35SPn (plus Pen EES-2), did I waste my money?

[ludoo]

Last week I was looking in the window of the camera repair shop in front of my office -- which usually only has a couple of uninteresting SLRs on display -- when I spotted an Oly RF and a Pen EES-2. I asked if they were for sale, and after some hesitation ("they are crappy cameras, probably don't work, look at this nice Contaflex instead, ...") the guy behind the counter told me that if I really wanted them they were about 30-40 euros each, that he was going to check them and to come back after a few days.

In the meantime I did some research, and found out that the Oly RF on display is the not very common 35SPn. Not a black one (that would have been too much luck), and a bit scruffy looking, but perfectly functional especially since the repairman checked everything and fixed the frame counter which was the only not working thing.

So this morning I came away 70 euros lighter (40 for the SPn, 30 for the Pen). Crappy pic from my cellphone:

I think I got the 35SPn for pretty cheap, and paid the Pen EES-2 slightly more than it's worth, but overall I'm really happy for my purchase. What do you think?

 

[zuikologist]

That's a super bargain for two working cameras. Let's see some photos soon.

 

[ludoo]

Thanks!

Well, they are already loaded with APX100 but the Pen will take a while at 72 shots per roll. 🙂

 

[Trius]

It's a good deal, especially since both have been checked out by a technician. BTW, as far as I know the 35SPn came only in chrome. The 35 SP and the UC were available in black, but I've never seen a black SPn. I could be wrong.

 

[ludoo]

The 35SPn lens has a very slight play, probably a fraction of a millimeter. I would not even had noticed it if I had not got a wobbly Konica Auto S2 a while ago, and got fixated on lens wobble since then.

Is it normal for this camera?

Edit: answered my own question.

 

[Jonas Adolfsen]

Olympus 35 SP

Olympus 35 SP

If you like the normal 42mm lenses while shooting i think you made a good deal. I happened to find an old 35 SP in my storage a few weeks ago, and it's great (Except for the fact that i prefer wide angle lenses and find it hard to shoot with the 42mm).

The SPn probably has the same Zuiko f1.7 as the SP and its sharp all the way. Just shoot your 72 frames and enjoy it. Here is a couple of examples:

 

[Trius]

The SP, SPn and UC all have the same lens formula. There may have been some slight changes in glass or coating, I don't know.

A tiny bit of wobble is common if not "standard"; I am certain it doesn't affect results. The lens is not tack sharp at 1.7, but isn't a slouch, either. I haven't done my own controlled tests, but it seems like performance is at its peak by f4.