Ricoh 500G

P C Headland · 07-31-2009

I picked up one of these cameras of our local auction site for a entirely reasonable sum. I wanted something small and light, with some automation to carry around with me, especially when out and about with my young son - the camera needs to be fairly quick to operate, as he's not the patient type, yet (!).

It has shutter priority and metered manual, and will work as an unmetered manual camera without the battery.

The actual camera is in excellent condition, as is the case. It even came with a box, albeit a tatty one. Battery is still as good as new. The seals, as seems common with cameras from this age, were a gooey mess. Easily solved with one of John Goodman's foam kits. The RF patch could be larger, but is typical for cameras of this era and size. Still, it's bright and contrasty enough, even indoors. There's something about its design too, it just looks great.

For the first proper roll of film in it (there was a 20 odd year old roll of Fuji colour print film inside when I got it, photos taken in Singapore), I decided to give Kodak's BW400CN film a go for the first time. I have to say both the camera and the film have left me impressed. The film has a nice creamy look with little "grain", and scans really well. Great tonal range too, and copes with highlights in a way that digital cannot match.

Here's a few shots from the first roll.

What a fun little camera.

sonofdanang · 07-31-2009

I found a 500G in a thrift store in a place called Pincher Creek. Three dollars and fifty cents. I donated it to a friend who was curious about RF photography. It worked fantastically. She owns a Plaubel Makina now. Still shoots with the 500G Great little camera.

Nice composition, by the way.

capitalK · 07-31-2009

It was too small for my hands, but if that's what you're looking for... a small RF, then there's not many smaller.

I only shot a few rolls before I sold mind but image quality seemed very good.

Armoured · 08-02-2009

500RF (slightly later version) was my first "real" camera. I've now owned a couple and I'm keeping my eyes out for more of these (not having been to Pincher Creek recently). One is unfortunately in parts condition.

Nice little camera, small and unobtrusive, and light (at least in the 500RF version). Not quite the same solid feel as the other, heavier RFs of that era, but to be expected. Even the auto mode works well.

I think this is the single most underrated lens I have ever used. Great results.

Question: I have noticed that the lens tends to get a bit "wobbly" as if it's a bit loose somewhere. Doesn't seem to affect the results, but does anyone know how to fix this (easily)?

ludoo · 08-02-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armoured

Question: I have noticed that the lens tends to get a bit "wobbly" as if it's a bit loose somewhere. Doesn't seem to affect the results, but does anyone know how to fix this (easily)?

The Wobble on the 500RF is very easy to fix. First, write down the ASA setting. Then remove the plastic ring from the front of the lens, if you look at it, it has indentations all along its edge to unscrew it. Mine was not too hard to unscrew using my nails to grip them, or just find a flat piece of plastic or metal and file it until it's the same diameter as the front ring.

Once you remove the ring, the front plastic face comes off. Under it you will find three screws: you need to tighten up two of them fully, and the third one just enough so that the focus ring turns with a comfortable degree of friction.

Then it's just a matter of checking that the cover for the meter cell engages when you put the front face back on, and screwing the ring in place. It takes about 5 minutes.

Armoured · 08-02-2009

Fantastic - thanks. Very easy to do, and hope I got everything back in place. Only tedious part was being patient enough to avoid cross-threading that plastic retaining ring. Wow, it's like having a new 500RF, thanks again.

ludoo · 08-02-2009

Glad you could make it without problems.

That damn plastic retaining ring is delicate, Ricoh would have done better putting a metal one there. If the problem arises again, a spot of nail varnish on the screws might fix them in place forever.

Muggins · 08-02-2009

Hey, Ludoo, that's great - No1 model and I have just dismantled the front of my 500ME (Ricoh seem to have used a Scrabble set to name them...), and took 8 minutes to get to the point of waiting for the dab of nail varnish to dry! The third screw took some tracking down, as it had come entirely out of its thread and fallen into the assembly, and eventually fell out when the thing was tapped. Interestingly, that one screw was a slotted head, whilst the other two were cross heads - replacing another one that did the same?

