Black Olympus 35RC?? Ah yes...

[photobizzz]

I have finished my little project. New leather, light seals, fixed meter, new paint. I added a soft shutter release, cleaned the RF/VF, checked the light meter for accuracy.

Quite a pain the paint job, but it is pretty durable. I used a matte black Styernated Alkyd Enamel once I had sanded the chrome down to the brass with emery tape. I like the look.

Please let me know what you think...

I actually have the original hood and close up lens and have a 45mm Olympus push on lens cap for a Pen series camera back in Texas I will attach when I go home in 13 days for R&R from Iraq.

Cheers, Colin

😀 😀

 

[photobizzz]

more photos

more photos

Here are two more photos...

 

[owenreading]

Very impressive. I always wondered what an RC would look like in black. Shame they never made any. It's a bit of a squint looking at those photos, would you be able to post any higher-res ones? Other than that, this will probably make the ultimate mini camera to carry around all the time. Also slightly curious, are you considering painting the lettering in silver? Because that would look *the balls* 😀

 

[jesse1dog]

I'm envious.
Nice job.
Gives me ideas too.
I think I might experiment with the screws - any chance of blackening them using a gun 'blueing' ? Just wonder if you have investigated that process and discarded it.
I do fancy coloured lettering too - perhaps red!
And I wonder if I will ever get round to taking photos!
I agree with 'owenreading' about photo size - bigger to drool over would be nice.
Any any chance of photos of Iraq using the camera?
Probably a daft question!

Best wishes
jesse

 

[capitalK]

Yes looks nice, personally I prefer all-black in rangefiinders. Great job.

 

[OlyMan]

Very impressive. I always wondered what an RC would look like in black. Shame they never made any.

I think they made *some* I'm just not sure the West officially got any. I'm pretty sure I saw one on the net a few weeks ago.

EDIT: here it is: http://www6.ocn.ne.jp/~tomys800/35rc1.jpg found at http://www6.ocn.ne.jp/~tomys800/sub4.html

 

[kuzano]

I think they made *some* I'm just not sure the West officially got any. I'm pretty sure I saw one on the net a few weeks ago.

EDIT: here it is: http://www6.ocn.ne.jp/~tomys800/35rc1.jpg found at http://www6.ocn.ne.jp/~tomys800/sub4.html

The guy who most often knows this type of information... Steve Gandy at Cameraquest has a comment on the 35 RC that "as far as I know, no black RC ever left the factory."--- paraphrased.

 

[Trius]

I am highly doubtful that an RC was ever made in black by Olympus.

Colin: You did a great job. I now officially hate you. 😉

 

[radiocemetery]

Colin,
Nice job on the camera. I did a 35rc in gray with tan pigskin leather, will have to post pics if I ever get a digital camera. Enjoy your R&R.

Steve

 

[photobizzz]

I have the first roll in the camera now and am about 6 into a 36 roll of Kodak BW400CN. I will post a few examples providing I did a good job with the light seals..I was thinking of putting the lettering in red, havent gotten that far yet. The only problem I have with this camera is I had to fix the mechanical contacts that turn on the light meter when you turn the apature ring to "A" and now it works but not on "A" but between "A" and "off" A small thing I guess but I am psycho over small details like that (I used to be a mechanic before the Army) This project completion made me like a black RF so much I got lucky and found a black Bessa-R on BH for $219 and picked that up too! GAS is so tricky, just when you think you have been cured!

 

[clarence]

Excellent job on the camera!

Clarence

 

[ColinW]

Nice baby, you've found my Mojo! 😀

 

[Trius]

GAS is so tricky, just when you think you have been cured!

Cured? Surely you jest!

BWAAAHAAAA HAAAA HAAAA!!!

 

[zuikologist]

Very nice - it looks like a great street camera, small and stealthy.

 

[photobizzz]

Cured? Surely you jest!

BWAAAHAAAA HAAAA HAAAA!!!

I guess I just need to hit the lottery, then I could buy 2 of everything and would have no excuse...LOL

People always like to complain about what they call "gearheads" but I love to take photographs too, I just think it is the kid in all of us (men and women) that loves new toys. I personally find photography to be a much more rewarding hobby/passion than drinking. (although I have been known to love a beer)

😀

 

[Cale Arthur]

I think they made *some* I'm just not sure the West officially got any. I'm pretty sure I saw one on the net a few weeks ago.

EDIT: here it is: http://www6.ocn.ne.jp/~tomys800/35rc1.jpg found at http://www6.ocn.ne.jp/~tomys800/sub4.html

All of the cameras on Tomy's site are re-fin's. Quite beautiful, but not original.. that said, i do really like the hammertone and white Pen F's.

--c--

 

[chubasco]

Love the job you did on this, Colin! What soft shutter release did you use? Trying
to find one on ebay, lots of them for Leica, Nikon, Contax, etc, but none for Oly.

Bill

 

[Durkin]

very nice job. I have this camera too and its definitely my favorite RF. Its so light and easy to take around with you when you go on holiday and stuff.

 

[goldfinga888]

Excellent stuff! (better if the pics were bigger, like it was mentioned before)..
Did you spray the paint on, or paint with a brush?

Cheers, Chris

 

[jaypolaski]

Amazing job! You taking orders? I'm interested 🙂