Olympus 35 SP Camera

[@JavaoftheLava]

Thank you for this! I found it very helpful and learned something new as someone thats been using this camera for years

[@andrewinaustintx]

This is a well done video in an amazingly short amount of time. I had a 35 SP and it was almost as large as a Leica M2. It was definitely a camera with one foot firmly rooted in the 1960s era - with a stellar lens and one of the last cameras I know of to use EV numbers. Similar cameras from the late sixties included the Minolta 7S and Konica Auto S2. Both of which were similar in size.

[@lornespry]

I bought one of these years ago and lost my envy of Leica owners.

[@joeltunnah]

And you save a lot of money!

[@lornespry]

Hi From Sendai! I have a 35 SP. The Zuiko 42mm 1:1.7 lens is brilliant - very sharp without being too ... ah ... "analytical". I own a fair lot of Japanese and German glass, but this Zuiko is my favourite lens.

[@anthonyhitchings1051]

we have one of these that was bought as a gift for my wife by her brother when he was in Japan back in 1972. She did not use it to photograph our young children because "they don't sit still". Rears lens element is pristine.

[@ditto1958]

I had one of those and also an RC. They wear so nice, but I sold them. Wish I still had one.

[@marcusa3177]

Man, the rangefinder user experience is totally something else yeah? Would you happen to know/have an idea on how to do double exposures with the 35SP? Thanks!

[@wolfgangkaminski8823]

thank you, very good review

[@locadeva]

Thanks so much for all the details of this amazing sounding camera :) Besides manual and all Auto modes, can you shoot in Shutter priority auto and Apreture priority auto modes? Thank you in advance for your info :)

[@Whywas6scared]

"Buggered around with". It's funny to hear an American say such an English sounding phrase 😂

[@randallstewart175]

Years ago, I very much wanted an SP like this one, for its two mode metering system. I never found one in good physical condition where the meter worked. The lens is excellent. However the meter takes the old mercury battery and has no OFF switch. The mercury battery could take that abuse just by casing the camera to put the meter in the dark (near OFF), however modern batteries do not have that life capacity and will be exhausted in short order. Also, I think the different voltage of the modern batteries may throw off the meter accuracy, but that may be adjustable. Overall, the later Oly RD is a better camera in all respects, but quite hard to find in the US, and a bit pricy when found.

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

The RD is a great camera, and is hard to come by even in Japan. A good RD sells for $300 and up here. I won't way the RD has a better lens, but it has a better overall exterior design. The RD has one problem to watch out for, the shutter blades are prone to sticking or dragging, which can cause inaccurate exposures.

[@andrewinaustintx]

Randall - You can look these up on eBay. The solution for the lack of mercury batteries is a "Kanto MR-9 PX625 Battery Adapter" - which reduces the voltage from a modern SR43/386 silver oxide cell's 1.5 volts to ~ 1.35 volts. The adapter utilizes a Schottky diode to reduce the voltage output and has an outer diameter that is the same as original PX625. I can't help you with the switch on/off - other than to suggest a suitable sized camera pouch for when it the 35SP is not in use.

[@randallstewart175]

@@andrewinaustintx I've managed that voltage difference a number of times. Usually, I adapt the camera's internal circuit with a dropping diode. My issue has been with the meter function and switching. The SPs I looked at either had a bad switch or bad meter cell.

[@joeltunnah]

@@randallstewart175 the Weincell replacement works fine. Don’t use alkalines or convert it.

[@lornespry]

As for the lack of an OFF switch: when I use my 35SP out of its case, I carry a bit of "Blu-tac" that I use to push and pull on on the meter-window. It's hardly an elegant solution, but it works.

[@63MacGuy]

How is the focusing on the range finder. Clear, bright, large enough patch

[@paultaylorphotography9499]

Awesome review thanks. I’ve owned this camera a few years now love it to bits the quality and feel of the camera makes it a pleasure to shoot. It has one issue I can’t work out though the last few rolls it stops firing around the 18th frame I wind on but it won’t fire then around 30 frames it starts firing again I’ve checked the aperture and shutter without a film in everything looks to be good strange. Today I’m going to run a dummy film though a few times see if it still buggers around. Anyway liked and subbed mate cheers Paul

[@dbmillan]

Hi! Did you manage to figure this out?

[@paultaylorphotography9499]

@@dbmillan I think so mate I think it was the film coming off of the sprockets so I now make sure I take time to load the film and rewind it slightly to take up any slack I've a few rolls through and not had the issue since long may it continue....fingers crossed.

[@dbmillan]

@@paultaylorphotography9499 Good to hear, thanks!

[@paultaylorphotography9499]

@@dbmillan welcome mate have you had a similar issue?

[@dbmillan]

Hi! Excuse me, what’s that battery you mentioned that gives the most accurate performance from the meter?

[@mohammadvarzideh780]

Hello . Great and informative review . Is there any difference in terms of price and specs with Sp n ?

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

There is no functional difference between the SP and SP n, though the latter has more collector value.

[@paw3665]

Hi, love watching your videos, I’ve had this camera for over a year now, the meter works, but seems to be out by 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 stops lower on the EV scale! Testing it against other cameras, if the ev should point to 11 it is pointing at ev 9 or there about, but I do seem to get really good photos out of it! The spot meter just goes to the far right when pressed, so isn’t working! Can the meters be fixed in these cameras if I sent it in for a CLA ? Or is it just not worth it? The cam is in great condition apart from the meters. Cheers, Paul.

[@joeltunnah]

Send it to John Hermanson at Camtech. He specializes in Olympus film cameras.

[@paw3665]

@@joeltunnah Hi Joel, i'm guessing your in the US? i live in the UK Joel, but thanks for the suggestion.

[@joeltunnah]

@@paw3665 yes, he’s in NY state. Might be too expensive for you to ship.

[@RonnyKohlmann]

The rear lens element on my 35SP has exactly this issue. It seems like the fungus has etched the glass. So much that the images come out extremely soft and like vaseline has ben put on the first 1/3 of the image. Is there anyway to repair this? Or is my only option to replace this part from a donor camera?

[@joeltunnah]

I grew up in the 70s. Japanese compact rangefinders were owned by casual or inexperienced shooters (my aunts for example) for vacations and special events. Hobbyists and pros only used SLRs, preferably in medium format. My dad was a photo nerd, and had a Canon F1 and a Bronica.

[@zidanyuda1534]

Can you make Vidio of yashica mg-1 please , because i want but that camera and Very few people discuss it ,i hope you gan make that vidio