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.

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.

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 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 would love to see you guys review the Olympus 35 SP! And as always, great review 🙏🏼

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.

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 ;-)

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.

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.

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 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 an SP and an RC that I think are the best Rangefinders ever made, ever. Thanks for this video. Larry McCormick

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.

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.

I just picked up one of these Olympus 35 and look forward to using it. Love your channel. Keep up this fantastic work!

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 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!

I have a Olympus Trip 35 and I love it. Really liking that olympus strap as well. Great video

I've just found one in great condition for only 20 euro! I'm so happy

beautiful camera (and review, as well, and hair), my aperture ring is very hard to turn.

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. :)

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 ;-)

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 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.

Inspirational review with inspirational shots!

very inspiring -- thank you for sharing your experience with this camera. besides great quality in sound image and these sublime b&w pictures

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.

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. :)

Excellent video, a joy to watch. I also like this Olympus, reminds me of my first camera the Ricoh 35ZF.

Your photos are just awesome . Very good little film camera

Great Video, i loved the pictures! Just bought a 35dc, can't wait to take it for a spin :)

Really wonderful video, as always and the photographs are really beautiful!

Beautiful photos! Munich looks like an amazing city :)

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.

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!

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.

Thanks for the video, ready to purchase one!

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)

thank you for the video and love the track you have playing. neat little bottle rocket type samples are interesting.

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.

Your channel is amazing. You deserve a lot more subscribers. Keep up the great work.

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.

As always. Excellent!

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

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.

superb video, superb photo's, great little camera, thanks for sharing!

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.

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

I rebuilt my 35RC and the lens is fantastic.

Nice work ... loved this video.

Great video! Loved the shots!

great video.. love to see more like this.. :)

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.

Excellent and compelling video, thanks!

I have its cousin, the SP. Love it.

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

great channel and video. off the topic what song was used when taking the photos, makes me wanna go out and shoot.

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.

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.

Dont worry about plug there colour film! I am shooting few months and results are awesome

Thanks, it helps me a lot

How superior is this to a trip35? great video cheers!

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!

Beautiful camera , good review. Thanks !! Adresses for repairing / maintaining olympus camera's in Europe ??

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.

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!

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. ;)

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

Nice review, Be carefull with this kind of strap, metallic lockers are close to the body and can damage it

Can you share the technician who serviced the camera?

I assume you got it from the Doktor, it seems like he did a pretty good job. Sure beats buying on ebay.

Hello Max, which camera review channels do you like to turn to for reviews?

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

Great video. Do you know were is possible to find this camera in Europe?

Irgendwie sind dies auch meine Wege, wenn ich mal in München bin :D

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!

Thanks

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.

superbe

How much did it cost to have the camera CLA'd and the voltage adjusted, if you dont mind me asking?

How much difference is the Olympus 35 SP with a 42mm 1.7 lens...I seen one in the USA for $35

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.

Can you please let me know where you did the CLA job on this? Need one desperately for my camera. Cheers

easier than your leica m6 statement probably scratches your heart element.

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.

What film did you use. Your shots are really sharp and contrast.

“... told me “Easier to focus than your Leica M6”. Well La Di Da

Another great video! How does this camera stack up to the Canonet QL17 Giii?

Hey there! Any recommendation where you can get your cameras CLAed? Thank you!

Subbed

hey Max ... can you do a review of the RC or are they quite similar to the RD ?

May I ask you where you develop your photos in Munich ? :)

I have this camera My father says this was best camera in 90's

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.

How much should I pay for one, IF I can find one and it is in good condition?