Olympus RD

[bronekkozka]

Does any have one of these - Olympus RD, I am really interested is this camera...have had much luck tracking one down...

If anyone can offer anythoughts, your experience with it etc or have one to sell....


Bronek

 

[Bill58]

I've got one, but it had the usual oil-on-the blades problem. It's a super, tiny and high quality camera I highly recommend. They are rare because they were a fairly high-dollar item when they were new.

 

[JohnM]

Terrific camera - something of a Olympus-made Canonet.

The real downside, as mentioned above, is that the helicoidal grease that dampens the focusing ring inevitably leaks onto the aperture blades. The speeds start to slow and eventually jams the blades.

That makes it something of a risky purchase unless you can get it for a price - you may have to budget a good CLA from a guy like John Hermanson.

 

[bronekkozka]

I have never seen one for sale...what sort of dollars do they command??
Also thoughts on the RC, they seem alot more available...any good...prefer the idea of a 1.7 I must say.

Bronek

 

[Bailey]

I have never seen one for sale...what sort of dollars do they command??
Also thoughts on the RC, they seem alot more available...any good...prefer the idea of a 1.7 I must say.

Bronek

I bought an Olympus RC for my sister a while ago for her birthday, and a part of me still wishes I would have kept it for myself. Being a fan of small cameras I really love the size. And the photos from it are some of the best that I've seen from any small sub $100 rangefinder. Very sharp with really nice contrast. I'm not sure how different the RD is, but I think you would be happy with the RC. Come to think of it, maybe I should just buy one for myself...

 

[bronekkozka]

The RC sounds pretty good, I have a CV35mm 1.7, which I like....the idea of RD with a 40 1.7 is rather appealling.....BUT I guess if there are no RDs out there....


Thanks

Bronek

 

[caspert79]

I owned an Oly RD, very nice camera indeed in terms of size, features and optical quality. A camera with similar features I like even more though, is the Fujica Compact Deluxe. Build quality is bit better, lens is superb, viewfinder very bright. It's a bit heavier though.

 

[Trius]

I have an RC; it is a very nice little camera. I currently don't use it much because it needs a CLA ... nothing major, I just suspect the shutter speeds may be a bit slow.

In auto mode it's very easy to use, but for manual exposure I find the controls so small that it's a bit fiddly to shoot that way. I haven't practised a lot in manual mode, so maybe that would change with more use.

My sense is that the RD controls are a bit easier to use, but that is only from reading what others have said.

Here's what you might do, if you have the cash and the inclination: Buy an RC and see what you think. It shouldn't have the oily blades problem, and a CLA, if necessary, would be much than an RD.

Then, keep searching for an RD and just figure in about $100USD plus shipping for a good CLA. Any RD you find on eBay is risky, IMO. Even when clearly stated that the blades are sticky, they go for a fairly high price. I would post a WTB here, plus visit thrift stores, contact camera stores that deal with used equipment and alert them that you're looking for one, etc.

Good luck.

 

[Kim Coxon]

I have had RC, RD and SP. Of the 3, I would go for the SP first then the RC and finally the RD. The SP is great with a fast lens and a good meter. The RC is small and compact and easy to use. The RD has the fast lens but I would prefer a Canonet over the RD.

Kim

 

[Trius]

What Kim said. The attraction of the RC other than size is the viewfinder readout ... shows both aperture & shutter speed.

Of those three, the SP is the hands-down winner for everything except the exposure system IF you don't like EV readings... but getting used to EV is very, very easy, and now I really like it.

The size of the SP is perfect for me, and they are much easier to find in reasonable to very good condition.

 

[PhotoMat]

Bronek:

I have an Oly 35 RD and as others have said, the original lubricant used on the lens helicoid tends to foul the blades on the Seiko shutter. For $70, Photosphere performed a complete CLA on my RD and it looks and works like new! I must say that the viewfinder is quite bright and I prefer it over my Canonet. And of course, the leaf shutter is extremely quiet.

Don't give up on your search. Be patient as some deals pop up on ebay from time to time. I purchased my RD on ebay for $79 two years ago and it looked as though it hadn't even been used. Bargains do come along periodically if you are willing to wait. Good luck in your search!

Matt

 

[bronekkozka]

Hi Matt, very nice, it looks great, can't wait....I hope I can pick one up.
Shooting RF is so diferent to my work, I love it (I do love my work of course) but there is something liberating about shooting RF

Bronek