farlymac
PF McFarland
Four versions of the original 500 were made, with number 2 being the most produced one. http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Ricoh_500
Mine has a sticky focus, which is an inconvenience for now, but if I were to use it more often it would definitely get a re-lube first. That, and the loose screws in the winding mechanism need to be locked with some enamel polish, after of course I source some replacements for the ones that got away.
But it’s a beautiful, well built camera with a good lens and shutter. The auxiliary lens set looks great, and performs okay (I’ve seen much worse), but the leather cases are losing their green felt flocking, so I’ll need to find some other carrier for them. Since I hadn’t thought to bring a lens cleaning kit with me, I couldn’t get the flocking off the lenses, and that may have affected their performance.
Test was performed with Ilford FP-4 Plus 125, and for the first three frames a Ricoh yellow filter was attached to the lens. If you look at the whole album, I denote which ones had the filter, and any corrections made to exposure or framing.
One of my pursuits, the old “front porch” gas station
Redwood Gas Station by P F McFarland, on Flickr
Using the auxiliaries
Wide-Normal-Tele by P F McFarland, on Flickr
A back lighting shot
Methodist Steeple by P F McFarland, on Flickr
Still life in metal
In The Pile by P F McFarland, on Flickr
When the clouds won’t cooperate, I take their photo
Waiting For The Light by P F McFarland, on Flickr
Art
Symbolic by P F McFarland, on Flickr
The camera
Ricoh 500 ver 2 Auxiliary Lens Set by P F McFarland, on Flickr
See all the photos with narration at https://flic.kr/s/aHskuWiw1g
PF
Mine has a sticky focus, which is an inconvenience for now, but if I were to use it more often it would definitely get a re-lube first. That, and the loose screws in the winding mechanism need to be locked with some enamel polish, after of course I source some replacements for the ones that got away.
But it’s a beautiful, well built camera with a good lens and shutter. The auxiliary lens set looks great, and performs okay (I’ve seen much worse), but the leather cases are losing their green felt flocking, so I’ll need to find some other carrier for them. Since I hadn’t thought to bring a lens cleaning kit with me, I couldn’t get the flocking off the lenses, and that may have affected their performance.
Test was performed with Ilford FP-4 Plus 125, and for the first three frames a Ricoh yellow filter was attached to the lens. If you look at the whole album, I denote which ones had the filter, and any corrections made to exposure or framing.
One of my pursuits, the old “front porch” gas station
Redwood Gas Station by P F McFarland, on Flickr
Using the auxiliaries
Wide-Normal-Tele by P F McFarland, on Flickr
A back lighting shot
Methodist Steeple by P F McFarland, on Flickr
Still life in metal
In The Pile by P F McFarland, on Flickr
When the clouds won’t cooperate, I take their photo
Waiting For The Light by P F McFarland, on Flickr
Art
Symbolic by P F McFarland, on Flickr
The camera
Ricoh 500 ver 2 Auxiliary Lens Set by P F McFarland, on Flickr
See all the photos with narration at https://flic.kr/s/aHskuWiw1g
PF
btgc
Veteran
That angled body and covers are landmark of Ricoh, I don't remember such shape used by other companies (probably, only because I haven't seen too many cameras). It's beautiful camera - shape/size, controls (bottom wind, two focusing pegs, shutter release). I have to pull out my F-O-N which is different only by lens, I think.
John E Earley
Tuol Sleng S21-0174
My Ricoh 500 is the first version and lacks the film counter and nice integrated rewind crank. The top on yours is also flat which has a much more classic look. It's been a while since I used mine (which also has a focus lever that is a bit sticky) and it functions well but unfortunately the 45mm f2.8 lens is a bit soft and lacks contrast even with a yellow filter. Fortunately PS can solve most of that.
It is however a nice, well made camera and doesn't get the respect it deserves.
Ricoh 500 leaf shutter rangefinder 45mm f2.8 by JOHN EARLEY, on Flickr
ETA The advance lever on the bottom of the camera works great and is a very nice feature.
It is however a nice, well made camera and doesn't get the respect it deserves.
Ricoh 500 leaf shutter rangefinder 45mm f2.8 by JOHN EARLEY, on Flickr
ETA The advance lever on the bottom of the camera works great and is a very nice feature.
farlymac
PF McFarland
farlymac
PF McFarland
The 300 is another model that doesn't get much love, but then it has fewer shutter speeds to use.
Ricoh 300 and Five-One-Nine by P F McFarland, on Flickr
PF