Olympus 35 SP Rangefinder - Loose lens

[tim_cronin]

I have an Olympus 35 SP which appears to work perfectly, but the lens

is loose. I can move it up and down or side to side, and it rattles

a bit.

 

Looking from the inside at the inner element you can just see the

play in the metal 'cylinder' that the inner element screws into. The

element isn't loose.

 

Has anyone out there any experience of this camera? Is there

supposed to be a little play in the lens? If not how easy is it to

remove and refit?

 

Hope someone can help.

[art_haykin]

It was produced from '69 to '76, and is a neat little camera.It MIGHT be worth repairing if no parts are needed, and the lens doesn't have to be re-collimated. Few rangefinders have spot metering.

[richard_urmonas]

I have recently aquired a similar camera. On mine there is some movement in the lens, but it is very small (i.e. just enough to

"feel" movement when wobbling the lens). I have not had time to look if this is due to loose screws etc. If I get a chance to look

at it more closely (perhaps this weekend?) I will let you know.

[tim_cronin]

Thanks Richard. On my camera if I turn it upside down and back again the lens will move and rattle on its own accord (i.e. I don't have to grab the lens in order to move it!). It is a small movement when viewed from the inside of the camera (back open on B), and it's in all directions.

[charles_stobbs2]

I have seen threads on loose Olympus lenses

at other sites but I forget where. From memory,

many Olympus lenses are held in by a small plate

with two screws on the right (shutter release)

side. It is only necessary to peel back the

leatherette front cover to expose the screws

for tightening if this is the problem.

[richard_urmonas]

Phew. It has been a busy week. OK I checked my SP. The lens has

more movement than I originally thought, but there is nothing loose

(all movement is in the focus helix). For interest I compared some similar cameras. The worst was a Canonet QL17 GIII. My SP lens also

moves when turned over. Look at the lens and gently wobble it. Look for where the "flexing" happens. If the base of the lens stays still, but the front part of the lens moves then it is probably similar to mine. If the base shows any movement at all, then something is loose.