Olympus 35RC - Project Deco

[wontolla]

Not biased at all, I love it too!
In the process of making some finger loops, I have put one on my E-PM1 and will try it out tomorrow at the ELR Steam Gala.
Making them from old neck straps,and trying different widths & thicknesses.

 

[stevelmx5]

I've really enjoyed using a finger strap on my digital kit. I used to just use a wrist strap but found the camera swung around if I didn't have hold of it. The benefit of the finger strap is I don't have to grip the camera permanently because it doesn't go anywhere.

 

[wontolla]

Just found some leather straps I forgot I had. Must dig my leatherwork kit out of the shed!
Can't find my superglue though!

 

[stevelmx5]

Time to smooth out the baseplate before a coat or two of primer.





I've rubbed down the whole plate with some very fine wet and dry before using knifing putty to fill out the stamped text. Now waiting for the putty to go off before I sand it back with the same wet and dry then get spraying.

 

[wontolla]

It's a long time since I used any of that!
My 12 year old clio gets scratched, it stays scratched!

 

[stevelmx5]

I'd save my time and effort if it was a Clio too ;0)

 

[wontolla]

Actually, it's been a good one to own, diesel too!
tempting fate, it has never let me down in 11 years, 60mpg, nippy, fits 5, 30quid tax, 250 quid fully comp.
Only fault is it leaks from the sunroof!

 

[stevelmx5]

First coat of primer sprayed. I'll leave this to bake for a few hours before flatting it down with 1200 grit wet and dry then another coat should do it.

 

[stevelmx5]

 

[stevelmx5]

Re-attached the base now it's all dry (This is just the primer!). I've also cut out the end pieces for the grip. I've decided to use the black leather I've got instead of plastic to keep it comfortable.







I've also got my own new 35mm camera that will be on the way to me on Wednesday...

 

[wontolla]

Lookin good Steve!
What camera did you plumb for?
(or do you want to spring it on us?)

 

[stevelmx5]

I've managed to pick up what looks like a good condition Olympus Pen FT with the 38/2.8 pancake. I've always fancied shooting with one although I'm not sure how I'll get on with the half frame results!

 

[wontolla]

I've managed to pick up what looks like a good condition Olympus Pen FT with the 38/2.8 pancake. I've always fancied shooting with one although I'm not sure how I'll get on with the half frame results!

I have 4 half frame cameras, all Olympus! EE EE2 & 3 & S, they are ok! You just need to get used to using them 'The Wrong Way!' ie for portrait use normal & for landscape on its side (or portrait)
This is how they look after developing, they have to be 'split'! Not a problem once scanned, as you do it through cropping and save each crop separately.
I quite like the quirkiness of the little half frames!

 

[wontolla]

If you want what is regarded as the 'Best Ever' HF, then look out for the Yashica Samurai single lens reflex.
Specifically designed as a half frame with advanced features.
http://www.filmshooterscollective.c...of-half-frames-yashica-samurai-x30-review-3-4
Nearest I have is a Nikon Coolpix 995 which is similar, but not half frame and digital!

 

[stevelmx5]

I never realised the Samurai was such a good camera? I've always seen them sell for very little so assumed they were basically a half frame point and shoot.

I've just finished cutting new skin pieces from black vinyl. The front left and rear pieces are the same same size as the originals but the right side is extended to cover the new grip.

- Original Skin
- New card templates
- New vinyl skin

 

[wontolla]

I never realised the Samurai was such a good camera? I've always seen them sell for very little so assumed they were basically a half frame point and shoot.

Same as I thought Steve, having had a close look at one, and the results, I changed my mind.
The Olly FT seems to have a good following, always fancied one myself!
Be interesting to see what you make of it and the results!

 

[stevelmx5]

I’ve been working on the top and bottom plates to smooth them out and I don’t think laser cutting is going to work very well on them because they’re pretty thin which won’t give much depth to infill. The original lettering is stamped into the metal which gives a deeper embossed letter that’s then filled with paint.

As an alternative, I've asked my friend if he can laser cut vinyl decals instead which can be applied to the camera before the top coat of lacquer is applied. So long as he can cut them small enough they should give the same appearance without the risk of blowing a hole in the metal! I'll update the thread once I know.

