A Super short Review of the Olympus 35RD

[raytoei@gmail.com]

I received my Olympus 35RD about 2 weeks ago and I got it back yesterday
after a Clean, Adjust and Lubricate (CLA). I shot a roll yesterday while I was
wandering around in Chinatown for about 20 minutes.

This is a much coveted compact rangefinder. Good examples of this camera
go for about 200 - 300 USD depending on the condition. One reason why it is much
in demand is because it is small and compact, has a fast f.zuiko 40mm f1.7 lens and is
mechanical as well as providing shutter priority.

This camera is only slightly larger than the smallest Olympus 35 RF camera, the 35RC.
But unlike the 35RC which is limited to 1/15 sec as well as sporting a relatively slower
f2.8 lens, the 35RD goes down to 1/2 sec and shares the same speed as the 42mm g.zuiko
found on the much larger 35SP sibling.

Also, the 35RD meter is within the lens filter enclosure like the RC, this makes filter
compensation easier, the 35SP requires you to manually calculate the compensation if a
colored filter is used, as the meter lies outside of the lens filter area.

The 40mm f1.7 lens was very popular with Minolta Hi-Matic 7Sii and Yashica GSN adopting this lens as well
as the smaller Olympus 35RD. The f.zuiko is supposedly not as good as the g.zuiko found in the 35SP or 35 SPN
model. But frankly, I find all zuiko lens to be very good and sharp.

The camera uses manual exposure as well as Shutter priority like the Hi-Matic 7Sii, in shutter priority you select the
shutter speed and the camera will select the best aperture to fit the exposure. I find this quite novel as I have
only used aperture priority previously. During the hot weather yesterday, I found that I tend to select lowest
hand-held speed in Shutter Priority, eg. 1/60or 1/125, which resulted in very narrow apertures (f11 / f8) which
gave very sharp pictures.

Here are some pictures from yesterday:

Camera: Olympus 35RD
Film: Polypan f ISO 50
Developer: Rodinal stand for 40mins with mid-point agitation.

Thanks for Viewing.

FIN

raytoei

(i previously posted a review of the 35DC, this is similar to the RD except
that the DC is auto-exposure camera, the only user intervention is focusing)

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

Was trying to figure out the lack of DOF on the 35RD,
found out something interesting:

the Distance Ring markings on the 35RD correspond to the DOF at f8:

on the ring M - 0.85 - 1 - 1.2 - 1.5 - 2 - 3 - 5 - Infinity
using DOF master.com:

focus 1.0m at f8 -> dof is 0.87 to 1.17 , ring is 0.85 to 1.2
focus 1.2m at f8 -> dof is 1.02 to 1.45 , ring is 1.00 to 1.5
focus 1.5m at f8 -> dof is 1.23 to 1.92 , ring is 1.20 to 2.0
focus 2.0m at f8 -> dof is 1.55 to 2.83 , ring is 1.50 to 3.0
focus 3.0m at f8 -> dof is 2.08 to 5.40 , ring is 2.00 to 5.0
focus 5.0m at f8 -> dof is 2.87 to 19.5 , ring is 3.0 to INF

so i can use hyperfocal distance focusing if i focus at f8 using the focus ring markings as
a guide to the DOF.

raytoei

 

[charjohncarter]

I never really thought about DOF with my RC as I usually use it in the Auto (shutter priority mode). To me it is a P&S with some optional adjustments. But for $10 and a CLA it is my go to camera. I hope you enjoy it. The build quality and the tiny rings are a minus on the RC, but the FlashMatic is a plus. I find as I'm sure you do the meter is very good. I guess I'm not a DOF guy, although I like it when I have to use it.

 

[gwg]

Thanks for the useful review! Was thinking of replacing my Yashica 35 GSN with it, for when I don't want to take a Leica or SLR along. Is there a noticable size difference?

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

6 x 3-5/8 x 3" vs 4 1/2" x 2 3/4" x 2 1/4"

 

[gwg]

Thank you - that is quite a difference!

 

[conradyiu]

I like RD, but still can't find one without the sticky shutter issue.....

 

[conradyiu]

Today, I got a RD, seller said it's without sticky shutter issue which I'm not sure it will become sticky again or not.
Sad that there is a big dent on the top cover which not known till I got the RD .... Should I return it ?

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

you should post a picture here...anyway, sticky issue will always happen, then it needs a cla every few years. it is the dna of the oly 35rd.

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

"You are never too old to check women out"
Hexar AF or Oly 35RD with Fomapan 400@200

 

[btgc]

Today, I got a RD, seller said it's without sticky shutter issue which I'm not sure it will become sticky again or not.
Sad that there is a big dent on the top cover which not known till I got the RD .... Should I return it ?

If dent weren't mentioned, I'd say return unless you got it for disposable money (which varies from one to other, right). Dents on cameras don't happen because of air pressure and who knows what other issues it may have. Chance is there's nothing beyond cosmetics but I'm not promising anything.

As for sticky shutter, it's like buing car without service records. Either seller has done service or buyer will have to do it. One can drive car and hope it will run without service next ten years just because it did on arrival, but laws of physics are working even if you ignore them. Deal with issue instead of tossing it, it will not disappear just because you don't like it.

 

[conradyiu]

Thanks for yours advice, I will negotiate with the seller. First time I deal with this kind of issue here with our member....
Till now I understand the sticky shutter issue will happen again even if we do a CLA.... really sad for all RD

 

[zuiko85]

It is embarrassing but I've had my RC for a year and still have not put film through it. Too many cameras, too little time.

 

[btgc]

Till now I understand the sticky shutter issue will happen again even if we do a CLA.... really sad for all RD

Why should it happen again? I think many old cameras have lube migrated from helicoid to blades just because of properties of lube they used back then. If it's serviced and modern lube applied sparingly, it should give you years and years of trouble-free use. Unless you put it into working oven, heat for days in a closed car under open sun or torture it similar ways...