Olympus 35 RD (Review & Sample Photos)
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- In this video, I review the Olympus RD 35, a beautiful camera from the 1970s that features a fixed 40mm f/1.7 Zuiko lens, automatic exposure, and rangefinder focusing. The Olympus 35 RD is well-suited for street photography, traveling, and capturing special moments around family and friends. Jules and I took the camera out on a photo walk through Munich shooting two rolls of Rollei RPX 400 to test it. Watch the video to learn about our findings and thoughts.
Comparison article mentioned in the video:
web2.ph.utexas...
Equipment used:
Olympus 35 RD
Film used:
Rollei RPX 400
Music:
/ 2mads-burning
Dev & Scan:
www.meinfilmlab.de
Videography & Photography:
Maximilian Heinrich
Jules Bobach
If you'd like to get in touch or see some early behind the scenes footage, find me on Instagram: / analog_insights
Im here after cleaning this camera. It’s my dad first camera when he was 22. We keep it as a sentimental value item. My dad is now 73.
This was also my Dad's camera from whom I inherited it. In the 1970's in the brashness of youth I pooh poohed his camera having my fancy reflex camera. But now I just adore it. I wish I could let him know how much enjoyment it gives me. It's tiny, I pop it into my pocket and take it everywhere.
I had an Olympus 35 RD and loved using it but traded it for a Fuji X100. After going through several digital cameras I hankered after another Olympus as I retired my Kodak Retinette 1B after nearly losing it. I looked for a 35 SP but they were so very expensive. I kept an eye on the webpage of a supplier that I have been dealing with over quite a few years. One day there was an Olympus 35 SP at £99.00. I contacted them immediately and posted off my Pentax P30T and 50mm lens as part exchange. I'm delighted to have my own 35 SP and have it loaded with Kodak Ektar 100. I'm waiting for lockdown to be over so I can visit a place nearby that has steam locomotives.
I pretty much learned how to photograph on this camera in 1978. Driving from Ohio to California and back. Great photos,still have it.
It’s funny watching this six years later and seeing how much cameras like this have gone up in price. I guess it is partly a result of all the videos like this saying how great these cameras are.
I am afraid this is true. But the market has changed a lot in general. The number of film shooters increased so much that it completely changed the demand for certain cameras.
I was cleaning out a cabinet and came up on my Olympus 35 RC, I actually never knew there was a subsequent model the RD, with the faster lens. I loved using my RC for taking picture on the ski mountain in the 70's. I kept the tiny camera in a padded fanny pack around my waste on my back. I probably used mostly Ektachrome for slides. Watching your video with the black & white shots was really very interesting. I noticed my film rewind crank may have been damaged. doubt I could find a repair shop that could find the part to repair it. Thank you for alll you information. Very "cool" stuff. Thank you!
I have an Olympus 35 ECR andI love it!!
It is worth mentioning the use of a clip-on flash - you select its GN on the lens and the automatic aperture selection becomes geared to the rangefinder for accurate exposure. I thought this was very clever when I bought one in 1975.
I would love to see you guys review the Olympus 35 SP! And as always, great review 🙏🏼
Great . Watched this video for the second time. The first time I did , I rushed to get a Olyumpus SP. Very happy with it. A pleasure to watch again.
I work on Leicas but have always rated the Olympus 35RD. It also happens to be a pretty camera and I find that important too!
I have an SP and an RC that I think are the best Rangefinders ever made, ever. Thanks for this video. Larry McCormick
So better than the RD?
THanx
@@paulterl4563 it depends on how you see it. SP has a more complicated lens design (one more element) but I'm not familiar with the IQ difference
Very nice! And impressive images from the camera. - Myself I have a Trip 35, which I just use as a "casual" shooter for quick shots of scenes and such. - You probably know it, but it's like a more limited version of the RD, because it only has a control for the ISO (up to 400) and the Aperture, and then a 4-step focus. - The latter is probably the least desirable of its features, but that's why I just use it for larger or more open/distant scenes, rather than close-ups, as you can't check what you're focused on. - The reason to use it is probably its lens, which like the RD is also a Zuiko. Very sharp and clear. These lenses are really impressive.
