jordancolburn
Newbie
I recently purchased a ricoh 500g at a thrift shop and need some help solving a few issues with it. I found this forum through google and many posts here helped me get it open and solve some basic issues.
I replaced all the light seals, so that should not be an issue. The biggest issue seems to be that the shutter speed takes 20 seconds to get right. As in, after I wind the camera, If I wait 20 seconds, the shutter seems to stay open for the correct amount of time (testing on 1/8). If I take a photo immediately, the shutter seems to fire somewhere around 1/100 or faster (I the action with at 96 fps slo-mo on a video camera to guesstimate shutter speed). I also must wait a while if I wind the camera while set on a faster shutter and then change to 1/8, the 20 second delay seems to start then.
I have had the camera apart and there are some gears that continue to turn slowly after winding or changing shutter speeds, could there be a gear that is gummed up causing the delay?
The other issue I had was the light meter. I cleaned the battery contacts and checked the wires inside and all seems to be in good order. The needle goes up and registers fine If I shine a light on the photo cell, but covering up the cell with my finger does not seem to cause the needle to drop. If I shake the camera or press the shutter multiple times the needle seems to drop to the appropriate location. I thought it might be sticking, but moving the needle by hand, it does not seem to be obstructed by anything. I'm using a wein cell replacement and the battery seems fine.
Anyway, I don't have much experience repairing cameras, so any attempts to help me troubleshoot are very appreciated. Thanks!
I replaced all the light seals, so that should not be an issue. The biggest issue seems to be that the shutter speed takes 20 seconds to get right. As in, after I wind the camera, If I wait 20 seconds, the shutter seems to stay open for the correct amount of time (testing on 1/8). If I take a photo immediately, the shutter seems to fire somewhere around 1/100 or faster (I the action with at 96 fps slo-mo on a video camera to guesstimate shutter speed). I also must wait a while if I wind the camera while set on a faster shutter and then change to 1/8, the 20 second delay seems to start then.
I have had the camera apart and there are some gears that continue to turn slowly after winding or changing shutter speeds, could there be a gear that is gummed up causing the delay?
The other issue I had was the light meter. I cleaned the battery contacts and checked the wires inside and all seems to be in good order. The needle goes up and registers fine If I shine a light on the photo cell, but covering up the cell with my finger does not seem to cause the needle to drop. If I shake the camera or press the shutter multiple times the needle seems to drop to the appropriate location. I thought it might be sticking, but moving the needle by hand, it does not seem to be obstructed by anything. I'm using a wein cell replacement and the battery seems fine.
Anyway, I don't have much experience repairing cameras, so any attempts to help me troubleshoot are very appreciated. Thanks!
