Oly 35 RD Question

[Seoulseb]

Got my hands on a 35 RD a few weeks back. Of course it needed to be serviced so had the blades cleaned up and the light seals replaced. Something weird though, I noticed that when I open the aperture blades full at 1.7 then switch them to 16, they don't automatically close. I need to turn the focus ring to get the blades to close completely, then push the shutter button slowly to get them to open to th readjusted aperture setting. This is needed no matter what aperture setting I select actually. Is this normal? I already ran a roll of film through it and all but a couple turned out fine. Not sure if it was my fault or the cameras. Should I bring it back to my repair guy?

 

[btgc]

Did you proceed with aperture stop-down procedure you described for each shot? Do this happend only in Tv mode or also in manual mode?

Also, can you tell more on "had the blades cleaned up"? My limited experience shows aperture gets really snappy after complete tear down and cleaning each individual blade, and slightest resistance may affect AE system. Sure, it depends on implementation and some cameras have stronger spring and some have weaker - I do not have experience with 35RD, but Konica Auto S2 is rather sensitive to how clean aperture blades are. What I'm saying is true for Tv mode, if aperture drags in manual mode this can mean it's really dirty...or add something else to equation.

 

[Seoulseb]

I had a full CLA done to the camera. Yes I tried it at every aperture setting and the blades don't retract back to their closed position unless I rotate the focus ring. When I take my finger off the shutter button the blades stay open. This doesn't seem right to me.

 

[btgc]

I had a full CLA done to the camera. Yes I tried it at every aperture setting and the blades don't retract back to their closed position unless I rotate the focus ring. When I take my finger off the shutter button the blades stay open. This doesn't seem right to me.

Sounds like something isn't right. As there's no TTL focusing I see no need to keep aperture open until exposure happens. Though 35RC has simpler two blade aperture and it is kep at smallest aperture f/22 and starts to open only when one starts to press release - jus to show blades not on all shutters are kept at position, corresponding to one set on dial.

I think it's definitely worth to hear from people owning 35RD model. If exposures are fine, probably it just works that way - though focus ring aspect bothers me.

 

[OlympusRF]

I've fixed several 35 RD's, it seems that it wasn't properly CLA'd:
The camera have an tall shaft that can be easily bend, and usually that's what happens when it is not in the perfect position. The blades aperture are controlled by the shaft and when you turn the focus ring you slide the shaft through the aperture control zone and it goes to the correct position. It happened to me also the first times I've repaired my first RD, and I had to reopen several times until I get it right. I also had some trouble because there is an repair guide that I followed that is very nice (http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/oly35rdcleaning.html), but it misses one important step that can make you brake the Shutter activation arm. (red arrow).

 

[Seoulseb]

Now I'm in doubt that there is a problem. The playing around I was doing with the F stops was done without cocking the shutter. I finally got the film out of there and was able to test it out properly. So after selecting the aperture and pressing the shutter half way the blades open to their correct position. I take the shot and the blades stay open. Then I cock the shutter again and the blades close completely then open again after depressing the shutter half way. So basically after the shot is taken the blades stay open until I cock the shutter. Is this normal for the RD?

 

[OlympusRF]

yes it is normal