I just got one of these and CLA'd it myself and it was pretty emotional, but I now have a working RD that I paid peanuts for. What appeared to be a stuck shutter in your case seemed like just the aperture blades staying open, which is normal. They then close when you wind on and then open again to the chosen aperture setting when you release the shutter.
Thank you for posting! I'm looking at both cameras at the moment, so it was very useful. Looking forward to hearing about your experiences with it. And I hope you get the sticky shutter problem resolved. Oh, I just noticed your video with test shots, so I guess it worked out :).
The Oly 35RD is almost identical in form and features with the Canon QL17 GIII. Their lenses perform the same. Both cameras are far superior in optical performance to any other fixed lens cameras of their day. Today, in good shape, they command about the same used prices. Many more of the Canon were sold back in the day, so the Canon is easy to find; the 35RD not so much.
You can get an updated version of the battery. It's the 625 A by Energizer. However, I don't usually use a battery with the RD or RC. I Meter based off the sunny 16 rule. If you are relying on a battery, check out the Sunny16 rule and give it a shot. You'll become a better photographer by learning how to read the light. It's a little tough at first, but it gets easier. Cheers.
Great video! I'm at a cross road in purchasing the Olympus 35 RD. My local camera store has this camera (CLAed) for $200 and since you mention you paid a premium for yours, I wanted to ask if this is a good price for it.
+Carbon-13 Hi. Thanks for your question. First of all, I love this camera. It's an excellent performer. If the camera store is reputable, then $200 would be a good price. I paid about $175 for mine on eBay and was happy with it. However, when I started to buy these cameras I decided to learn how to CLA them myself. That process helped me spot good CLA's from Bad. Tip one, operate the shutter at all speeds. You should be able to tell a difference in sound from most of the speeds. Tip 2, open the back, place aperture on 1.7, shutter on bulb, and look at the lens. Check for fungus. Use a flashlight or your cell phones light. A little fungus on the outside of the lens won't be an issue and is normal. A big old dot in the center of the lens is a deal breaker. Tip 3, operate the camera at all aperture using any shutter speed of your choice. What you are looking for is that as you depress the shutter, the aperture opens. Once the shutter avuates observe to see if the aperture closes back down to completely closed. If there is a problem you will probably notice it at the wide aperture settings. Wiggle the focus ring if it's stuck and see if it closes down. If it does, there is probably some old grease gumming up the aperture. Try to negotiate the price down because cleaning the blades is part of a complete factory CLA. Tip 4, check the viewfinder. Look to see that the rangefinders is working. Do this by moving the focus ring. Pick a vertivle object about 4-5 feet away and start adjusting focus. Make sure that the range finder is working correctly. Many times the linkage from the lens to the rangefinders decouples, and the finder will give the appearance of working but actually won't. If that's the case you'll notice friction on the ring sometimes but none on other times. Also the finder will seem to double the images sometimes but not others as well. Tip 5, check for new light seals. Open the back and see if the foam used is spongu and sticky or if it's new and stiff. Replacing light seals is easy and I use 1-2mm adhesive foam purchased from my local craft store. Point is, that you need to make sure the seals have been replaced. Finally, ask if it has been film tested since the CLA. If so, ask to see the developments. I hope you find this helpful. Please disregard any typos as I'm on my phone answering you. Cheers! PS don't forget to let me know if you get it. Maybe make a video of the images and follow this post with a link.
I just got one of these and CLA'd it myself and it was pretty emotional, but I now have a working RD that I paid peanuts for. What appeared to be a stuck shutter in your case seemed like just the aperture blades staying open, which is normal. They then close when you wind on and then open again to the chosen aperture setting when you release the shutter.
Hey, thanks so much for this information. It's really helpful. Cheers!
Thank you for posting! I'm looking at both cameras at the moment, so it was very useful. Looking forward to hearing about your experiences with it. And I hope you get the sticky shutter problem resolved. Oh, I just noticed your video with test shots, so I guess it worked out :).
Excellent camera ✨
Thanks for the comment. Cheers!
Nice, i have RD as well with very good condition. Purchased around $142 in Indonesia
I love the RD. Such a great camera.
The Oly 35RD is almost identical in form and features with the Canon QL17 GIII. Their lenses perform the same. Both cameras are far superior in optical performance to any other fixed lens cameras of their day. Today, in good shape, they command about the same used prices. Many more of the Canon were sold back in the day, so the Canon is easy to find; the 35RD not so much.
Which battery do you use in place of the mercury 625?
You can get an updated version of the battery. It's the 625 A by Energizer. However, I don't usually use a battery with the RD or RC. I Meter based off the sunny 16 rule. If you are relying on a battery, check out the Sunny16 rule and give it a shot. You'll become a better photographer by learning how to read the light. It's a little tough at first, but it gets easier. Cheers.
Great video! I'm at a cross road in purchasing the Olympus 35 RD. My local camera store has this camera (CLAed) for $200 and since you mention you paid a premium for yours, I wanted to ask if this is a good price for it.
+Carbon-13 Hi. Thanks for your question. First of all, I love this camera. It's an excellent performer. If the camera store is reputable, then $200 would be a good price. I paid about $175 for mine on eBay and was happy with it.
However, when I started to buy these cameras I decided to learn how to CLA them myself. That process helped me spot good CLA's from Bad.
Tip one, operate the shutter at all speeds. You should be able to tell a difference in sound from most of the speeds.
Tip 2, open the back, place aperture on 1.7, shutter on bulb, and look at the lens. Check for fungus. Use a flashlight or your cell phones light. A little fungus on the outside of the lens won't be an issue and is normal. A big old dot in the center of the lens is a deal breaker.
Tip 3, operate the camera at all aperture using any shutter speed of your choice. What you are looking for is that as you depress the shutter, the aperture opens. Once the shutter avuates observe to see if the aperture closes back down to completely closed. If there is a problem you will probably notice it at the wide aperture settings. Wiggle the focus ring if it's stuck and see if it closes down. If it does, there is probably some old grease gumming up the aperture. Try to negotiate the price down because cleaning the blades is part of a complete factory CLA.
Tip 4, check the viewfinder. Look to see that the rangefinders is working. Do this by moving the focus ring. Pick a vertivle object about 4-5 feet away and start adjusting focus. Make sure that the range finder is working correctly. Many times the linkage from the lens to the rangefinders decouples, and the finder will give the appearance of working but actually won't. If that's the case you'll notice friction on the ring sometimes but none on other times. Also the finder will seem to double the images sometimes but not others as well.
Tip 5, check for new light seals. Open the back and see if the foam used is spongu and sticky or if it's new and stiff. Replacing light seals is easy and I use 1-2mm adhesive foam purchased from my local craft store. Point is, that you need to make sure the seals have been replaced.
Finally, ask if it has been film tested since the CLA. If so, ask to see the developments.
I hope you find this helpful. Please disregard any typos as I'm on my phone answering you. Cheers!
PS don't forget to let me know if you get it. Maybe make a video of the images and follow this post with a link.
Thank you for your very informative reply.
does anyone know what film it uses
35mm film
I bought one in perfect condition for only 10 euros! The guy selling it really didn't know his prizes!
same here, found one on a flea market nearby and bought for 10€. My Rd is in very good condition, near mint. I shot some rolls and await the results.