Anyone know something about this transparent camera?

Heldur

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I just bought this on Ebay, its a Ricoh FF-90s transparent case, apparenty in new condition.. Anyone give me more info? thanks!
 
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First I though it's really transparent FF-90, you know, FF-90 (same as FF-70) is fine camera - looking at picture made me calm down.

But FF-9 is different breed. It has some fancy modes (like interval shooting), but not the lens. Maybe it's better than I suppose.

Good news is that I have seen transparent Ricoh XOBBOX going away for money, significantly higher than same black unboxed FF-9 fetches. Obviously some Ricoh collector have found last camera still missing in his collection - so there's chance that value if it could raise over time.
 
First I though it's really transparent FF-90, you know, FF-90 (same as FF-70) is fine camera - looking at picture made me calm down.

But FF-9 is different breed. It has some fancy modes (like interval shooting), but not the lens. Maybe it's better than I suppose.

Good news is that I have seen transparent Ricoh XOBBOX going away for money, significantly higher than same black unboxed FF-9 fetches. Obviously some Ricoh collector have found last camera still missing in his collection - so there's chance that value if it could raise over time.


Thanks for the answer, sorry I made a mistake it is Ricoh FF-9s,
not 90.

The only info I just found was on collectiblend. It lists the price $257 - $304. Hope its the same camera,

http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Riken/Ricoh-FF-9-S-Transparent.html
 
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Look, that site lists FF-70 worth $57-74. Do you believe that? I'm NOT specialist on camera pricing, but that numbers seem to be totally away from real prices.
 
The transparent cameras I've seen (Olympus XA and a digital P&S at the Samy's camera near my house) have been display models that don't work.
 
The transparent cameras I've seen (Olympus XA and a digital P&S at the Samy's camera near my house) have been display models that don't work.


ah, that's the point - they probably are more complex (additional light protection?) than regular models. That Ricoh's pop up time from time, I remember Ricoh camera site also lists transparent model.
 
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This is getting more interesting, so cameras like this are just for display purposes? Mine comes with box and instruction manual. I would love to find out more about transparent cameras, might start a collection!
 
Look, that site lists FF-70 worth $57-74. Do you believe that? I'm NOT specialist on camera pricing, but that numbers seem to be totally away from real prices.

Yep. The price for FF-70 is outdated. Today, including shipping from Europe to USA, and considering currency rates, this camera would be more like $20-40. In Europe, 10 Euro.
 
Well I mailed Ricoh who told me it was a LIMITED EDITION and supplied me with this link

http://www.ricoh.co.jp/camera/cameralist/FF-9_Ltd.html

Using online translator I could not understand that much except -

The camera was produced in 1992.

2000 models were made.

The price was 35000 yen originally

It is also sounds like that the camera actually worked and was not just a display model.

anyone know Japanese!?
 
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a transparent light-tight box, hehe now that's a freaking funny idea!
was it made for black light images, i wonder:D

at least it won't develop light leaks no matter how old the seals, lol
 
Good news is that I have seen transparent Ricoh XOBBOX going away for money, significantly higher than same black unboxed FF-9 fetches. Obviously some Ricoh collector have found last camera still missing in his collection - so there's chance that value if it could raise over time.

Hey!

I've got one of these. It used to be the camera I used for snap shots (quite some time ago). Usually made people smile because they did not believe it was a real camera.

How long do I have to wait until it's valuable? ;)
 

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Well I mailed Ricoh who told me it was a LIMITED EDITION and supplied me with this link

http://www.ricoh.co.jp/camera/cameralist/FF-9_Ltd.html

Using online translator I could not understand that much except -

The camera was produced in 1992.

2000 models were made.

The price was 35000 yen originally

It is also sounds like that the camera actually worked and was not just a display model.

anyone know Japanese!?

Ricoh FF-9s Limited
35mm lens shutter

Upon looking over the well received FF-9s, we noticed that light was shielded from the lens to the film compartment, but no light leaks occured even with the front cover removed to expose the other mechanisms. By changing the front cover to a transparent cover, we created a camera on which you can see the internal mechanisms. Limited edition lot of 2,000 cameras that were sold out the day they went on sale. First camera in the world with a clear cover that can be used to take photos.

Date of sale - March 1992
Film system - 35mm cartridge film (135)
Image size - 24mm x 36mm
Lens - Richo 35mm f3.5, 4 elements in 4 groups
Focus - Active auto-focus
Finder - Life size
Shutter - Electronically controlled 1/4 to 1/400 with self timer
Exposure control - Programmed auto exposure for ISO 100 to 1600
Battery - 1 x CR-P2 battery 
Features - Attention getter at parties with its see through body!:) Equipped with unique Ricoh features such as night mode etc.
Size - Width 121mm, height 67mm, depth 47mm
Weight - 235g without battery
Price - 35,000 yen including case
Distinguishing feature - internal components visible due to the clear cover
 
Ricoh FF-9s Limited
35mm lens shutter

Upon looking over the well received FF-9s, we noticed that light was shielded from the lens to the film compartment, but no light leaks occured even with the front cover removed to expose the other mechanisms. By changing the front cover to a transparent cover, we created a camera on which you can see the internal mechanisms. Limited edition lot of 2,000 cameras that were sold out the day they went on sale. First camera in the world with a clear cover that can be used to take photos.

Date of sale - March 1992
Film system - 35mm cartridge film (135)
Image size - 24mm x 36mm
Lens - Richo 35mm f3.5, 4 elements in 4 groups
Focus - Active auto-focus
Finder - Life size
Shutter - Electronically controlled 1/4 to 1/400 with self timer
Exposure control - Programmed auto exposure for ISO 100 to 1600
Battery - 1 x CR-P2 battery 
Features - Attention getter at parties with its see through body!:) Equipped with unique Ricoh features such as night mode etc.
Size - Width 121mm, height 67mm, depth 47mm
Weight - 235g without battery
Price - 35,000 yen including case
Distinguishing feature - internal components visible due to the clear cover
Thanks for the translation!
 
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