[akptc]

It was working fine earlier today and then boom, the lever got stuck in the fully open position. I wiggled it gently and now it is stuck in the closed position. The body is missing seals (that was going to be my weekend project) and the only other clue is that the film rewind button at the bottom of the camera is depressed and will not pop back out. I am quite stomped. Hoping for ideas on what to do next.

[arnold]

Find a way to pop out that rewind button.

[Not a Number]

The rewind button won't pop out until you can wind the advance lever.

If the Ricoh is anything like the early Pentax SLRs then the works are probably gummed up with dried out oil. You have to remove the bottom plate and clean and re-oil the works. Some people clean without disassembly by dripping a highly volatile solvent such as lighter fluid in the works and re-oiling with a clock/watch or sewing machine oil. I don't recommend dripping a solvent in there because you can't control where it and the dissolved oils go.

There are posts and youtube videos which show what areas to work on in Pentax bodies. The Ricoh is probably similar enough to give you a start.

Otherwise any old school camera repair like Garry's Camera Repair or KEH should be able to fix the problem and CLA the camera including light seals.

[akptc]

Find a way to pop out that rewind button.

It came out and it seems to click in and out ok but the level still stuck. Online searches have yielded very few results about this issue on this camera.

---------- Post added 03-18-23 at 08:21 ----------

... the works are probably gummed up with dried out oil. You have to remove the bottom plate and clean and re-oil the works... Otherwise any old school camera repair like Garry's Camera Repair or KEH should be able to fix the problem and CLA the camera including light seals.

I contacted Garry's Camera Repair and they don't work on this model, unfortunately. KEH's repair prices start at $300+

I think I will brave taking the body apart to see what's going on, although I am pretty sure I won't be able to put it back together

It's a pity as the body is in really nice condition.

[tonyzoc]

Youtu.be

Youtu.be

Here's a link to a Japanese video of a 500G diassembly.

My thoughts on this issue are...
When the winder is stuck its usually because the exposure cycle didn't complete. Maybe a part that's springs into position is sticking or maybe some linkage to the shutter is sticking. It looks like you would need to pull the lens and shutter out, and see what's holding things up. Also, cover removal and see if anything is stuck in a gear.

[Not a Number]

I did a search on "Ricoh manual focus camera repair" and came up with this shop:
Camera Cleaning and Repair - LeZot Camera | Sales and Camera Repair | Camera Buyers | Digital Printing

They used to have a separate page for Pentax/Ricoh repairs but it is no longer valid.

@aslyfox has a local camera repair person he swears by. Might be worth looking into.

[akptc]

Here's a link to a Japanese video of a 500G diassembly.

Thanks for the link. I watched this one more disassembly video and now know for sure I am not going to try that!

---------- Post added 03-18-23 at 11:13 ----------

I did a search on "Ricoh manual focus camera repair" and came up with this shop:
Camera Cleaning and Repair - LeZot Camera | Sales and Camera Repair | Camera Buyers | Digital Printing

Thanks! I called them and they would accept the repair order but could not give me a ballpark on cost until they have it in their shop. It makes sense but with going rates (like KEH's) above $200 it is probably not economical as I can buy a working body for less. Oh boy, I need to decide on something, I really want to start shooting with this one.

---------- Post added 03-18-23 at 11:18 ----------

@aslyfox has a local camera repair person he swears by. Might be worth looking into.

Thanks, I just sent him a PM, fingers crossed.

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Last edited by akptc; 3 Days Ago at 11:19 AM.

[aslyfox]

I did a search on "Ricoh manual focus camera repair" and came up with this shop:
Camera Cleaning and Repair - LeZot Camera | Sales and Camera Repair | Camera Buyers | Digital Printing

They used to have a separate page for Pentax/Ricoh repairs but it is no longer valid.

@aslyfox has a local camera repair person he swears by. Might be worth looking into.

Camera Repair - phototronic.biz

One man shop here in Topeka

Open in afternoon m - f

____
Very useful information here:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/189-repairs-warranty-service/316284-pent...ml#post3566309

Sorted by country

[aslyfox]

Thanks, I just sent him a PM, fingers crossed.

Pm replied to

[akptc]

Thanks to aslyfox, now I know there is a repair shop a driving distance from where I live, already planning a trip

[mtl_pentaxian]

It was working fine earlier today and then boom, the lever got stuck in the fully open position. I wiggled it gently and now it is stuck in the closed position. The body is missing seals (that was going to be my weekend project) and the only other clue is that the film rewind button at the bottom of the camera is depressed and will not pop back out. I am quite stomped. Hoping for ideas on what to do next.

Happens with my 500G too sometimes. When it’s stuck open, I gently pull the lever even further open and it comes back to the closed position. If it’s stuck in the closed position, tripping the shutter usually solves that. Good luck.