Enjoyed your appreciation of the 35 RD. You both have a great eye for seeing and capturing details that translate well in black and white. I bought one of these a few years ago - fortunately CLA'd and with voltage conversion so can use 1.55v silver cells and not worry about finding the zinc-air Wein Cell kaput if the camera is not used for a few months! I agree with you about the camera's elegant appearance and how its form factor invites taking it along - it does feel nice in hand! And that leaf shutter is deliciously quiet. One great enjoyment in discovering these compact R/F's from the '70s is realizing just how solidly they were built, especially as they seemed to be targeted to the "casual-shooter," (before all the plastic became the norm). Incidentally, I agree that the low-light shutter release prevention is a bit of a drawback, but I've taken to using the little Voigtländer VC clip-on meter so I can shoot in manual mode where desirable - also as a "second opinion" to the camera's meter if shooting slide film. All I have to remember is to remove the meter before trying to rewind the film! Your video reminds me to load up the RD and go out and shoot some Spring images ;-)
These little Olympus rangefinders are amazing. I have a similar camera, the Minolta Hi-matic 7Sii. I think the Zuiko lens might be just a little better, but the Minolta does really well too. And tiny! Very handy to have around
I just got my first analog camera, the Olympus Trip 35, the viewfinder is a bit hazy when pointing at the sun/a bright light source but when not shooting directly into the light its perfectly fine. I cleaned the outside of the viewfinder with a cotton swab and it made a huge difference! It still has a little bit of a haze in the viewfinder, and tomorrow I'll find out how sharp the lens is when my first role of film comes back from the lab!
Sounds wonderful. Enjoy your film photography journey and have fun with the camera. :)
@@AnalogInsights i will! Got the roll back past Saturday, exposure was more precise then my modern dslr. I just bought 7 more roles of film (5 roles of kodak pro image 100 and two ilford xp2 super) with 20%off. Im going to be poor one day...
these Japanese rangefinders from the 60's and 70's are so much fun. I got a Yashica Lynx 5000e from an auction site (not bay) I paid 9$ for it then I did the light seals myself and took off the top cover and cleaned the range finder view screen and the camera shoots great I've got maybe 20$ in this thing total. the lenses were fantastic from this era of Japanese cameras they used to market the cameras as buying a great lens and getting a body for free haha. My Yashica has a fixed 45mm lens but it's perfect for street work and super super sharp. it is just single coated so it's not as modern for color work as some other options but for black and white I'm really impressed with the images it shoots.
beautiful camera (and review, as well, and hair), my aperture ring is very hard to turn.
I had one of the 35 RC cameras, found it in a thrift store. Was not sure if it would work, did not think a lot about it. Ran a roll of film through it.
I was blown away by the sharpness and clarity of the lens. These pictures rivaled my DSLR of the time. Now I wish I did not sell it years later. Might have to get another some day...........
I have a Olympus Trip 35 and I love it. Really liking that olympus strap as well. Great video
Although not the same camera, I'm currently shooting an old Pentax Spot matic SP2 which is of the same era and uses the same 1.35 volt battery. I use the Wein battery which is a modern regulated 1.35 volt constant charge battery. Well worth the money (about 8 Euros equivalent and bought on ebay from Germany).
great video by the way, lovely imagery and excellent English.
I have the Olympus SP and the RC, love them both, on the SP I have a piece of Black tape to cover the meter cell to prevent battery drain, and the lenses on those two models, Wow, very sharp, and the contrast just right. One time in Japan in 1992 I took the SP as I set the shutter at 1/8 of of second to shoot the street scenes as the people where walking by at a blur. That the camera was light, and leaf shutter that the images were sharp, and Yes I had to hold my breath each time when I press the shutter. On Digital no problems, but to experience that moment to do to take the shot, as the images is what I expected to see a moving images, background sharp, people in blur time.
What an excellent review. You have now made me interested in purchasing an analog camera such as this. :)
I just picked up one of these Olympus 35 and look forward to using it. Love your channel. Keep up this fantastic work!
Love your review, I'm looking for a simple camera like this or the Trip 35mm. Most of all, I love the photos you create.
I've just found one in great condition for only 20 euro! I'm so happy
I had the good fortune of being given one of these yesterday. It suffers from the sticky shutter issue but was dropped off at the repair shop today. Fingers crossed.
