Any Olympus RD opinions?

[dmr]

Say, a local guy here, a FOAF, actually, caught wind that I was looking for a rangefinder and has an Olympus RD. He says it has a 1.7 40mm lens, similar to the Canonet QL. I'm gonna go take a look at it Sunday.

Anyway, does anybody know of any red flags on this one? I'm assuming this is the same vintage as the Canonet.

Any opinions, good or bad?

I do have an Olympus Stylus 35mm point and shoot that I do like, and my one brother had an Olympus SLR (OM1?) and he liked it so I am kinda familiar with the brand but really don't know this model.

Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. 🙂

 

[aizan]

get it, even if it has sticky shutter blades.

 

[JohnM]

Very good cameras - have had several and still have one in half-restored condition. It's very similar in design and performance as the Canonet. The Canonet has a brighter viewfinder, but the RD seems more ergonomically 'perfect' to my hands.

The caveat is the shutter blades - give them a good looking over before you buy. The blades are prone to sticking as the grease used to dampen the focusing ring leaks onto the shutters. They are prone to needing CLA's to clean those blades - it is a miserable do-it-yourself job that I would not recommend.

Nice, nice camera.

 

[Russ]

The Canonet GIII Ql-17 lens is very overrated. The Oly RD lens is much better. Grab it!

Russ

 

[DougK]

I have no experience with the RD but I have nothing but good things to say about the Olympus cameras I own. I'd say go for it.

 

[dmr]

Wow, thanks for the quick replies, gang. 🙂 🙂

Let me tell you, this forum is SUPER for no-nonsense advice and such. I just got in, posted the question, blinked my eyes, and all of a sudden got several answers!

Thanks again, everybody. If this looks decent and he doesn't want too much I may just grab it! 🙂

 

[Russ]

Wow, thanks for the quick replies, gang. 🙂 🙂

Let me tell you, this forum is SUPER for no-nonsense advice and such. I just got in, posted the question, blinked my eyes, and all of a sudden got several answers!

Thanks again, everybody. If this looks decent and he doesn't want too much I may just grab it! 🙂

Yeah, this and the members of this forum are great! They must be, they put up with mine and Harold's shenanigans! In my previous post, I wasn't trying to imply that the Canon GIII QL-17 was not all that good. It's just my opinion that it's overrated. I like mine. If you come across a deal on the Oly RC, go for that one too. it's very good.

KK

 

[dmr]

Yeah, this and the members of this forum are great! They must be, they put up with mine and Harold's shenanigans!

Let me tell you, this place seems to be the rose among the thorns of internet forums. (fora?) Even that thread on security and such, which would degenerate into a shouting match over on Usenet, is remaining quite civil.

In my previous post, I wasn't trying to imply that the Canon GIII QL-17 was not all that good. It's just my opinion that it's overrated. I like mine. If you come across a deal on the Oly RC, go for that one too. it's very good.

I understood what you mean. I did get sniped on the local Olympus, meaning somebody else offered far more than I wanted to pay. Then, yesterday, I made a bid on a GIII on Ebay, like I've been doing off and on, and I expected to get outbid yet again in the last minutes but I got it. So, in a few days it looks like I'll be a member of the Rangefinder Club again. 🙂

 

[zuikologist]

Excellent. Hope you enjoy the GIII. This forum seems to breed civil behaviour - quite rare in cyberland, where "anonymity" and distance seems to bring out the worst in some people.

 

[bmattock]

I have an RD. Like many of them (I'm told), it had a stuck shutter. Got it overhauled - not cheap. But man the thing is like new and has a GREAT lens. Easily one of my favorite fixed-lens rangefinders.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[dmr]

Excellent. Hope you enjoy the GIII.

Thank you. What I'm gonna try to do is to just carry it around instead of the Olympus Stylus point-and-shoot that I carry around now. That will most likely give me a real good feel for it.

This forum seems to breed civil behaviour - quite rare in cyberland, where "anonymity" and distance seems to bring out the worst in some people.

It is a very refreshing change. One other thing I am noticing more and more are that we have people from literally all over the world on here, as opposed to being mostly from the US, as it seems like in most of the other forums I am on.

 

[zuikologist]

Long may the RFF spirit continue.

The GIII is slightly large for a pocket but a good fit for a bag or backpack. I am looking for a decent case for mine, as the original has disintegrated and is shedding pieces into the camera. Other RFF members have recommended ZING cases, which I have not yet investigated.

 

[ruben]

I own one RD, two RC's and on SP. The f/stop ring of the RD is quite thin, considering it is located immediately besides the body. And in MY case it is a bit hard to turn.

Therefore, DMR436, I strongly advice you to carefully check how do you feel about it in the particular camera you may buy.

Otherwise I support any abovementioned positive opinions.

Kind Regards,
Ruben

 

[Monz]

I have two RDs, a Canonet QL 17 and an Olympus SP. Both RDs developed sticky shutter blades soon after purchase and quotes for professional repair was high (about 60 UK pounds, around 100 dollars). The camera is very nice to handle and the lens is good and I'd say similar in quality to the one in the QL. The lens in the SP has one more element (ie 7) butI have not noticed much difference in quality cf RD/QL.

Kind regards.

--
MOnz

 

[ben lloyd]

Ooh, I have one (RD) with jammed shutter (sticky blades?). Can anyone point me anywhere online with DIY instructions for sorting this, I'm loath to jump in and make a total hash of it.

Cheers

 

[Ralf]

I have a RD and enjoy it very much as my carry around camera. I have large hands abd fingers which does make it a bit tricky with the aperture ring. I had mine CLA and seals replaced here in Australia for about $40 USD. I had sticky blades. Works like a dream now.

I also like the flashmatic option even though I tend not to use flash.

 

[Kim Coxon]

Ooh, I have one (RD) with jammed shutter (sticky blades?). Can anyone point me anywhere online with DIY instructions for sorting this, I'm loath to jump in and make a total hash of it.

Cheers

Hi Ben,
If the G'Man doesn't jump in and give you instructions, I will over the weekend. Just a touch busy at the moment with a few things I have promised others.

Regards
Kim

 

[ben lloyd]

Hi Ben,
If the G'Man doesn't jump in and give you instructions, I will over the weekend. Just a touch busy at the moment with a few things I have promised others.

Regards
Kim

Kim,
That would be great, no rush though, its been sitting around for months. Many thanks.
Ben