Oly 35 DC question regarding "F" button below

[raytoei@gmail.com]

Hi,

I just received my 35DC from the mail and wanted to check with fellow Oly 35 DC owners who have the version of the DC with the (F)ree Lock button on the bottom of the camera (there is another version of the DC with the Battery Check button next to the RF window):

a. Does the button below, allow you to shoot at slower speeds ? ie. Does it allow you to shoot at the red zone ?
When I press & hold the button and half-press the shutter release, the aperture / speed seem to hover around f8 and 1/125. When I dry fire, the speed is too fast to be a <1/15.

I checked the manual, it clearly mentions that shutter speed is 1/15 - 1/500. The only mention of the "F"ree lock button is to allow the film to advance when inserting a new roll in a dark place...

So, then what is the purpose of the button ?

raytoei