Great Video, i loved the pictures! Just bought a 35dc, can't wait to take it for a spin :)
Phil Knall Sounds great. Enjoy!
Excellent video, a joy to watch. I also like this Olympus, reminds me of my first camera the Ricoh 35ZF.
I have the Oly 35DC. Same lens (which is superb) but "dumbed down" in as much as you can't select aperture or shutter speed. Pictures are among the best I've seen from a 35mm compact.
Thanks for your comment. Glad to hear that you enjoy shooting your Oly 35 so much as well. The lens is really outstanding. :)
I plan on posting a review of the Oly as well as the rest of my film camera collection. I've been buying and selling a lot of them on eBay lately so I want to start documenting them while I still have them. I've got other YT Channels not related to photography but very recently started the Film Photography Channel. Only a couple of videos so far but I have lots of cameras and I'm really into film photography so there will be many more to follow.
I'd be honored if you give my fledgling channel a sub and check out my flicker photostream at www.flickr.com/gp/ericgreaux/350TQx and my web site filmexplosion.blogspot.com
BTW, I lived in Germany for a total of 15 years of my life; Kaiserslautern, Frankfurt and Ludwisburg. I found the country rich in culture, aesthetically beautiful, and their people absolutely amazing. In retrospect, the people that I met and that I called my friends, were the best thing about the country. Prost!
very inspiring -- thank you for sharing your experience with this camera. besides great quality in sound image and these sublime b&w pictures
Your photos are just awesome . Very good little film camera
Luën Iopue Thanks, I really appreciate the kind feedback.
This is a similar camera to my Canonette QL IIIG. Great little cameras and easy to put in your pocket. Great for learning about manual operation too.
Nice to see this one and the quality of photos with it..I spent a while towards the end of last year looking at the RD, RC and SP. I think that that CLA is also probably quite important due to what seemed an reported apparent proclivity towards a gumming of the aperture blades..Happy New Year, Max. :)
Inspirational review with inspirational shots!
Ivar Hakuse Thanks a lot for your feedback. Really appreciate it. :)
Yes, the trend of those little cameras diminished by the 80's, but it was quickly revived in the early 90's with Olympus models like mju1 & mju2, or Nikon's 35Ti & 28Ti.
Übrigens, Max, es war schön wieder Marienplatz und Isar zu sehen. Danke dir.
Gruß aus Kroatien ;-)
Tomislav Miletić Yes, that's certainly true. But the mju and other compact cameras are a completely different ball game, of course. :) Glad to hear you enjoyed seeing some parts of Munich again.
In terms of features and image quality, the RD had only one alternative in the Canon QL17 GIII, which also has a 40mm 1.7 lens. Although the build of one camera versus the other might reverse the conclusion, the lens in the Canon seems to be a bit better. Both are fantastic The big difference today is that while both cameras have greatly increased in price lately, the RD is very hard to find today, will the Canon is still easy to find, if expensive. Otherwise, the feature sets, whether good or not so much, are nearly identical. Not to worry over the ISO 800 limitation of the meter. If you plan to use 35mm format film faster than 800, your results are going to be so grainy and generally poor that they will only be useful to post video scans on your computer. If that's your plan, then this is too much cameras for you. Just get some other (cheaper) camera with better fits your use.
Excellent review. It looks like a very nice camera. Thank you!
Thanks for the video, ready to purchase one!
Susanna Siu Sounds great. Hope you enjoy shooting it. :)
I don't care if the meter isn't working on an old film camera. It's so easy to use the Sunny 16 Rule in my head and err on a 1-2 stop over exposure when shooting negative film. I only bring a small light meter if I'm shooting Velvia or other slide film.
Great review... coming to photography in the digital age, I mid of last year decided to try out film. Started with an Olympus OM-2n, since I already owned two OM-lenses I adapted to my digital camera - and really liked the small, professional design of the OMs. These old silver Olympus are gems - worth the price already just to showcase them - so what could go wrong. Got mine for 60€ with a lens attached I already had - and sold again for 80€ ;-) . Since there was a light leak had to invest another 15€ to get exchange seals from eBay, cleaned it - it is working perfectly now.
