Ricoh FF-90 Super Photos

[chubasco]

I'm really happy with this little point and shoot that I got for the grand
total of $10.20 off ebay:

using cheap Arista 400 film from Freestyle, this from the first roll:

last shot using the BC+2 setting for backlit subjects, kinda works...

and the camera/accessories:

Bill

 

[ishpop]

looks good, nice grain.

 

[btgc]

Nice pics, as expected.
Chubasco - so your favorite is plain 90 or Super? Picture-wise they are same, as we see. I'm biased towards plain 90 because like better grip of left side - on Super lithium battery block on left side makes it bulkier and thicker. Though I'm going to load Super soon 🙂

 

[chubasco]

ishpop, btgc, thanks for your comments. Yes, I have the FF-90 as well,
and like the fact that it takes regular AA alkaline batteries:

and here's a few pics from it:

the one BW pic was converted in Bibble

 

[Dave S.]

FF-70 Super, FF-90 Super, FF-700, FF-900

FF-70 Super, FF-90 Super, FF-700, FF-900

I just picked up a Ricoh FF-90 Super also! It seems like a really nice point and shoot. I've shot a roll, but haven't had time to drop it off for development yet...

Is there any other difference between the Ricoh FF-90 and the Ricoh FF-90 Super besides the lithium battery?

Also, I've come across some references to a Ricoh FF-700 and a Richo FF-900: Are these just the FF-70 Super and the FF-90 Super under a different name (for different markets maybe)?

Thanks,

Dave

 

[chubasco]

Hi Dave,
There is no difference between the two cameras other than styling and
that the Super takes a lithium battery, which is rather expensive. I'm
saving the old used up battery casing that I cut the top off and installed
two CR123A batteries which are cheap on the bay.

The 700 and 900 are European model #s but are the same camera as
the FF-90.

These cameras have been quite a surprise for me, got both including
shipping for less than $22.🙂

Hope to see some from your first roll....

Bill

 

[sooner]

I had a Ricoh in the early 90's, forget which model, but it was incredibly sharp, just a great camera, until it simply fell apart one day. I'll have to take another look at the used market. And nice shots, by the way.

 

[Dave S.]

Ricoh FF-90, FF-90 Super

Ricoh FF-90, FF-90 Super

Thanks for the information Bill (chubasco)! I'll have to try that trick using CR123A batteries in the lithium battery casing.😀

I was poking around on the Internet and came up with a couple of blurbs I thought I should share:

Popular Science August 1985:

"The Ricoh FF-90 was designed, says Ricoh vice-president Ray Ohannes, to offer "the best that modern technology can provide." It's hard not to believe him. The first thing you see when you hold an FF-90 is its huge liquid-crystal-display control panel. It tells you (after the FF-90 has read, on loading, the DX code that most films now have and has automatically set its exposure system for the film speed):

- The number of exposures in the cartridge - 12, 24, or 36.

- The number of the exposure you're up to right now.

- Film speed (ISO).

- Whether you've set the camera for backlight compensation (a +2 signal lights up).

- Whether the film has fed properly into the camera.

- Whether the lens cover is open.

- And finally, when you've taken the last shot, that the film is now - automatically - being rewound"

Small push buttons on the deck next to the control panel enable you to set film speed manually, if you choose; to compensate for backlight; to get into the picture yourself; or to light up the whole control panel. Naturally, this is an auto-everything camera: focus, film advance, film rewind, and flash (the flash pops up in dim-light conditions). Several features set the FF-90 apart from other autofocus lens-shutter cameras (as these 35's are classified): It has a faster lens (f/2.8 vs. f3.5); its shutter-speed range extends from 1/500 to two seconds; it accepts film with exposure indexes from 25 to 1,600; and its autofocusing is continuous - stepless - rather than bound by zones. List price $240."


Chicago Sun-Times June 26, 1987:

"Ricoh has introduced two new cameras and upgraded its FF-90, calling the revision the FF-90 Super. The basic changes are a lithium battery power source that the user can replace, the ability to be operated by remote control with a variety of electronic devices and refined styling.

Another nice feature gives the user the ability to override the ISO setting with DX coding. The suggested list price for the FF-90 Super is $287, including a 35mm f2.8 lens. The data-back version, available shortly, will go for $333."


-Dave

 

[btgc]

uote=Dave S.;1022648]Thanks for the information Bill (chubasco)! I'll have to try that trick using CR123A batteries in the lithium battery casing.😀[/quote]

Oh yes, I already wanted to share this knowledge - recently I loaded FF-700 aka FF-90 Super, prepared to use 2xCR123 then decided to stay with original battery because battery symbol on LCD didn't blink.

- And finally, when you've taken the last shot, that the film is now - automatically - being rewound"

And what's useful, tail is left outside, like on modern SLR's. This means one can switch different rolls while not finished.

its autofocusing is continuous - stepless - rather than bound by zones. List price $240."

I have wondered if it's stepless or has just 3 zones as displayed in VF. Thanks for this update.

the ability to be operated by remote control with a variety of electronic devices and refined styling."

