Ricoh xr30sp. Good?

[Lachlan August]

I recently bought a huge bunch of slrs second hand. Included was a Canon AE1, Pentax K1000, Canon T50, Pentax MG, a few Nikormats and a Ricoh Xr30sp. I know the value of the other cameras but canot find anyone who knows about the Ricoh. Can someone direct me to a review or give me their personal opinion on the camera? Thankyou.

 

[emacs]

The Ricoh KR-30SP was Ricoh's replacement for their XR-P. It's largely the same as the XR-P (which you might be able to find more reviews of) but with a more plasticky build.
I used an XR-P for a while and was very happy with it. Compared to contemporary Pentax K-Mount cameras, the XR-P (and KR-30SP) is more fully featured and can be found for pretty cheap. The real draw of the system for me though was the lenses. Ricoh's Rikenon lenses are excellent, the 50mm f/2 being super sharp and cheap, as well as the 28mm f/2.8. The "P" versions of the lenses allow for Av, Tv, and P modes to be used on the camera. Unfortunately, they predated the Pentax A series, so while you can stick a Pentax A lens on the KR-30SP, you won't be able to use the program modes.

 

[kneemeister]

The Kr-30SP(XR-20SP) is a very good camera, I have had a few, it has slightly lower specs than the XR-P only 2 program modes verses 3 on the XR-P. AFAIK both cameras were made conurrrently the KR-30 came out a year latter. It would be functionaly equilivant to the Pentax Super A but priced like a Program A, with a better control layout. They do have more electrical issues than Pentax, The finder LCD is hard to read in low light, and the mirrors are prone to coming loose from there mount causing the mirror to lock up, easy enough to fix but anoying.

Most third party K mount lenses of the day had both the Pentax six contacts and the Ricoh pin for Auto mode. These lenes usually are marked with A(P) on the apature ring.

Chinon one upped both Ricoh and Pentax as there CP5 and CP7 do Program mode with ANY K-mount lens.

Of my Kr-30SP/Super Program and Sears KSX-P(Chinon CP5) i prefer the layout and functions of CP5 but it has a much lower build quality than the Ricoh or Pentax