Ricoh 500 G A Hidden Gem or Entry-Level Only?

[donetskiy]

Going through a friend's collection I came across a Ricoh 500 G. It looks really compact and solid. Never heard much buzz about it — does it have a loyal fanbase or is it more of a beginner’s cam?

 

[P C Headland]

I've got one. It's a nice compact rangefinder with a pretty decent lens, and I like the way it looks too.

I like the fact that it is not completely battery dependent (it works fine in full meter-less manual mode). I'd prefer if it were aperture priority rather than shutter priority. The meter is reliable, and with the sensor position means it works well with filters too. The light seals usually need replacing on these, but it's a pretty simple job to do.

It's certainly not as trendy as some of the other compact rangefinders, which means they can still be found for reasonable prices.

 

[Nitroplait]

It was my first camera. Still have it.
At the time (70’s) it was cheaper than an Olympus Trip 35 and the cheapest rangefinder in the camera shops of my city.
The lens is a Tessar style design with a very simple aperture that forms a diamond shaped hole.
Lens is sharp from 5.6. Bokeh is not pretty- but it wasn’t a thing back then.
The release button has a long travel, but that is typical for cameras with automation of the era.

It used a mercury battery, but a plain 675 hearing aid zinc-air battery will work fine.

There is no power off, so you need a lens cap to cover the CdS cell, or you will quickly drain the battery when not in use.

 

[John Wiegerink]

It doesn't have the following that the Ricoh FF-1 or FF-1s has or the used price either, but it's a good little camera to carry around.

 

[P C Headland]

It used a mercury battery, but a plain 675 hearing aid zinc-air battery will work fine.

Mine seems pretty accurate with an A76/LR44

There is no power off, so you need a lens cap to cover the CdS cell, or you will quickly drain the battery when not in use.

I've not noticed any battery drain issues - I often carry it around in the bottom half of its case, but when stored away for the day it is usually in its full case. I put a new battery in it when I bought it in 2009, I've not had to change it yet.

 

[Nitroplait]

Mine seems pretty accurate with an A76/LR44

I've not noticed any battery drain issues - I often carry it around in the bottom half of its case, but when stored away for the day it is usually in its full case. I put a new battery in it when I bought it in 2009, I've not had to change it yet.

The LR44 will (when fresh) oversupply voltage and cause a more optimistic reading leading to underexposure.
With that said, the meter in the 500G is not particularly well adjusted from the factory, so you may be benefitting from the meter inconsistencies.
It is a good idea to check the reading up against a trustable meter and if necessary compensate on the ASA/DIN dial regardless of battery type used.

I don't recommend using an Alkaline LR44 - it has a unfavourable depletion profile and a nasty tendency to leak. SR44 is a better alternative.
The 675 I mention has a V rating and a depletion profile closer the original mercury battery but it should NOT be left in camera for long time storage either.

The CdS cell draws power when exposed to light. By "when not in use" I didn't mean while around your neck, but when stored - the darkness of a bag is as good as a cap.

 

[koraks]

I've only ever used mine with LR44. No problem.

At some point I had two of these cameras. I think one was defective; some kind of metering coupling issue. I fixed it and it went to a new owner. I kept the other one but rarely use it. I'm not an RF guy, but this camera is nice in that it's truly pocketable. The lens is OKish; not great. Resolution is sort of alright unless you're very critical. It has considerable barrel distortion. It flares like a motherf*** if you point it to any kind of bright light source. Of course since it's an RF camera you'll never know how bad the flare is until you've processed the film.

 

[RezaLoghme]

Looks like a cousin of Rollei XF35

 

[koraks]

Yes, although the Ricoh has shutter priority auto exposure with the option of full manual override. Few cameras of that era in a compact size offered that option.

 

[RezaLoghme]

The LR44 will (when fresh) oversupply voltage and cause a more optimistic reading leading to underexposure.
With that said, the meter in the 500G is not particularly well adjusted from the factory, so you may be benefitting from the meter inconsistencies.
It is a good idea to check the reading up against a trustable meter and if necessary compensate on the ASA/DIN dial regardless of battery type used.

I don't recommend using an Alkaline LR44 - it has a unfavourable depletion profile and a nasty tendency to leak. SR44 is a better alternative.
The 675 I mention has a V rating and a depletion profile closer the original mercury battery but it should NOT be left in camera for long time storage either.

The CdS cell draws power when exposed to light. By "when not in use" I didn't mean while around your neck, but when stored - the darkness of a bag is as good as a cap.

Helpful information, thank you!