Both of those cameras, as Bill points out, are very nice. The big problem is
dust, as the winding mechanism uses a slot for the wind lever, which admits
dust into the internals and the finder.
The right way to do one of these cameras is to buy it very cheaply and have a
professional CLA done, including a thorough cleaning of the finder. I wouldn't
pay more than $75-100 for a very nice one unless it had a CLA, which can run
$100 for a good job.
They're an interesting introduction to the rangefinder world, but no where near
the finder quality of an interchangable RF. Mine got sold a couple of years
ago.
Skip
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Please reply to [skipwilliams at pobox.com]
Direct responses to the email address on the header may get lost
----------------------------------------------------------------->
>Subject: Re: [OM] Olympus RD and SP
> From: bill latham <to_gishi@xxxxxxxxx>
> Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2003 10:04:21 -0700 (PDT)
> To: olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>
>I have both cameras, the SP is slightly smaller than the Minolta CLE, a bit
>larger than the Canon GIII. The RD is shorter than the GIII by a good amount.
> IMHO, the SP is a more "serious" camera, with its' spot EV metering and
>separate brightline illumination window, the RD is more of a compact along the
>lines of the Canon. The majority of SPs and RDs I've seen were in outstanding
>condition. Build quality is much better than the Olympus 35RC. The shutters
>are a bit louder than the most quiet rfs, e.g. the Minolta 7S II or the Cannon
>19E, and have a "Leica like" mechanical noise to the lower speeds.
>
>Most rf cameras of this era have the dust problem, as well as rf focusing
>misalignment. Watch the shutter problem, it may be just oil on the shutter's
>leaves,but, at least in the case of the RD, much more of a problem. I believe
>C.H. is more of an authority on the Oly rfs and you might want to find out
>from him the specific weaknesses of the SP and RD.
>
>I bought my 35SP for $100, its' in excellent + condition,i.e. two marks on the
>lens filter ring and that's it. The rest is perfect. The RD was $135 and
>missing a rewind lever retaining screw, if I remember correctly. I've since
>painted it black satin.
>
>Finally, the rf view is a different way of seeing pictures, but also IMHO,
>doesn't't make up for the small size and lens selection available in the OM
>series. All my rfs and I've got about 20, are sitting in a chest on the floor
>now a days.
>
>
< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >
|