Olympus 35 UC... worth it?

[angelodal]

Hi all
I'm looking for a fixed lens rangefinder and since I'm an Olympus fan, I'd love to have an Olympus as my first. I've seen an Olympus 35 UC rangefinder for 60 bucks, is it worth it?

The camera is in a usable condition, it shoots photos with a clean lens and viewfinder. Cosmetically it is not so good, with shrinking leather and is even missing the spot meter button. The meter has not been tested and I'd doubt if it'd work easily. So it works manually without the light meter.

From what i've seen around the net, I believe this camera is rare, but is it that rare? Is it worth it to buy it and get it repaired and refurbushed which would probably mean buying a 35 SP for parts, would it make a good shooter and would I make a profit out of it after? Or should I just buy a 35 SP?

Tell me what you think, all would be welcome. Thanks in advance!

Attatched are some pictures








Angelo

 

[David Hughes]

I'm very sorry if this seems a little blunt and rude but, if you have to ask, then the answer is "No".

Making money out of old cameras is dodgy because you need to know what you're buying, buy cheaply and sell dear. Your buying price and the fact that it needs a repair knocks that on the head.

The 35 SP is a nice camera but needs to be in very good condition and full working order to justify a high price and be a user. Because it's seen as top of the range, high prices are usual; many people would say the 35 DC was top of the range, btw. But if you paid a high price you'd think twice before taking it out of the house as it might just rain or be dropped... BTW, the big advantage of the 35 SP and XA, as I see it, is that there are specialists who can repair them and who have spare (but second-hand) parts for it.

The disadvantage is that the price of repairs temps people to do their own repairs and then sell the remains on ebay! Look at the FED and Zorki cameras; there's dozens of articles on the web saying how easy it is to repair them at home using just the bread knife and the nail clippers. Then look at the number of people on this forum complaining about the dreadful state one was in when they bought it. There's a link between the two.

If you like the idea of a RF made by Olympus then do a bit of research on ebay for prices paid and on the web for Olympus history. Prices paid on ebay are found in the advanced search as "completed listings". Green prices were paid and the others (?red) were unsold.

In your shoes I'd be looking at the entire 35 range (especially the 35 RC, ERC etc and the over shadowed ones like the 35 ED) and hoping for luck on ebay or else going to a dealer and paying for it. And there's the XA to look at. But all of them cost money to get repaired and checked. Even buying a roll of slide film and then doing test shots can cost more than you think and have you a slide projector, screen etc?

I hope this helps.

Regards, David

 

[jesse1dog]

Think David is probably right!
It's going to cost quite a bit to have the 35UC fixed and the number of people capable of doing just that are pretty few and far between. If it's a first Olympus rangefinder you are buying I don't think I would go for that one in that state. A good 35RC has quite a lot to recommend it although there are some duff ones of these around.
But best of luck in your search.
jesse

 

[angelodal]

Thanks for the replies guys

David

That's the same answer I've been telling myself, it's just that the 'rarity' of the camera is alluring me to buy it. But, like what you said, it's not really practical to invest in it since I'm looking for something that I would be using a lot rather than displaying. Though there are a lot of repair shops here that can get the camera to fully working condition for cheap, I guess i should stick with one that is already in working and doesn't need repairs. I've started looking for other Oly's too, and I've found a SP for around the same price that works properly and only needs a battery with sample shots from the seller to prove that it's working, so I might go for that one.

I haven't tried buying from ebay and have only used it as a reference on the prices of items I see on sale in stores, like what you suggest. And from what I've seen, I could get a better deal with my 60 bucks spending it on something else with a little more patience.

Jesse

I've been considering that too, since I saw one in a shop a few weeks ago, I didn't buy it cause it's been there for a while, so I'm guessing there must be something wrong with it. I'm thinking bout the SP, since they're pretty much identical. But I'm in no rush, I guess my 'deadline' for finding one would be around christmas time, so I'm taking my time looking around.

