Ricoh XR-2

image by Mark O'Brien (Image rights)

The XR-2 is an SLR for 35mm film introduced by Ricoh around 1979, which accepts K-mount lenses. This was a higher-end model offering aperture-priority autoexposure, with a direct-viewing window showing the lens's aperture setting above the viewfinder image.

To unlock the shutter, the film wind lever must be pulled outwards. The electronically-timed Copal shutter provides a wide range of speeds from 1/1000 second to 4 seconds plus B with flash sync up to 1/125 sec. The shutter is dependent on power from two 1.5v LR44/SR44 batteries, without which only the mechanical speeds of "X" (1/90th second) and B may be used. A half-press on the shutter release is needed to activate the exposure indicator needle in the viewfinder. A rear "ME" switch permits intentional multiple exposures; alongside this is a lever for closing an eyepiece blind.

The XR-2s is the same camera but whose baseplate is able to accept an optional power winder.

Links

• Ricoh XR-2s manual from Mike Butkus' OrphanCameras.com
• Ricoh XR-2 review from November 1979 Popular Photography posted to MFLenses forum by Nesster.