Olympus 35RC - disaster!

[James1]

Unfortunately, today I dropped one of my 35RCs onto a hard stone path, and it landed on its lens 😱😱🙁

It was in its soft case, and had a step ring/filter and lens cap attached. The lens cap was slightly stuck in the thread of the filter, but luckily the filter unscrews from the step ring and the step ring unscrews from the camera with no problem.

However, the whole lens assembly attached to the camera body now moves slightly (not sure if this is 'normal' as don't have my other 35RC with me).

I am hoping there is little or no damage and the metal on the lens assembly, if out of alignment, can be bent back into shape.

Now, normally I wouldn't bother as there are lots of 35RCs on eBay, but this one has massive sentimental value as it is my first camera given to me by my father a long time ago....

Does anyone have any thoughts on the resilience of these cameras to being dropped, and whether repairs if the type that might be needed are even possible?

Seriously crossing my fingers...

 

[farlymac]

Here are some of the things that can happen when you drop a camera, James. Not always seen from the surface.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7699588@N07/sets/72157638929096046/

PF

 

[Tiger 68]

For years, the lens assembly rotated slightly on my 35RC. It never seemed to affect the performance. It was eventually fixed during a complete overhaul, but as I said, it never seemed to be a problem. I would shoot a roll off film and see how things go.

Regards,
BV

 

[charjohncarter]

For years, the lens assembly rotated slightly on my 35RC. It never seemed to affect the performance. It was eventually fixed during a complete overhaul, but as I said, it never seemed to be a problem. I would shoot a roll off film and see how things go.

Regards,
BV

I had loose lens fixed because it bugged me. But really it worked perfectly.

 

[zuiko85]

Just checked my 35RC, a near mint sample, and I cannot detect any play in the lens assembly. Seem to be quite rigid on mine.

So sorry to hear your story. My last drop to concrete was a near perfect Sekonic Studio Delux meter, smashed beyond repair unfortunately. Made me just sick.

 

[James1]

Thanks for the various pointers folks. I've sent the camera to the repairers, let's see what they come up with. Still not happy, but am crossing my fingers!

 

[James1]

I have now heard back from the repairers (Newton Ellis, Liverpool), and amazingly, the camera survived with no internal damage found - lens barrel is not distorted, no broken internals, lens/film plane still in proper alignment, shutter OK.

I am astonished. The only thing that did need to be done, unsurprisingly, was adjustment of the rangefinder.

Whew! 😀

 

[farlymac]

I have now heard back from the repairers (Newton Ellis, Liverpool), and amazingly, the camera survived with no internal damage found - lens barrel is not distorted, no broken internals, lens/film plane still in proper alignment, shutter OK.

I am astonished. The only thing that did need to be done, unsurprisingly, was adjustment of the rangefinder.

Whew! 😀

Rugged little camera there. Glad you'll have it back soon in top shape.

PF

 

[Rodchenko]

That's very good news (and gives me hope for my own RC).

 

[btgc]

Mine looks like it has been driven over by truck - still works in M mode 🙂

 

[James1]

Thanks PF, Rodchenko. Just need to take some pictufes now...!🙂😎

 

[Sid836]

The wobbling lens barrel can be easy fixed by tightening the ring around the chrome ring of the lens. Take a look at it here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25797459@N06/7153156695/in/set-72157629786097245
Take care not to scratch it by putting excessive force to it.
The photo is not mine, but that set has provided me with a lot on how that lens is assembled.

 

[Rodchenko]

That's helpful. I wonder if the same principle applies to the 35SP I have with a slight barrel wobble.

 

[Sid836]

I think so. They look all the same. That retaining ring is what keeps everything in the lens barrel.

 

[Rodchenko]

I've noticed a similar arrangement on my ECR, where the front of the lens barrel is easy to inspect, but there's a lot going on with an SP lens barrel, so I'll (quite excitedly) go have a look later. If I can sort that, then that SP will be pretty much back online. Just the meter to sort (though that's not essential, I suppose).

 

[Sid836]

Indeed I have seen somewhere a post on dismantling the SP's lens and it is more complex. (Btw, I am looking for an SP. Is it hard to find a fully working one, or is it just me?)

 

[farlymac]

There doesn't seem to be a lot of them on the market these days. Folks are probably holding on to them, unless one comes from an estate sale, and it's being flipped for a profit.

PF

 

[Lawrence A.]

Indeed I have seen somewhere a post on dismantling the SP's lens and it is more complex. (Btw, I am looking for an SP. Is it hard to find a fully working one, or is it just me?)

I found one in pristine condition on ebay. Everything functions as it should and the only very slight scratches are to the bottom plate - remarkable for a camera its age. It was $165, a steal considering its condition. I had to look for a while, but I think its a camera worth looking for. One of my favorite shooters since I got it, and the lens is a real contender!

Here's one listed by a seller with good feedback: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Olympus-35-...751?pt=US_Vintage_Cameras&hash=item417cd8af97

 

[James1]

Finally taken a few pictures, and the camera is as good (well better I reckon) than it was before. Still amazed it survived, looks like I was lucky.

Not the greatest of pictures, I was testing some 1990-expired Pan F. Processed in Paterson FX39, also being used for the first time:

 

[farlymac]

It's working great.

PF