--

Are Oly rangefinders really that good? I 've owned some Oly Pens and most of zuiko lenses I've dealt with are really great. I really like the quality of the older Pens from the early 60's, they seem strong and well built, plus they are mstly metal. Do the same apply to their rangefinders? I haven't owned one and I've only tried a couple so I can't really tell. Or are there other rangefinders of the same level that have better overall quality?

Angelo

 

[shadowfox]

A working UC for 60 dollars?
I'd get it. Who cares about the meter, just use a hand held meter and set the settings manually.

I don't know the market values of SP nowadays since I quit collecting Oly RFs. But just a few years ago, you won't be able to get a working SP for less than $100.

Are Oly rangefinders really that good? I 've owned some Oly Pens and most of zuiko lenses I've dealt with are really great. I really like the quality of the older Pens from the early 60's, they seem strong and well built, plus they are mstly metal. Do the same apply to their rangefinders? I haven't owned one and I've only tried a couple so I can't really tell. Or are there other rangefinders of the same level that have better overall quality?

Angelo

Of course they are good 🙂
The cream of the crop would be the 35 SP or 35 RD. The only other manufacturer's fixed RF that comes close in terms of quality is Minolta 7sii.

People rave about Canonet or Yashica Electro. I've tried both of them. None of them are as versatile as the top two Olys I mention up there.

I won't say anything bad about the Canonet because people will picket fence me for that, but at least the Yashica Electro has a very sharp lens 😉

Sigh, this makes me miss my black SP.

 

[Brian Legge]

If you're just looking for a rangefinder and like Olympus, the 35RC is a great one to look for. Working ones go for a reasonable price and the cameras are a nice balance between small and traditional ergonomics. If you want something auto only, look for a 35DC. Great lens, great ergonomics. I hate admitting this as it is the first camera I had CLA'd, but I'm on the fence about the 35RD. Again, great lens but the aperture ring is hard to use and I often shoot manual. If it had the Minolta 7sIIs nub on it to make it simpler to change, it would be nearly perfect. I haven't used an SP yet so I can't comment on it.

 

[katgut@earthlink.net]

I would avoid the Olympus RC, and other models that share its shutter design. Years ago, I had one and had to have the shutter replaced, which cost about $100 (the camera cost $115 new in the mid 80s). A few years later, the shutter again failed, and the camera was sent back from servicing due to non-availability of parts.

 

[Brian Legge]

What shutter design is that?

 

[kpas]

Sorry mate, RC is the most reliable shutter of the lot. The RD/SP's while are faster, suffer from machine oil getting into and clogging up the shutter. Years later, without service, the RC will still be working.

 

[btgc]

I would avoid the Olympus RC, and other models that share its shutter design. Years ago, I had one and had to have the shutter replaced, which cost about $100 (the camera cost $115 new in the mid 80s). A few years later, the shutter again failed, and the camera was sent back from servicing due to non-availability of parts.

I can't imagine how bad shutter should be to need complete replacement. Well, some car dealers replace whole seat when heating isn't working. I wonder if they ever check fuses. That said, repair approach and costs depend on person who does it.

 

[David Hughes]

Thanks for the replies guys

David

That's the same answer I've been telling myself, it's just that the 'rarity' of the camera is alluring me to buy it. But, like what you said, it's not really practical to invest in it since I'm looking for something that I would be using a lot rather than displaying. Though there are a lot of repair shops here that can get the camera to fully working condition for cheap, I guess i should stick with one that is already in working and doesn't need repairs. I've started looking for other Oly's too, and I've found a SP for around the same price that works properly and only needs a battery with sample shots from the seller to prove that it's working, so I might go for that one.

I haven't tried buying from ebay and have only used it as a reference on the prices of items I see on sale in stores, like what you suggest. And from what I've seen, I could get a better deal with my 60 bucks spending it on something else with a little more patience.

Jesse

I've been considering that too, since I saw one in a shop a few weeks ago, I didn't buy it cause it's been there for a while, so I'm guessing there must be something wrong with it. I'm thinking bout the SP, since they're pretty much identical. But I'm in no rush, I guess my 'deadline' for finding one would be around christmas time, so I'm taking my time looking around.

