The Ricoh 500 is a 35 mm rangefinder camera with fixed lens made in Japan by Ricoh from 1957. At least four different versions were marketed till 1960. All have in common :
- "Triggermatic" winding system
- detachable back
- coupled rangefinder
- Light Value system with external light meter (The Light Value system was first adopted in Japan on the Ricoh 500)
|
| Ricoh 500. Picture by David Broglin. (Image rights) |
The first version from 1957 is based on the Ricoh 35 S, its top plate doesn't include the rewind crank and the film type reminder. It features :
- Seikosha MXL shutter, Speeds 1/10 - 1/500 sec + B
- Riken Ricoh 2.8/45 lense
|
| Pictures by David Donnadieu Click for more pictures |
The second version, the most common one, has a flat top plate, including the rewind crank. It features :
- Seikosha MXL shutter, Speeds 1/10 - 1/500 sec + B
- 5-elements Riken Ricomat 2.8/45 lense
- Dimensions: 140mm x 83mm x 67mm
- Weight: 670 g
The third version, very close to the previous one, features :
- Seikosha SLV shutter, Speeds 1/10 - 1/500 sec + B, + self timer
- 5-elements Riken Ricomat 2.8/45 lense
The fourth version, also named Ricoh Jet, with a bigger and framed viewfinder, features :
- Seikosha SLV shutter, Speeds 1/10 - 1/500 sec + B, + self timer
- Riken Ricoh 2.8/45 lense
Links[]
In English
- Ricoh 500 camera manuals at www.orphancameras.com
- Ricoh 500 at Photoethnography.com
In French:
- Ricoh 500 at Flickr
- on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
In Japanese: