Ricoh 500 Rangefinder Shutter not firing once film is loaded

[fostewi]

Hi, am new here and I recently got into film. I picked up a Ricoh 500 rangefinder that is not firing the shutter and am wondering if there might be some suggestions on how serious and/or difficult it might be to resolve.

Basically, when there is no film loaded in the camera, the shutter works as expected. However, once film is loaded, the shutter doesn't fire. The film is advanced and the film advance lever becomes locked/cocked as expected but once the shutter button is pressed, it does not fire. However, the shutter button does unlock the advance and as soon as the advance lever is nudged just the slightest, the shutter than fires. This makes me wonder if maybe it's just stuck / dirty (extra pressure from the film being loaded?).

The only other issue I have noticed, and I am unsure if it might be related, is that bulb mode does not work (with OR without film loaded). When the shutter is pressed the shutter opens but it does not close when the shutter is released and the only way to release it seems to be by adjusting the shutter speed (or aperture...I can not recall which right now) ring.

Any suggestions if this might be related to needing cleaning or something more serious?

Thanks...any help greatly appreciated. I am very much looking forward to learning as much as I can about my new hobby.

 

[seany65]

Hello and welcome to the forum fostewi.

I can't help, as the only experience I have is with the later 500GX-and I'm a clumsy git with no talent at fixing things, but I'm sure someone who can help will be along soon.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I had one of these back in the early 2000s and I had the same problem. Fifteen years has taken a toll on my memory of the specific fix but I remember the top plate was easy to remove and then the fix was something like a new spring needed to be added to a pawl or lever as the old one had fatigued and actually broken. You can get the top plate off, remount the winder knob then watch the mechanism work. Without and with film. Make sure to have a sacrificial test roll.
Phil Forrest

 

[fostewi]

I had one of these back in the early 2000s and I had the same problem. Fifteen years has taken a toll on my memory of the specific fix but I remember the top plate was easy to remove and then the fix was something like a new spring needed to be added to a pawl or lever as the old one had fatigued and actually broken. You can get the top plate off, remount the winder knob then watch the mechanism work. Without and with film. Make sure to have a sacrificial test roll.
Phil Forrest

Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll take a look and see if I have the nerve to try it as I’m not very handy.