35SP article

[pete63uk]

Found an old article today on the 35SP. It's from 1997 and might be of interest to the Olympus fans here. I've decided to try and get my SP working and came across it. Interestingly, I paid £50 for mine and thats cheaper than they value them here, old or new. It's a big file so you can read it without going cross eyed.

http://www.pete63.me.uk/35sp.jpg

 

[Roger Vadim]

I love mine, although the metering is annoying. The lens is nice and sharp, with a bit of magic. VF quite good for a fixed RF... Would be perfect if Olympus would have chosen to built it with aperture Priority AE.

Mine also needed a shutter cleaning with lighter fluid. It was worth it!

 

[pete63uk]

I've been through the manual and tried everything and it looks good so far, although it has no battery so that is probably why auto doesn't work and the meter??

I just love it. I love the weight, the feel of it, the timer, everything is just so good. It really reminds me of the OM1 with the whirring mechanics. Beautiful engineering. The lens is fantastic, the rangefinder works well, usable even in poor light. I shall get a battery that fits and try the spot metering. Hopefully all will be well.

I'm off to the south of France in a few weeks and can't wait t use it there. I'll probably get some wierd looks though in this digital age. I have an old flash which looks similar to the flash in the manual, which will make the whole late 60's early 70's package. I'll take one roll of colour and one b&w. I just love this retro feel it gives off. Might even go to the charity shop and get some late 60's clothes to seal the deal. 😀

 

[zuikologist]

Pete - Thanks for sharing. The article is spot on.

Roger - nice photo. A 35SP is definitely worth saving.

 

[Trius]

I find the metering brilliant -- EV is quite efficient and flexible. I was shooting with a 35SP this weekend, and the only thing I wished for was a 28mm stuck on the front of another body, and a 75mm on yet another. You get my drift. 😀

 

[capitalK]

Every time a 35 SP thread comes up I relive having mine swiped from the glovebox of my car. It was a really great little camera and I'm surprised I haven't bought another one yet, instead buying a Bessa and M5.

Keep it safe 😀

 

[Darkhorse]

i'm selling mine on the classifieds 😱

 

[capitalK]

That's the problem, after getting one for $10 including a working mercury battery it's hard for me to pay more than 10x that... even though I totally think it's worth it.

 

[pete63uk]

Got a couple of weincell's on the way so hopefully will be able to report a full working camera soon.

 

[kuvvy]

Pete, I've got just one of those original mercury 625 cells left, still sealed. If you want it. PM me.

 

[capitalK]

Pete, I've got just one of those original mercury 625 cells left, still sealed. If you want it. PM me.

Ooh.. those are like gold wrapped in a candy coating with a gooey toxic middle 😀

 

[pete63uk]

Heres a pic with the minitop flash fitted. It can also stand straight up.

 

[Darkhorse]

Here's the one I have for sale

 

[zuikomaniac]

I just need a black sp...I'll be complete 🙂

 

[zuikologist]

Darkhorse - nice clothes for that SP. I have two of these lovely machines, otherwise I would be making enquiries about this one 🙂

 

[pete63uk]

OK, I have now put a fresh mercury cell in the camera, but the meter doesn't work. If you set the camera to AE, it prevents the shutter firing which it is supposed to, but there is no meter movement in the veiwfinder when pointing the camera towards the subject and no spot metering. Is there a likely simple cause for this or is it a repair job? I have ensured a good battery contact.

 

[mjflory]

i'm selling mine on the classifieds 😱

And I bought it, it's arrived, and it's wonderful! I've run a comparative test of the SP, my wonderful (but unmetered) Olympus 35-S with its 42mm F1.8 lens, and the Rokkor 40/2 on my Leica/Minolta CL, but that should probably be a separate thread.

Pete, thanks for posting the article. Any idea how long ago that appeared?

 

[pete63uk]

Pete, thanks for posting the article. Any idea how long ago that appeared?

1997, it was an article in Amateur Photographer. Page 56, w/ending 13th Sept to be precise.

 

[zuikomaniac]

One of my Oly 35sp and Ricoh 500GX is up for grab on classified