--

Are Oly rangefinders really that good? I 've owned some Oly Pens and most of zuiko lenses I've dealt with are really great. I really like the quality of the older Pens from the early 60's, they seem strong and well built, plus they are mstly metal. Do the same apply to their rangefinders? I haven't owned one and I've only tried a couple so I can't really tell. Or are there other rangefinders of the same level that have better overall quality?

Angelo

Hi,

Are they really that good!

Well, more of less I've had one or another for the last 40 odd years, so I guess I'm biased. FWIW, there was a short time when I had a XA2 instead of the XA because of problems with repairs but that doesn't alter the fact that I've two or three in the house now and am still using the things.

In your shoes I'd grab either of the two you mention but do get your hands on them before paying and feel them in action. The SP will need a Wein cell nowadays, btw, or else one of those fiendishly expensive voltage converters the size of a mercury battery. The other might for all I know.

I think you'll find a lot of people own a Leica M of one sort or another (oOSoA), an Olympus OM oOSoA and the XA or µ-I or II. Other than branching into MF or LF that's really all there is to it. (If you're sensible but we are talking Leica and Olympus - so the matter doesn't really arise... )

Regards, David

 

[kuzano]

Distinction from Olympus 35sp only cosmetic.....

Distinction from Olympus 35sp only cosmetic.....

The 35UC is distinct only on the surface from the 35SP. Technically they are the same camera, spot metering and all. In fact, I think the plastic facia on the upper front is the only difference. See here:

http://www.ne.jp/asahi/japan/manual-camera/35uc1.htm

That said, they are difficult to find (the UC). Iooked for one for 2 or 3 years.

If you want a UC and you pass on the one in hand, it may be a long time before you see another. Rare... possibly, Unique... not as a user camera.

The battery is the same issue on either an SP or a UC, since the camera, for all technical intents is identical.

 

[angelodal]

Thank you again for the replies, I feel really welcome here since this is my first post.


About the UC, I'm still thinking about buying it or considering other cameras from Olympus like the SP and the LC since they're the only ones I've found when I went 'window shopping.' I'm more bent towards the SP since it has the features I'm looking for and the reviews around the net makes me want one more, the LC on the other hand is more on the cosmetic side since it looks much like the UC. I know that the UC is just a 'facelift' of the SP and since I already like the features of the SP, would the 'rarity' of it justify buying it and have it repaired, rather than a working SP that won't need repairs(yet). I must say again that the only problem is the metering system, I don't mind using it manually.


Angelo

 

[olympusVFRF]

i had both, but now only the 35 SP. The LC or very big for me for an fixed lens camera, and yes the features of the SP are better. Or why not the 35 RD?

 

[angelodal]

olympusVFRF

I haven't seen a 35 RD on sale here, and those 3 are all I've seen. I'm still stuck between the SP or the UC. I need a reason why not to buy the UC and go with the SP instead.

Thanks, Angelo

 

[David Hughes]

Why not just buy the UC? You'll only regret it otherwise.

Regards, David

 

[agi]

Just get it, it's not called "the elusive" one for no reason 🙂. I have one and it's a beaut. Just can't get over the very loud shutter on them but they are sharp as heck.

Here's a sample...

 

[kuzano]

The solution for you.... what I would do....

The solution for you.... what I would do....

olympusVFRF

I haven't seen a 35 RD on sale here, and those 3 are all I've seen. I'm still stuck between the SP or the UC. I need a reason why not to buy the UC and go with the SP instead.

Thanks, Angelo

Get the UC. You may never see another one, and you may be getting yourself hooked on it's uniqueness.

That's what I would.

Since it's only a facelift, If you get it and it breaks, you can make any SP a UC by changing over the top and bottom plates. Probably takes about a half hour including soldering the wire to the hot shoe and positioning the spot meter button.

You CAN have it both ways, since your UC is really an SP anyway.

 

[angelodal]

I'll try to go around once again this weekend and see if something comes up that will interest me more than the UC, and if not, then I'd go for it. Wish me luck.

Thanks for the replies and the 'support!'

Angelo

 

[Brainroom]

Old thread but.. did you end up getting the 35UC, Angelo?

Mark