ricoh 500g: opinions?

[izo]

well, i was looking something more compact than my bulky yashica lynx, find this in some old camera market, i was tempted in some minolta too, but price was too much. this one has 40/2.8 lens, only 4 blades in aperture daipraghm, i guess bokeh wouldn't be that nice, hehe. have to find some battery but it is also full manual camera beside aperture automatics (Tv in "canon" terms).
got my first film in, we'll see what it does, i will post some scans..

anyways, what can i expect?

 

[Rich Silfver]

Looks like it's in excellent condition.

Here are some Ricoh 500G photos I found by searching the camera archive over at pbase: http://www.pbase.com/cameras/ricoh/500_g

 

[Didier]

I have a Ricoh 500 GX that I found on the auction site for less than 10 bucks, but usually prefer my Rollei XF35 (which costed 20 bucks) for the "compact" needs. The Ricoh's rangefinder spot is quite small, the eye must be in the exact middle of the viewer to see (and use) it. The same happens with most cheaper rangefinders but on the Ricoh it's extreme. The Rikenon lens is quite sharp stopped down, but can not be compared with the splendid 2.3/40 Sonnar of the Rollei.

I would not expect too much from this camera and lens, but as little companion for unexpected photographical occasions at daylight it's still OK. Don't forget you shoot the pictures not the camera.

Didier

 

[izo]

yep, i know that, but i prefer sharp optics, and i was looking for rollei also, but i as far i know i know, it doesn't have paralax focusing. but also true, in deosn't matter much in that small viewfinder.
we'll see, i guess..

 

[Rich Silfver]

In case you need it. here is a manual for the camera: http://www.butkus.org/chinon/ricoh_500-g/ricoh_500-g-splash.htm

and you may enjoy this site: http://www.geocities.com/minkyopa/500g/

 

[izo]

i have all this links, but thnx anway.

 

[Jocko]

I would not expect too much from this camera and lens, but as little companion for unexpected photographical occasions at daylight it's still OK. Don't forget you shoot the pictures not the camera.

With respect, I think that's a serious underestimation of a remarkably usable camera.

The quality of mine astonished me - http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16271&highlight=Ricoh+500

Izo, I think you'll be happy 😀

Cheers, Ian

 

[HansDerHase]

With respect, I think that's a serious underestimation of a remarkably usable camera.

I can only second Jocko.

That's not only because this cute litte Ricoh was my "first love" that started my GAS. I still prefere it to almost all my other gear for its usability (except maybe the Vitos). It's small, solid, in very good condition and it's a simple design - I like that. Lens is good enough for all practical purpose (I even like the bokeh btw).

...AND... the meter works in manual mode! Not many of the CRF of the time can compete in that compartment ,-)

 

[HansDerHase]

..., but usually prefer my Rollei XF35 (which costed 20 bucks) for the "compact" needs...

I almost went for a Rollei XF 35 too, but then decided to stay away because t's a point-an-shoot ...er, except for th manual focus. that is... And it's supposed to be loaded with at most 400 ASA. No good when light gets low and/or the meter fails. On the other hand AFAIK it's got that sharp lens. Thats pretty much tessar for the bug 🙂

So, Didier, if you say it's got a good viewfinder with a nice rangefinder patch maybe I should give it a try anyways.

 

[izo]

cool, i know i could smell quality, when i see it, hehe. where did u find replacemnt battery, i'm not that good in judging light, hehe.

 

[Nexium]

Hi izo! i fell in love for one of those too! As for the battery i use a cheap 1.5v LR44 you can find everywhere. It only lasts for a month or two but they really cheap, so...not a real problem! You´re welcome to my Ricoh 500G flickr group and share experiences with other users!

 

[izo]

i think i bump in that group already while i was googling for g. saw some very nice pictures, if i remember correctly.
thnx for invetation.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Ricoh 500G: Nice cheap RF camera

Ricoh 500G: Nice cheap RF camera

The Ricoh 500G and its twin, the Sears 35|rf have some nice features -
compact size, sharp lens, auto and metered manual exposure, etc.
I have had several and each produced sharp, well-exposed photos.

This model was designed to use a 1.3V PX675 mercury battery.
Karl Bryan adapted mine to use 1.5V MS76/SR44 silver cells.

Perhaps after 30 years the rangefinder on yours needs cleaning;
I have never had any problem focusing mine...

"Excelsior, you fathead!"
-Chris-

 

[HansDerHase]

... only 4 blades in aperture daipraghm, i guess bokeh wouldn't be that nice, hehe ...

Here is my bokeh-test.

Ricoh 500G, f2.8, focus at 3 ft

...actually this was the very first picture i took with my Ricoh...

 

[izo]

nice, bokeh is good, also contrast, but flower doesn't seems to be in focus. is that @ f/2.8?
anwyay, i buy some lr44 batteries (1.5v) today, and the thing works, yey! i have to check readings with my 300d, but it looks ok. one thing i noticed: it's always on, so it's draining battery. too bad that readings it's not only triggered when u half press the shutter button.

 

[HansDerHase]

... but flower doesn't seems to be in focus. is that @ f/2.8? ... one thing i noticed: it's always on, so it's draining battery. too bad that readings it's not only triggered when u half press the shutter button.

Yes. flower is out of focus. This was the first roll and the rangefinder was still slightly off. Wide open at closest focus distance has the least DOF. Acually about 8 cm in this case (CoC 0,03) so any error shows up easyly. 🙁

Of course the lens is also a little soft wide open. 🙁

The meter is only supposed to drain energy as long as there is a certain amount of light hitting the cell. Cover the cell with the lens-cap and the meter should be switches off.

 

[izo]

yep, lens cap seems logical solution, i have it, so no probs. must shoot film out, hehe, can't wait for resoults. if theh'll be even near my yashica lynx (at least sharpness, which is very good even wide open at F/1.4), i'll be very happy man.
thnx again

 

[Rob]

I had a camera test from way back from maybe pop photo or something that tested the 500G against about 8 other similar cameras and they rated the 500g at or near the top for sharpness and color. I think the contenders were a canonet and a Konica too, so thats good company. Seems like I sent that camera test to Brian Sweeney with some cameras. I found it on the net so maybe can find it again.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

More nice features on the 500G/35|rf

More nice features on the 500G/35|rf

The "B" shutter speed setting turns off the meter.

BTW the lens on this model is multicoated, too.
I forgot to mention that in my previous post...

Chris

 

[izo]

cool, thnx chris