Next I wanted... a Leica M... ok priceshock - some rangefinder. The Oly 35 was on my wishlist, but as you pointed out is not sold that often - so got a Minolta Hi-matic 7 first, which's focus sadly is broken... but then finally found a 35 RD early this year - again cheap... even cleaned and serviced (seals are new). This camera is so rewarding to use, so small and high-quality. If you one day see another guy walking through Munich with an Oly 35 RD.. smiling from ear to ear.. that's probably me.
(btw - I'm using the 675 hearing aid batteries, which hold surprisingly long 5 month already after unsealing now)
Thorsten E. Gebuhr Thanks for your wonderful comment. Sounds like a not too uncommon journey into analog photography and getting a proper film camera. I'm glad to hear that you enjoy your 35RD so much. I'll keep my eyes open for someone really happy holding an RD35 here in Munich. ;)
Very close/similar to Canon's Canonet series. I just checked mine - it's the QL 17 GIII - the final version. My wife has Ricoh's 500 GX. Both with 40mm lenses, Canon being the fastest at f/1.7. I used my Canonet on the Trans-Siberian journey in 1974 as my only camera and was pleased with the results. Inspired by this video I will take it out and do a photo walk.
Thank you.
Beautiful photos! Munich looks like an amazing city :)
James Elliott Photo Thanks a lot. Munich is a very nice city. We will probably do another photo walk video for a different camera in spring or summer when it doesn't look quite as sparse. :)
thank you for the video and love the track you have playing. neat little bottle rocket type samples are interesting.
Really wonderful video, as always and the photographs are really beautiful!
Steve Reganato Thanks a lot for your kind comment. We really appreciate your feedback. :)
I have a Yashica Lynx 14 and really enjoy it. It has a leaf shutter f/1.4 fixed lens. That adds considerable weight, I suspect. Fun camera
This is so timely. A few days before you posted this I was given a Canonet G-III QL17! I'm waiting to replace the light seals before I try it out. After watching your latest video I'm looking forward to it even more. A photographer should have a camera at all times, and I plan on making that (and perhaps an Ilford Single Use) my everyday camera.
Jeff Miller Thanks a lot for your comment, Jeff. Sounds like a great plan to use the Canonet as your everyday camera. I honestly haven't found my always on camera just yet. I used to experiment with a plasticky Minolta compact camera but that didn't quite satisfy my needs. :) Let me know how the Canonet feels after a while.
Thank you for the video :) oder Danke schön (wäre Deutsch ok, kann ich besser als Englisch :-D ). Just in the last week I rather coincidentally received such a camera. Today the package arrived and I like it very much (not the package, but the camera). The thing with the battery was clear to me, although somebody just told me that it might be about a third f-stop, something that can be corrected relatively easily when scanning or editing on the PC (I don't develop it myself). What worried me a bit was the fact that you almost don't hear anything when you release the shutter, but that seems to be normal :). I think I'll take the camera out tomorrow or next weekend, then we'll see. Many greetings to Munich.
Your channel is amazing. You deserve a lot more subscribers. Keep up the great work.
Artby2wenty Thank you so much for your kind words. Glad you like the channel. :)
The SP is a superior camera. It has automatic exposure with P (camera chooses both aperture and shutter speed) but also the lightmeter allows you to manually choose a combination of aperture and shutter speed. SP is also a considerably larger camera
All true. :)
superb video, superb photo's, great little camera, thanks for sharing!
dave hyper Thanks for your kind comment, Dave. Glad you like it! :)
As always. Excellent!
Wow, thanks so much, Will! :)
I rebuilt my 35RC and the lens is fantastic.
Tank you very much for hour help, I work with some friends from Germany so I can ask them to help me with the web page.
A few days a go I bout a Olympus 35 RC that I needed to do some work on,
it is a earlier version of the 35 DC from around 1972 with more ops forcing but des not have a lot in auto settings.
Is a lovely camera to use and fits in my pocket, my mane camera is a Olympus OM2n or a OM4 with motor driver.
This is a very big camera and is very Heavy so that is why I but my 35 RC.
It is now working well and have put my first roll in and sending off for dev.
I got it for £15 UK as in has a broken self timer swish, this camera seals on eBay UK for £200 or more .
All the best Jonathan William Fay
Back in the 1980s I had an Olympus SP which also had a restricted ISO range so I if I shot at higher ISO such as 1600 I would set the camera to full manual mode and I used a hand held light meter.