Have never seen Ricoh remote suitable for Super model....Is it just a long cord or as I get from manual, also receiver can be installed, to use in pair with radio RC? Not that I need RC, just wondering how sophisticated design Ricoh did.

Another nice feature gives the user the ability to override the ISO setting with DX coding.

So far I have been able to override ISO only when taping ISO part of DX code. Otherwise camera sets ISO automatically and pushing ISO button makes no effect. Yours experience?

 

[Dave S.]

FF-90 Super Remote, ISO override, Accessory Lenses

FF-90 Super Remote, ISO override, Accessory Lenses

Thanks for your comments btgc.

Have never seen Ricoh remote suitable for Super model....Is it just a long cord or as I get from manual, also receiver can be installed, to use in pair with radio RC? Not that I need RC, just wondering how sophisticated design Ricoh did.

- I have not seen these accessories, but I think you are correct about either a "long cord" or a "receiver".

So far I have been able to override ISO only when taping ISO part of DX code. Otherwise camera sets ISO automatically and pushing ISO button makes no effect. Yours experience?

- I have had the same experience. I also tape over the ISO part of DX code.

Does anyone know if the Ricoh accessory tele and wide lenses for the FF-90 work on the FF-90 Super?

Thanks,

Dave

 

[chubasco]

btgc, did you remember to attach the metal strip to the bottom of the
batteries (I used a dollup of liquid solder to hold it in place) which straps
the batteries to 6V? Otherwise, probably won't work so good. If it's a
little loose in the chamber from cutting the top of the casing off, just
use some paper shims to make sure the battery terminals are making
connection inside the camera.

Dave, I have the tele attachment for the FF-90, the TC-22 and yes, it
fits perfectly on both cameras. The attachment seems to be manual
focus and am wondering about focus issues with this as it isn't TTL
focusing. If you know where I can find an owners manual to the TC-22,
LMK, thanks.

Here's a few more from the FF-90 (non-Super):

Using cheap Walgreens 400 film. Looking forward to seeing some of your
efforts with the FF-90! I sent off a roll of Arista Premium 400 BW film, can't
wait to see the results.

BIll

 

[Dave S.]

FF-70/90 Tele and Wide Adaptors TC-22, CL-9, TC-9

FF-70/90 Tele and Wide Adaptors TC-22, CL-9, TC-9

Bill, Nice pictures! I particularly like the very first picture you posted in this thread.

Thanks also for the info on the TC-22 adapter. I'm also curious if the Ricoh CL-9 and TC-9 adaptors for the FF-70/90 will fit the FF-90 Super. I believe they're more flush to the camera body than the TC-22.

Another Question: When using the back light compensation button (BLC/+2) does that add two stops to the exposure? If so, is that done by a longer exposure (slower shutter speed) or by a wider aperature (smaller F-Stop number) or some combination of both of these?

Thanks,

Dave

 

[chubasco]

Dave, thanks for your comments, and can only guess how the BLC+2 function
works, but it does up the exposure by 2. It is moderately effective on backlit
subjects, where fill flash is not allowed or would ruin the effect.

Bill

 

[btgc]

Bill, thanks for reminder, I've seen metal strip, bridging cells together. Like Dave, I kept original CR-P2 battery which helps a lot to use CR123 cells, which otherwise would require some work on anchoring them. I haven't connected cells yet, maybe copper wire with some means to fix in place will work.

btw how do you find release button? I feel it's little too stiff, have to get used to it to avoid camera shake when taking picture. On other hand, I like it better than on Mju ][ (Stylus Epic) which now feels too long traveling. Kind of nerd, am I ? 🙂

 

[chubasco]

btgc, I like how both the Ricohs handle, haven't had a problem with camera
shake yet, (knock on wood). I've been using cheap film in these, but am
seriously considering going with a pro film like Portra, Provia, etc, to see what
I get. These cameras didn't go for cheap back in the 80's if the prices quoted
were what they went for back then.

A strip of aluminum foil folded once, would work for the strip if you've lost it
from the original batteries. You should be able to find liquid solder, or something
equivalent over in SEA, hope so, as I will be living in Thailand in 4 years. lol

Bill

 

[btgc]

chubasco, sure give a try for portra or any other pro film - pro negs have still very good range of latitude so they aren't problem for this Ricohs. I like Fuji reala/400h/800z but well expired film is as good for casual shots.

Liquid solder - right, they are made to transmit electricity - good idea 🙂

 

[chubasco]

Thanks, btgc, will be trying some better film, shortly.

 

[chubasco]

Here's a few from a recent roll of Kodak Gold 200, using the FF-90 Super:

Hoping to see others' work with these great cams!

Bill

 

[elwrongo]

I've just a Ricoh FF70 (for $5). Is this pretty much the same as the FF90? They look similar - same sort of lens. I have yet to put film in this one but put new batteries in and the battery light blinks (?). I'll have to track down a manual.

 

[btgc]

yes, FF-70 is same as FF-90, latter being for U.S. market.

By "battery light blinks" do you mean battery symbol on LCD blinks? Means batteries are low. Hope they really are low (stored long etc.) not circuit failure.