1957 Ricoh 500 Rangefinder

**ismaelg** · 05-20-2021, 03:48 PM - **2 Likes**

Hello,

Sorry for disappearing for a few months. I was dealing with my father's health. Unfortunately, he passed away last week.

On my way to the lawyer's meeting to discuss his will, I stopped at the only thrift shop in the area, which operates very limited hours. Saw it open and stopped.
Found this diamond in the rough. The lady said she had no idea if it works and warned it was for display only. I left with $25 less in my pocket and an unknown rangefinder Ricoh 500 camera.
I did not know anything about it. Even opening it was a challenge.
Interestingly, there is not a whole lot of online info on this camera.

According to my research, the Ricoh 500 was launched in 1957 but there were 4 distinct variations. The most common is the second variation with different top covers and controls. This is the first version built only in 1957. I found a couple on ebay but all were later variations. It seems this serial number is very low.
So we have a timeframe: 1957
The lens is a fixed Riken-Ricoh 45mm f2.8
Shutter speeds, aperture setting and focus control are in the lens barrel. Top speed is 500. I suppose that's where the name comes from.
It is a classic rangefinder where you focus by matching the 2 images in the finder.
What makes it different is the unique rapid advance lever that is located at the bottom, and you operate with the left hand. The back opens by sliding down taking with it the advance lever.

I'll carefully start cleaning it. Initial tests suggest it is working, so I don't plan to disassemble anything. One of the strong points of rangefinders is they are very quiet compared to SLRs.

Let's see where this goes!

Thanks,

stevebrot · 05-20-2021, 04:22 PM

Originally posted by ismaelg

Sorry for disappearing for a few months. I was dealing with my father's health. Unfortunately, he passed away last week.

I am saddened to read this. My prayers are with your family.

Steve

stevebrot · 05-20-2021, 04:32 PM

Originally posted by ismaelg

According to my research, the Ricoh 500 was launched in 1957 but there were 4 distinct variations. The most common is the second variation with different top covers and controls. This is the first version built only in 1957. I found a couple on ebay but all were later variations. It seems this serial number is very low.
So we have a timeframe: 1957
The lens is a fixed Riken-Ricoh 45mm f2.8
Shutter speeds, aperture setting and focus control are in the lens barrel. Top speed is 500. I suppose that's where the name comes from.
It is a classic rangefinder where you focus by matching the 2 images in the finder.
What makes it different is the unique rapid advance lever that is located at the bottom, and you operate with the left hand. The back opens by sliding down taking with it the advance lever.

I'll carefully start cleaning it. Initial tests suggest it is working, so I don't plan to disassemble anything. One of the strong points of rangefinders is they are very quiet compared to SLRs.

Let's see where this goes!

I handled a CLA'd copy of one like yours in a shop several years ago that I almost bought. It was quite pleasant in the hand and the trigger wind is a hoot!

Steve

crazy4oldcars · 05-20-2021, 05:23 PM

My condolences on the loss of your father. It is good that you had the time to spend with him.
We have a church-run thrift store close to my office. I'll have to check it for cameras or electronics.

Kirk B.

Aaron28 · 05-20-2021, 06:17 PM

sorry for you and your family's loss Ismael

neat find.....have one but believe it's a newer model (20813).....the top and face are different....functions but have yet to run film through......the lower wind lever is quite different and awkward just like on the retina iii (c?)

**ChrisPlatt** · 05-20-2021, 06:24 PM

I have its baby brother, the Ricoh 300:

More compact than the Ricoh 500, the Ricoh 300 also has a 4.5 cm f/2.8 lens and combined range/viewfinder.
It differs in the conventional thumb wind film advance lever, hinged film door and shutter speeds to 1/300.

The old Ricohs are very well-made cameras, typical of those made in Japan in that era.

https://www.photo.net/discuss/threads/my-kind-of-ricoh.431104/

Chris

e_nogueras · 05-20-2021, 06:26 PM

My condolences Ismael. Fortaleza para la familia.

**ramseybuckeye** · 05-20-2021, 06:51 PM

Sorry about your father, and we have missed you here. Looks like your next project is lined up.

**ismaelg** · 05-21-2021, 07:35 AM - **2 Likes**

Thank you all for your comments. Definitely some rough times.
No pics yet but cleaning is progressing nicely. Very little disassembly: only a knob and the frame counter. Not familiar with it so I won't venture too deep as it seems to be working.

Browsing eBay last night (always a bad idea) I found (and bought) the correct user manual for this camera. I have found online pdf versions of other variations but not of this one.

