Ricoh 500

Ricoh 500. Picture by David Broglin. (Image rights)

The Ricoh 500 is a 35 mm rangefinder camera with fixed lens made in Japan by Ricoh from 1957. At least four different versions were marketed till 1960. All have in common :

• "Triggermatic" winding system
• detachable back
• coupled rangefinder
• Light Value system with external light meter (The Light Value system was first adopted in Japan on the Ricoh 500)

The first version from 1957 is based on the Ricoh 35 S, its top plate doesn't include the rewind crank and the film type reminder. It features :

• Seikosha MXL shutter, Speeds 1/10 - 1/500 sec + B
• Riken Ricoh 2.8/45 lens

The second version, the most common one, has a flat top plate, including the rewind crank. It features :

• Seikosha MXL shutter, Speeds 1/10 - 1/500 sec + B
• 5-elements Riken Ricomat 2.8/45 lens
• Dimensions: 140mm x 83mm x 67mm
• Weight: 670 g

with matching Ricoh meter image by vincentnip (Image rights)

The third version, very close to the previous one, features :

• Seikosha SLV shutter, Speeds 1/10 - 1/500 sec + B, + self timer
• 5-elements Riken Ricomat 2.8/45 lens

The fourth version, also named Ricoh Jet, with a bigger and framed viewfinder, features :

• Seikosha SLV shutter, Speeds 1/10 - 1/500 sec + B, + self timer
• Riken Ricoh 2.8/45 lens

image by David Donnadieu Click for additional images

Links

In English

• Ricoh 500 camera manuals at www.orphancameras.com
• Ricoh 500 at Photoethnography.com

In French:

• Ricoh 500 at Flickr
• Ricoh 500 on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand

In Japanese:

• Ricoh 500 at AEI Collectibles