• Welcome to Photrio!
    Registration is fast and free. Join today to unlock search, see fewer ads, and access all forum features.
    Click here to sign up

Olympus 35 rangefinder adjustment

darinwc

Subscriber
Allowing Ads
Joined
Dec 14, 2003
Messages
3,169
Location
Sacramento,
Format
Multi Format
So I've been working on a couple of vintage Olympus 35 rangefinders. The 1950's models predating the RC/SP models.
I've have everything working, however the rangefinders are proving to be problematic.

I have them adjusted for infinity, but when they focus on nearby objects, the focus is off.

i cannot find the adjustment for the 'swing' of the mirror, i dont know what you call it.
Is anyone familiar with these models?

if not, does anyone have any general tips for adjusting rangefinders? Is it better to start with the infiniti distance or a near distance?
 
On every rangefinder I ever owned, if infinity was right everything else was right. I used to see procedures that called for getting infinity right, then adjusting for 6' or something like that, but there was only one adjustment! So naturally if you had to readjust it for the 6', infinity would go back out. Never understood that procedure.

I found this on the later model. All I see here is one adjustment for distance. If your rangefinder is sticking and not following along properly, that would account for closer focus issues.

https://www.flickr.com/groups/35rd/discuss/72157622313434525/
 
Can you post some photos of the mechanism in detail? That would help a lot in figuring it out.
 
What is the lens focus like at infinity and close range? Does it match the distance markings on the lens?
 
Why ask for help, and then bugger off? You've asked, we've commented. Where are you?
 
Wow, sorry to have upset you so. Some of us have jobs and families.

I think I have figured it out. The olympus 35 rangefinder has at least 8 adjustments that I know if so far. There may be more under the rangefinder as I can see levers moving but I cannot see their pivots. I did not want to use the guess-and-check method initially because i thought it would be very hard to get it back into alignment once i started messing with things.

When I get a chance, I will post some pics.
 

Nonplussed? Definitely. Upset? I doubt it. Good luck with the repair.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register