All cameras shared a similar body, lens, leaf shutter the LE would use a simpler 2-blade shutter and would have some form of metering. The model being reviewed here, the Olympus LC was released in and although it lacked automatic exposure, still had a seven element lens, a large and bright viewfinder with a combined coincident image coupled rangefinder with automatic parallax correction, and a CdS exposure meter with match needle read out. Despite what seemingly looked like it should have been a good seller, the Olympus LC does not appear to have been produced for very long.
Some sites online suggest it was produced until , which is possible, but a more likely date would have been when the 35 SP was released. In my research for this article, I found very little info about the Olympus LC.
The Olympus LC has an excellent build quality, an awesome lens, great viewfinder, and full manual operation with a reliable CdS exposure meter. Today, there are many options for large Japanese rangefinders. I always find it interesting to find models like the Olympus 35 SP that are highly regarded and demand a high price when there might be another very similar model, made by the same company that is otherwise identical save for one or two minor differences.
In the case of the Olympus LC, it shares the same body, the same lens, a similar shutter and viewfinder, yet it demands a fraction of the selling price of the SP. I own a great deal of electronic SLRs that can be switched between spot and average metering and I almost always use average metering. From the top, the large body of the camera allows for all of the controls to be spaced out with plenty of room to spare. On the left is the folding film rewind knob. In normal operation, the knob sits in a recess, and barely protrudes above the top layer of the place, but a gentle upward tug raises it for easy and fast rewinding.
Although I rarely use flash with old film cameras, being able to mount a modern electronic flash is a huge plus. Also, the match needle readout is duplicated within the viewfinder for easy operation.
Finally, off to the right is the large film advance lever and automatic resetting exposure counter. From a resting position, the advance lever pulls out about 30 degrees to a ready position, and from there only requires a quick degree motion to fully advance the film, cock the shutter, and advance the additive film counter. The Olympus LC does not support multiple short motions, but it hardly needs to.
Although designed for mercury batteries, my experience with a 1. The back of the camera is pretty bare, save for the rectangular eyepiece for the viewfinder, and a black button which activates the CdS meter. With the meter activated, the needle will respond to any change in exposure, and as long as the match needle falls within the two marks on either the top plate or within the viewfinder, proper exposure will be achieved.
Film loading is an uneventful affair. A quick upward tug of the rewind knob, and the right hinged door swings open to reveal the film compartment. Film transport is from left to right onto a fixed and multi-slotted take up spool making film loading a snap.
The film pressure plate on the door is a large piece of painted metal with divots to reduce friction as film passes along it. Along each side of the plate is a roller and metal clip to hold the cassette and film in place to help maintain film flatness. Like most Japanese cameras of this era, the Olympus LC originally came with foam light seals which will have completely degraded on all examples, so replacing them before shooting any film in the camera is essential not only to eliminate light leaks, but prevent foam material from falling into the film gate.
The viewfinder is large and bright, with both a pink tinted medium sized rectangular rangefinder patch and projected frame lines that nicely contrasts with the blue tinted viewfinder and automatically corrects for parallax.
Focusing the camera is done by moving a paddle sticking out of the side of the shutter, in each reach of your thumb while supporting the bottom of the camera with your left hand. At the top of the viewfinder is a match needle readout that is split into three sections.
Two larger ovals on either side indicate over and under exposure, and a smaller oval in the center indicates proper exposure. There is no other information within the viewfinder to indicate any other setting on the camera. I found the whole viewfinder to be very easy to use, even while wearing prescription glasses. From the left side of the camera, you can see a PC flash sync port for people wanting to use flashbulb, or some other kind of auxiliary electronic flash. From this angle, you can also see both the focusing paddle on the side of the shutter and a small chrome self timer lever above it, just to the left of the depth of field scale.
I have used all the mentioned cameras for both model shoot and particularly the M7 on my recent trip. After i have used this Oly and seen the results though, i am totally stunned. All the images here are shot at f1. Since i am always on f1. The backdrop you see here is the oldest tailor shop in malaysia and has been in operation for over years.
Love the fact that i am using a very old Olympus camera to match the whole theme. The Oly uses a leaf shutter and the size is kinda perfect for my hands. Among some of the things i really love about the Olympus 35UC is that its a very serious tool with a simple and humble front. There is nothing inferior when it comes to its output. There is something about this focal length that i really love.
It just looks a tad more natural than 35mm that i use on my M7. In summary, i totally dig this camera. So much so i got another copy of the more common Olympus 35SP they are the same camera with differing cosmetic changes as a backup for parts.
The lens reminds me of a Leica 35mm 1. This opens up my mind entirely when it comes to Olympus film cameras. An entrepreneur from the 90s. Kindness is wisdom. View all posts by Marcus Low. Congrats on the find! Like Like. The 35SP sports a 7 elements in 5 groups 42mm F1. The lens is beautiful to look at, and produces very satisfying images indeed! The shutter dial and aperture ring both sit on the lens, and are easy to focus.
The focus ring throw is very short, making it very easy to focus, and has a little lever sticking out the side, allowing for smooth finger movements.
The rangefinder and viewfinder is very bright, and the EV setting is shown in the viewfinder and on the aperture ring.
The camera has the standard options within the 35 rangefinder line: PC sync, hot shoe, Asa knob on the side , and a threaded shutter button.
The rewind button and battery compartment are at the base of the camera. The SP has a leaf shutter, which helps with flash. Ergonomics wise, this is a lovely camera to hold and operate. As mentioned, the viewfinder is bright, and the lens is very compact considering it also sports the aperture and shutter speed rings.
This camera was made with class in mind, and seeing it in person and holding it in your hands confirms this. Now, onto the 35UC. Quite a rare camera in Europe and America, but fairly more common in Japan, the 35UC has a different look.
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