Ricoh GR1 LCD in 2018

[lonemantis]

After years of curiosity, I found a great deal on a GR1s and finally pulled the trigger. I just received the camera today, and although I love the handling, it's showing early signs of the dreaded LCD failure issue. It's technically usable, but the VF framelines and a few of the mode icons are nowhere to be seen.

The seller claimed that the LCD is working perfectly, so I'm well within my right to make use of their 30-day return policy.

That said, I've also found this guide to fixing the LCD, but it's far beyond my own technical capabilities: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Ricoh+GR-1+LCD+display+missing+segments+repair/54771

What does everyone think? Should I just return the camera and be done with it? I likely won't find a deal like this again, and it seems like it's more a matter of When than If when it comes to this particular issue.

Or, does anyone know anyone skilled/brave enough who might be willing to take on this repair? I'd be willing to invest some more in the camera if it means having one I know has been fixed.

 

[palec]

JFYI: That guide has been written by a member of this forum: Spyderman

 

[rangefinderlove123]

Looks complex as hell.

I'd suggest you use the camera as it is or return it. For the record, I had one of those repaired by the "official" Ricoh repair guy somewhere in mainland Europe, the last to have original parts.

Cost me a bomb in the end and the camera only worked properly for about 5 rolls, after it began to act up again with different issues than it went in the repair shop for in the first place...

It's apparently always been a problematic camera, even when it was in production.

I wouldn't bother with it. Life's too long.

 

[palec]

I agree, you should return it... the repair is unreliable.

If this happened after few months of extensive use, you would probably know how to use the camera without the display, but you don't have that prior experience.

 

[FalseDigital]

Ah I wish I knew that guide existed! I sold mine a few months ago because of these problems. I could have easily done this repair. *le sigh* ;[

Oh well, if I see a "broken" one in the future, I'll pick it up.

 

[lonemantis]

Thanks for everyone's opinions - I was definitely leaning towards sending it back, and that's what I've decided to do. It's too bad that we've now truly entered the twilight years of the 35mm compact, and almost all of these cameras are living on borrowed time, despite their soaring prices. A Leica (or any other mechanical camera) really seems like a better long-term investment than ever now.