Olympus 35 SP (1969–1976)

A 35mm mechanical rangefinder camera with dual metering and aperture-priority automation, produced from 1969 to about 1976.

Overview

The Olympus 35 SP is a 35mm mechanical rangefinder camera made by Olympus Optical Co. Ltd., released in 1969 and produced until approximately 1976. It features a fixed G. Zuiko 42mm f/1.7 lens and offers both aperture-priority automatic and manual exposure modes. Noted for its build quality and handling, it was designed for travel and street photography. The camera is distinguished by its dual metering system—center-weighted averaging by default, with a 6-degree spot meter activated via a button on the lens barrel. The meter is powered by a PX-625 mercury cell, though modern replacements like the Wein EPX-625 or adapters for 675 hearing-aid cells are recommended due to the original battery's unavailability.

Specifications

Lens	G. Zuiko 42mm f/1.7, 7 elements
Filter thread	49mm
Weight	600g (with film and battery)
Close focus	0.85 m
Shutter	Leaf shutter
Shutter speed range	1 to 1/500th second, plus B
Aperture range	f/1.7–22 (auto), f/1.7–16 (manual)
Exposure Modes	Aperture-priority automatic and manual
Metering	Center-weighted averaging; 6-degree spot via button
ISO/ASA range	25 to 800
Flash sync	At all speeds, 1 sec to 1/500th
Self-timer	9 second delay
Viewfinder magnification	0.7x
Dimensions	5 1/8" long x 3 3/16" high x 2 7/16" deep (including lens)
Battery	PX-625 mercury cell (original)

Design

The Olympus 35 SP uses a mechanical leaf shutter (Seiko-made) and offers full manual control alongside aperture-priority automation. The metering system uses dual CDS cells: one for 20-degree center-weighted averaging, the other for a 6-degree spot reading, with the meter cell located next to the viewfinder. Exposure lock is achieved by pressing the shutter release halfway. The camera features manual parallax compensation marks in the viewfinder but no automatic correction. It includes both a hot shoe and PC flash sync terminal, supporting Flashmatic guide-number automatic flash exposure mechanically. Chrome and black body finishes were available, with chrome being far more common.

Context

The Olympus 35 SPn, released in 1972, is an updated version of the 35 SP, featuring a battery check test light, black trim around the viewfinder and rangefinder windows, and a black aperture ring. The SPn is rarer than the original SP. The 35 SP was positioned as a high-end compact rangefinder, notable for being the first camera to combine aperture-priority AE with a built-in spot meter.

Market

Used Olympus 35 SP cameras sold for approximately $200 around 2020, with one example purchased for $80 in 2013. A current listing in 2024 shows a price of $135. Black models are rare and more collectible. A common issue is meter incompatibility with modern non-mercury batteries due to voltage differences, requiring adjustment by a technician. The meter cell’s placement next to the viewfinder makes it prone to accidental shading during handheld use.