1957 Ricoh 500 Rangefinder

DanLee · 06-12-2021, 01:42 PM

Looks like Butkus has some info, but he does say there were variations.
https://www.cameramanuals.org/ricoh_pdf/ricoh_500.pdf

**ismaelg** · 06-18-2021, 10:29 AM

Quick update: Test roll arrived at Dwayne's for processing...

stevebrot · 06-18-2021, 12:04 PM

We are all waiting with bated breath!

Steve

**ismaelg** · 07-01-2021, 03:44 PM - **1 Like**

AND WE HAVE PICTURES!!!

Hello,

Please help me analyze this:

Just got the scans and the negatives are in transit. But this is weird. I did not record exposure parameters so I can't tell. But most were using sunny 16. Pictures show what seems to be a light leak or reflection of sorts. Very pronounced in some, very subtle on others but always heavier on the lower left corner of the image.
I'll know for sure when I get the negatives back. I'll check if it is a light leak (beyond the image) or an internal reflection or something at exposure.

Untouched scans received by email.

Here are the better ones:

Very slight hint of a possible light leak or reflection on the lower right corner but barely noticeable

Here are some with the "subtle but definitely there" issue:

Here the pretty bad ones:

And an interesting one: This was the last of the roll. After exposure I tried to advance but it only went a little bit as it reached the end. I think that is reflected in the light leak here.

I think it could more pronounced the longer interval between shots. I mean in consecutive shots it is not as noticeable as "first from the next day" pics.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

**ismaelg** · 07-06-2021, 07:31 PM - **5 Likes**

Hello,

Not sure if anybody is following this but I think I may have found the problem!
You didn't think I was going to sit defeated without a fight, didn't you?
Tried multiple settings with a flashlight pointing at the lens and the shutter seems ok.
If the issue is in the lower left corner of the image, the problem must be in the upper right corner of the camera. I found the plate where the lens sits is bright and shiny in this upper right area, as if it was scraped or something. The left side is a little less, while the bottom is black painted. The triangular shape matches the problem. Hard to see in this pic. Maybe somebody tried to clean it? Who knows! Anyways I'm going to paint the area with some flat black acrylic paint and tempted to try another roll.

Thanks,
Ismael

crazy4oldcars · 07-06-2021, 08:07 PM - **1 Like**

Good catch. I'm enjoying the journey with you, lol.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Kirk B.

**ismaelg** · 07-12-2021, 07:54 PM - **3 Likes**

Hello,

See that you can't see?

I carefully painted flat black any shiny surface inside. And anything that was already black I painted even darker black

Ready for next round?

Thanks,
Ismael

Aaron28 · 07-12-2021, 08:33 PM

Originally posted by ismaelg

Ready for next round?

yes! do it!

crazy4oldcars · 07-13-2021, 06:13 AM

Ready and waiting!

Kirk B.

**ismaelg** · 07-16-2021, 02:59 PM

Hello,

Black and white this time...

Thanks,
Ismael

crazy4oldcars · 07-16-2021, 05:02 PM

Fingers crossed!

Kirk B.

Aaron28 · 07-17-2021, 01:21 PM

Originally posted by ismaelg

Black and white this time...

kewl beans! in the holding pattern!

stevebrot · 07-17-2021, 01:58 PM

Originally posted by ismaelg

Black and white this time...

With "professional" film chambered, the old girl is charged to perform!

Steve

**ismaelg** · 08-19-2021, 05:27 PM - **1 Like**

Hello,

So I got my negatives back today. Unfortunately the issue is still there, but it is weird:
Keep in mind I basically used sunny 16 on this roll.

Some of the pictures turned out very nice:
(Home scanned)

And then, randomly within the roll, BOOM! There it is again!

I intentionally scanned into the frame separation. You see it is only in the frame, so it is definitely coming from the front.

At this point, my only theory is that the light leak may be coming from the shutter itself. I have a few ideas on additional tests but I'm not wasting any more film. At least for now. Still happy with this adventure. Too bad it is not yet at 100%
Oh well!

Thanks,
Ismael

Lhorn · 08-19-2021, 06:49 PM - **1 Like**

Amazing job as always. Despite the light leak those are impressive images from an ancient thrift store camera.

