Olympus RD or the SP????? Help!

garythegit

garythegit

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Hey guys! I'm currently torn between getting either an Olympus RD or a SP rangefinder. This is what I have to go with so far:

RD
Fast lens
Smaller, nearly same size as RC
No spot metering
No manual metering

SP
Fast lens
Big, the size of a yashica almost
Spot metering
Metering in manual mode

I know the SP is supposed to be the better machine but the fact of the matter is I hardly ever use spot metering even on my DSLR so do I really want to pay $100+ for it?? The size doesn't help either. The main question is which one will compliment my Canonet QL17 better??

Your opinions would be great!
 
Just read from elsewhere that the RD is prone to the same shutter blade problems as the canonets. I don't think I want to fork out $80 or more for a CLA after I've just spent the same buying one! So what do people think? SP more mechanically reliable??
 
The SP has a hair-thin spring that is constantly under tension to operate a clutch used to prevent the film from continuously winding. It is the little gizmo that lets you advance one frame. I got my SP for $15 as it was broken. Once broken, the mechanism moves freely and in one direction will keep you from winding the camera -at all- and in the other direction lets you wind-and-wind-and-wind.

Great lens. One of the sharpest that I've seen. Not the best mechanics. I found a suitable replacement from a parts Minolta Hi-Matic 11. Pain to get into place. The spring I used was much sturdier.

I have not taken an RD apart. I had an RC, the mechanism to link the shutter-speed readout in the VF to the shutter-dial was "not Robust" but was easy to fix.
 
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My vote is to save some bucks and get the Oly 35SP

The 35SP has a better optic at wide apertures, spot metering and a light meter that stays on in the manual mode. The downside are its old school ergonoimc making it a bit clunky in use, - the light meter is outside the filter ring, - no aperture indicator in the AE mode - and - yes, the camera body is definitely as large as some compact 35 SLR's.

The 35RD has better ergonomics, a compact body, a good lens, the aperture needle in the viewfinder indicates what the AE is up to and the light cell is inside the filter ring. Dowsides- plan on spending a $100 to have the shutter rebuilt and its light meter only works in the automode, forcing one to utilize a very thin selector ring to switch between the AE setting on the ring to turn on the meter and then selecting an aperture when manually overriding the AE.

Both of the above use 49mm filters and lens hoods.
 
The lens on the 35SP is bodaciously superb. My only beef with the camera and Japanese fixed-lens RF's in general is that it uses a short throw focus ring.
 
Keep in mind that the SP's "metered manual mode" consists only of an EV readout in the finder. You still have to note the EV on the meter scale, then transfer it to the camera controls by referring to the EV window on the lens barrel. Not really difficult, but also not really up to the standards of a camera designed for pure manual metering.
 
What they said. I had an SP and an RD. Sold the SP - just didn't care for it. The RD did have to have a complete shutter rebuild - not just a stuck shutter. Worth it - my favorite compact high-end fixed-lens rangefinder. Is the SP lens better? Dunno. For my money, they're not that different. But I have no problem with those who prefer the SP.

The RD is not just nearly the size of the RC - it is also better-made (and I have and love the RC as well, so I'm not dissing the RC).

Overall, I settled on the RD and am happy with my choice. But YMMV.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
SP & RD Service in UK?

SP & RD Service in UK?

While we are discussing these cameras does anyone know where in the UK I can these serviced?

There was an article a few years ago in Amatuer Photographer (Ivor Mantale I think) with a few Olympus contacts but I can't find the mag.

I have both an SP & RD and although both seem to be working ok I think it's about time they went in for a spruce up!

by the way, out of the two cameras I always seem to reach for the RD when I'm rushing out to shoot and I use both without batteries.

Enjoy the RD it's a cracking little camera.

(Long time lurker)
 
What a great choice to have!

SP every time for me, although both are excellent cameras and I would be happy with either (I only have the SP now).

The size difference is not that great, and the SP does not seem near the Yashica GSN in size, although it is heavier than the RD. The controls of the SP seem better for larger hands.

The viewfinder and metering are excellent and spot-metering allows you to meter different areas of difficult lighting quite well (the spot meter patch is about the same size as the rangefinder patch). I think it is better than the GIII 17, at least on my example. Having the meter on the body rather than the lens is a pain when using filters.

The shutter sound of the SP is often criticised as too loud or metallic. I think it is the same for the RD from what I remember. Both are louder than the Canonet or Yashicas.
 
In the U.K. - Luton Camera Repair Services Ltd. +44 (0)1582 458 323 can do a shutter rebuild, CLA or what have you. Let me say that parts are scarce for these puppies.

The 35RD shutter is quieter, as its timing mechanisms are housed in the camera body. Also, the AE mode on the RD is usuable in low-light. The AE mode on the 35SP is a valiant effort, but it doesn't handle anything below EV 7.

The 35SP is really a mid-1960's, - Olympus 35LC - with a couple improvements. Like the 35LC, it has an older Seikosha assembly that is fully housed within the lens barrel. Even the self-timer is located in the lens barrel. Therefore, the shutter is pretty loud for a leaf-shutter. In use, the 35 SP functions with all the ergonomic foibles and certitude of a 1950's camera, which should read as "slow to use" for most folks.
 
Thanks for all the responses guys! I think i'll try and bag that RD since I already have a yashica for large low light work. I think i'll get a small RD for all those trips to the pub! 🙂 Boy are my mates going to hate me when they are pissed!
 
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