Ricoh S2. Anyone familiar with it?

[EdColorado]

This is the first time I've not been able to find out about an old camera on the web. I can't find anything. Just got it up and running after a good general cleaning. It feels like its going to be a nice addition to the collection. The trigger wind is odd at first but once used to it, it feels quite natural.
Anyone know of a web site that would have any information on these?

 

[zuikologist]

It looks very similar to the Ricoh 500

http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Ricoh_500

 

[EdColorado]

It looks very similar to the Ricoh 500

http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Ricoh_500

Yes it does. Odd that I can find plenty about the 500, and pretty much nothing on the S-2.

 

[Archlich]

https://www.ricoh.co.jp/camera/cameralist/ricohS2.html

The S-2 is a cost-reduced version of the Ricoh 500 - it has a Citizen MXV shutter instead of the Seikosha MXL ones found in the 500 and 519. The lens is also a simpler 4/3 compared to the 5/3 of the 500.

Still a beautiful camera of fine quality though.

 

[John E Earley]

I own the Ricoh 300, 35S and 500. They are surprisingly well built and easy to use. The ones I have with the trigger advance (my 35S and 500) are great fun. The lens is reasonably sharp for the period but lack some contrast. That can fortunately be fixed in post. Mine all have fairly bright viewfinders and easy to see RF patches, very similar to my Canon P. I haven't tried but I'd think they would be excellent if used with an electronic flash.

 

[EdColorado]

https://www.ricoh.co.jp/camera/cameralist/ricohS2.html

The S-2 is a cost-reduced version of the Ricoh 500 - it has a Citizen MXV shutter instead of the Seikosha MXL ones found in the 500 and 519. The lens is also a simpler 4/3 compared to the 5/3 of the 500.

Still a beautiful camera of fine quality though.

Thanks for that Archlich! Why is it that all the free cameras I get seem to be the lower spec version... 😛

 

[EdColorado]

I own the Ricoh 300, 35S and 500. They are surprisingly well built and easy to use. The ones I have with the trigger advance (my 35S and 500) are great fun. The lens is reasonably sharp for the period but lack some contrast. That can fortunately be fixed in post. Mine all have fairly bright viewfinders and easy to see RF patches, very similar to my Canon P. I haven't tried but I'd think they would be excellent if used with an electronic flash.

This does seem like a nicely built little camera. I'm looking forward to trying it out. You don't happen to have any experience in dismantling any of these do you? I need to remove the shutter but don't have a spanner wrench that will get in to the back of the lens. It looks like that's the only way in but I might be missing something.

 

[John E Earley]

This does seem like a nicely built little camera. I'm looking forward to trying it out. You don't happen to have any experience in dismantling any of these do you? I need to remove the shutter but don't have a spanner wrench that will get in to the back of the lens. It looks like that's the only way in but I might be missing something.

Have you tried the Ronson fluid fix for the shutter. It's a good first try for sticky shutters.

 

[EdColorado]

Have you tried the Ronson fluid fix for the shutter. It's a good first try for sticky shutters.

Yes I have. Three times. The thing still sticks so I'm guessing I'll need to remove the blades and actuating ring to get it all really clean. I really don't want to, I know its just a bit of oil residue.

I think I'll go soak it again...

 

[John E Earley]

This a photo of the Ricoh 500, an early stepped top plate version. Later they went to the flat top plate like yours.

Ricoh 500 leaf shutter rangefinder 45mm f2.8 by JOHN EARLEY, on Flickr

 

[jazzper]

Ricoh S-3 owner here. Exactly the same experience: I found about 5 to 10 others in the world on Flickr, Instagram and FB-groups, but that's about it. What a sexy beast to hold in your hands. I only know it's related to the 500 but I see you already have more info above 🙂

My S3:

Ricoh S-3 35mm rangefinder (circa 1958) by Jasper, on Flickr


Ricoh S-3 35mm rangefinder (circa 1958) by Jasper, on Flickr


Ricoh S-3 35mm rangefinder (circa 1958) by Jasper, on Flickr