Oly 35RC: any love?

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squirrel$$$bandit

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I just bought a 35RC at an antique shop for $17...haven't tried the meter yet, but the shutter works at all speeds, and I can't believe how tiny it is! What a cool little camera. Seals are intact (but sticky--will replace) and it came with a neat little Olympus brand skylight filter attached.

So where's the love? Is this lens satisfactory? (The 42mm f/2.8.) Care to post some pics?

The best part--the thing that sold me--is that the covering is coming off. YES!! Now I get to pick something from cameraleather. Suggestions, please!
 
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The Oly 35RC is an excellent little camera. Lens is very sharp with great colour rendition, meter (if working) is very accurate, and the shutter is whisper quiet. More advanced than the Trip 35, better lens (IMHO) than the XA, smaller than its 35 series family members. My favourite classic Japanese rangefinder.

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the rc was my first 'good' camera.
i bought it new for about 90 bucks american and i still have it.
i had it cla'd a few years ago.
i have an original olympus uv filter on it and lens hood. (iirc)

it's a great little camera and the lens is pretty sharp.
it's my only and last film camera.
 
I like to shoot manual, and find the aperture ring small and fiddly. And the meter is uncoupled. And the filter ring on mine is dented. And the hood is bent a bit. And the slowest speed is 1/15. I often think I really should dump it.

Then I shoot it, look at the results.

And keep it.

Shot with RC on Adox CHS 100, Rodinal 1:100.

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Well, I just replaced the seals (somewhat tricky) and cleaned everything. It's in great shape! I am airing out a Wein cell at the moment and will give it a whirl tomorrow.

I just wrote to Aki-Asahi...does he do this camera? It's not on his list, but his sample page is littered with cameras not on his list, like the Pen FT. I like his coverings better than Morgan's...or at least his current selections.
 
The lens is very good- five elements carefully set in a one-piece fixture, with the aperture behind the lens. Probably allowed more precise fitting. Olympus optics are first rate. The mechanics of the body are not as good as other cameras that I have worked on. But mine delivered first-rate shots, and got about $100 on Ebay.
 
Welp, got the meter working! Several things I am hugely delighted about with this camera: 1) actual SHUTTER SPEED DIAL on TOP! 2) aperture AND shutter speed in the viewfinder! 3) AE with ISO 800! This means I can use my favorite color film, Pro800Z.

Plus, it has that cutaway in the bottom plate...I didn't understand the point when I was cleaning it, then I dropped a roll of film in. AWESOME! What a beautifully designed little camera. I have a long walk planned for tomorrow and it is definitely coming along...
 
I personally think the RC is very cute, but I don't really like it. Really noticeable pincushion distortion, weird mechanics and a slow lens, also low ASA range.

The Pincushion distortion is the deal breaker for me. Otherwise the lens is very sharp.
 
Update: really digging this camera. The covering was peeling off all over the place, so I stuck on some grey griptac--and kudos to Morgan, he was super fast with the covering this time.

First, naked:
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And now with the new grey!
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The RC is a perfect street shooting machine. The aperture ring is much better than the ring of the 35RD. The speed dial on the top is great to handle. I use the RC only without battery, so the manual controls are important for me.

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The lens performance is great:
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I like mine very much. Good, sharp picture quality and I like the look of it. It has some advanced features for flash photography. The apperture is set according to the subject's distance and the guide number of the flash. I am using zinc-air hearing aid batteries with some copper wire to power it's light meter. Setting the apperture manually is a bit uncomfortable, but what can we expect from such a small package that can also be used in full manual mode. Good camera and definately recommended form my side. Especially for someone who is interested in getting started with rangefinder photography on a budget. Nitza reported, that it is a good tool for street work. I would not deny that. If you can get a working one for a good price (~20-30 bucks), it's more than worth it. Definately a keeper in my collection, as it is put to use from time to time. Enough praise for today. :)
 
I did a reseal even before I ran a roll through it. That is a first for me. I like my 35RC but not enough to buy another. I really don't like a few things but I live with them. I does take great pictures, but get in the habit of checking the battery. Those air-zinc batteries don't last long. And think about a neck strap (Domkes are great for it).

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You can see a lot of 'love' for 35 RC, including drama, suspense, anticipation, and a long trek across the world. :)

Go to the RFF Projects sub-forum and look up Traveling camera project. Still to be concluded early next year.
 
charjohncarter said:
I did a reseal even before I ran a roll through it.
Click to expand...

Me too, actually, and it's a rather more complicated reseal than your average camera. Mine ended up being in great shape otherwise, though.

Quick question about the shutter--it's a leaf shutter, correct? That is, it isn't horizontal travel, but an aperture-like configuration?

fdigital said:
Really noticeable pincushion distortion, weird mechanics and a slow lens, also low ASA range...The Pincushion distortion is the deal breaker for me. Otherwise the lens is very sharp.
Click to expand...

You are right about the pincushion distortion, but so far it doesn't bother me too much.
 
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