Thanks,
Ismael

**ismaelg** · 05-22-2021, 06:12 PM - **3 Likes**

Hello,

PRESENTING MY NEW RANGEFINDER: RICOH 500

Cleanup is pretty much done (cleanup is NEVER finished). Did not take pics of the process but very minor disassembly. Rewind knob, shaft, lever, sleeve and spring were carefully taken apart, cleaned up, realigned (as they were messed up) and put back together. Similarly on the other side the frame counter was seized. Took it apart, cleaned it, back together and it works properly now.
Aperture and shutter speeds seem to be working fine. Rangefinder is smooth and seems accurate. The ultimate test will be in the wild with a roll.
It looks like rust, but those brownish spots are some sort of brassing. It may have been caused by corrosion. It seems the metal may have a higher copper content. Not sure.
It shows signs of use. Minor dings look more like from repeated use than from a fall or something.
Here it is in the same sequence of the initial post:

And some closeups:

minor dings

some brassing and little pitting

If I were a forensic examiner I would have said "It seems it was serviced at some point according to the tiny little marks on the spanner screw."
DUH! It is 64 years old! Chances are high!

Working on a quick and dirty video to test shutter and flash sync.

Thanks,
Ismael

**ismaelg** · 05-23-2021, 07:47 AM - **1 Like**

Hello,

Quick and dirty 1 minute video on basic testing. I really need to invest in good video gear if I want to do this often. Especially on the sound.
Enjoy the crappy video.

Youtu.be

Thanks,
Ismael

stevebrot · 05-23-2021, 09:33 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ismaelg

Hello,

Quick and dirty 1 minute video on basic testing. I really need to invest in good video gear if I want to do this often. Especially on the sound.
Enjoy the crappy video.

https://youtu.be/h2a09o7Cb1E

Thanks,
Ismael

Wow! The clean-up looks great! I am surprised at the shutter working so well. It is a tribute to the Seikosha MXL! I am also surprised the hot shoe works.

Steve

**ismaelg** · 05-27-2021, 01:57 PM - **2 Likes**

Hello,

Got the manual today in the mail!

I have a song in my mind now: "Reunited and it feels so good!"

This page is the reason I wanted the manual. The flash sync parameters.

Printed November 1956! That was almost 65 years ago at the time I type this (May 2021)!
Looks pretty good for its age.

Thanks,
Ismael

**TomB_tx** · 06-04-2021, 11:24 AM

Bottom trigger-wind cameras are neat - until you want to use a tripod. Of course, Canon really pushed the concept in the 1950s with 3 generations of their rangefinders, claiming they were much faster to shoot action series. (But Leica had made rapid-wind baseplates for their rangefinders before, which Canon copied.) Since the left hand did the winding while the right had tripped the shutter, it was only faster if you didn't need to focus between shots.
Canon's first SLR (Canonflex) of 1959 also used a bottom trigger wind, but with a swinging design more like this Ricoh than their earlier linear-moving levers. Perhaps they got that idea from Ricoh?

**ismaelg** · 06-05-2021, 08:30 AM - **3 Likes**

Hello,

Consider ARMED AND DANGEROUS! WILL SHOOT!

Thanks,
Ismael

05-20-2021, 03:48 PM - 2 Likes	#1
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681	1957 Ricoh 500 Rangefinder Hello, Sorry for disappearing for a few months. I was dealing with my father's health. Unfortunately, he passed away last week. On my way to the lawyer's meeting to discuss his will, I stopped at the only thrift shop in the area, which operates very limited hours. Saw it open and stopped. Found this diamond in the rough. The lady said she had no idea if it works and warned it was for display only. I left with $25 less in my pocket and an unknown rangefinder Ricoh 500 camera. I did not know anything about it. Even opening it was a challenge. Interestingly, there is not a whole lot of online info on this camera. According to my research, the Ricoh 500 was launched in 1957 but there were 4 distinct variations. The most common is the second variation with different top covers and controls. This is the first version built only in 1957. I found a couple on ebay but all were later variations. It seems this serial number is very low. So we have a timeframe: 1957 The lens is a fixed Riken-Ricoh 45mm f2.8 Shutter speeds, aperture setting and focus control are in the lens barrel. Top speed is 500. I suppose that's where the name comes from. It is a classic rangefinder where you focus by matching the 2 images in the finder. What makes it different is the unique rapid advance lever that is located at the bottom, and you operate with the left hand. The back opens by sliding down taking with it the advance lever. I'll carefully start cleaning it. Initial tests suggest it is working, so I don't plan to disassemble anything. One of the strong points of rangefinders is they are very quiet compared to SLRs. Let's see where this goes! Thanks,

05-20-2021, 06:24 PM	#6
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,692	I have its baby brother, the Ricoh 300: More compact than the Ricoh 500, the Ricoh 300 also has a 4.5 cm f/2.8 lens and combined range/viewfinder. It differs in the conventional thumb wind film advance lever, hinged film door and shutter speeds to 1/300. The old Ricohs are very well-made cameras, typical of those made in Japan in that era. https://www.photo.net/discuss/threads/my-kind-of-ricoh.431104/ Chris Last edited by ChrisPlatt; 06-12-2021 at 02:00 PM.

06-05-2021, 08:30 AM - 3 Likes	#15
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681 Original Poster	Hello, Consider ARMED AND DANGEROUS! WILL SHOOT! Thanks, Ismael Last edited by ismaelg; 06-05-2021 at 08:37 AM.

