Should I buy this Olympus 35LC and/or two 35DCs?

[Brainroom]

Hi guys, I'm new to this forum and Olympus rangefinder cameras but not to photography in general. I've instantly got the bug with these amazing-looking/performing cameras.

I live in Japan and in a local second hand shop there is an LC and two DCs in various conditions. I'd appreciate any help or advice anyone has on how easy/difficult these would be to get working, whether they are worth getting, etc. Details are below:

35LC: Overall condition looks good, quite clean with some dust or could be small spots of mould inside the front of the viewfinder window. Lens is clean and very good. No battery but the advance lever and shutter release both work as expected. The shutter seems to be fine and opens for the correct amount of time set. The self timer sticks a bit but this is ok as I'm sure I could lubricate it, and I'm not too bothered if I can't. The camera is in fair condition but has no case, etc. This is about 37 USD / 23 GBP (2011 exchange rate).

35DC 1: Overall condition good. Lens looks in nice condition. No battery installed. Advance lever moves to halfway and shutter release feels 'locked'. It will press down but will not release the shutter. The self timer works but only gets back to about 3/4 of the way and stops (8 o'clock when looking from the front). A half press on the shutter release doesn't show anything in the viewfinder. Price is about 42 dollars.

35DC 2: Overal condition average/good. Lens has small scratch or scuff. There is a battery installed (Toshiba MR9). Advance lever moves but not all the way like the first DC and shutter release feels 'locked'. It will press down but will not release the shutter. The self timer seems to be jammed in the vertically down position (6 o'clock), although it does move a few millimetres. A half-press on the shutter release moves the needle to the red overexposure warning position (I think) on the far left in the viewfinder. Price is about 30 dollars.

I tried the battery from the second 35DC in the first but still the shutter release can't be pressed and the lever remains locked, so I'm not even sure if this battery is working.

What do you think the chances are of the two DCs being ok? Does it sound like they just need a good battery installed or worse?

Ideally I'd like a good example of an Olympus with a G.Zuiko lens (SP, LC or UC) but am also interested in getting a DC for my wife (and myself) to use. These three would be great to have if they are fairly easy to get working, but if not I will wait for better examples to come along.

Thanks a lot for any help you can give

Cheers
Mark

 

[jesse1dog]

LC sounds interesting.
It's a bit heavy in comparison to more modern cameras but has a reputable lens. Think the price asked isn't really over the top but haggle and see if you can get it down. There aren't too many 35LC around but they seem to be more reliable than the 35DC.

jesse

 

[shadowfox]

The 35 DC won't work without a good battery.
I'd bring a 1.4V hearing aid battery and test it with both the DC's.
If one of them works, I'd get it. The price is not too bad (on the high-side, but if you don't have many to choose from...).

The 35 LC is big. Make sure that you like it. That will run fully manual, and it's fun to use.

 

[David Hughes]

I can't comment on the prices but, if you like the look of them, then buy and get checked and repaired. Given their age this will be needed sooner or later. You have the advantage that you can get the price down to start with.

Regards, David

 

[Brian Legge]

I had a 35DC with a stuck self timer. Basically, it didn't move far enough to trip the shutter. I fixed that one but it took a fair amount of digging. I wish I'd taken photos of the process. 🙁

The camera has a brilliant lens. If you don't mind automatic exposure and can find a working one, it can be a blast to use.

 

[Frontman]

The Olympus LC is an earlier version of the UC and SP cameras, but without the spot meter. The lens is excellent, and the camera offers full-manual control, meaning it will work even without a battery. The DC is a nice camera, but has only automatic exposure. It makes excellent pictures, but you cannot control depth of field exposure times easily. I've had both types of cameras, and I prefer the LC.

 

[Brainroom]

Thanks guys, these are really useful comments.

Actually I had another look at the LC and it looks like the aperture is stuck open as I can't see anything looking through the back of the lens, only the shutter blades. Could be wrong on this though. The aperture ring also feels a bit loose or free-moving; not sure if this is intentional.

Taking a battery to test the DCs is a sensible idea. I'll try to do that. Cosmetically they are really good - actually the lens scratch I mentioned wasn't even a scratch - and I like the idea of having one fully manual and one fully automatic camera.

Slowly falling into the black SP trap though...

Cheers
Mark