Olympus 35RC, a pleasure to shoot

Olympus 35RC, 42mm, E. Zuiko 2.8. Photo taken with Canon FTb, Tri-X 400.

Slightly smaller than the Minolta Hi-Matic, this little camera is very capable even when using the automatic (aperture priority) setting. The Olympus has simple shutter speed settings and accurate rangefinder focusing, I was very pleased with the results. The aperture ring is undersized and difficult to adjust. Even smaller hands will need to refocus after changing the aperture so set it first then focus. Or just use the auto setting and have fun composing shots! If you want to trick the camera and over-expose, push it to iso 800. All these examples are untouched without adjustment or cropping. I'm pleased with the contrast and tonal range captured from this little Zuiko lens. I typically shoot a 50mm lens and this 42mm was very similar.

Kauffman Performing Arts Center, Kansas City Missouri. Olympus 35RC, T-Max 400

Looking towards the bright front window at Prospero's Bookstore. T-Max 400 pushed to 800.

The Olympus worked great in both daylight and inside shots. On this same roll of film I pushed the shots at the bookstore to iso 800. I wanted to test the latitude of the film while testing the low light capabilities of the lens. The viewfinder is darker in these situations and focusing is more difficult. Overall everything was in focus as anticipated with good depth of field.

As with rangefinders, composing the shot is different than a SLR and you'll need to remember to use the frame guides inside the viewfinder. This difference and remembering to focus are two difficulties I have when shooting rangefinders.

I'm excited to use the Olympus again in various situations. I really think the results are very nice for such a simple camera. Like the Minolta Hi-Matic, it fits into a jacket pocket or can be carried around inconspicuously. It's also very handsome and easy for others to admire!

Loose Park pond. Testing out the timer with a shot from the ground.

From under the stairs at Prospero's Bookstore on West 39th Street. T-Max 400 pushed to 800.

With bright natural light from the window above the stairs and incandescent light from below, the meter balanced out the two and provided a very nice exposure with detail in both highlights and shadows.

Alley looking East to Kauffman center. This location will be visited again to get a shot without the truck.

I hope you enjoyed these rangefinder blog posts. This was the last official review in the rangefinder series but future black and white film posts will arrive soon. Please visit the website for more photos from each of these cameras and more. I do have additional rangefinders to test and review like a Regula King KG, a few Argus' and a nice Futura-S from 1949. Follow the blog for updates and more vintage camera nerdy-ness.