Olympus 35-S

The Olympus 35-S and 35-S II are fixed-lens rangefinders made by Olympus from 1955 to 1959. Olympus launched the Olympus 35 S-3.5 in 1955 as a high-end version of the Olympus 35. The camera was packed with innovative ideas and was the first Japanese-made lens/shutter camera with a film advance lever. Other features included a self-cocking mechanism that charged the shutter as the film advanced, and even a coupled rangefinder. An F2.8 lens was subsequently introduced, and eventually Olympus also launched Japan's first 35mm lens/shutter camera with an F1.9 large-aperture lens.

Olympus 35-S Picture by David Broglin. (Image rights)

Olympus 35-S

Introduced in 1955, the 35-S was the first Japanese camera to offer a fast rewind lever. It was first fitted with a D. Zuiko 3.5/45 lens. The later models were available with a E. Zuiko 2.8/48mm or a G. Zuiko 1.9/42mm lens. All had a Seikosha-MX shutter.

Olympus 35-S II Picture by David Broglin. (Image rights)

Olympus 35-S II

Marketed in 1957, the Olympus 35-S II provided a bright-frame finder. It is recognizable for its three windows on the front. Three different lenses were available : E. Zuiko 2.8/48, G. Zuiko 2.0/42 and G. Zuiko 1.8/42. It is equipped with a Seikosha MXL shutter, with LVS values.

Many of these cameras have been sold in the USA by Sears & Roebuck under the brand Tower.

Links

• Shutter and rangefinder cleaning of the Olympus 35-S II
• Olympus 35 S-3.5 on Olympus Global History.