Olympus 35 RC, Rangefinder problem

zanxion72 · Jan 9, 2015

I have a little oly 35 rc in fair shape that has a weird issue. Every now and then the rangefinder stops moving. I have to remove the screw from the upper film rail and push the rod inwards. Is there a way to permanently fix this? Should I remove the top and clean something that could be preventing the movement of the rangefinder mirror?

Xmas · Jan 9, 2015

Confirmed you need to drip Zippo fluid (petrol cigarette lighter fluid) on pivot with cotton bud (qtip) collecting excess fluid and resist the temptation to clean the half silvered mirror.

Needs care not damaging heads of screws.

Google for more instructions or

http://olympus.dementix.org/Hardware/

zanxion72 · Jan 9, 2015

Great thank you! It did the trick. I have opened the top of the little oly and there was a lot of dirt in there. I have dropped a couple of lighter fluid drops on the pivot point and now not only it moves freely but also smoothly.
Thank you!

gone · Jan 10, 2015

Lighter fluid is a wonderful chemical for fixing/cleaning jobs with cameras. You'll get a lot of armchair repair people that say don't use it, it's a solvent, etc. Well, they don't know what they're talking about. I have used it so many, many times to get the oil off shutter blades, and it always worked perfectly. It has a lot of uses, and pretty much evaporates right off after using. Acetone is even better, but you have to be very careful w/ it around plastics.

David Lyga · Jan 12, 2015

I would clean the whole top area. This is not too difficult, as that top comes off easily. Be careful when you unscrew the screw on the shutter dial. Use a very soft brush first, after the top is removed, to wipe away all loose dust. Then you can even clean up the internal rangefinder area with soft, clean tissue, lightly coated with glass cleaner. Be CAREFUL not to use lighter fluid on that 45 degree glass in the center which is coated so that the superimposed image appears in the RF. Lighter fluid will erase that coating (but regular Windex type of glass cleaner will NOT). You CAN use a bit of lighter fluid on the pin which guides the RF mechanism from the lens helical.

Before replacing the top, be sure that everything moves with great ease and is ultra clean. You might also check the strap lugs to make certain that they are not even a bit wobbly.

Momus: thank you for giving the criminal 'lighter fluid' an early pardon and subsequent release from prison. That was needed. - David Lyga

Xmas · Jan 12, 2015

David Lyga said:
I would clean the whole top area. This is not too difficult, as that top comes off easily. Be careful when you unscrew the screw on the shutter dial. Use a very soft brush first, after the top is removed, to wipe away all loose dust. Then you can even clean up the internal rangefinder area with soft, clean tissue, lightly coated with glass cleaner. Be CAREFUL not to use lighter fluid on that 45 degree glass in the center which is coated so that the superimposed image appears in the RF. Lighter fluid will erase that coating (but regular Windex type of glass cleaner will NOT). You CAN use a bit of lighter fluid on the pin which guides the RF mechanism from the lens helical.

Before replacing the top, be sure that everything moves with great ease and is ultra clean. You might also check the strap lugs to make certain that they are not even a bit wobbly.

Momus: thank you for giving the criminal 'lighter fluid' an early pardon and subsequent release from prison. That was needed. - David Lyga

I don't touch half silvered mirrors or front silvered.
Acetone is used for removing glue around screw heads, it seems to be hydroscopic?
When you apply Zippo drip it on don't squeeze the can it on. Collect any drainage it will be loaded with 'wax'.
It pays to be cautious...

David Lyga · Jan 13, 2015

Actually, XMAS, I have NEVER had a problem with half-silvered mirrors if one uses only water and a tiny bit of soap. Maybe the Windex alternative I mentioned should not be used. Now that I think about it, WINDEX has alcohol. But water and a tiny bit of soap have never done any harm and I have been doing this for years and years. - David Lyga

E. von Hoegh · Jan 13, 2015

momus said:
Lighter fluid is a wonderful chemical for fixing/cleaning jobs with cameras. You'll get a lot of armchair repair people that say don't use it, it's a solvent, etc. Well, they don't know what they're talking about. I have used it so many, many times to get the oil off shutter blades, and it always worked perfectly. It has a lot of uses, and pretty much evaporates right off after using. Acetone is even better, but you have to be very careful w/ it around plastics.

Lighter fluid - at least the two commonly available brands here in the USA ( Zippo and Ronsonol) is petroleum naphtha and is an excellent solvent for cutting old grease and oil.

Where it's use ( or more correctly misuse) becomes problematic is in flush cleaning. It can wash crud farther into the mechanism, causing more troubles sooner or later.
But properly used it's great stuff. You can buy naphtha at many hardware stores by the gallon, it costs about 2.5x - 3x the price of 4oz. of lighter fluid for a gallon - 128oz..

Olympus 35 RC, Rangefinder problem

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