[@tanphan1356]

so touching for an excellent video

[@Jose-rm5hj]

excelente video,,, gracias por compartir tus conocimiento y tu preciado tiempo

[@user-yl3yx9sj1q]

I have almost the same problem on fe2, but the black needle does not go upper than 1/500 (the rest range is okay and metering itself is precise), so the problem is with the foam as in your video? Thanks!

[@tilica5353]

Great work . Thank you for ideea and yours videos .

[@JohnLoganMcKee03]

That was very useful for me, Thanks.

[@FixOldCameras]

Very good to hear. Again thanks to you for your interest and patience.

[@tonyhomsi2245]

Does the Fe share a similar repair ?

[@seif1080]

Tried this on a Fe but nothing changes, is it possible that there is another way to fix this issue ?

[@burstongreye7090]

Could this be the problem with my fe2, the black Needle doesn't move and when I got the camera it had degraded foam on the mirror, could it possibly have stuck to the metering needle as well.. Thanks in advance

[@FixOldCameras]

It is a slim possibility that a stray piece of degraded foam found its way in the housing of galvanometer. It is doubtful though.

[@ifthebeltiscrackedor]

Hi Do you have an advice on why my FG-20 is un-sharp in the viewfinder? Ok I think it's dropped. Can I fix it? Can a repairshop fix it?

[@FixOldCameras]

There is no diopter adjustment so it would have to be a misaligned reflex mirror or an improperly aligned or positioned VF screen

[@JYMMY055]

Successfully done! Thanks so much!!

[@danielcalado21]

Great videos! Wondefull idea! Keep up the good work!

[@mamiyapress]

Another great video.

[@nattanontavonthammarit4855]

Will this solution works with fg-20?

[@lunaaelius6354]

I can’t see the foam in mine??? I tried to poke around the general area you did in your video but my light meter is still stuck 😞😭😭 How can I fix this??

[@FixOldCameras]

If it is not hanging up on the foam needle bumper and is still not moving at all than galvanometer might have failed as a unit.

[@tomheckhaus7617]

Wonderful video as always. Wish I had a sticky EM LOL..

[@FixOldCameras]

Thank you.

[@hawaiimusicmage8711]

Does the needle need to work for the camera to work?

[@FixOldCameras]

The meter needle will not activate until the counter as reached one. The camera might work with out meter indication. See if the shutter slows way down if you fire the camera with the lens cap on and the counter dial past one.

[@josephdorsey2684]

I was about to take apart my EM to free the needle, then read the reply about the counter needing to be at one for it to activate. Game changer! Needle activates! Haven’t used my EM in over 25 years and forgot that step. THANK YOU!

[@jpicc1113]

I have an FE 2 that only fires on M 250 and B... I replaced the batteries and it still doesn't work. It doesn't meter at all....please help

[@FixOldCameras]

+Joseph Piccirillo Often times there will be a slight film of corrosion that is nearly indiscernible on the inside of the battery lid. Try lightly scrapping the lid and cleaning with isopropyl alcohol.

[@ifthebeltiscrackedor]

Well this is what this vid is trying to show. Didi you comment without even look at the clip or?

[@andrewreynolds1217]

Interesting. My EM behaves like this, I just presumed it was a loose wire inside. As soon as I can track down a suitable screwdriver I will have to take a look.

[@FixOldCameras]

A strong possibility you will find this issue to be the cause... probably worth a look.

[@andrewreynolds1217]

So I followed the procedure, the foam next to the needle was pretty bad. Got out as much as I could without damaging anything and there is some improvement... I just need to be patient with the meter in this particular camera. Thanks for the help.

[@FixOldCameras]

It is a delicate procedure. Maybe a long super thin sewing needle would safely remove what foam remains. Or leave well enough alone, as you suggest, and give the camera a very gentle tap to break the needle free.

[@haiyuezhang3659]

My EM has jumpy needle (points to 1000) when changing aperture to f2.8. In my case I fixed it by rotating the aperture ring back and forth a couple dozen times.

[@ThirdEye105]

Thanks for sharing!

[@bluebagski]

Fantastic video.......

[@FixOldCameras]

Thank you so much for your interest in Fix Old Cameras videos.