Ricoh KR 5 Super II and Pentax smc m 40mm 2.8

deede · 11-02-2018, 06:35 AM

Hey guys,
I have a Ricoh KR 5 Super II and use a Pentax smc m 40mm 2.8. Infact i picked up the lens specifically for this body. Thing is when i use the lens, 9 out of twen shots, the mirror gets stuck against the lens on its way up. Cant do anything afterwards. Cant wind on, cant use the shutter, changing focus makes no difference once its locked. only thing that works is taking the lens off and that releases the mirror.

I can see tiny chips on the bottom of the mirror now and sort of scratch marks on the back of the lens.

When i focus at closer than 10m its fine. Soon as i reach just before 10 m and further, it starts catching. Should this be happening?

you can see the scratches on the lens as well as the chips in the bottom of the mirror.

please help guys.

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**pres589** · 11-02-2018, 07:15 AM - **1 Like**

In a word, no, that should not be happening. I haven't used that specific combination; my M 40 works well on my Ricoh XR7 but that's an actual Ricoh product, where as I think the KR-5's were made by Cosina.

Do other Pentax lenses from the M series work okay on that body? I think you should stop using this lens and camera combination right now. Focusing happens to the front of the lens, it doesn't extend the back of the lens towards the mirror.

deede · 11-02-2018, 07:44 AM

Thanks Pres.
Yeah i stoped using it within the foirst day of noticing...

On this lens (its a pancake) the back moves to focus.

**pres589** · 11-02-2018, 07:57 AM

I'll have to check my copy to see how much the rear element and baffle move during focusing.

deede · 11-02-2018, 08:01 AM

Cheers Pres

stevebrot · 11-02-2018, 10:34 AM

Originally posted by pres589

where as I think the KR-5's were made by Cosina.

~~Ricoh product on same basic platform as the XR-1 and XR-2 bodies, though with fine differences in the details.~~ Oops...my bad. Long story, but short version is that I did not read the thread title carefully. The KR-5 Super II is a Cosina rebadge.

@deede...The mirror on your camera is different than on most KR-5s. Photos I found for the KR-5 show a beveled corner and a frame shaped to retain the mirror at the bevel. I suspect that it is an early design that was improved in later production. It is possible that yours has become dislodged at some point and needs to be reattached in its proper position.

Edit: Your mirror is typical for the KR-5 Super II and the rest about the cause/repair remains the same.

Steve

**pres589** · 11-02-2018, 10:37 AM

Isn't the XR7 on that same platform as the 1 and 2?

stevebrot · 11-02-2018, 11:13 AM

Originally posted by pres589

Isn't the XR7 on that same platform as the 1 and 2?

There are so many Ricoh variants on several different platforms. The earliest KR and XR models (late 1970s) are different construction and different shutter than the XR7 and similar bodies. The second generation bodies are significantly lighter and more compact. They are easily distinguished by the shutter speed dial and shutter release location.

Steve

**pres589** · 11-02-2018, 11:16 AM

Hmm. So back to the OP's question, what would you recommend he do? I feel like the M 40 is kind of a special thing and it would be easier to change bodies to find something that works with that lens, but I also am really surprised to hear that this failure is happening at all.

stevebrot · 11-02-2018, 11:18 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

It is possible that yours has become dislodged at some point and needs to be reattached in its proper position.

Compare to photo of mirror box below. You mirror appears to have slid down.

From: Rocky Cameras | Ricoh KR-5 SUPER II SLR Camera Cased -MINT- 9.99

Steve

**twilhelm** · 11-02-2018, 11:43 AM

I think Steve nailed the culprit. In comparison to every other photo of his camera, the mirror sits low in the OP’s camera. It likely was dropped and dislodged at some point. I’ve done this to one of my Pentax bodies and had it repaired by my repair man in about 10 minutes.

**boriscleto** · 11-02-2018, 12:14 PM

Originally posted by twilhelm

I’ve done this to one of my Pentax bodies and had it repaired by my repair man in about 10 minutes.

Or just buy a new body. KR-5s in all variants are cheap and plentiful...

**twilhelm** · 11-02-2018, 03:24 PM

Originally posted by boriscleto

Or just buy a new body. KR-5s in all variants are cheap and plentiful...

True. My LX on the other hand...

hpcmae · 11-23-2023, 03:50 AM - **1 Like**

This happens to mine in hotter weather if it’s sitting for long enough. The glue between the mirror and the plate melts slightly, and the mirror slides down, then it cools in place.

All you need to do is heat the back of the mirror plate with a hairdryer until the glue melts enough for you to move the mirror, then, gently push the mirror back onto the plate, until their edges align.

---------- Post added 11-23-23 at 03:52 AM ----------

then let it cool (obviously)

I press the mirror and plate together for a little while at the start.

