Last year, I started collecting Olympus rangefinder cameras from the 60’s and 70’s. I’m after a 35RC, a 35RD, and a 35SP. So far, I have an RC and an RD. SP’s are harder to come by and quite expensive. RCs tend to be the cheapest so, I got one of the those first.
Spec wise, the Olympus 35RC is typical of this type of small, fixed lens rangefinder camera. It has a 40mm f/2.8 Zuiko lens; a 1/500 max leaf shutter; a max ISO of 400 and a shutter priority auto mode. The built-in light meter only works in auto-mode. The build quality is excellent, and the camera feels good and solid in your hands. Its small, not Rollei 35 small, but small enough. I carry mine in the back pocket of my jeans, I just have to careful how I sit down.
The Olympus 35RC viewfinder is nice and bright with an accurate parallax frame that has a shutter speed scale at its top and an aperture scale at its bottom. The rangefinder patch is a bit on the small side and mine isn’t very distinct – having said that, none of the shots on my first roll were out of focus so, it can’t be that bad.
The Olympus 35RC is a fun little camera to use and I’m really pleased with the results. The lens is sharp and quite contrasty, although it does seem to vignette a little – which, I think, only adds to its charm. These shots were taken with Kodak ColorPlus 200, a film I’ve never shot before. I love the vibrancy of its colours; plus, it also has the added bonus of being the only colour film I can buy over the counter, here, in Dundee.
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EZ on 5 Frames with the Olympus 35RC – by Barry Carr
Comment posted: 14/02/2019
Barry Reid on 5 Frames with the Olympus 35RC – by Barry Carr
Comment posted: 14/02/2019
Enjoy the RC & RD and don't worry too much about the SP. The dirty little secret with these Olympus RFs is that the 'ultimate' 35SP may have a form of spot meter and slightly better lens but for day to day use (IMHO) the SP isn't worth the price premium as it is larger, heavier and less fun* than it's siblings. The fun goes out of the camera in large part because the VF information is in EVs so you don't necessarily know the shutter/aperture combo. My personal fave is the 35DC which is fully auto - like a Trip on Steroids - but the finder tells you the speed and aperture it has selected.
Comment posted: 14/02/2019
Comment posted: 14/02/2019
Julian Higgs on 5 Frames with the Olympus 35RC – by Barry Carr
Comment posted: 14/02/2019