For Sale For Sale: Ricoh GR1v - Serviced by Ricoh Japan in late 2014

[Fragomeni]

Hi all,

I'm selling a black Ricoh GR1v (date) that was recently serviced by Ricoh Japan in Sept 2014 where it received an overhaul (includes paperwork in Japanese from Ricoh Japan). The shutter, film advance, and all mechanics work great. There is a little bit of dust in the viewfinder but that would be easy to clean by removing the top plate if anyone was compelled to do that (the minor dust doesn't affect usability at all). There are some parts on the top lcd not displaying (mainly the symbols for portrait, middle, and landscape modes (I never used these so didn't bother me) and a couple of segments that seem to only be noticeable when some numbers display (like when toggling through the iso settings). The frame lines and shutter speed numbers in the viewfinder are working.

Taking into consideration that it's got some of the typical LCD issues, I'm pricing this to sell fast. Asking $500 (mostly firm). I'll also consider trades toward a Contax T3 (fully working condition) if anyone wants to trade.

Local pickup in NYC is available otherwise shipping will be via USPS Priority, insured, and requiring signature on delivery (within the US).

PM me if interested!

 

[Paul Verizzo]

Well, knock me over with a feather! Since Ricoh XR-P SLR's sell for a relative few dollars, I thought your price was over the top. But I looked on eBay for finished auctions, and they were mostly selling for in the neighborhood of $700.

A P&S with "typical LCD issues" selling for some 20 times an SLR. There is no justice!

Seriously, what's so special about this camera?

 

[Fragomeni]

Haha, this is my second GR1v and I stay quite on top of their current value so I was very aware that $500 is a good price for the camera, even with LCD segments missing (which is very common with these).

The Ricoh GR1v (and previous GR1 models) enjoy a cult following for many reasons. It's one of the smallest compact 35mm point-and-shoot cameras. It features Ricoh's proprietary Snap Focus functionality that people tend to love with these as well as manual controls and auto (Snap is something that only Ricoh offers and has proven so useful that it has translated over to their current digital models). The lens is undisputedly fantastic and very sharp - a series of the same Ricoh 28mm f2.8 lens on this camera was produced for Leica M mount and still commands very high prices (not many non-Leica lenses are so good that they command the kind of demand that ends up with them in an M mount). The camera is just great and is one of the best in it's class of cameras with shared design intent. A Google search will turn up countless web pages dedicated to the camera if you want to learn more

 

[Fragomeni]

One and only price drop. If no one wants to grab it, I'll happily hold onto it. $450 including shipping within the continental US.

 

[christianyves]

I'm interested but am worried how use of the camera is affected with the LCD going kaput. Is there still a reliable way of getting the camera to work properly if the LCD dies? Also not sure if you'd be willing to do $450 to a neighbour north of the border (Vancouver, Canada).

 

[Fragomeni]

I've been asked that question a lot over the years so I've actually just made a post giving detailed instructions on how to continue to use the camera even if the LCD goes out. You can find those instructions (there was a url link here which no longer exists).

This camera is only missing some of the segments/symbols in the LCD so it's still very easy to tell what mode you're in. The remaining segments/symbols seem to be remaining pretty steady so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the LCD wont lose more (the absence of some segments/symbols doesn't guarantee that the whole LCD will go out). Many of the symbols in the viewfinder display as well so those also can help but in my experience, those can be variable and dependent on what the camera is focusing on, the ambient light where you're photographing which will affect visibility, and the reality that the internal symbols are tied to the LCD so they tend to go as the LCD goes. The reality is that as long as you know the camera, the LCD and viewfinder symbols don't make that much of a difference and the camera ends up still being mostly fully usable.

In the chance that a camera loses all of the LCD, your options are to try to get it repaired or just use the steps I outline in the guide I linked to above (which is much easier).

Oh, and I'm willing to sell it for $450 but I'll ask that you cover shipping.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

I am oh-so-tempted as I've always wanted to try one of these based in its stellar reputation. However since I already have the also superlative Konica Hexar AF and Contax T2 just cannot justify it at this time... Great price here!

 

[Paul Verizzo]

@Fragomeni: I checked out your web site. Oh, my. Stunning. And your Blood Photo project is off the scale in curiosity, creativity, and science. OK, I'm jealous......

 

[Fragomeni]

@Paul, thanks so much for the kind words. I appreciate the compliment and encouragement very much

Update: Camera is no longer available. I thought long and hard and have decided to keep it. In learning from previous experiences, I know that while I'm not using the camera at the moment, it's just so good that I'll likely return to using it in the future. So, I'll be holding onto it. Thanks to everyone for their interest