You can use 1.35 volt hearing aid batteries. To make them fit use rubber o-rings. The same batteries work for the OM-1
I have the little sister 35RC, bought it for €35.00 and am very happy with it. I'm thinking of buying another one (or RD or SP) if I can find one.
Cool! Enjoy shooting the RC. :)
Dont worry about plug there colour film! I am shooting few months and results are awesome
great channel and video. off the topic what song was used when taking the photos, makes me wanna go out and shoot.
I have its cousin, the SP. Love it.
Nice work ... loved this video.
great video.. love to see more like this.. :)
Steve Wrigley Thanks. Sure, there will be more soon. :)
Excellent and compelling video, thanks!
Philip Rice Thank you for your nice comment. Glad you liked it and we appreciate your feedback.
I have the same camera, had it CLA'ed by OM-Doktor in Hamburg, who is the person Max is talking about and can recommend as well. So fun to use!
Marvin Klein Cool to see that you're enjoying this camera as well. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Marvin.
Just got myself one of these to just be able to carry it with me when I don't want to take a heavier 35mm SLR camera.
Thanks, it helps me a lot
Well, the SLRs had been around for 8 years by the time the 35 RD and its main competitor from Canon arrived along with lesser performers from Minolta and Konica. They actually were a reaction to the large and heavy SLRs - a light, fast, good lens, fast working and convenient cameras. What ended their popularity was the onset of small, light SLRs: Olympus OM-1, Pentax M-series, Nikon EM and FG.
Thanks for your comment and for clarifying that aspect. Sorry about the mistake. :)
@@AnalogInsights Olympus made the beautiful PEN F half frame SLR in that previous era to offer compactness.
Great video! Loved the shots!
Christian Bailey Thanks so much, Christian. :)
Nice review of this beautiful camera, Max. Unfortunately, Max, there's none to be found here in Australia and the cheapest for sale on eBay is AU$229 from the US. :-( Love your channel, BTW!
There are quite a few cheaper ones from japan. There's this weird thing with eBay and asian sellers that you have to change the item location to worldwide in filters else they don't show up.
How superior is this to a trip35? great video cheers!
Beautiful camera , good review. Thanks !!
Adresses for repairing / maintaining olympus camera's in Europe ??
Love the channel, love the vibe. Awesome job guys. One small complaint though... please please pay more attention to leveling Your shots. Crooked horizons, wall edges falling over... just feels sloppy. It’s a small adjustment that makes a huge difference IMHO. Cheers and do more Hasselblad photoshoots. ;)
The best part of this video. This guy actually knows you need to roll the use film all the way back into the film canister!
I've seen WAY too many youtube videos where people don't roll the film back into the canister, and I just think they look like total rookies.
I assume you got it from the Doktor, it seems like he did a pretty good job. Sure beats buying on ebay.
Great video. Do you know were is possible to find this camera in Europe?
Nice review, Be carefull with this kind of strap, metallic lockers are close to the body and can damage it
Great review and some lovely samples. This is the rangefinder I want. I've got a Yashica Electro 35 GTN but it's damn ugly compared to this one :) Keep up the good work.
Thanks a lot for your kind feedback. If you're interested in buying one in a great condition, you might want to take a look at the website of the famous "OM Doktor" who sells fully CLA'd Olympus cameras in excellent condition. He currently has a RD on sale for 155 Euros. Just scroll down on the homepage:
www.om-doktor.de/index.html
Unfortunately, the website is only available in German. But it might be interesting to you anyways. :)
Thank you for the link, I'm definitely interested in one so I'll take a look on the website. Hopefully I'll be able to translate it into English. Thanks again :)
Cool, just let me know in case you need any support with either translation or communication. Just send me a PM in you need help.
superbe
Can you share the technician who serviced the camera?
Stacy Bryant Sure, om-doktor.de
Thanks
Thank you! Really appreciate it.
@@AnalogInsights.... My pleasure
Great review. So I just waiting mine's come from eBay.
Do you plan to review some Contax as T2 or G2?
Thans for your reviews. Are amaizing
Thanks for your kind comment. Yes, we might review the Contax G2 and/or T2 as well. :)
Great review! Glad you found one that was possible to save and keep. I wasn't that lucky. WHo did you take it to for a complete CLA? I've been browsing around for someone good, but it seems most of them are retired and don't do repairs anymore.
