Should I stay or should I go?

[peot]

Picked up an Oly DC at a fleamarket $10 US I love the feel and size of it. Needs new seals (but I´ve got plenty of it thanks to Interslice). What´s next? RC or SP or some other Oly? Anyone with an opinion? Should I stick with all the others I have or should I go down the "Olylane"?

 

[kshapero]

I was in "Olylane" from 1990 to 1998. It was a great ride. Dang it, to who ever stole my camera bag and almost ripped my arm off in the process.

 

[peot]

Glad your arm still hangs in there. Just curious about what was in the bag and what you replaced it with.

 

[peot]

anyone out there?

anyone out there?

No interest in Olympus rangefinders? I know there is knowledge amongst you.

 

[bmicklea]

You might want to ping Trius - he's a bit of an Oly aficionado.

 

[peot]

I might just do that...

 

[dkim]

While I was visiting my parents back in September I picked up my dad's old DC, the same one he bought brand new in the 70s and took all our baby photos with. He said it just stopped working one day even though it looked to still be in perfect condition. Turns out it only needed a new battery. 🙂

I really like the small size and the quiet shutter however it's slightly annoying that it's always fully automatic- if it's too dark it just won't click. Very annoying that the ISO only goes up to 800.

But otherwise, it's a great camera!

 

[shadowfox]

I didn't see this thread (maybe it's posted outside of the Olympus forum) otherwise I'd reply sooner.

I just finished testing Olympus EC (which is the 1:2.8 version of DC as far as I can tell), and I loved it (see this thread).

If you decided to stay at Olylane (which I would not doubt you'll enjoy), I'd recommend getting an 35 SP (or its variation, the SPn and UC). This one is true rangefinder with an even more amazing lens than the one on your DC attached to it (G-Zuiko). You owe it to yourself to give this one a try. I'm not so crazy about the size, but the lens quality makes up for it.

If you'd like a rangefinder with smaller body, try Olympus XA (the smallest) or 35 ECR (a tad bigger, but more pleasant to hold).

 

[peot]

Saw a SPn on Ebay the other day. I´ve seen info on Sp and it seems to be a nice choise. What´s the difference between SP and SPn?

 

[flashover]

here is a page on the SP and SPn http://cameraquest.com/olysp.htm. I just picked up an SPn on Sun at the Toronto camera show

size comp with a Minolta 7s2

 

[Kim Coxon]

I tried several including some older ones such as the EC. If size is important, I would go for the RC, a really nice "liitle" camera. If you you want something larger, then the SP. If you want to browse the manuals, quite a few are on my website here. http://pentax-manuals.com/manuals/range/range.htm

Kim

 

[kevin m]

There's no "Clash" content in this thread! 😡 😀

 

[peot]

Not even a shutter that sounds like "clash"...?

 

[Henryzx]

Look at my signature - get all of those Oly's - 🙂

 

[shadowfox]

Saw a SPn on Ebay the other day. I´ve seen info on Sp and it seems to be a nice choise. What´s the difference between SP and SPn?

As far as I know, the differences are purely cosmetic, the SPn which I have has a black trim on the lens:

 

[flashover]

Aa per the Cameraquest page on the SP/SPn

Battery check with test light added between spot button and viewfinder
Black trim around Rangefinder/viewfinder windows
Black aperture ring instead of chrome
Duller matte chrome finish
Slightly larger and longer advance lever
Slightly larger film rewind lever
The 35 SPN appears to be identical to the 35 SP in all other features

 

[pixman]

I have a 35SP. Its a great camera in my opinion. Handles beautifully, great 7 element lens, spot metering, manual or full auto and the meter works in both modes. Once you get used to it, the E.V. setting system is a doddle. The only difference between the SP and the SPn is a black plastic trim around the rangefinder and meter window. Rod.

 

[Trius]

Sorry, I've been away for a couple of days ...

The SPn has a battery check button, and the cosmetics around the VF are different, i.e, the black trim. Other than that, it's the same as the SP ...unless they changed the leather, but it doesn't look like it from Shadow's foto.

I prefer the SP to all other Oly RF's I've had so far, except for the XA in certain circumstances. I like the quieter shutter of the LC better, but the handling of the LC and the viewfinder are not as good as the SP, IMO. I have never used an RD. I haven't used my RC very much, so can't really compare it except that in manual mode the controls are a bit small and cramped for me. But as a small shooter with a good RF, it's a great little camera.

I would love to get a good Ace kit some day, but the Ace in good condition with a full set of lenses are a bit dear, especially since I don't expect that the lenses are that great (1958 vintage, afterall), though I could be surprised.