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06-12-2021, 01:42 PM	#16
DanLee New Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 10	Looks like Butkus has some info, but he does say there were variations. https://www.cameramanuals.org/ricoh_pdf/ricoh_500.pdf

06-18-2021, 10:29 AM	#17
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681 Original Poster	Quick update: Test roll arrived at Dwayne's for processing...

06-18-2021, 12:04 PM	#18
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	We are all waiting with bated breath! Steve

07-01-2021, 03:44 PM - 1 Like	#19
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681 Original Poster	AND WE HAVE PICTURES!!! Hello, Please help me analyze this: Just got the scans and the negatives are in transit. But this is weird. I did not record exposure parameters so I can't tell. But most were using sunny 16. Pictures show what seems to be a light leak or reflection of sorts. Very pronounced in some, very subtle on others but always heavier on the lower left corner of the image. I'll know for sure when I get the negatives back. I'll check if it is a light leak (beyond the image) or an internal reflection or something at exposure. Untouched scans received by email. Here are the better ones: Very slight hint of a possible light leak or reflection on the lower right corner but barely noticeable Here are some with the "subtle but definitely there" issue: Here the pretty bad ones: And an interesting one: This was the last of the roll. After exposure I tried to advance but it only went a little bit as it reached the end. I think that is reflected in the light leak here. I think it could more pronounced the longer interval between shots. I mean in consecutive shots it is not as noticeable as "first from the next day" pics. Any ideas? Thanks,

07-06-2021, 07:31 PM - 5 Likes	#20
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681 Original Poster	Hello, Not sure if anybody is following this but I think I may have found the problem! You didn't think I was going to sit defeated without a fight, didn't you? Tried multiple settings with a flashlight pointing at the lens and the shutter seems ok. If the issue is in the lower left corner of the image, the problem must be in the upper right corner of the camera. I found the plate where the lens sits is bright and shiny in this upper right area, as if it was scraped or something. The left side is a little less, while the bottom is black painted. The triangular shape matches the problem. Hard to see in this pic. Maybe somebody tried to clean it? Who knows! Anyways I'm going to paint the area with some flat black acrylic paint and tempted to try another roll. Thanks, Ismael

07-06-2021, 08:07 PM - 1 Like	#21
crazy4oldcars Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Beaumont, Texas Posts: 218	Good catch. I'm enjoying the journey with you, lol. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Kirk B.

07-12-2021, 07:54 PM - 3 Likes	#22
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681 Original Poster	Hello, See that you can't see? I carefully painted flat black any shiny surface inside. And anything that was already black I painted even darker black Ready for next round? Thanks, Ismael

07-12-2021, 08:33 PM	#23
Aaron28 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,131	Originally posted by ismaelg Ready for next round? yes! do it!

07-13-2021, 06:13 AM	#24
crazy4oldcars Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Beaumont, Texas Posts: 218	Ready and waiting! Kirk B.

07-16-2021, 02:59 PM	#25
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681 Original Poster	Hello, Black and white this time... Thanks, Ismael

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07-16-2021, 05:02 PM	#26
crazy4oldcars Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Beaumont, Texas Posts: 218	Fingers crossed! Kirk B.

07-17-2021, 01:21 PM	#27
Aaron28 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,131	Originally posted by ismaelg Black and white this time... kewl beans! in the holding pattern!

07-17-2021, 01:58 PM	#28
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by ismaelg Black and white this time... With "professional" film chambered, the old girl is charged to perform! Steve

08-19-2021, 05:27 PM - 1 Like	#29
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681 Original Poster	Hello, So I got my negatives back today. Unfortunately the issue is still there, but it is weird: Keep in mind I basically used sunny 16 on this roll. Some of the pictures turned out very nice: (Home scanned) And then, randomly within the roll, BOOM! There it is again! I intentionally scanned into the frame separation. You see it is only in the frame, so it is definitely coming from the front. At this point, my only theory is that the light leak may be coming from the shutter itself. I have a few ideas on additional tests but I'm not wasting any more film. At least for now. Still happy with this adventure. Too bad it is not yet at 100% Oh well! Thanks, Ismael

08-19-2021, 06:49 PM - 1 Like	#30
Lhorn Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 554	Amazing job as always. Despite the light leak those are impressive images from an ancient thrift store camera.