SLR without mirror damper - anyone seen/heard about ?

[btgc]

Hi mirror gang,

so...so I have another SLR body to minimize lens changes. It's Ricoh XR-20sp, in a word, it is really handy to use (for me) but what I want to ask, if anybody has one to verify that it hasn't mirror damper or knows some other body missing damper. Or tell me it's nonsense.

Just look yourself - when mirror is raised (90 degrees to film plane), there's no place for damper! If there would be damper, mirror couldn't travel all 90 degrees. "Shelf" near focusing screen where usually damper sits, is shorter than usually - not reaching side walls. And it's clean - no gummed remains of damper, no traces of glue - nothing! Light seals, in fact, remains of them, are very obvious. Focusing screen and mirror ar very clean so if anyone would clean up old remains, I guess there would be traces on them, too.

That's why I'm puzzled. Any ideas, please ?

 

[bsdunek]

I'm not familiar with the Ricoh XR-20sp, however, some SLR's had a mechanical or pnuematic damper in the mechanism instead of the foam strip that was so common. If it's anything like my Nikons, you can tell by listening to the mirror when you trip the shutter with the lens off. If the damper is bad or missing, Nikons really make a 'clack'. Sounds like it will break the mirror. If it sounds good, I wouldn't worry. Otherwise, a repair person may be able to tell you what kind of mirror damper it has.

 

[btgc]

Hm, I'm going to think that XR-2 with damper is louder than XR-20sp without...so XR-2 had gooey damper when I got it.

Let's see....thanks bsdunek.

 

[jbh]

Most mirrors hit a dwell position; the Leicaflex made a specific point (probably advertising) of it, and Olympus touted a pneumatic damper. I think that in fact most of them used the foam strip as a final landing pad; although the foam strip is a light seal some cameras made a horrible whacking sound if the foam was gone.
Replace the foam if need be; otherwise don't worry about it.

-jbh-

 

[oftheherd]

The Fujica ST 901also touted a special damper, stating that was why there was no mirror lockup; none needed. It did feel like there was less vibration, but even it had a foam strip on the ground glass. I presume it not only blocked light, but gave some shock supression.

 

[former member]

I do not have a Ricoh, but do have some SLR's without the Rubber Bumper that turns to Goo. Kodak Retina Reflex-S for one.

Side note: On my Nikon F's and F2's, I replace the rubber goo with a cork/rubber strip from an engine gasket. Works great.

 

[btgc]

Thanks guys for support !
having chance will chat to some particular model owner, but seems that it works "dry". Btw even without foam strip it releases smoother than XR-2 model, no machine-gun backstroke effect.

Judging from full AE mode this model is more oriented to masses, so smoother mirror could be another investment to catch buyer. Well, Ricoh is special company doing good things just because they make gear better.

 

[btgc]

update: I've found buddy on flickr who has xr-20sp and did look mirror action for me. In a word, no foaming in his camera too, though I discovered that mirror in mine landed wrong way, not reaching damper shelf. I adjusted damper unit with two screws in several steps and for now it works, just one time mirror stuck while raised. Light knock w/ finger near lens mount freed it.

Will bring film to minilab and let's scan talk.