Ricoh S-30

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The S-30 is an autofocus point-and-shoot camera for 35mm film, introduced by Japanese manufacturer Ricoh in 1989. It is also known as the Shotmaster AF in the United States. A version with a data back was also available and it was sold as the S-30 Date.

This camera was designed primarily to meet the market demand in developing countries; there was a growing demand for an affordable, simple, but not-too-small camera, especially in Asian markets. Hence this model was relatively larger than more sophisticated cameras of the day, e.g., AF-50, XF-30D etc.

It was a very simply made camera. It has an auto-focusing system which uses only three focusing zones. The shutter runs at a fixed speed, and the aperture is set according to the film it loads, regardless of the light conditions it's in, e.g., always F8 when ISO 100 film is loaded. The flash does not activates automatically, the low-light warning LED tells the need for flash, and the operator follows it.

There is a fixed-focus version named L-20 which has very similar specifications to this model.

Successor Models: AF-30 (1990), AF-66 / Shotmaster AF-P (1991)

Specifications

• Release Date: June 1989
• Lens: Ricoh Lens 35mm f/3.9, 3 elements in 3 groups
• Focus: Single-point active autofocusing system, 3 focusing zones
• Focusing Range: 1.0 m - infinity
• Shutter: mechanical, 1/125 sec. (fixed speed)
• Viewfinder: Reverse Galilean type, 0.53X, field of view 84%
• Exposure Control: F8 (ISO 100 / 200), F16 (ISO 400), F22 (ISO 1000)
• Film Speed Range: ISO 100 - 400 (DX-code system), ISO 1000 (manual)
• Built-in Flash: activates by sliding flash switch, F4 (ISO 100 / 200), F8 (ISO 400), F11 (ISO 1000)
• Flash Range: 1 m ~ approx. 3.6 m
• Other Features: low-light warning LED, automatic film loading, automatic film advance, automatic film rewind
• Power Source: one 3V Lithium battery (CR-123A) or two AA-type Batteries (alkaline or manganese)
• Dimensions: 132 mm X 68 mm X 53 mm
• Weight: 230 g (without battery)

Links

• Ricoh S-30 on Ricoh official website Camera List (in Japanese)
• Ricoh Shotmaster AF Manual on Mike Butkus' Camera Manual Library