HISTORICAL NOTES
The second part of the 60s and subsequent 70s were the moment of maximum expansion of the compact fixed lens rangefinder cameras market, a type of product in which all manufacturers have been active with various success producing a myriad of solutions, some of which have become true icons in the field of photographic technology. The Ricoh 500 g, though it is from a ‘ minor ‘ houses, it’s definitely one of those examples due to the explosion that it had and the undoubted technical and aesthetic qualities; produced starting in 1972, it was competing in an area already occupied by major makers (Canon, Minolta, Olympus) trying to combine the best of what has already been proposed by the competition: we are in fact facing a camera between the most compact, with dimensions similar to smaller minolta Hi-matic or Konica C35 but capable of supplying a total manual control the operator in addition to automatic operation. For Ricoh this camera is probably the most important success in its history, to the point that some of its instances have been included also in the line of compact digital devices launched in recent years.
Commercial decadence for the Ricoh 500 g went hand in hand with that of the whole type of these cameras, which were gradually replaced in the interests of photographers the latest autofocus compact or reflex; it is in the last six to seven years that has again become quite sought after in the secondhand circuit after the rediscovery of his undoubted quality.
How does that work
The Ricoh 500 g is particularly intuitive and easy to use, both shutter-priority mode that manually: all controls are easily accessible in the small camera body and its handling and portability, combined with a high-performance optics, make it a real “killer-camera for street photography.
As mentioned, the camera can be operated with the automatism in shutter priority or full manual mode: the selection is made using the concentric ring on the lens barrel by placing the value “A”. The same ring also allows you to select different apertures from 2.8 to 16: obviously, when you select a value other than A, the camera goes into manual mode.
Always concentrically to barrel, but in forward most position is also the analogous ring for selecting shutter speeds, with values between 1/8 sec and 1/500 sec in addition to mode B; in order to rotate the ring you have to press a small button that acts as a block to prevent unwanted changes. The position of the two controls allows rapid variation of parameters, as well as guaranteeing to have them always under control, and especially when working in priority makes the Ricoh 500 g very fast.
Third ring in sequence is related to the focus, which varies from 0, 9m to infinity, with indications of distances in double scale mt (green)/ft (white); There is no indication on the hyperfocal distance, and this is perhaps the only lack for a street photo, but on the net are still several in-depth tests on the subject. For more reasoned, the Rangefinder is highly visible and contrasted within the viewfinder and allows optimal focus; the window of the unit is displayed in the center of the viewfinder, in which there is the bounding frame frame and a line indicating the Parallax error to shoot from close range.
The exposure is measured and adjusted through a front-mounted CdS metering system of optics; the reading of the meter is within the viewfinder using a needle indicator values: when operating in priority, the needle will indicate the opening selection of the automation system, while in manual (presence of a red M inside the viewfinder) opening shown is the one that should be selected through the ring. In the staircase there are also signs that point out the over or under exposure. The metering system is powered by a mercury type PX675 originally from 1 .35v whose compartment is located on the back of the machine; There is no reliable information on the presence of a bridge circuit, and then the ability to absorb higher voltages but from tests carried out the meter calibration error with batteries 1, 5V is less than -1 SR from stop, therefore easily manageable.
Film speed is selected through a ring nut located on the front of the goal, connected to a scale of values in DIN (orange) and ASA (green); the values vary from 25 to 800 ASA, maybe a bit limiting if automatic operation due to the lack of a display calibration error command.
On the top cover of the Ricoh 500 g are no mechanical shutter (with threaded socket for remote shutter release), the film advance lever quick and rewind pawl, allowing if relieved to open the back and reset the frame counter located near the winding lever; in the middle of the body is the presence of hot shoe for flash that, due to the shutter, it can work with all shutter speeds. On the back there are, in addition to the battery compartment, the thread of the tripod and the film rewind release button. Finally, the last command on the machine is the self-timer charging lever, placed to the right of the lens, which sets a mechanical delay of approximately 10 seconds.
Ultimately, one can speak of a full camera and fun to use, with excellent optical quality and a definite building robust and reliable and aesthetically pleasing; the minor glitches reported by users mainly concern the deterioration of the inner seals at the rear wall, which are indeed quite large, and the gradual loss of contrast presented below: both of these problems are easily solved with prepackaged craft solutions.
User manual can be found, like many others, the excellent site Butkus.
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TECHNICAL DATA
Model: Compact camera with coupled rangefinder
Format: 24x36mm on 135 film
Optics: Rikenon 40/f 2.8
Shutter: central, 1/8 to 1/500 sec, bulb
Exposure modes: Manual mode, Aperture Priority mode
Viewfinder: coupled rangefinder
Self-timer: mechanical 10 sec average
Flash: hot shoe connection
Dimensions: length 111 mm; height 71 mm; 57 mm depth.
Weight: 579 gr.
Power supply: PX675 stack 1 .35v
PRO:
Design
Compactness
Solid construction
Optical quality
Mechanical operation
B Mode
CONS:
Limited film sensitivity
Minimum focus distance
AVAILABILITY AND PRICES
Having regard to the large spread, it is quite easy to find the Ricoh 500 g in all the usual sales channels, as well as the price range is quite variable to which it is offered; popular prices settle between 30 and 100 euros, but given the amount and also the possible alternatives, it is believed that the correct price for a copy in good condition and with intact seals must not exceed fifty euros.