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During the 1970s, Olympus produced several 35mm cameras assembled on a common chassis, more compact than their previous designs - the 35RC (1970), 35EC (1971), 35ECR (1972), 35RD (1975) and 35ED (1977), but of particular interest are these:

The 35RC, with coupled rangefinder, shutter priority automatic or fully manual, Flashmatic system, f2.8 42mm lens (43.5 filter thread), speeds 1/8-1/500 & B, and
The 35RD, a 'de-luxe' version of the 35RC with f1.7 40mm lens (49mm filterxthread), shutter 1/2 second-1/500 & B but no meter switch - it relies on the lens cap being fitted to prevent the battery running down.

I have used all of the last three models and currently own a 35RD and two 35RC models. This page concentrates on the 35RC, although there are many details of both models in common. A couple of newsgroup posters have reported that the wider lens of the RD is also the sharper of the two, but my, admittedly limited, experience of two of each suggests that any difference is mainly due to sample variation.

Note that this camera range was made to consumer grade standards and were not particularly expensive when new, but as with most Olympus cameras of the pre-electronic age, they were reliable and well enough built to have survived in fine condition, and even today, Olympus lenses have usually been a cut above most of the competition as a matter of routine.

These two models were designed to use 1.3v mercury batteries, which are increasingly difficult to obtain, but do not be tempted to fit a 1.5v alkaline battery as a replacement because there have been reported instances of the higher voltage killing off the exposure meter. Both cameras can be used manually until a mercury battery is located.

O L Y M P U SX 3 5 R C XS P E C I F I C A T I O N S

Format: 35mm roll film (24 x 36mm full frame).
Lens: E. Zuiko 42mm f2.8, 5 elements in 4 groups.
Shutter: Olympus blade type. B, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125. 1/250, 1/500.
Flash: 'X' synch. All speeds with electronic flash, 1/30 with bulbs.
Flashmatic system: When the flash (lightning) symbol is selected on the aperture ring and the flashgun'sxGuide No. set.by the small lever, the aperture adjusts automatically with focusing distance.
Viewfinder: Rangefinder 0.6x. Display of shutter speed, aperture, parallax compensation marks, red underexposure zone.
Exposure meter: CdS. Acceptance angle 43°.
Film Speeds: ISO 25/15° - 800/30°.
EV Range: (with ISO 100/18°) EV7 - 18.
Focusing: Double image coupled rangefinder, helicoid. 3 feet (0.9m) - infinity.
Film loading: Olympus easy loading system.
Film advance: By lever 150° - single stroke or several smaller ones.
Exposure counter: Automatic; self-zeroing on opening the back.
Film rewind: Rapid rewind crank. Release button on base of camera.
Power source: One 1.3v PX625 mercury battery.
Self timer: 90° angle of lever- 10 secs delay approx.
Rear cover: Hinged type, released by small catch at base.
Accessory shoe: Single cordless flash socket (and additional PC socket).
Filter mount: Olympus 43.5mm screw in.
Size: 109 x 70 x 50mm (4.25 x 2.75 x 2 inches).
Weight: 410 grammes (14.5 ozs).
x x x xxxxxxxxxxxxxxSource: the Olympus 35RC instruction book

Right: This is a representation of what the photographer sees in the viewfinder. With the aperture ring set to 'A', as the shutter release is gradually depressed, the lower needle begins to travel from right to left and will stop at the aperture selected by the exposure meter (in half-stops). Continued pressure will fire the shutter. If, however, the needle travels into the Red zone, the release will lock, when it will be necessary to turn the shutter dial to a slower speed (no need to remove the camera from your eye), and then try again. If the needle continues to drop into the Red zone, check that the battery is in order, that 'A' is selected and that you do not have the lens cap on! It is to prevent taking pictures with the cap on that I select the 'A' setting for normal use.

To remove and replace these studs, I used a pair of dividers in the holes with the points held tightly with a small Mole wrench (vise grip - USA). Open the back of the camera, put a strong screwdriver in the 'U' shape of the rewind shaft to stop it from turning while you unscrew the top of the rewind knob. Note that there is no need to remove the flash socket or the accessory shoe. Remove three small screws from around the top of the camera and gently lift it away, turning it over towards the flash socket end to prevent the lead from being pulled off.

*Making a statement like that was simply asking for trouble - I have bought a second 35RC, the self-timer of which goes through the motions of working but doesn't actually trip the shutter. I'm going to have to go inside to look for an adjustment.

On-line Manuals

There is currently a manual for the 35RD at: http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/instructionmanuals.html

Replacement batteries

The PX625 mercury battery for which the exposure meters of the 35RC and RD were designed is now almost impossible to find, its disposal having been declared an environmental hazard. I still have a few which will hopefully keep my cameras running for perhaps the next four or five years but Jon Hechtman, a visitor to this site, has made the following suggestion for an alternative supply:

"As regards the 625 mercury battery for the Olympus RC: I have had great success using the readily available 675 zinc-air hearing-aid battery as a replacement. The nominal voltage is 1.4V...certainly close enough to the 1.35V of the mercury cell. Of course, the 675 battery is smaller than the 625. My solution is a simple rubber O-ring. I use a ring of the following dimensions: 5/8" x 7/16" x 3/32" - it's described as a No. 9 O-ring, but I don't know if that designation is universal. I simply drop the ring into the battery compartment and then place the battery inside (this works much better than trying to place the O-ring around the battery itself). Zinc-air cells don't last terribly long, but they're inexpensive

"I've used this technique successfully with many cameras: Pentax Spotmatic F, Praktica Super TL, Nikon FTn, Olympus SPn, Minolta Hi-Matic 11, Yashica Mat 124G, among others. Occasionally a deep battery compartment will require two stacked O-rings; and for my Icarex 35S I had to cut the O-ring in half, so that the 675 cell would sit "off-centre" in the compartment (and continue to make contact with a side contact). On the whole, this has been a wholly satisfactory system." Jon Hechtman

Exotic leatherette coverings

Following a discussion on the Olympus List about the alternative leatherette sets that used to be offered by Olympus, Morgan Sparks, a member in the USA, set up a service to supply new sets in a wide variety of colours and materials for the OM cameras. Pre-cut and self-adhesive, these coverings were well-received and much acclaimed by OM owners on the List and Morgan has now extended his range to include replacements for the 35RC and 35RD, as well as a few other makes. His web site gives full details and many illustrations:- <http://www.cameraleather.com/olympus_rf/>