Olympus 35 DC - Auto Exposure Delight

Over the years, I have used/tested a lot of small 35mm Olympus cameras.  The Olympus 35 RC remains one of the favorites, precisely because of its size and manual control.  However, with automation, comes pitfalls - lack of precise control might turn you off.  Can you trust the camera to take a proper exposure all the time?  Enter the Olympus 35 DC.  I wonder if DC refers to "Distance Control" since it is a proper rangefinder camera, and beyond that, the camera does the rest. The 35 DC is the automated sibling of the 35 RD, a camera that commands pretty good prices.  You can find the manual online at the usual place - Mike Butkis.  However, the manual there refers to the later version of the 35 DC. My version is earlier, so the manual for it is located here.

Olympus 35 DC

First of all, the Olympus 35 DC features a wonderful 40mm f/1.7, and good luck finding a rangefinder camera of that size with such a lens (that would be the 35 RD).   The ISO settings range from 25-800, giving you some real choices for film types.  The shutter speed and aperture combination are shown in the viewfinder, so you do at least know what settings the camera is using for a scene, and there is a backlight compensation button at the rear of the camera for backlit scenes to add 1.5 stops of exposure.  The self-timer is located on the front, and there is a top-deck mounted dial for entering the flash Guide Number if you are using a flash.  The exposures range from 1/15 sec at f/1.7 to 1500 sec at f/16.  There is no B setting.

This is the earlier version - no battery check button near
the rear eyepiece.

also note the button on the far left - it releases the shutter lock 
while loading film in a dark area or with the lenscap on.

The 35 DC focuses from less than a meter, and the RF patch is quite visible and eassy to focus.   I have to say that this little camera feels good in the hands and is really easy to use.   Just focus, and press the shutter.  That makes it an ideal street camera, as the 40mm lens is a bit wider than 50, and it's very quiet.

Adjusting the ISO is accomplished by turning the black plastic ring on the barell - right next to the chrome ring.  You can only do this by setting the lens at its closest focus, so that you can grasp the black ring and rotate it.  The CdS photocell is located in the bezel around the lens, so you can use filters. The great news is that the 35 DC uses 49mm filters, which are not some oddball size.

Battery - I used a PX625A, which is 1.5 V.  The camera originally used the Mercury PX-625 1.3V cells.  You may need to ajust the ISO setting for the film to get an accurate exposure, or you can find a 1.3V zinc-air hearing aid battery to fit into the battery chamber.

I shot a couple of rolls with this camera, and my exposures came out fine.  You can see for yourself in the images below.  I can certainly recommend the Olympus 35DC as a great carry-around everywhere 35mm camera. The sturdy metal body will definitely make you appreciate the quality that went into making this camera.

Kodak Gold 200

Kodak Gold 200

Kodak Gold 200

Kodak Gold 200

Kodak Gold 200

Ilford Pan-F at ISO 32

Ilford Pan-F at ISO 32