Ricoh anyone?

R

RML

Guest
On my way home from work, and looking for a camera bag, I went to a local small-time camera store. I come there quite regularly, and always check what they have in the window.

This time I saw they had an Oly Mju-1, which I could leave there. I got it for my little girl, who'll be 7 on the 7th. What can be better than earrings and a camera for your 7th birthday? :p On th 9th (Mongolian New Year) she'll get a very funny soft toy, which I know she'll like.

So, happy with my purchase I scanned the rest of the cameras in the window. There I saw a Ricoh 500 G rangefinder (correct type? I didn't remember exactly). It turned out that the meter was no longer working, even after they'd put in a new battery. The body looked used with some paint worn away from the rims. The RF patch was reaaaaaaaally tiny; nothing more than a goldish blemish in the VF. I was a bit disappointed already because of the meter not working so I didn't pay much attention to the rest of the workings. But I still a bit intrigued.

Are there any members here who have and use a Ricoh 500 G? What do you think it's worth, and is it possible to get the meter repaired for a reasonable price? They're asking 13 euros for it.
 
Look at the battery compartment. A friend of mine found in a closet a forgotten Ricoh 35 ZF (Zone focus version of the 500 G, same lens) and after cleaning the green corrosion in the battery chamber with a q-tip with vinegar and droppintg a LR44 in the meter started working, as did the automatic mode. The meter cell is in the lens front, filters are easy to use and it will go off with the lens cap on.

For 13 euros hard to go wrong, if you get the meter working you'll get both shutter priority AND metered manual mode in a tiny package. Can't speak of the rf patch as mine didn't have :p but the lens gives pleasant results which you may like, here you have one. Check apertures and speeds and if it seems to work properly in manual mode (no battery needed), you'll sure get some fun from it.

31163508.jpg


Woops, and forgot adding, it also has the useful meter neddle trap feature, which comes in really handy as an AE lock. Check Matu's gallery for some very nice work with that camera.
 
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That sounds promising, Taffer!

I'll get my dad to go over to that shop this weekend. I'll call them from the airport asking them to keep the camera for me for a few days.

Anyone else more useful information?
 
Remy I have a Ricoh 500RF it seems to be the Sears Version of the 500G, and I have to tell that is a very small Capable Little Camera, the lense is very sharp but a little slow, the viewfinder is clear but hasnt got parallax correction, and the croping marks arent very clear, but is still a fun to use camera.
There is no problem with the CDS metering and the LR44 battery. The electric eye is located on the lense so you won't shoot with the cap lense on.
It completely manual, works without battery, and it's shutter priority.
If I where you I would go for It.
Matt's Denton Page has more information about it, and the manual.

Regards,

Pablo
 
Sounding better all the time. :p GAS popping up again slowly but steadily....
 
I have a 500G myself and it's a great little camera, although I know mine needs a CLA to fix some minor issues with light leaks and a slightly sticky shutter. The pictures which did come out for me were very sharp and contrasty. I use a Wein cell for the meter and it's spot-on.
 
I have a 500ME, which has a multiple exposure facility as well as shutter priority and manual. I can endorse what others have said but do not find it as much fun as other RF's - I was surprised by the generally good lens and metering but the focusing is stiff on mine.
You can probably get a good example for 13 - 20 euro. Good luck.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=626&item=3870819543&rd=1
 
RML said:
That sounds promising, Taffer!

I'll get my dad to go over to that shop this weekend. I'll call them from the airport asking them to keep the camera for me for a few days.

Anyone else more useful information?
Click to expand...

RML

The Ricoh 500G is a nice little rig. I have three of them. Give the battery compartment the Vinegar treatment. That fixed two of mine. The lens is fairly decent. It's one of the better designed rangefinders. It just feels good in your hands. Also, the meter is fully functional in manual mode, which is rare. I've attached a snap of one of mine, in "Sears" attire. It was the last edition of the Ricoh 500G.

Russ
 
Hi

I own a Ricoh 500 Gx , a multiexposure variant of the 500 g, bought a clean and fully working camera for 15E, also have the 35 zf bought for 5e, pleased with both cameras.

I like the ability to operate the camera in manual mode, it seems to be a little better built than my Konica c 35 and Chinon 35ee
 
I have the Ricoh 500 G, very nice "pocket-size" camera. Lens is as sharp as my Canonet Q17 and the RF, while small is quite usable. I think I paid $30 USD, but the meter works perfectly. It does need new seal foam though.
Seems like the black paint comes off at the edges on these, but doesn't look too bad.
Mine's for sale if anyone is interested ~ ; - )
 
Today I was given a Ricoh 500 GX in pretty good condition. The only things I can pick wrong with it are the light meter isn't working and the seals have perished. But for zero ooutlay I cannot complain.

Heath
 
Heath said:
Today I was given a Ricoh 500 GX in pretty good condition. The only things I can pick wrong with it are the light meter isn't working and the seals have perished. But for zero ooutlay I cannot complain.

Heath
Click to expand...

Give the battery compartment a light swabbing with Vinegar. That's worked for me, more than once. The seal replacement on that camera is very easy.

Russ
 
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