Something old, something new...

[ChrisN]

... to me that is. I can't find out much about this one from searching the web, so I thought I'd share it here and see if someone knows anything about it.

It's an Olympus-S. Heavy. G.Zuiko lens (7-element), 1:1.8, 42mm focal length. B, 1sec - 1/500 mechanical shutter, f1.8-16. 10-400 ASA. Manual exposure with built-in meter. The lens is clean with no fungus and just a few spots of dust.

Great case - the top part of the front of the case hinges and flips forward. Short-throw film-advance lever. There's a neat little dial in the centre of the film-advance that you can set to remind you what film is loaded - COL, PAN, EMP (what's EMP?). Depth-of-field scale. Rangefinder spot is very clear, viewfinder is parallax-corrected for close-focus, about as bright as a Yashica viewfinder (to make the rangefinder spot stand out better).

The meter needle is visible in the viewfinder (change the aperture/shutter speed to centre the needle). The meter seems to work, with a LR44 battery installed but the needle is a bit sticky; will find out more tomorrow in sunlight. The rangefinder seems to be spot-on for distance compared with the focus distance scale on the lens. The front of the viewfinder and the rangefinder windows are shaded by the black plastic housing. Strap lugs on the body and another set on the case. I really like the way you can grip and move the shutter speed and aperture selector rings together, to change the aperture/DOF without changing the exposure (ie the shutter speed moves in sync) - I haven't seen that before but I guess it's not uncommon. Light seals mostly rely on the back lid fitting into deep grooves - had to replace one section of felt light seal at the hinge. The self timer works! In fact everything on this seems to work!

I'm looking forward to running some film through this on the weekend. 😛

Can anyone tell me when these were produced, and where they fitted in the evolution of Olympus rangefinders?

Chris

 

[Heath]

I don't know anything about this camera, but I do want to say way cool. Can't wait to see the results. I am testing at least 2 cameras this weekend (weather permitting, but wet weather could be fun).

About the coupling of the shutter and apature rings. This has definitely been done on other cameras. I have 2 that have this feature. 1 is a Zeiss Ikon Contina and the other is an Agfa Silette, both from the 50's. The Contina was delivered today and is in great condition, just a small amount of fungus in the rear element and a slighly sticky shutter in the slowest speeds. It is not a rangefinder, but is very cool non-the-less. It even came with a UV filter and a press on lens hood. I got it to replace a seized up one that is a slightly different model.

Heath

 

[wierdcollector]

Hi Chris,
According to " The Collector's Guide To Japanese Cameras" the Olympus S was introduced in May-1955. Unfortunately, the info and picture are totally different from your camera. Yours is shown and described as the Olympus 35 SC. Made in 1963, with f1.8 42mm coupled rangefinder, Copal shutter marked B, 1 sec.-1/500 sec. Coupled CDS meter. The earlier 35-S had a 45mm f3.5 with Seikosha Rapid shutter marked B, 1 sec.-1/500 sec. There was also an 35 S 3.5, 35 S 2.8, 35 S1.9, etc. The only Olympus of any sort listed with your camera's distinctive round meter window and pointed black plastic surround is the 35 SC. Hope this helps.

 

[ChrisN]

Hi Heath - what makes you think it will ever rain again? We haven't seen rain down here in months! You didn't bid on this one did you? Have you received the Zorki yet?

Hi WC - sounds like you've hit it on the head! You prompted me to go back and have another look for details for the SC - found a reference at http://www.claus-marin.de/35sceng.htm that gives the same details you quoted, also points out I'll need a 1.35v battery rather tan the 1.5v LR44. Feels about right for 1963. It's a little more compact than an Electro 35, which I think I'll like.

Chris

 

[Heath]

Hi Heath - what makes you think it will ever rain again? We haven't seen rain down here in months! You didn't bid on this one did you? Have you received the Zorki yet?

Chris

They have forcast showers for the weekend here in Sydney. Looked like it was going to rain today, but nothing eventuated.

I revieved the Zorki on Tuesday and I am already loving it. It is definitely a Zorki-4 and not a 4K. It has the film advance knob, rather than the lever. I have taken a few shots so far, but still need to finish the roll. @ of the shats are of a sweet looking T-Bird I saw the other day that looks like almost original condition.

I noticed just now you live in the ACT. I used to live there in the mid to late 80's. I lived in Kambah, went to Kambah High School. Moved to Queanbeyan in the late 80's the to Wollongong in '92. My brother still lives iin Canberra. He lives in Weston. What part of the ACT do you live in? Gotta get back there one day to visit my brother and his family.

Heath

 

[ChrisN]

Heath

I'm southside, in Tuggeranong. Lived in Canberra since '69, finished high school in '74.

Glad you are enjoying the Zorki - it will be very like my Mir but with the extra slow shutter speeds. I've got a roll to finish in that one too to see if I've managed to find the intermittent light leak (self-timer I think). Don't panic if you accidentally change the shutter speed without the shutter cocked - the damage usually isn't terminal! Just sigh, and put it away for the day.

I plan to go up to Sydney for the next camera market day, if possible. Might bump into you there - we need Rangefinder Forum hats or something!

Chris

 

[Doug]

... There's a neat little dial in the centre of the film-advance that you can set to remind you what film is loaded - COL, PAN, EMP (what's EMP?).

My best guess, Chris, is that EMP is for shooting with an empty camera. 😀

 

[ChrisN]

Ha! Hey, you know, you might just be right!