 |
OK. We start with the fact that this isa film camera, which is going to turn many away. And it's a rangefinder (like the classic thread mount and M Leicas), not an SLR, which some people won't want. It doesn't change lenses, but has a brilliantly designed 7 element in 5 groups double Gauss lens that rivals the classic Summilux. Once you get to people who use or are thinking of using a rangefinder film camera, it is easy to recommend this once with high praise. The lens is a perfect normal, equal to the length of the diagonal, and is useful for most daily applications -- wide enough for landscape, short enough that a close portrait won't distort, tack sharp across the frame, and fast at f1.7. Focus is easy with a large focus lever. The focus throw is fairly short, which is convenient, but means you have to me careful to focus accurately. If you do, you will be rewarded with sharp pictures that the meter has correctly exposed. In auto mode it is shutter priority, but by moving both aperture and shutter to the A setting, full program is possible. For me, though, the full manual with metering is the clincher, and how I use the camera. The meter gives an EV (exposure value) between 3 and 17 which you match in the EV box on the lens. Any correct combination of shutter and aperture will bring you to the specified EV. Anyone who has ever used a hand held exposure meter will be on familiar ground. Those who have made adjustments with f stop and shutter speed indicated in the viewfinder may find it offputting, but many match needle meters in manual cameras of the past -- like my wonderful OM-1 -- managed without that information. A brilliantly conceived and very well built fixed lens rangefinder. It was built for the unavailable 625 mercury batteries, but can be run on 675 zinc air hearing aid batteries at the correct voltage. Adapters to get the smaller battery to fit can be purchased, or you can rig it with an O ring and a washer to center it and make contact with the cap. That's how mine is run and the meter is spot on, even with finicky tmax film. Some people find the EV metering system awkward. For my money, it simplifies things considerably and allows one to then concentrate on focusing and framing. The Olympus is unique for its time in having a spot meter, activated by pushing a conveniently located button on the back. While the averaging meter is very good and be relied on almost all the time, the spot is convenient to have of those instances when a predominantly light or dark scene will overthrow the assumptions built into any meter. But even using it, of course, one has to know how to compensate for the medium grey most meters assume. If you are thinking of this camera, just get. It's worth the extra money to get one guaranteed to be fully operational and in good condition. Camera repair is expensive.Read full review
I love this camera despite a nonworking meter it is very usable in manual mode, either with a light meter or using the rule of sunny 16. Using the later I was able to take some great black and whites and was very pleased with the lenses ability to put out great contrasty pic. I have several old cameras that I use for film but she is my number one for now.
Really beautiful piece of classic! Solid and and easy to use. Light meter has the ambient/spot mode metering (what is quite unique for a 70s camera!). And it's got the really fast and sharp 42 mm lens! All these make this camera one of the most useful purchase in the class!
Nice camera for street photography. Solid yet compact.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Lens at least as good as Leica, perfect normal for full-frame 35mm. It was made specifically for this camera: tear element close to film, entire assembly focuses on its helicoid, like a view camera. Has onboard spot meter. Not built as strongly as a Leica, and lens is fixed. But image quality is unmatchable, if you learn to visualize your images with the focal length. Very happy with mine, after years with SLRs. Good scans with negs should make for outstanding prints at a small fraction of full-frame digital costs (if time is not a factor).
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in Film Cameras
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on Film Cameras
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
![Olympus 35 Film Camera [ TESTED / WORK PROPERLY ] FREE SHIPPING from Japan#362 - Picture 1 of 12](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/0kUAAOSwZRJk6oXW/s-l500.jpg)
![Olympus 35 Film Camera [ TESTED / WORK PROPERLY ] FREE SHIPPING from Japan#362 - Picture 2 of 12](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/3HQAAOSwwWVk6oXW/s-l500.jpg)
![Olympus 35 Film Camera [ TESTED / WORK PROPERLY ] FREE SHIPPING from Japan#362 - Picture 3 of 12](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/sc8AAOSwfBVk6oXW/s-l500.jpg)
![Olympus 35 Film Camera [ TESTED / WORK PROPERLY ] FREE SHIPPING from Japan#362 - Picture 4 of 12](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/7zcAAOSwOd5k6oXW/s-l500.jpg)
![Olympus 35 Film Camera [ TESTED / WORK PROPERLY ] FREE SHIPPING from Japan#362 - Picture 5 of 12](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/wyEAAOSwkDBk6oXW/s-l500.jpg)
![Olympus 35 Film Camera [ TESTED / WORK PROPERLY ] FREE SHIPPING from Japan#362 - Picture 6 of 12](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/38oAAOSw~DZk6oXX/s-l500.jpg)
![Olympus 35 Film Camera [ TESTED / WORK PROPERLY ] FREE SHIPPING from Japan#362 - Picture 7 of 12](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/3LQAAOSwy5Vk6oXW/s-l500.jpg)
![Olympus 35 Film Camera [ TESTED / WORK PROPERLY ] FREE SHIPPING from Japan#362 - Picture 8 of 12](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/ltIAAOSwUGNk6oXX/s-l500.jpg)
![Olympus 35 Film Camera [ TESTED / WORK PROPERLY ] FREE SHIPPING from Japan#362 - Picture 9 of 12](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/EQ4AAOSwN6dk6oXX/s-l500.jpg)
![Olympus 35 Film Camera [ TESTED / WORK PROPERLY ] FREE SHIPPING from Japan#362 - Picture 10 of 12](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/IwMAAOSwesVk6oXX/s-l500.jpg)
![Olympus 35 Film Camera [ TESTED / WORK PROPERLY ] FREE SHIPPING from Japan#362 - Picture 11 of 12](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/a9YAAOSw2Itk6oXX/s-l500.jpg)
![Olympus 35 Film Camera [ TESTED / WORK PROPERLY ] FREE SHIPPING from Japan#362 - Picture 12 of 12](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/zyIAAOSwclFk6oXX/s-l500.jpg)
![Olympus 35 Film Camera [ TESTED / WORK PROPERLY ] FREE SHIPPING from Japan#362](https://ir.ebaystatic.com/rs/c/prpweb-src-images-space-98af7172.gif)