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05-20-2021, 04:22 PM	#2
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by ismaelg Sorry for disappearing for a few months. I was dealing with my father's health. Unfortunately, he passed away last week. I am saddened to read this. My prayers are with your family. Steve

05-20-2021, 04:32 PM	#3
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by ismaelg According to my research, the Ricoh 500 was launched in 1957 but there were 4 distinct variations. The most common is the second variation with different top covers and controls. This is the first version built only in 1957. I found a couple on ebay but all were later variations. It seems this serial number is very low. So we have a timeframe: 1957 The lens is a fixed Riken-Ricoh 45mm f2.8 Shutter speeds, aperture setting and focus control are in the lens barrel. Top speed is 500. I suppose that's where the name comes from. It is a classic rangefinder where you focus by matching the 2 images in the finder. What makes it different is the unique rapid advance lever that is located at the bottom, and you operate with the left hand. The back opens by sliding down taking with it the advance lever. I'll carefully start cleaning it. Initial tests suggest it is working, so I don't plan to disassemble anything. One of the strong points of rangefinders is they are very quiet compared to SLRs. Let's see where this goes! I handled a CLA'd copy of one like yours in a shop several years ago that I almost bought. It was quite pleasant in the hand and the trigger wind is a hoot! Steve

05-20-2021, 05:23 PM	#4
crazy4oldcars Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Beaumont, Texas Posts: 218	My condolences on the loss of your father. It is good that you had the time to spend with him. We have a church-run thrift store close to my office. I'll have to check it for cameras or electronics. Kirk B.

05-20-2021, 06:17 PM	#5
Aaron28 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,131	sorry for you and your family's loss Ismael neat find.....have one but believe it's a newer model (20813).....the top and face are different....functions but have yet to run film through......the lower wind lever is quite different and awkward just like on the retina iii (c?)

05-20-2021, 06:26 PM	#7
e_nogueras Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Barceloneta Photos: Gallery Posts: 325	My condolences Ismael. Fortaleza para la familia.

05-20-2021, 06:51 PM	#8
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,291	Sorry about your father, and we have missed you here. Looks like your next project is lined up.

05-21-2021, 07:35 AM - 2 Likes	#9
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681 Original Poster	Thank you all for your comments. Definitely some rough times. No pics yet but cleaning is progressing nicely. Very little disassembly: only a knob and the frame counter. Not familiar with it so I won't venture too deep as it seems to be working. Browsing eBay last night (always a bad idea) I found (and bought) the correct user manual for this camera. I have found online pdf versions of other variations but not of this one. Thanks, Ismael

05-22-2021, 06:12 PM - 3 Likes	#10
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681 Original Poster	Hello, PRESENTING MY NEW RANGEFINDER: RICOH 500 Cleanup is pretty much done (cleanup is NEVER finished). Did not take pics of the process but very minor disassembly. Rewind knob, shaft, lever, sleeve and spring were carefully taken apart, cleaned up, realigned (as they were messed up) and put back together. Similarly on the other side the frame counter was seized. Took it apart, cleaned it, back together and it works properly now. Aperture and shutter speeds seem to be working fine. Rangefinder is smooth and seems accurate. The ultimate test will be in the wild with a roll. It looks like rust, but those brownish spots are some sort of brassing. It may have been caused by corrosion. It seems the metal may have a higher copper content. Not sure. It shows signs of use. Minor dings look more like from repeated use than from a fall or something. Here it is in the same sequence of the initial post: And some closeups: minor dings some brassing and little pitting If I were a forensic examiner I would have said "It seems it was serviced at some point according to the tiny little marks on the spanner screw." DUH! It is 64 years old! Chances are high! Working on a quick and dirty video to test shutter and flash sync. Thanks, Ismael

05-23-2021, 09:33 AM - 1 Like	#12
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by ismaelg Hello, Quick and dirty 1 minute video on basic testing. I really need to invest in good video gear if I want to do this often. Especially on the sound. Enjoy the crappy video. https://youtu.be/h2a09o7Cb1E Thanks, Ismael Wow! The clean-up looks great! I am surprised at the shutter working so well. It is a tribute to the Seikosha MXL! I am also surprised the hot shoe works. Steve

05-27-2021, 01:57 PM - 2 Likes	#13
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681 Original Poster	Hello, Got the manual today in the mail! I have a song in my mind now: "Reunited and it feels so good!" This page is the reason I wanted the manual. The flash sync parameters. Printed November 1956! That was almost 65 years ago at the time I type this (May 2021)! Looks pretty good for its age. Thanks, Ismael

06-04-2021, 11:24 AM	#14
TomB_tx Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,446	Bottom trigger-wind cameras are neat - until you want to use a tripod. Of course, Canon really pushed the concept in the 1950s with 3 generations of their rangefinders, claiming they were much faster to shoot action series. (But Leica had made rapid-wind baseplates for their rangefinders before, which Canon copied.) Since the left hand did the winding while the right had tripped the shutter, it was only faster if you didn't need to focus between shots. Canon's first SLR (Canonflex) of 1959 also used a bottom trigger wind, but with a swinging design more like this Ricoh than their earlier linear-moving levers. Perhaps they got that idea from Ricoh?

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