We are always a little reluctant to archive cameras that are in good working order, though as the world moves on, roll film cameras are (almost) a thing of the past, digital having become the main player. We say ‘almost’ as roll film is still available in 2025 and there has been a renaissance in taking pictures with actual film rather than a bunch of pixels. So, we can pop our wee camera into the archive and get it back out again if the urge to take ‘real’ pictures comes along, here’s what it has to say for itself meanwhile.

The Olympus 35RC is a 35mm rangefinder camera manufactured by Olympus in the 1970s. It claimed to be the smallest 35mm rangefinder with automatic exposure control and manual override. Its viewfinder readouts for selected aperture/shutter speed settings were unique for a compact camera.

This one was kindly donated by Hans-Dieter Schwartz who used it himself in the 1970s.

Second-hand 35RC cameras are selling for around £85 in 2025.