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16-7-2018 06:36:33  #1


Segment shift Olivettis?

Hi everyone,

I've recently come over an "Olivetti Studio 45 S", which I did not see listed on the Typerwriter Database. It looks as if compared to an ordinary Olivetti Studio 45, it lacks the tab key. Anyway, I find the Olivetti Studio 45 has an intriguing design and I consider getting one once I see a model that does have a tab key.

I however prefer segment shift over carriage shift, since in the direct comparisons I made (Olympia SM9 and SG1 versus an Adler Primus and two Continentals) it feels much more easy to write with segment shift. Does anybody know if Olivetti did produce typewriters with segment shift, and in particular, did the Studio series at some point have segment shift?

sirius
 

 

16-7-2018 07:18:13  #2


Re: Segment shift Olivettis?

Yes. Actually, as far as I know, the most popular Olivetti typewriters are segment shifted: the Lettera 22, the Studio 44, the Lettera 32, the Lexikon 80, etc. To be true, I don't know any Olivetti typewriter that doesn't come with the  segment shift. In fact, even the Studio 45 should have it. I'm not sure if I understood: yours Studio 45 doesn't? That's odd...

Here's a video of a Studio 45 with segment shift: https://youtu.be/bCqfK5aGzoE . Maybe the difference is in that "S" on your model. 

 

16-7-2018 11:35:14  #3


Re: Segment shift Olivettis?

Thanks for your information! Good to know that Olivettis are generally segment shifted. I'm going to give them more priority in my search for my "ideal" typewriter.

I don't own that Olivetti Studio 45 S. I've only seen it listed on eBay (Germany) and wasn't able to figure out which kind of shifting it had just from the pictures. Since it isn't even listed on the Typewriter Database, I rather tought that I should ask.

Anyway, the Olivetti Studio 45 S seems to be too much plastic for me, given the descriptions on the Typewriter Database, so I'm going to let it go. I'll take a look the other Olivettis you mentioned. From the first glance, I didn't see much of a difference between the Lettera 22 and the Lettera 32, though, except for a slightly different design and squared keytops on the Lettera 32.

Thanks!

     Thread Starter
 

16-7-2018 12:40:51  #4


Re: Segment shift Olivettis?

Seems that the Olivetti Studio 44 also has a plastic shell. I'll stay with the Olympia SM9 in that size class, but the Olivetti Letteras (both 22 and 32) look fairly nice to me in their size class; the other one I was considering here is the Olympia Traveller, but it doesn't have tabs, while the Letteras both have tabs. Do both Lettera 22 and Lettera 32 have a metal shell? On some photos it looks like the 32 has a plastic one...

     Thread Starter
 

16-7-2018 14:55:53  #5


Re: Segment shift Olivettis?

Actually the Studio 44 does indeed have a metal shell, aluminum I think. A beautifully made typewriter; I just wasn't crazy about the touch, so I sold it. But I'd definitely consider getting another.

 

17-7-2018 01:01:14  #6


Re: Segment shift Olivettis?

Lettera 32 has a metal shell. All Olivetti portables made beyond the 50s (Lettera and Studio lines) have segment shift. Earlier portables (Studio 42, MP1 Invicta and Ico's) have carriage shift.

As for comparing Lettera to Olympia Traveller de Luxe, I'm not such a fan of the latter. The Olympia Traveller, though extremely sturdy, still has a lot of plastic, and is carriage shifted. The Lettera 22 / 32 looks stunning, has an all metal shell (although some later-day Lettera 32's produced in Spain, Yugoslavia and Mexico have some plastic parts), has a tabulator and is of course, segment shifted. 

As for Lettera 22 and Lettera 32, there are a lot of differences, most of them internally, and it is a matter of preference which you like better. I'm a fan of the Lettera 32, but I an see why some would prefer the Lettera 22 (which feels sturdier, less 'cheap', if you will).

 

 

17-7-2018 09:34:34  #7


Re: Segment shift Olivettis?

Thank you two for your valuable information!

     Thread Starter
 

29-7-2018 08:41:23  #8


Re: Segment shift Olivettis?

Fleetwing wrote:

Actually the Studio 44 does indeed have a metal shell, aluminum I think. A beautifully made typewriter; I just wasn't crazy about the touch, so I sold it. But I'd definitely consider getting another.

Agreed. I have two. The Studio 44 is metal, and very solid (though I can see thinking it looks plastic). Also I don;t care for the touch on these. They do look cool though. I prefer the Lettera 22/32 regarding touch (and even looks).

 

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