Olympus 35 RC - Missing Part

[Jon6565]

I recently purchased an Olympus 35 RC from a secondhand store. It is actually in very good condition cosmetically; however, the film remind crank assembly is missing. Presently I cannot find a cheap donor of the exact model plus I am in Western Australia, and most are in the States and the postage is expensive. So I am curious if there are other cameras where this may be interchangeable, even the SP/DC/RC models for example. Any thoughts? Thanks

 

[BernardL]

Please be more specific about what is missing.

• Whole assembly including shaft ?
• Cylinder + handle ?
• just the handle ?

And can you post a picture of your camera as received ?

 

[Jon6565]

Hi Bernard and thanks for the reply. Ironically, I don't have it with me. I work on a mine site and I have been cataloguing all of my cameras. Part of this is listing known issues and I know this one has a part missing. Now, I am almost certain it is just the rewind handle and cylinder (i.e. external) and I assume that the screw in the shaft has fallen out at some point. I have a photo on my iPhone of one of the display cabinets and a blurry 35 RC but it does appear the shaft is there (attached).

 

[Zuiko-logist]

Possibly one of the lesser models might fit - EC, ECR, Trip?

 

[splitimageview]

I may have a parts camera, will take a look today

 

[BernardL]

I have some parts from various cameras and will check if a handle fits my 35RC. A good occasion to clean the vf and fix the shutter speed display that is stuck 🙂

 

[Jon6565]

Thanks all for the replies! I'll check back in later. I do also have an Olympus Trip 35 and ironically this was the first or second camera I acquired as it started by wanting to collect all the cameras I have owned over the years. The first may have been a Chinon CE-5 I acquired but the Trip was the first I owned as a kid. I recall disassembling it and being unable to put it back together! I know the Trip rewind handle assembly isn't the same size (it may 'fit' though) but I can't rob Peter to pay Paul! I have about 30 cameras now!

 

[Jon6565]

Just for your information this is what Grok said:
No definitive information was found indicating that the rewind handle assembly from the Olympus 35 RC is compatible with other Olympus 35 series rangefinders (such as the 35 SP, 35 RD, or 35 DC). Service manuals, parts lists, and exploded views for these models are available but treat each camera's components separately, with no cross-references or shared part numbers mentioned for the rewind knob or assembly. The 35 RC's compact design suggests its parts may be unique compared to larger siblings in the series.

 

[BernardL]

I know this one has a part missing. Now, I am almost certain it is just the rewind handle and cylinder (i.e. external) and I assume that the screw in the shaft has fallen out at some point. I have a photo on my iPhone of one of the display cabinets and a blurry 35 RC but it does appear the shaft is there (attached).

I think you do not have the shaft. See pic below: the black protrusion in the middle of the cylindrical depression of the top plate is not the shaft, but the shaft casing, permanently part of the body.


Also on this pic, left-to-right two rewind mechanisms from parts cameras, and the mechanism of my 35RC. Side note: the Trip 35 rewind mechanism (not pictured) has all different dimensions; no way it could be used.

Cylinder + handle can be adapted, but shaft is critical:

• length of cylindrical section
• diameter of cylindrical section : too large --> will not enter; too small --> light leak
• distance between the shoulder on the shaft and the fork that engages the cartridge reel.
  

On both of my spare parts that distance is too small by a significant margin. Even assuming other issues solved, the fork would not engage the cartridge reel.

If you nevertheless wish to use that camera (as opposed to shelf queen) you can, provided:

1. you block the entry of light through the rewind hole, either with plug, or a piece of black gaffer tape on the inside, or both;
2. once you reach the end of the film, you open the camera in total darkness, actuate the small wind release knob, and manually rewind the cartridge

If you wish to use the camera in auto exposure, you will need to address the issue of battery voltage; numerous discussions on the web. Probably you need to install new foams. And check the shutter speeds. And the rangefinder calibration. Once you are satisfied that you found your user camera, maybe you can invest in a "parts" camera to steal the handle. Which personally I think is a pity because "parts" often means "I cannot check that camera and don't want to be bothered with returns". Or buy the handle by itself.

 

[Jon6565]

Thanks Bernard - that is a very comprehensive reply, and I appreciate it.

I think you are right, the shaft is missing too. Although I try to get all of my cameras functional and put at least one film through them... just to see, I am happy for this to stay as is for now, but I will keep an eye out for a parts donor. It's otherwise in very good condition.

I hope you got some satisfaction out of that exercise! It my be worth asking Grok the same question and see if it finds this response! It did point me to this forum.

Once again, thanks.

Below, just because is an HP5 image from the Trip 35 🙂 You can see some scoring from the film guides on the left. Ilford HP5. Negative scanned at home with Plustek OpticFilm 8200i

Cheers
Jon