Ricoh XR-10

[lossy]

I was recently given a Ricoh XR-10, and while everything seems mechanically sound there are a couple small items I am curious about.

There are some small felt strips on a couple of the edges, that have become "sticky" and will come away. Are these going to end up on my film?

Because they are coming loose, will the camera leak light?

I'll probably still send a few rolls through it, but want to know what I might be up against.

Thanks,

Brian

 

[phaedrus]

Those are the foam gaskets deteriorating and coming off. Yes, you are running the risk of light leaks. Fortunately, these foam strips are easy to replace on most cameras.

 

[lossy]

Any tips on where to locate this material?

 

[werra]

Jon Goodman aka interslice makes wonderful kits, http://shop.ebay.com/interslice/m.html

 

[elekm]

The answers are yes, yes and yes. You should replace those foam seals using either Jon Goodman's kit or another light-blocking material. It takes about 30 minutes to do entirely. It's not a difficult job, but it can be a bit messy.

I use a product called "Foamies," which can be found at most craft stores (in the U.S.). It's about $1 a sheet. You'll also need an X-acto knife, a ruler to cut the strips, some lighter fluid to remove the old gunk and some facial tissues.

 

[lossy]

I contacted Jon, and while he does not have a purpose built kit at the moment, we are making arrangements. I will report the results, and he asked that I give you all his best.

One last volley while I wait for my seal kit to arrive.

The back has some play when it is closed, I can push on the latch end and it will go in and bounce back with a click. Could this be related to the lack of seals?

I shot one roll through anyway, am I likely to get results?

Could I perhaps use it temporarily by sealing the edges with black tape? I have heard this used with a holga, etc.

 

[Whiteymorange]

When you put ion new seals, the play in the play in the back may solve itself.
I have a great story about a KR 10, my first "serious" SLR. The film advance on mine eventually broke, after years of good service. When I brought it in to be repaired, the shop said that they had to send it back to Ricoh to have it fixed. The factory sent it back with a polite note saying that parts were no longer available, etc., etc. I gave it to an old friend who said he might have some parts and could probably fix it. After a year, it still lay untouched on his shelf (wonderful guy... not the quickest actor around.) I took it back and, just playing around, pushed the film advance lever. It worked. I put a roll through it- perfect. For three or four more years, the camera worked flawlessly, having "healed" itself. A student to whom I lent it finally put an end to it all by drop-kicking the thing across the room one day. Even a born-again Ricoh couldn't survive that.