Ricoh AF-2 (early auto-focus point and shoot)

ChristianRock · 09-24-2013, 12:20 PM

So today I'm going to pick up a Ricoh AF-2 for 5 dollars. It's one of the early auto-focus point and shoot cameras, with a fixed lens of 38mm f2.8 (Rikenon). If it is anywhere near as good as my Ricoh Rikenon XR 28mm, I'll be really happy! I can't find much information on it from actual users, other than a dozen or so pictures on flickr. The lens seems pretty decent and it seems to follow the old Tessar design of 4 elements in 3 groups, just like the Canon that came out before it. I'm sure the coating is nowhere as nice as the GR1 but it might be comparable with the XR lens... The camera seems well built. It's not nearly as nicely designed and built as the GR1 but it should keep me happy until I get a substitute for my broken A3000.

The cool thing about it is that you can change the film ASA setting, which is set manually. Which gives you exposure compensation!

Anyone played around with one of those?

ChristianRock · 09-25-2013, 11:17 AM

So, I did get the AF-2. The good parts:
- It was only 5 dollars, picked it up on my way home. A 38mm f2.8 Rikenon for 5 dollars should be a good deal

- It's in excellent shape, better than the one in the picture above. The lens cap was included.
- When putting in fresh batteries, the shutter does seem to get released from its lock.

Now the bad part: I can't get the film to load. I'm sure I'm doing something wrong. It seems like a different loading mechanism compared to the AF-5, which has a video on Youtube. The AF-2 must be more uncommon, as it's not even on Camerapedia. Butkus does have the manual for it - and the instructions there are the same as the ones printed on the inside of the film door. I've followed them and tried several different things - to no avail. It just won't move the film.

Any ideas of what I could try? I'd hate this to become a 5 dollar paper weight with a good Tessar-style Rokinon

Nesster · 09-25-2013, 11:29 AM

Is this one of those put the leader here and close the back deals? Have you tried turning the camera on, and pushing the shutter button, just to see if either of those trigger the advance?

ChristianRock · 09-25-2013, 11:56 AM

There's no turning the camera on, when the lens cap is off the camera is on, according to the manual.

The loading process, according to the manual and the back chamber door, is also different from the AF-5, which is closer to what you mention. With the AF-2, you're supposed to press the shutter with the back open and the film aligned, so that it will get it firm and in place, and then close the back afterwards.
I did try closing it and then pressing the shutter, too, but that was expected not to work.

ChristianRock · 09-26-2013, 08:58 AM

Yup, I bought a paper weight. I saw a youtube video for a camera that has the exact same takeup spool as the Ricoh (this was for the Canon T50), and the shutter is just supposed to work when the film is engaged. Just like the instructions said.
Oh well. The camera is in such good shape I was sure it would work, and I thought 5 dollars wasn't going to be a big risk. I guess you win some, you lose some...

09-24-2013, 12:20 PM	#1
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	Ricoh AF-2 (early auto-focus point and shoot) So today I'm going to pick up a Ricoh AF-2 for 5 dollars. It's one of the early auto-focus point and shoot cameras, with a fixed lens of 38mm f2.8 (Rikenon). If it is anywhere near as good as my Ricoh Rikenon XR 28mm, I'll be really happy! I can't find much information on it from actual users, other than a dozen or so pictures on flickr. The lens seems pretty decent and it seems to follow the old Tessar design of 4 elements in 3 groups, just like the Canon that came out before it. I'm sure the coating is nowhere as nice as the GR1 but it might be comparable with the XR lens... The camera seems well built. It's not nearly as nicely designed and built as the GR1 but it should keep me happy until I get a substitute for my broken A3000. The cool thing about it is that you can change the film ASA setting, which is set manually. Which gives you exposure compensation! Anyone played around with one of those?

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09-25-2013, 11:17 AM	#2
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	So, I did get the AF-2. The good parts: - It was only 5 dollars, picked it up on my way home. A 38mm f2.8 Rikenon for 5 dollars should be a good deal - It's in excellent shape, better than the one in the picture above. The lens cap was included. - When putting in fresh batteries, the shutter does seem to get released from its lock. Now the bad part: I can't get the film to load. I'm sure I'm doing something wrong. It seems like a different loading mechanism compared to the AF-5, which has a video on Youtube. The AF-2 must be more uncommon, as it's not even on Camerapedia. Butkus does have the manual for it - and the instructions there are the same as the ones printed on the inside of the film door. I've followed them and tried several different things - to no avail. It just won't move the film. Any ideas of what I could try? I'd hate this to become a 5 dollar paper weight with a good Tessar-style Rokinon

09-25-2013, 11:29 AM	#3
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	Is this one of those put the leader here and close the back deals? Have you tried turning the camera on, and pushing the shutter button, just to see if either of those trigger the advance?

09-25-2013, 11:56 AM	#4
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	There's no turning the camera on, when the lens cap is off the camera is on, according to the manual. The loading process, according to the manual and the back chamber door, is also different from the AF-5, which is closer to what you mention. With the AF-2, you're supposed to press the shutter with the back open and the film aligned, so that it will get it firm and in place, and then close the back afterwards. I did try closing it and then pressing the shutter, too, but that was expected not to work.

09-26-2013, 08:58 AM	#5
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	Yup, I bought a paper weight. I saw a youtube video for a camera that has the exact same takeup spool as the Ricoh (this was for the Canon T50), and the shutter is just supposed to work when the film is engaged. Just like the instructions said. Oh well. The camera is in such good shape I was sure it would work, and I thought 5 dollars wasn't going to be a big risk. I guess you win some, you lose some...