Baz, are you happy with the 35RC logo that's on the front of the camera before I look to get them cut? Also, do you want the "Radically Customised" text on the bottom plate or would you like it to say something else?

Cheers
Steve

 

[wontolla]

View attachment 58590

As per post 29 do you mean?
That would be great!
What about the 'Olympus GM' (as per OIC logo) on the top in place of the 35RC suggestion?

Of course I am open to any alternatives!
But yes, the vinyl way will be absolutely fine!

 

[stevelmx5]

Yes, the 35RC logo on the front of the top plate and I'll re-draw the GM logo for the top where the hotshoe used to be. Do you want the text on the front of the bottom plate too?

 

[wontolla]

Yes please! It should look ok don't you think?

 

[stevelmx5]

Yeah, I think it will look suitably Art Deco :0). I'll measure up the camera for the decal sizes tonight and get them sorted.

 

[wontolla]

Cheers Steve!
Really, REALLY looking forward to it now!

 

[wontolla]

Here's one of my half frame Olly's, needs a little clean, but not in bad nick!

It has one of my homemade finger loops (double) I'm a convert!

Pen S half frame2 by Barry Smith, on Flickr

Pen S half frame by Barry Smith, on Flickr

Pen S half frame top by Barry Smith, on Flickr

 

[stevelmx5]

I like the look of that Baz and the finger loop looks very comfortable, I might put an order in for my own ;0)

Back to the build, they always look worse before they look better...







First coat of filler has been rough sanded back using 120 grit which also roughs up the surface ready for primer. I've added another thin layer of filler to smooth out the last few pits so should be ready to spray tomorrow. I'll need to remove the black plastic viewfinder surrounds and bond the film counter surround in place before I do though.

 

[wontolla]

It's comin on!

 

[stevelmx5]

Yup, there's no going back now :0)

 

[stevelmx5]

I've finished the first pass of sanding the top plate and bonded on the new film counter surround. Once the epoxy has dried I'll spray the first coat of primer and check for areas that need more filler.

 

[stevelmx5]

First coat of primer on and it's not looking bad at all. Need to add some putty around the original film counter window and fill in a couple of spots where I've filled in the hotshoe but other than that I'm happy with it.

 

[stevelmx5]

While I wait for the next coat of primer on the top plate to dry I've made a start on fitting the new skin.









I've touched in the paint on the rear door in a few places so will have to wait for that to dry before I fit the last skin piece.

 

[stevelmx5]

I thought I'd add some better pictures now the primer coat is dry on the top plate. I still need to do some work on the hotshoe area and around the film counter before it's ready for the top coat but this is it so far;

There are some more shots in my flickr album here https://flic.kr/s/aHskwm8tyj

Cheers
Steve

 

[wontolla]

Wow! Don't it look different! ( in a good way )

 

[stevelmx5]

I've just sprayed the bottom plate in the finished colour and am happy to say it looks good (I only spent 45 minutes deciding between 8 different gunmetal grey paints..). I'm looking ahead to the text decals and I'm not 100% I'm going to be able to get the "Radically Customised" text into a vinyl sticker due to the size it needs to be to fit on the bottom plate. My friend reckons he can cut down to 8mm high lettering before it starts causing issues wth the vinyl and the bottom plate is only 5mm high. I think if there was a way for me to get smaller text it would get to the point of being impossible to read.

 

[stevelmx5]

Also, I'm considering fitting some leather to the base of the camera reversed so the soft suede side is facing out. This will protect the bottom of the camera if it's put down anywhere and save the paint. Have you got any issue with me doing that Baz?

 

[simon ess]

Could the leather be embossed with a suitable Deco motif?

 

[stevelmx5]

Blimey Simon, I thought you were my friend ;0)

 

[stevelmx5]

I've checked the paint again now it's gone off and I reckon 3 coats of paint plus a coat of lacquer should be pretty robust so I shouldn't need the leather/suede pads.

 

[simon ess]

I take it that would be difficult then.

 

[TimmyG]

How about putting it on the inside of the back cover?

Alternatively, add a little button to the side, that when pressed activates a laser that projects the logo onto the ceiling...

Depends how much bling you want I suppose.

 

[stevelmx5]

Frickin' lasers...good plan

 

[stevelmx5]

I think it's best to stick with just the 35RC logo on the front of the top plate and the GM script on the top by the shutter speed dial.