God save the LCDs (in the Ricoh GR film cameras)

[binyamin]

I am on a quest. To find out why we can’t find a way to self service these destined to fails LCDs. I have two *mint* GR1v that I paid over $3k for. And their LCDs are illegible after only a few outings. Sure we can still use them by memorizing the mode by looking in the viewfinder. But I am in disbelief that LCD tech could not be something that can be replaced.

Can someone kindly enlighten me? We will deal with the weak motors in these later. :/

 

[Mooshoepork]

Go on eBay and search for the parts. They’re available from China. Finding someone that knows how to solder them in is another story though

 

[Kai-san]

Maybe this can be helpful:


https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Ricoh+GR-1+LCD+display+missing+segments+repair/54771

 

[Waus]

these guys repaired my Leica Minilux and they do repair Ricoh GR1's-you could ask (when they are back from holliday...)https://www.ebay.ie/itm/RICOH-GR1-GR1S-GR1V-NO-SHUTTER-SERVICE-REPAIR-/263594344651

 

[Steve M.]

You might try this

https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/580818/Have+a+problem+with+LCD+segments+on+Ricoh+R1s+model

or this

https://www.35mmc.com/09/02/2014/ricoh-gr1-series-tale-woe/

If it's a design flaw, I wouldn't buy another one.

 

[binyamin]

Go on eBay and search for the parts. They’re available from China. Finding someone that knows how to solder them in is another story though

Which parts? I can't find anything on eBay. I think the big issue for these cameras is the ribbon cable, which is the cause of the LCD failure. Do you know if someone carries those or has reversed engineered it?

 

[Ste_S]

Which parts? I can't find anything on eBay. I think the big issue for these cameras is the ribbon cable, which is the cause of the LCD failure. Do you know if someone carries those or has reversed engineered it?

That's the thing I think. As you yourself did, people pay a lot of money for premium compacts. If parts were readily available I'd imagine they'd be a fair few people offering a repair service at a premium price to cater for that market. That there isn't indicates that there's no or next to none spares available

 

[Bobfrance]

If you're in the UK (or beyond) try @PPP_repairs on Instagram.
He's a bit of a genius with the electronics in film cameras.


Or if you fancy a bit of DIY, get yourself some of this...


https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company...ansfer-Tape-9703/?N=5002385+3294001720&rt=rud

 

[rangefinderlove123]

You paid over USD 3000 for 2 ricoh gr1v?

 

[binyamin]

Three actually at around $1500 ea not counting the $2k for the GR21. These are completely mint in box copies and still fully functional even when LCD goes by virtue of the pattern in the viewfinder. It’s more of an annoyance and I’m also a collector and preservationist. I could buy a Leica but they kinda bore me and are so plentiful that they’re in less need of more collectors by comparison.

 

[rangefinderlove123]

Well it's your monies. These cameras were however very problematic from the start. Leicas are certainly boring but at these prices there are cameras that are far more reliable out there, and most importantly they can be serviced

 

[binyamin]

Well it's your monies. These cameras were however very problematic from the start. Leicas are certainly boring but at these prices there are cameras that are far more reliable out there, and most importantly they can be serviced

No doubt, and I've been questioning my love affair with the GR1v and GR21 on this basis. However I am pressed to find a better compact that speaks my language. The snap focus settings, the lenses on these, the compact and yet ruggedized body (I'm not a fan of the metal body of the Contax T3), the 28mm focal length. It just frustrating.

I'm not anti-Leica either. I have a Minolta CLE (two actually), and am a big fan of the lenses. I'm more of a compact 35mm guy when I'm not shooting with medium format.

Do you have any other models you think I should consider evaluating as a stand in? I keep searching for a new love affair. Haha.

 

[Ste_S]

I've given up with film compacts mostly - small viewfinders, poor af, shutter lag, basic metering etc
The compact af SLRs like the Nikon F75 and Canon EOS 300x are small enough for me and are far better cameras than premium compacts whilst being a tiny fraction of the price.
If I truly need a pocketable camera then my phone is always on me

Although I am tempted to pick up a digital Nikon Coolpix at some point. Good enough for Daido..

 

[binyamin]

I've given up with film compacts mostly - small viewfinders, poor af, shutter lag, basic metering etc
The compact af SLRs like the Nikon F75 and Canon EOS 300x are small enough for me and are far better cameras than premium compacts whilst being a tiny fraction of the price.
If I truly need a pocketable camera then my phone is always on me

Although I am tempted to pick up a digital Nikon Coolpix at some point. Good enough for Daido..

Sure I understand this thinking. However I really do look at these as cameras that sit in my thin jacket pocket or back pocket and they almost have the footprint of an iPhone XS with an extended batter case, in some ways smaller. I think the tradeoffs are remarkably in their favor for this purpose. As much as I like the iPhone, it doesn't turn on as fast as a GR1v, nor can I get to manual commands quick enough for my use.

But I shoot with them for other reasons at times, not knocking the digital phone.

I will look at the cameras you suggested however.

 

[aizan]

LCDs can be reverse engineered and copied. You'd probably want to start a business, though. 😀

 

[Dralowid]

Well it's your monies. These cameras were however very problematic from the start. Leicas are certainly boring but at these prices there are cameras that are far more reliable out there, and most importantly they can be serviced

Did you actually have one? A friend of mine and I bought new GR1s both at the same time, his still works faultlessly but I sold my fully working one about three years ago to fund something else.

Seems fair enough. They were not duds from the start.

 

[binyamin]

LCDs can be reverse engineered and copied. You'd probably want to start a business, though. 😀

Or just scarf up all the dead cameras and horde them for life so that I never run out? :angel: