Olympus 35RC - Project Deco

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Good man Baz! Looks like a very clean camera you've got there and the finger loop looks tidy :0)

I've run a roll of Agfa Vista through my Pen FT today. It's quite hard firing through 48 shots when you're just doing a test roll!
 
stevelmx5 said:
Good man Baz! Looks like a very clean camera you've got there and the finger loop looks tidy :0)

I've run a roll of Agfa Vista through my Pen FT today. It's quite hard firing through 48 shots when you're just doing a test roll!
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This post is NO GOOD WITHOUT PHOTO'S!





Brilliant! Hope you got a good one!
 
I only finished the roll about an hour ago (I'm used to 12 shots on a 6x6 medium format!) so I'll try to get down to asda later in the week for a cheap dev/scan to make sure there are no light leaks and that the shutter speeds look ok.
 
stevelmx5 said:
I only finished the roll about an hour ago (I'm used to 12 shots on a 6x6 medium format!) so I'll try to get down to asda later in the week for a cheap dev/scan to make sure there are no light leaks and that the shutter speeds look ok.
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I meant pics of the Pen FT!

Off to Asda tomorrow myself, 6 rolls for dev and scan.
 
Lol, sorry about that ;0). I've put a few in the New Toy thread instead of starting a new one but I'll take some proper pics of the camera too. It's a lovely little camera and now I've got used to shooting with shutter priority instead of my usual aperture priority I realise that the meter is pretty much spot on without the Wein cell I bought. Oh well, it will be handy as a spare!

I've also bought a roll of Velvia 50 which I can't wait to shoot on our holiday in Fuerteventura in 3 weeks although I'm also buying a variable ND filter to account for the 1/500th max shutter speed.
 
stevelmx5 said:
Lol, sorry about that ;0). I've put a few in the New Toy thread instead of starting a new one but I'll take some proper pics of the camera too. It's a lovely little camera and now I've got used to shooting with shutter priority instead of my usual aperture priority I realise that the meter is pretty much spot on without the Wein cell I bought. Oh well, it will be handy as a spare!

I've also bought a roll of Velvia 50 which I can't wait to shoot on our holiday in Fuerteventura in 3 weeks although I'm also buying a variable ND filter to account for the 1/500th max shutter speed.
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And very nice it is too!
I use the 625 battery in my Olly RFs with the foil fix and so far (19 months) all work fine!
 
A warning has been given for this post
Bit puzzled about why people want to tart up such mediocre cameras. It smacks of cultism, I suppose. But they're not so marvellous, lens-wise. They're just things to own. Grow up & grow out of it. The photo's the thing, not the camera.
 
droj said:
Bit puzzled about why people want to tart up such mediocre cameras. It smacks of cultism, I suppose. But they're not so marvellous, lens-wise. They're just things to own. Grow up & grow out of it. The photo's the thing, not the camera.
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Because they can. Its part of the hobby, an interest. Why do people do up old cars, play darts, train spot? Because they enjoy it. If they wanted to pimp up a Leica it would be ridiculously expensive an Olympus , well, not so much.

In fact I've been inspired to do something similar with my slightly tatty Rolleicord.... Now, where's that link to the leather supplier. :D
 
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droj said:
Bit puzzled about why people want to tart up such mediocre cameras. It smacks of cultism, I suppose. But they're not so marvellous, lens-wise. They're just things to own. Grow up & grow out of it. The photo's the thing, not the camera.
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Pretty much what Andy said, because I can. I used to build models with my dad when I was young then moved into anything remote controlled with my brother. When I was 17 I got my first Mini and customised that followed by another 2 minis, couple of MX5s, Golf Gti, Honda CRX and an Audi. When my kids came along I had to spend my money on sensible things like houses, clothes and food so my hobbies took a back seat.

I now find customising cameras enjoyable and I'm quite good at it so why not? I also enjoy the final image as much as the preparation and cover weddings, portraits and landscapes for clients. Film photography is still a hobby and whilst it's relatively cheap to customise a camera I'll keep doing it.

Do you have any hobbies I should look forward to when I grow up or are you more of a can't do it but will bring down those who can kind of guy?
 
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I'm a bit puzzled why people come on here and berate what others enjoy doing just because they don't.
If they don't like it, then don't do it, and don't look at what others do.
I enjoy the cameras I own, and the way they look, 'Tarted up' or not.
I also enjoy the photo's I take, good or bad.
These people need to grow up and mind their own business.
 
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wontolla said:
I'm a bit puzzled why people come on here and berate what others enjoy doing just because they don't.
If they don't like it, then don't do it, and don't look at what others do.
I enjoy the cameras I own, and the way they look, 'Tarted up' or not.
These people need to grow up and mind their own business.
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:agree:
 
It's hard not to look at previous posts for people who comment like this and it's not the first time he's posted seemingly random thoughts about others' work without considering their own ideas/reasons. Also, looking at his Flickr stream he has some interesting shots yet seems to rarely actually share any of them here like a lot of keyboard warriors.

