The 7 element lens in these cameras is astonishing. As soon as I got an Oly 35-SP, I let go of my long held aspiration to acquire a Leica - despite the fixed lens!

i’m personally a big fan of the 35 SP. I think it’s actually quite small, probably because i’m so used to lugging around my Nikon F2. The fixed lens doesn’t make me think about things too hard and the camera being so simple and easy to use helps me be more creative.

I’ve had this camera in my possession for over 10 years. The camera shop told me (back then) it wasn’t going to work because the light meter is broken.. 😱 it’s been sitting on my shelf as a decoration. Going to see if I can get it to work. Thanks for this video, I had no idea where to begin.

Totally agree on the focus throw being just right. Also, I think the 42mm is the perfect focal length (for me) if I had to only choose one.

Fantastic camera! I think it's a perfect size and focal length.If I want to bring extra lenses I would use one of my slr's instead. What you call guide numbers, are exposure values.

Good review of a great camera. Just a couple of nits to pick. The values shown in the windows and in the viewfinder are EV, exposure values not guide numbers. This was a common system back when. "Guide numbers" refer to flash output and on this camera are set so the flashmatic system works properly. While I agree that the shutter is not the nicest sound, it shouldn't really be compared to a powered shutter like in the Yashica or the Leica's focal plane shutter. The noise it makes is mostly due to the intricate mechanics of the needle capture exposure system which is also why it can operate without batteries unlike the GSN. Anyway, thanks for the review.

This is a excellent camera with a very sharp lens.

Timely video for me, just got my SP today and wasn't sure about the settings and how to use the meter. Thanks, great job look forward to more vids.

Thank you for the explaining how to use the light meter. I was looking around about that to no avail until now. Can't wait to put a battery in to try it out. The lens is fantastically sharp even wide open, focus is buttery, and the focal length is such a sweet spot that being limited to using just this lens is in many ways liberating. The size is great for me - fits well in a fanny pack ; )

Minolta HI Matic F- good lens. Olympus 35 SP- amazing lens (has the reputation of being the greatest fixed rangefinder lens ever manufactured). Wasn’t a hard choice for me.

On metering: The SP has two meter circuits, one for a normal wide angle meter and a second for a very narrow spot meter. I shopped on and off for a decade or more, both local shops and on ebay, but I nver found an SP in decent condition which either had no meter functions, or commonly had no working spot meter. A more general problem with the meter is mentioned passingly in the video. It has no "off" switch. The camera is designed to use a long gone mercury cell battery. You saved the battery by keeping the camera in an "everready" case, because "dark" resulted in so much resistance in the circuit that it was almost shut off. That technology was vastly more robust than the batteries available today in a size which would fit the camera. Today's batteries will be consumed in a matter of days if the camera is left open. Another battery option in direct use of the Wein cells; they fit directly, but have a fairly short life once you install them - a few months at most, and they are not cheap.

Looks like a great camera with an excellent lens. I get your point regarding larger size and louder noise. Another excellent thought out review. 👍🏻s up

I'm glad you did the size comparison with the Electro.

Thanks. I've had this camera for a few years and never worked out how to use it properly until now. I've taken some nice shots with it just by luck and using auto.

Great video mate, I bought one two years ago on a whim, shot one roll of Tmax 400 and was blown away one of my fave vids. Not used it since, until now the film bug is back. Thanks for this content mate awesome work cheers,

Great video! With it, i learned how to use my 35 SP! Thank you for that! Maybe sometime you could do another video on the spot metering function. Once again, thank you!

Nice review! Yeah, I'm open to a real bargain SP, but I still think I'd shoot my RC pretty much all the time--great little camera. I also have the all automatic ECR that someone just gave me. Fun and the same lens. I think if I was really looking for a fast Olympus, I would get another OM-1... just me. Thanks!

Thanks so much, this video helped me identify what my repairman didn't repair... Apparently the spot meter and auto functions don't work at all and the film counter as well... How can someone decent call this honest work...

Great video, thanks for explaining the exposure mechanism. I think I'll be picking up a near mint one from Japan. I think the prices have increased since this video.

