Olympus 35RC Interior Switch Location

Born2Late

Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2012
Messages
448
Location
Southern Ind
Format
35mm
I have an Olympus 35RC which I really enjoy and it is very good condition with one little issue. The on/off function is controlled by the aperture ring. The on/off function seems a little finicky causing the exposure reading to fluctuate. After a little searching I discovered that this is a known problem with some of the earlier units; the contacts were not self cleaning and a redesigned switch was used in later production. I would like to clean the switch contacts on my camera but haven't been able to find the physical location of the switch in question. Can anyone advise me of the location?


Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 

crumbo

Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2018
Messages
42
Location
Texas
Format
35mm
You can get to the "on/off" switch rather easily, but I'm not sure that would be your problem.

Remove the bottom cover of your 35 RC (three screws), and the leatherette to the right of the lens as the camera is facing you. Remove the single screw revealed, then carefully slide the plate it held from under the top cover, lifting and pulling it away.

Rotate the aperture ring slowly. If all is functioning properly, as you turn the aperture ring, notice that it moves a small white nylon post on the rear of the lens upon which should rest a long chrome switch contact located along the side and above the lens assembly. As the aperture ring reaches it's red "A" setting, the post on the ring should push the switch contact so it is pressed against either a small metal pin contact (original version) or a small "L" contact (improved version) at about 3 o'clock below the lens. This should actuate the meter. Carefully clean this post or "L" contact, as well as the long chrome contact where they touch to assure proper conductivity.

When properly adjusted, and the aperture ring is rotated fully counter-clockwise to the "FlashMatic" (lightning bolt) setting, the end of the long contact should still rest against the nylon post without any space between them. Then, as the aperture ring is turned to the red "A", this nylon post should press the contact until it touches the post or slips beneath the leg of the "L" contact, then separates as the dial is turned to the "OFF" setting and beyond.

Often, however, the long contact will slip over the roller and become crunched into a zig-zag pattern as the aperture ring is turned from the lightning bolt to the manual settings. If this has occurred, it is possible to carefully straighten the contact, but it can be very frustrating. Your best option in this case is to have a functional RC body to observe and mimic, straightening the contact and adjusting it so that it functions as described.

If this does not correct erratic exposures, the problem may be with the battery contact. This is also a difficult problem to address. The battery chambers of RC's are becoming quite fragile and can melt or fracture easily, and replacements are unheard of. Attempting to remove or solder to the battery terminal may result in destruction of the chamber.

The wire connecting the circuit to the battery contact is soldered to a tiny brass bolt on the underside of the battery chamber, and corrosion frequently develops between this bolt and the screw seen holding the battery contact. If cleaning the meter switch doesn't work, you might try gently turning the screw holding the battery contact in place slightly back and forth a few degrees. This may allow better connection between the contact, screw, and brass nut.
 

ollynunn

Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2020
Messages
1
Location
Kent, UK
Format
35mm

Hi, I wanted to thank you for taking the time to share this information - I've just managed to repair a 35RC with a bent switch contact, which would have been impossible without your post!
 
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…