Oly 35SP for OM shooter

I have a black Olympus 35 SP. I find that I don't use it that much. In terms of build quality and handling my M3 is much closer to the OM (or I guess I should say it the other way around). The ergonomics are pretty great, it's a very attractive camera and takes great photos, but usually if I want to carry a rangefinder I'm going to be carrying my M3 and on the non-M3 days, I tend to be carrying my OM for something different.

The two things I like least about the camera are the plastic feel of the lens (it's very smooth but doesn't seem solid) and the way the advance lever sort of flops around loosely (I know it was done that way on purpose, to be able to sort of rest your thumb there, but it isn't my cup of tea). The things I like best about the camera are the nice bright viewfinder and the really easy to use meter, except when I have trouble seeing it (for some reason my eyes don't want to focus that close sometimes, maybe I'm getting old?).

I usually find that with black and white I would like a little more contrast than the lens normally gives and have to do more in post-processing than I do with my Leica lens (50mm Summicron). I have finally gotten a 49mm filter (green) for the 35 SP and am looking forward to seeing results with it. The lens is extremely sharp and I have no other complaints about it.

A black and white photo taken with my black 35 SP and Tri-X 400:

69873461.xHdldT2d.solo_fortfun_sp_1.jpg


A color photo taken with a borrowed 35 SPn and Walgreens 400 color film (the Fuji stuff):

70011636.hKPBmz7I.spn_10.jpg
 
Igor.Burshteyn said:
......Oly 35SP. Is it really that good? Will OM1 shooter be at home with its ergonomics? How that lens on 35SP compares to OM 50mm with regard to sharpness? And finally those that happen to own both OM1 and 35SP - do you use both equally or favour one of them while other is sitting in the shelf?
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I will understand your question in the famework that you are not asking what is better, either the OM1 with a 50/1.8 or an SP with its 42mm fixed lens. Otherwise we will be having a chat like strap or wirst, RF or SLR.

Rather, the abovementioned options may complement each other, according to what will you be shooting.

Within the single lens approach, in my very subjective viewpoint, the 42mm SP lens focal lenght is a more economic, compact, and straighforward way to avoid the 35~70 zoom. This is not the case with the 50mm, which mathematically is more on the center. With the 50mm lens you have no lurk to moderate wide angle. The 40 or 42mm lens can compete in the same grounds as the 35mm lens and the 50 mm altogether.

With the Sp, most of the chances are that you will be focusing faster, or easier, than with the 50/1.8, due to the winning combination of good yellow patch and focusing lever of the SP.

SPot metering is another advantage against the centerweight metering of the OM1. And a much quieter shutter too.

So within this lines, regarding your OM1+50 as a fixed lens combo, instead of the basis of an slr MODULAR SYSTEM, and provided you do not shoot closer than 80cm. you may find if the SP better answers or complements your shooting, or not. Besides there is allways the possibility that you will subjectivly more comfortable with the rangefinder, than with SLR. Or more comfortable with the SP than with the OM1.

Ergonomicaly, the SP is perfect. The OM shooter will find itself at the same Maitani home.

Cheers,
Ruben
 
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Well, folks. Thanks a lot for your help in struggling this GAS attack. We didn't succeed and lost this case, together. It's 11:25pm local time, I am sitting in front of a nice 35SP. It's a beauty, and it's mine. It's not any near to mint - user camera - but: meter is spot on, optics are pristine, auto mode is ok, all speeds sound positively correct. I got it with original case and paper work for $40. Now it's loaded with film and waits for action. It won't be simple - I have already kiev 4 and electro 35. One of them must go - too many cameras - and kiev doesn't go, for sure. So it will be fight 35SP - Electro 35.
 
quick snapshot of 35sp taken by digicam of my collegue (can not beat that digi for speed). I hope I will finish film soon and have some results by 35sp to post here.
 

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I LOVE the case !

PS:
Although for most of my cameras I have to build my own so that they fit with a hood mounted on the lens ("EVER READY")
 
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Henry

The girl does not have enough soft toys or photos, buy mum a book on making soft toys and a bulk film loader.

Noel
 
Xmas said:
Henry

The girl does not have enough soft toys or photos, buy mum a book on making soft toys and a bulk film loader.

Noel
Click to expand...


HENRY !
I forgot to tell you the most important: What a beautiful daughter you have ! My heart gets out to be at your home with my TLRs!

PS
Noel, excuss me for ridding on your postl.🙂
 
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