---------- Post added 11-23-23 at 03:52 AM ----------

then let it cool (obviously)

I press the mirror and plate together for a little while at the start.

OrchidJulie · 11-23-2023, 07:46 AM

Thanks for sharing your experience...note, however, that this discussion is more than 5 years old, and the member posting the issue hasn't been back since then.

11-02-2018, 10:34 AM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by pres589 where as I think the KR-5's were made by Cosina. ~~Ricoh product on same basic platform as the XR-1 and XR-2 bodies, though with fine differences in the details.~~ Oops...my bad. Long story, but short version is that I did not read the thread title carefully. The KR-5 Super II is a Cosina rebadge. @deede...The mirror on your camera is different than on most KR-5s. Photos I found for the KR-5 show a beveled corner and a frame shaped to retain the mirror at the bevel. I suspect that it is an early design that was improved in later production. It is possible that yours has become dislodged at some point and needs to be reattached in its proper position. Edit: Your mirror is typical for the KR-5 Super II and the rest about the cause/repair remains the same. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 11-02-2018 at 11:01 AM.

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11-02-2018, 07:15 AM - 1 Like	#2
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	In a word, no, that should not be happening. I haven't used that specific combination; my M 40 works well on my Ricoh XR7 but that's an actual Ricoh product, where as I think the KR-5's were made by Cosina. Do other Pentax lenses from the M series work okay on that body? I think you should stop using this lens and camera combination right now. Focusing happens to the front of the lens, it doesn't extend the back of the lens towards the mirror.

11-02-2018, 07:44 AM	#3
deede New Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 4 Original Poster	Thanks Pres. Yeah i stoped using it within the foirst day of noticing... On this lens (its a pancake) the back moves to focus.

11-02-2018, 07:57 AM	#4
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	I'll have to check my copy to see how much the rear element and baffle move during focusing.

11-02-2018, 08:01 AM	#5
deede New Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 4 Original Poster	Cheers Pres

11-02-2018, 10:37 AM	#7
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	Isn't the XR7 on that same platform as the 1 and 2?

11-02-2018, 11:13 AM	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by pres589 Isn't the XR7 on that same platform as the 1 and 2? There are so many Ricoh variants on several different platforms. The earliest KR and XR models (late 1970s) are different construction and different shutter than the XR7 and similar bodies. The second generation bodies are significantly lighter and more compact. They are easily distinguished by the shutter speed dial and shutter release location. Steve

11-02-2018, 11:16 AM	#9
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	Hmm. So back to the OP's question, what would you recommend he do? I feel like the M 40 is kind of a special thing and it would be easier to change bodies to find something that works with that lens, but I also am really surprised to hear that this failure is happening at all.

11-02-2018, 11:18 AM	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by stevebrot It is possible that yours has become dislodged at some point and needs to be reattached in its proper position. Compare to photo of mirror box below. You mirror appears to have slid down. From: Rocky Cameras \| Ricoh KR-5 SUPER II SLR Camera Cased -MINT- 9.99 Steve

11-02-2018, 11:43 AM	#11
twilhelm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,369	I think Steve nailed the culprit. In comparison to every other photo of his camera, the mirror sits low in the OP’s camera. It likely was dropped and dislodged at some point. I’ve done this to one of my Pentax bodies and had it repaired by my repair man in about 10 minutes.

11-02-2018, 12:14 PM	#12
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by twilhelm I’ve done this to one of my Pentax bodies and had it repaired by my repair man in about 10 minutes. Or just buy a new body. KR-5s in all variants are cheap and plentiful...

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11-02-2018, 03:24 PM	#13
twilhelm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,369	Originally posted by boriscleto Or just buy a new body. KR-5s in all variants are cheap and plentiful... True. My LX on the other hand...

11-23-2023, 03:50 AM - 1 Like	#14
hpcmae New Member Join Date: Nov 2023 Posts: 1	This happens to mine in hotter weather if it’s sitting for long enough. The glue between the mirror and the plate melts slightly, and the mirror slides down, then it cools in place. All you need to do is heat the back of the mirror plate with a hairdryer until the glue melts enough for you to move the mirror, then, gently push the mirror back onto the plate, until their edges align. ---------- Post added 11-23-23 at 03:52 AM ---------- then let it cool (obviously) I press the mirror and plate together for a little while at the start. ---------- Post added 11-23-23 at 03:52 AM ---------- then let it cool (obviously) I press the mirror and plate together for a little while at the start.

11-23-2023, 07:46 AM	#15
OrchidJulie Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Magic City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,929	Thanks for sharing your experience...note, however, that this discussion is more than 5 years old, and the member posting the issue hasn't been back since then.