Oh well, moving on :0)
 
droj said:
Bit puzzled about why people want to tart up such mediocre cameras. It smacks of cultism, I suppose. But they're not so marvellous, lens-wise. They're just things to own. Grow up & grow out of it. The photo's the thing, not the camera.
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Do try and not be such a knob.

If the thread doesn't interest you, close it and move on. No need to post just to p*** on peoples chips.

Anyhow - i've arranged so you won't be able to comment on this thread further, as it so irritates you.
 
Cheers TBY. I've never had any issue with constructive feedback and always start my threads with a view to 'crowd-source' ideas and tips.

Just a shame that Droj finds it difficult to be constructive or outwardly part of the TP spirit.
 
Okay - moving on...

I've actually been following this thread since it started up, even if I haven't commented until now...

I love watching these DIY threads, and seeing how things develop - mainly because I'd like to do similar kinds of stuff, but my Near OCD drive for perfection in the finishing of things far far far exceeds my abilities in actually doing the work. So, I stick to stuff that I can do - usually with simple engineering stuff like pushbikes. Anything that I need to work with magnifiers and tweezers / jewellers screwdrivers like cameras and so forth is just a little beyond my fine motor skills these days.
 
TheBigYin said:
Do try and not be such a knob.

If the thread doesn't interest you, close it and move on. No need to post just to p*** on peoples chips.

Anyhow - i've arranged so you won't be able to comment on this thread further, as it so irritates you.
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Cheers Mark. :ty:
 
Two good lookin family members there Steve!
 
Definitely :0) I sent off a test roll of Agfa Vista from the FT on wednesday to check that the new seals are light tight and the shutter speeds are working as they should. I don't normally enjoy 35mm photography that much but the Pen is really nice to use so I'm hoping the results match.
 
I'm sure they will Steve!
You just have to get used to the opposite orientation and cropping the 'twin' images when scanned, but that soon becomes part of the pp as you work. They seem extremely small (well,they are!) at first, but it is just a matter of adjusting the workflow slightly. Prints look ok up to about 8 x 10.
 
Thanks Baz. I normally shoot 120 because I find that my digital kit (shhh) delivers results similar to those I get from 35mm film so there isn't a huge benefit in paying for film/dev. However, shooting half-frame gives something a bit different and is certainly more economical on a per film basis! I'm really looking forward to shooting a roll of Velvia in it just so I can see 72 little stained glass windows when it's developed. The size is very similar to the 35RC apart from being slightly wider and heavier so my normal finger grip styles works well.
 
stevelmx5 said:
I've just been asked to write a guest post on 35mmc.com about Project Deco so I'd better get these logos cut :0)
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Brilliant! (and the review's good news too! :D)

I have subscribed to 35mmc so I can read it!
 
I'm now also talking to Hamish who runs the blog about converting his Leica CL and customising some Technics decks randomly!
 
stevelmx5 said:
I'm now also talking to Hamish who runs the blog about converting his Leica CL and customising some Technics decks randomly!
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Yer gonna be busy!
 
stevelmx5 said:
I'm now also talking to Hamish who runs the blog about converting his Leica CL and customising some Technics decks randomly!
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Sounds like a good project, but................................



...........................who's going to see them? Not like you carry them around like a camera! ;)
 
We've been talking about smoothing the top plate of a Technics 1210 deck to just leave the 33/45 selector buttons. I'm then looking into replacing the micro switches with two touch buttons so the top is completely smooth.
 
There are some nice looking customisations there. I'll take a proper look when I'm at my laptop again.

I've decided to print my own water slide decals for the 35RC due to the small size being an issue for the laser cutter. I've ordered a sheet of clear coat to use and will print the text in white. I'm going to use a slightly larger font size to account for the print so am thinking about this instead;

ImageUploadedByTalk Photography Forums1459156828.495146.jpg

My only issue with this font is that the letters are serif but the numbers are sans-serif randomly! (Ignore the grey background, the text will be direct on the camera body)
 
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No problem with the font Steve, it looks suitably art deco.
Is there any chance it could be a tad smaller?
Also, are you still going to remove the strap lug? it will be used solely with a finger loop so is definitely surplus.

How is the Pen F shaping up?
 
I should be able to make it smaller, I'll do some test prints to see how small I can make it without losing detail. I'm going to leave the right side lug (as per the image above) in place but will grind it down so it just leaves a chrome circle as it acts as a light block for the film chamber. I'm doing that today so I'll take some shots later.
 
stevelmx5 said:
I should be able to make it smaller, I'll do some test prints to see how small I can make it without losing detail. I'm going to leave the right side lug (as per the image above) in place but will grind it down so it just leaves a chrome circle as it acts as a light block for the film chamber. I'm doing that today so I'll take some shots later.
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Excellent!
 
I've ground the strap lug down now so it's the right depth and just need to do some hand sanding to get it smooth. I'll then spray it to match the top plate.

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While I'm working on the camera itself I'm also working on a custom black leather drawstring bag to hold it in (with the assistance of my mum with her embroidery hardware!)

ImageUploadedByTalk Photography Forums1459179034.936286.jpg

I'm editing the image now in software to add more stitches to the Olympus logo so it's solid but looking good so far :0)
 
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