Olympus 35 LC

[Jerry1963]

I picked up a 35DC and 35LC at a camera auction recently. I have just started trying out the 35LC, which seems to be a really nice camera... much larger than the DC, but with a nice looking Zuiko 42mm f/1.7 lens and body wise, pretty much in mint condition..

I have replaced the battery with a modern equivalent and while the meter needle does move, it would appear that the meter is totally useless and seems to be completely out of calibration. So I have been taking a few shots using the sunny 16 rule. The other problem seems to be shutter speeds below 1/30th, sometimes these will work and other times they wont. I am guessing there is some sort of spring mechanism in the lens for the slower speeds as you hear a slight buzzing when you set the shutter to slow speeds.

Does anyone have any experience of these cameras? I would be interested in your thoughts.

When I get through this first film, I'll post a couple of images up.

Jerry

 

[murpograph]

I never had a 35 LC. Never the less I found out that it needs mercury cells for the meter. Hearing aid cells (zinc-air) would do the job as well. Silver-oxide or alkaline-cells not if the meter isn't calibrated to 1,5 V. Regarding the shutter-issue and a complete cla I would recommend to get contact with Frank Timmann at Hamburg (www.om-doktor.de). I think he speaks english and he is the man who knows almost everything about the older olympus rangefinders and he is as well able to re-calibrate the meter generally and even to 1,5 V-cells.

Regards

Udo

 

[valdas]

I bought one last summer. Amazing camera/lens - very sharp, even wide open.

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[Rodchenko]

Very handsome beast. If the SP didn't exist, the LC would likely have my heart.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

There's a firm in Luton that specialise in Olympus cameras. Luton Camera repairs of somesuch.

Regards, David

 

[Jerry1963]

Well despite the meter not working, I had some reasonable results using sunny 16. This is one of the images from the first roll.


Jerry004 by Fotoaday, on Flickr

 

[Rodchenko]

I like that.

I note that the LC is the second camera (after the LE and before the SP, SPn & UC) to have the G.Zuiko 42/1.7 lens that I so love.

To clarify: The S & SC had a 42/1.8, the DC & RD had an F.Zuiko 40/1.7.

 

[farlymac]

Good results, Jerry. You had a nice model, too.

PF

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Good picture, fur and large areas of white are the acid test and that came through with flying colours.

Looks like you should now be thinking about getting the meter up and working...

Regards, David

 

[Jerry1963]

I think you are right David... I'll be checking out Luton Cameras as you kindly recommended.


Jerry

 

[kontrabass888]

I just bought a Olympus 35 LC recently, the light meter moves but it is not accurate at all. It doesn't matter 1.5v or zink air 1.35v battery, the results were the same. The sensitivity of this light meter will fade out from low light to high light. which means in extremely low light, it works almost correct, but when the subject become brighter I must adjust to higher ISO to compensate, finally, in the bright day light, when the ISO is set at 800 iso, the light meter will function as 25 iso film.
Does anyone know, either it is because the sensor is too old or some connection problem?

 

[jajong]

As the meter seems to work in a regular sort of way (not erratically), it might help to move the aperture ring to and fro for a few minutes to remove residue on the contacts inside the lens barrel. Do the same with the speed setting ring.
It might help.

Cheers,
Jan

 

[Solinar]

An old thread - but just wanted to add a photo from this camera.


SnowyUte

I rewired the light meter circuit on mine to by pass the black button. The meter is on as soon as the lens cap is removed.