About two weeks ago, I purchased the Olympus 35DC from Japan, and I’d like to share my initial thoughts on this camera. I chose this camera because I wanted a compact film camera that I could easily carry around. There are several options out there, like the Minolta Hi-Matic or Canon G-III, but I found the Olympus 35DC to be one of the smallest and most affordable. I got mine for about 50 Euros.
Another reason I opted for this camera is that it’s a point-and-shoot. Sometimes, I just want to focus on composition and press the shutter without worrying about settings. From a technical standpoint, this camera is also intriguing. It achieves correct exposure through predefined pairs of aperture and shutter speed.
There are two versions of the Olympus 35DC. The newer version has a battery check button and light, but I felt it was a bit cheaply implemented, so I opted for the older version without the light. The newer version also has more plastic parts, which I didn’t find appealing.
When I first unboxed the camera, I was immediately impressed. It looks and feels great—compact but not too small. The build quality is excellent, and the camera operates smoothly and simply.
One challenge was finding the right battery. The original 1.3V PX625 mercury batteries are no longer available, so I had to find a replacement. I’m currently using a 1.5V type 625A battery. According to several online forums, the slightly higher voltage might cause inaccurate exposure readings. I’ll see how the photos turn out once the film is processed.
What I Like About the 35DC
- Ease of Use: Load the film, set the correct ISO, and start shooting.
- Perfect Size and Weight: The camera is compact enough to almost fit in a pocket.
- Great Look and Feel: The design and build quality are impressive.
- Quiet Operation: The leaf shutter and film advance are almost silent.
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Hi, thanks for the post. Did the battery voltage difference result in adjusted ISO?
I didn’t notice any significant change in ISO. But I haven’t tested it in detail, because the exposed photos looked good to me.