Having found it in a charity shop box, I was really taken with the photos, and the wobble was the main reason for not using it more, so I'm really pleased with that. Thank you!

Adrian

PS the multiple exposure facility is a hoot - lots of silly fun to be had. I've even got a flea-market filter holder so I can cut down a multiple exposure "filter" so that I can use the viewfinder when (if...) I ever get a moment. Sadly, I don't think I can hack it so that I can still use the RF, but that's what accessory ones are for...

ludoo · 08-02-2009

Hah, lots of Ricoh 500something owners on RFF.

I think the different screw might be the one that controls the focus wheel travel, it makes sense for it to be different as it does not need to be fully tightened as the other two.

Maybe I should have kept silent so as to scoop up all the wobbly 500s around, then fix and resell them.

Muggins · 08-02-2009

Now the varnish has dried and it's gone back together, it feels like a different camera.

Too late, ludoo, too late!

Adrian

ChrisPlatt · 08-02-2009

I love the Ricoh 500G - it was my first 35mm adjustable lens camera!

Chris

DSikes · 08-03-2009

I had one recently, I loved it. Sadly it came to a violent end, RIP little guy... Hopefully I'll come across another one at a reasonable price... Although these Ricoh 500G appreciation threads might make that harder. I would prefer people keep thinking it's a junky little camera and have them buy Olympus and Canonet RF's instead.

Big_Alec · 09-04-2009

Thank you, I bought a 500Rf today for £1, the light seals need replacing and the fold out rewind lever has snapped off but at least now the lens front isn't wobbly.
Looking forward to getting this all sorted and start snapping...

elwrongo · 09-05-2009

What I do know about these ones is that the light selas are horrible - very tricky to clean ready for new seals. Al the ususal solvents do very little. I had to resort to acetone or Craft Clean-Up. I think the GX is the one to look for, the top model. I saw a 500G the other day in an Op Shop for $10 but the rangefinder wasn't working. Lightmeter was though.

ludoo · 09-06-2009

I usually have little problems removing old seals with common household denatured alcohol, and a good deal of rubbing with a very small flat screwdriver at first, and a wooden pick for the residues.

As for the RF, I fixed a couple on similar cameras and it's usually a simple enough job: if you don't see the rf patch 99% of the time the mirror has come unglued. Same for the rf patch moving only vertically, it means the mirror has come off and is only pivoting on its base. It's usually just a matter of removing the top, reglueing the mirror, and aligning/cleaning the RF.

wakarimasen · 09-06-2009

After a lot of looking, I just bought one of these - it should arrive in the post early next week.

The collection keeps on growing.....

P C Headland · 09-12-2009

Thanks to ludoo, my end bits don't wobble any more either.

5 minutes, plus five minutes finding some nail polish, and all is firm again!

Thanks

wakarimasen · 09-12-2009

Hello Folks,

Mine arrived and is in good shape with a working meter. The only thing that's missing is a lens cap. I see that the filter size is 46mm - anyone know how big a 'pinch' cap should be?

Best regards,
RoyM

DSikes · 09-27-2009

I picked up another one a few weeks back and I was able to get a good deal on it. Oddly enough I won it on an auction one day after I got outbid on another auction. The other camera sold for twice the price. eBay is a strange marketplace as it really depends on the sanity of the other person bidding; bidding fever is a MF'er... Light meter doesn't work, might be an easy fix, but the way the meter works is so confusing it's easier just to keep a pocket meter with me. The shutter is eratic, speed is all over the place. Not sure if I'm going to try to fix it or just keep shopping for another one. Funny, my 1964 Zorki 4 is my most reliable RF. That thing works like a champ.

kitaanat · 09-27-2009

I had 500GX and really love it even still have a light leak problem
but I think I already found the solution. I also changed the leather
to a brown and it seem that my camera looks better than black leather.

picture can be found in my flickr photo stream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kitaanat/3863190765/

capitalK · 09-27-2009

I saw a 500G in the wild the other day, an elderly woman who bought it new when it was released. Has never bought a new camera because it works so well for her.

I'm sure the seals must be shot by now, but she still seemed very happy with it.