Ever Play With One of These?

[NashVegas]

It's an old Olympus model. No special name for the product line, just plain, "Olympus 35." Circa 1955 or so, I'm guessing.

It has a viewfinder, but it's strictly for composition, it's no good for focusing. Nor does it have a light meter. I've shot a test roll and did well enough just guestimating. Nothing spectacular, there's not much for FoD (Zuiko lens, 1:3.5-1:16). Shutter speed goes up to 1/300 and I've no idea what kind of flash it would take to synchronize. In short, I've never seen a more manual camera and I use manuals pretty much exclusively.

What I suspect it may be best used for is double exposures, as winding is optional :)

It was given to me by an in-law.

And now for the really stupid question: any ideas what the A, D, and R stand for on that little switch mechanism next to the shutter release?

[Blue_In_AK]

1. That reminds me of my dad's old camera

A Pentax, I believe it was. He sure took some great pictures with it.

[alfredo]

2. I'd say it is advance and rewind. Not sure about the D

It was called the Olympus 35. Not sure what series. You seem to be right that it is around 1955, maybe earlier.

This one looks close, but this one has what appears to be plug on the face below/right of the lens.

http://www.claus-marin.de/354eng.htm

[NashVegas]

3. Could Be

It's been ages since I shot the test roll, and am finally thinking about playing with it a little more in depth.

I'm pretty sure it's this one:

http://www.claus-marin.de/355aeng.htm

And I think I may have found the plug for the flash, so thanks. I guess I'm going to have to take it out this weekend :)

On second thought, I'm not so sure. If there's a self timer I can't find it, and the back slides off, no hinge. But otherwise the specs are about right.

[alfredo]

4. I see a bit of difference. This is the 35 Va

What is that on the 10 O'Clock position on the lens?

[NashVegas]

5. Probably the Self Timer

Not sure.

[alfredo]

6. Documentation is lacking. You said the back doesn't stay on well.

I guess rubber bands or duct tape might be called for. The duct tape would make a good light seal, but would leave residue on the body.

[NashVegas]

7. No, No, It Stays On Just Fine

It is by design that it slides off. I'll take another pic later and show.

[alfredo]

8. Oh yeah, I now understand. I think I remember cameras

that did that.

Here's something I wish I still had.



the Minox thumb (spy) camera.

[NashVegas]

9. Like This

It's pretty bare bones.

[alfredo]

10. That's not much different from how

the old Brownie box cameras did it.


Scroll down and look at how all but the face plate comes off. We had one of these when we were kids.

http://www.cameraofthemonth.com/articles/KodakBrownie.asp

[NashVegas]

11. I've Heard People Talk About Those

but never saw one in action.

[alfredo]

15. They used 120 film. Very basic. They were like the first

Instamatic. The focus was infinite. They were pretty easy to use. We also had another that had the range finder on top.

[FloridaPat]

19. My first camera!

[RetroLounge]

12. Hmm, looks like the same era as my Argus

C3 and C4. Haven't used them in a while...

RL

[electricmonk]

22. The Brick

I've taken some cool photos with my C3. It's a good conversation starter too when you're out taking photos. People are like what the hell is that thing? Hard to believe that thing was one of the best selling cameras ever.

I have a small collection of old cameras, about 17 I think. The Paxette is pretty cool. It has a really strange exposure meter. You look through a tiny hole and look for the highest number, 1 to 12, you can see then refer to a chart on the camera case to set your speed.

[Mr. McD]

13. No I haven't. Ever Play With One of These?

It's a Linhof STANDARD-PRESS , 127mm Schneider lens. 4x5 View Camera.

I picked it up at a garage sale for $5.00 along with a dozen film cassettes about 25 years ago. It was fairly old then. I haven't been able to date it. It is in working order. I haven't used it in over 15 years myself. I no longer have a darkroom.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

14. okay, I can offer you a fantastic deal right here, right now...

you can make 10x your investment!

That's right, I am prepared to buy that dust collector off your hands for $50.00.

Now wait, before you dismiss me as a crazy... a loon, if you will

this is a legitimate offer.

[Mr. McD]

16. I think I will keep it

I dug it out because I want to use it again. I can develop negatives at work. We have all the equipment for film but no enlarger. Our darkroom hasn't been used for years. Everything is digital these days.

I just found a list of manufacture dates for Schneider lenses. Based on the serial number it was manufactured between September 4, 1948
and May 20, 1952.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

18. Good decision... it was worth a shot

:shrug:

[NashVegas]

17. Can't Say I Have

looks like a beaut

[Coastie for Truth]

20. Used one in college on the college newspaper

Just as we were phasing in the Nikon F's. The Linhof was cumbersome for sports photography.

[Schema Thing]

21. Darkroom Schmarkroom... ;-)

Shoot polaroid type 55, and scan the negative (and it's a very good negative. Ansel Adams was fond of 55).

Viola! old meets new.

[alfredo]

23. That's beautiful. I was offered a Graflex, but I wasn't sure

if it was stolen or not. It was on an Army base, and I knew the Army used Graflex at the time. the guy was not that trustworthy.

This was the camera of choice for the newspapers.