Olympus 35 UC (35 SP) rangefinder camera

This is the Olympus 35 UC, the lesser known cousin of the 35 SP. It was available in Japan only and not exported. The only differences between the UC and the SP are that the UC has a battery check button, and it comes in a lovely black / silver finish (the SP was available in silver only).

Of the many 35mm rangefinder cameras released by Olympus, the 35 UC and 35 SP are generally regarded as the finest. With a superb quality 7-element lens (which was also used in the 35 LE and 35 LC cameras), the image quality is stunning. 

The 35 UC has both fully automatic exposure mode (where the camera selects both the aperture and shutter speed), and full manual mode with a viewfinder needle that tells you the light level so that you can set exposure correctly as desired.

It also has a feature that is not found on any other rangefinder of the era - spot metering.  There is a button on the rear of the camera that switches metering to spot mode, and the meter then measures light only the small rangefinder square in the centre of the viewfinder. This enables a high level of control, and is especially useful for taking portraits against a bright or dark background. 

Features

• Lens: 42mm f1.7, 7-elements
• Automatic Exposure Control: Fully automatic program exposure
• Battery: takes 1 x SR44 battery using supplied brass adaptor
• Metered-Manual Exposure Control
• Spot metering (activated via rear button)
• Film Speeds: ASA 25 - 800
• Filter Size: 49mm
• Flash Synchonization at all shutter speeds
• Flashmatic System for correct flash exposure
• Focus Range: .85m - infinity
• Focusing: double image coupled rangefinder
• Self Timer: Lever operated with a 10 second delay
• Shutter: Seiko mechanical leaf shutter
• Shutter Speeds: (Manual Mode) B, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8,1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500,
• Weight: 600g

Condition

• Body in good condition with some graceful ageing of the black paint in places
• The bulb for the battery check light appears to have blown and is non-functioning.
• No dents or major scratches
• Leatherette is in good condition
• Lens is clear of mould / scratches
  
• Light seals have been replaced