Great review and guide. And of course there is Minolta Hi-Matic 7sII with 1.7 lens. It's pricier, but has a great leans and is compact and light.

wow in-depth review. thank you

🇯🇵 rangefinders are so awesome🥰

If you like a quiet shutter then you will love the 35 RD. The shutter is whisper quiet, like a TLR.

Very useful and balanced review!

This is the only mechanical rangefinder with "dual A" Program mode, but the metering system is quite clumsy that you need to use the Guide No. to get the correct exposure.

I used to have one of those but preferred the Canon QL 17 GIII.... However, I have just ordered an "Olympus 35 RD" which may suit you better in terms of size from what you say.

The shutter and aperture rings move together ! To maintain the guide number

Simple battery adapters are not lowering voltage unfortunately thus meter won't work correctly There are zink-air batteries with 1.4v that can be used in these old cameras via simple adapters.

it's hard to get one on the cheap. you could get the camera, certainly, but you'd most likely have to have it refurbished which costs money no matter what camera it is.

getting a cheap one means having to get it serviced etc. which also costs money, so might as well buy a cla'd and fresh one and pay a bit more

You don't need a camera bag for the olympus you probably do need one if you plan to change lenses on the Leica.

Well, with a rangefinder, every situation when You have to move a camera from your eye is in some way a denial of the idea of that kind of camera. I assume they couldn't make it to work in semi-auto as well with fully coupled exposure meter. This system is just too slow compared to aperture or shutter priority competition, altough it's the only one which gives exposure lock... without exposure lock;)

Ha, you already did. Cheers congrats on the channel

Are there really converters that bring the voltage down? How does that work? I managed to find one of these for €110 with shipping today. My Hi-Matic F is really small and lovely, but I find it limits me because it doesn't have exposure lock!

Sorry my friend. You speak of guide number, referring to the exposure system. But those numbers 3 through 17 are EVs. exposure values. an international standard system. The true guide number (NG) refers only to the flash exposure. Try re-reading some books on photographic technique.

So glad you have put this up, Ive just got one off Ebay but has not come yet, thanks so much for the explanation of how to use the numbers on the lens! do you know where I can buy the battery adapter? also how easy is it to achieve bokeh? thanks again subbed Tim

Love this video, please make many more. Thanks

yo dude!! great video!! cool if i snag a couple clips for my video about affordable 35mm cameras? ill be sure to credit you in the video + desc!

Thank you for this video

Sound level seems pretty low. But then, you're a very soft-spoken person!

What to do I do if I cant really see that meter line through the camera? Im not sure if it is my eyes or if it has something to do with the camera.

wish i could source an original hood for mine

what do you think about olympus 35sp and canonet ql17 giii ?

I've just bought one on Ebay but there's two main things that bother me though, having seen your review. The first is the metering cell is not on the lens, which could be a pain as I regularly use b&w filters. The second is not being able to set it to shutter or aperture priority. Also when in automatic there's no way of telling what shutter speeds have been selected. I think my Canonet QL17 GIII maybe a little better to use and suits my way of working. The only things i would gain with the SP is a slightly sharper lens, an extra shutter speed (1 sec) and a full auto mode (which i'll probably never use). I'll see how it goes when I get it.

Hi I have a olympus 35 SPn camera which is not in a working condition. Let me know if anyone could help to restore the same.

Hello sir!! Can i ask some question about that camera?

Just got my SP. The focus ring can only be moved from 2.8 to 3.5 ft, does anyone know how this could be fixed? There is no dents or damage on the camera so I am a bit confused.

vs canonet ql17 giii, which one do you prefer?

When in the video do you talk about focusing? I took some pictures and most were blurry so I need help with that.

Can you take double exposures with this camera?

does this camera work with a shutter release cable? just picked one up and the release cable isnt working

How’s the lens on the Himatic f?

if using battery adapter, so no need calibrate the metering rite?

How does the guidenumber correlate to EV?

Sir.meron po ako nyan

What if shutter speeed set in " B" what does it means ?