My first rangefinder: An Olympus 35 SP!

[AFenvy]

I just put my first roll of film through my new to me Olympus 35 SP, and having never used a rangefinder before, the entire experience was a new one! I do like how quick and easy it is to frame up and focus (although I need to work on nailing focus), and the 42mm focal length seems perfect for everything.

Here are some shots from my first roll, taken on Fuji Pro 160s film.

You can view the entire set here as well: http://www.flickr.com/photos/svenskaaeroplan/sets/72157627100349806/

 

[FalseDigital]

Welcome to lifetime addiction. 😛

 

[Greyscale]

Good stuff. I especially like shot 5 above.

 

[LKeithR]

Good stuff. I especially like shot 5 above.

Yeah, No. 5 caught my eye right away as well. Talk about seeing the small stuff and making the most of it...

 

[Bill58]

Congrats--you got a really good one for your 1st RF.

 

[Bingley]

Nice shots, and you did get a good one!

 

[AFenvy]

Thanks guys! I really enjoyed shooting with it. I heard the lens on the SP was not to be missed, and I am convinced that it's reputation is well deserved. I am already wanting to try out some other rangefinders and the some of the other great glass that is available for them...

 

[matthewm]

Awesome! I just picked up an Olympus 35RC and an SP, but preferred the smaller size of the RC so I let the SP go. I took one test roll with it to assure the buyer it worked properly and had to talk myself out of keeping it.

Besides, I needed some new kicks for running (read: trimming the fat, literally) so the SP had to go.

I loved your shots. The first is great as is the third. It's amazing how accurate that little meter is on that camera. Well done!

Can't wait to see some more of your work.

Give the RC a shot if you can find one. It's VERY small, much more so than the SP. Great little camera.

Regards
Matthew

 

[Brian Legge]

One warning with the 35RC (and 35RD) - the aperture ring is flush against the body. If you shoot in manual most of the time this can be really annoying. I end up taking the SP out over the others purely for ergonomic reasons though all of the cameras are great. If the 35RD had a lever for the aperture

 

[nikon_sam]

I have the older version of this camera...the Olympus 35-S II and it has the same lens although just a bit slower the SP has a 1.7 and the S has the 1.8

I've found one in great shape complete with the case for $80...
This place also has a few other cameras too...one is an Olympus Pen F with the 38mm 1.8 lens...the best price I can get it for is $120 BUT it would need service on the body and lens...they also have a few Yashica Rangefinders too...
My problem is deciding which one I would want/use and should I buy any of them...then they also have a EL-Nikkor 80mm 5.6 enlarging lens for around $50...mounted on a Beseler board...how perfect is that...😎
I don't know what to do....:bang:

Getting back to that SP...it's in great shape, the lens is perfect and everything works...crap...

 

[AFenvy]

One warning with the 35RC (and 35RD) - the aperture ring is flush against the body. If you shoot in manual most of the time this can be really annoying. I end up taking the SP out over the others purely for ergonomic reasons though all of the cameras are great. If the 35RD had a lever for the aperture

The ASA dial is broken on my camera, so I had to read the meter, compensate in my head, and set the exposure myself. The EV scale on the lens really came in handy, and since the SP is the only such rangefinder that will meter in manual mode, I wouldn't have been able to do that otherwise.

 

[btgc]

since the SP is the only such rangefinder that will meter in manual mode, I wouldn't have been able to do that otherwise.

You mean - only from Olympus FL RF's? Because there are Ricoh 500G/GX and some others, metering in manual mode.

 

[jan normandale]

IIRC I purchased an Olympus 35 RC as my first film rangefinder. It's a great all round camera.

 

[shadowfox]

Welcome to lifetime addiction. 😛

+1

The RF force is strong with Olympus... you have been warned 😀