Ricoh 500 G

Ricoh 500 G image by Alf Sigaro (Image rights)

The Ricoh 500 G is a compact coupled rangefinder camera, introduced by Ricoh in 1972. It offers automatic shutter priority exposure, or fully manual control. A projected viewfinder needle pointer indicates the aperture the camera will set for any preferred shutter speed, or the aperture the user should set when on manual control.

This was also sold as the Sears 35|RF

Specifications

• Film Format: 135 (24mm x 36mm negative)
• Lens: fixed-mount Rikenon 40mm f/2.8 with 46 mm filter thread
• Viewfinder: coupled rangefinder, framelines with parallax markings
• Focusing Distance: 3 ft. (0.9m) to inf
• Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/16 (in viewfinder display)
• Shutter: Mechanical, B, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500
• ISO/ASA Range: 64-800
• Exposure Meter: lens-mounted CdS cell
• Exposure modes: shutter-priority and manual
• Flash: hot shoe and PC
• Flash Sync: All speeds; 1/60 to 1/500 for electronic flash, 1/30 to 1/125 for flash bulbs
• Self-timer: 8s delay
• Battery: 1.35v PX675 mercury or equivalent
• Film Advance: single stroke lever
• Film Rewind: collapsible knob
• Tripod Mount: metal

Links

• Ricoh 500 G reviewed by Matt Denton on Matt's Classic Cameras.
• Ricoh 500 G instruction manual on Mike Butkus' Orphan Cameras.
• Ricoh 500 G on the Ricoh Official Website Camera List (in Japanese)