Thanks!
Just saw below in a reply that you got yours up and running with the help of www.om-doktor.de. I'll write them an e-mail and see if they are up for a challenge
JEI Photo Glad to see you found my original response. Sorry for not answering earlier.
easier than your leica m6 statement probably scratches your heart element.
Irgendwie sind dies auch meine Wege, wenn ich mal in München bin :D
Hey there! Any recommendation where you can get your cameras CLAed? Thank you!
Max do you have any information if that F. Zuiko lens is radioactive or not. It seems to be the Silvernose variant those are known for being radioactive. Thanks
Thanks for your comment and question. Unfortunately, I have no idea about that. Sorry!
Thanks ever since I came to know that the zuiko silvernose lens are radioactive I am kind of scared of using my 35RD now. Haha
How much difference is the Olympus 35 SP with a 42mm 1.7 lens...I seen one in the USA for $35
Great video. Have just aquired one myself as an upgrade on an Olympus Trip. Can I ask, should the rewind knob turn as you advance the film? On my Trip it does, but doesn't seem to be the same on the 35 RD (unless mine has an issue). Thanks in advance.
Thanks for your comment. It is our understanding (Jules quickly double-checked it) that the rewind knob is supposed to turn on the Olympus Trip when you use the film advance. Is it possible that your film is not advancing correctly? Hope this helps.
Thanks to Jules for checking, really appreciate it. There's a point at 12:59 in the video where you can just see the the knob turn. I messed up loading the film and hadn't tensioned it properly! All sorted now!
Can you please let me know where you did the CLA job on this? Need one desperately for my camera. Cheers
Cortexturizer Sure. The OM Doktor in Germany. You can reach them via their website: www.om-doktor.de
Hope this helps.
@@AnalogInsights Thanks so much.
Subbed
“... told me “Easier to focus than your Leica M6”. Well La Di Da
Hmm, good review, but I don't think it's accurate to call it the most advanced of its type. That honor would go to the 35 SP or Yashica Electro 35.
Another great video! How does this camera stack up to the Canonet QL17 Giii?
Thanks a lot, Matthew. Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to try the Canonet QL17 Giii but would be very interested in trying one. So I can't really say how the Olympus compares to the Canonet or a Yashica Electro 35.
Matthew French ... got to in black if it's a QL.
I have this camera
My father says this was best camera in 90's
How much did it cost to have the camera CLA'd and the voltage adjusted, if you dont mind me asking?
Domenik _ Jules bought it fully serviced and adjusted from the German OM-Doktor (www.om-doktor.de) so I can’t say how much the CLA or adjustment would cost alone. But you could reach out to them and ask.
Max, do you have any thought as to how this Olympus RD35 matches up against it's predecessor the Olympus Trip 35? Concordia University (Montreal, Canada) Communication Arts programme back in the 70's required it's students to use only the Trip35, if I remember correctly. Asking specifically as you mentioned lens quality on your RD35.
Thanks for your question, Gary. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to try the Trip 35 so far and therefore can't answer your question. I am sorry about that. :)
I have both Gary. The 35RC is both bigger and better ...BUT the Trip fits easier into a coat pocket - no doubt the intention of its small and simplistic design
How much should I pay for one, IF I can find one and it is in good condition?
quite ok video and comment and you are a really good looking young man
Well, quite ok comment. Really appreciate it. Thanks! ;)
hey Max ... can you do a review of the RC or are they quite similar to the RD ?
Thanks for your suggestion. The RC is a bit too similar to justify producing a dedicated video. But I recommend you take a look at the comparison article that I mentioned in the video:
web2.ph.utexas.edu/~yue/misc/rangfndr.html
MAX+ONE Portrait Photography I agree with you , I thought as much max .... no worries
Hello Max, which camera review channels do you like to turn to for reviews?
Again, sorry about my late response. To be honest, I hardly have the time these days to watch a lot of other RUclips channels. Creating content for this channel, doing photo shoots, and focusing on my full-time job takes up a large amount of my time.
Analog Insights I understand. Many amazon companies have been contacting me requesting I feature their camera product on the channel, been telling most of them no thanks because I am also too busy. Never thought that'd happen. Jus keep doing what feels right Max, peace.