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Ricoh 500 G

AUTHOR
DATE
October 11, 2025
CATEGORY
Ricoh 500 G
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  • Verified by Fab: Shutter & aperture accurate, RF aligned, self-timer OK
  • New light seals: Roll-tested—no light leaks
  • Condition: 1970s user wear; light scratches/tiny dings
  • Note: Meter not working; minor battery-comp corrosion
  • Tracked, insured, 72-hour functional inspection
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Description

Ricoh 500G — Verified by Fab

Cosmetic Grade: B (Good) — honest use from the ’70s
Functional Grade: B (User) — fully working except meter

At-a-Glance

  • Shutter: Accurate across tested speeds

  • Aperture: Smooth, snappy blades

  • Rangefinder: Working & aligned

  • Self-timer: Working

  • Light seals: Replaced (no light leaks in roll test)

  • Viewfinder: Clear, easy to focus

  • Meter: Not working (battery compartment shows minor corrosion)

  • Cosmetics: Light scratches + a couple of very small dings consistent with age

Verified Tests

  • Quick shutter check from slow to fast speeds: within tolerance

  • Aperture actuation across range: OK

  • Rangefinder vertical/horizontal alignment: OK

  • Self-timer run-down: OK

  • Film transport/advance/counter/rewind: OK

  • Light-leak check after new seals: Passed

  • Viewfinder brightness/patch contrast: Good

Known Issues / Disclosures

  • Inoperative CdS meter (camera is fully mechanical; shooting is unaffected with an external meter or Sunny 16).

  • Minor corrosion in battery compartment (cosmetic at present; does not affect mechanical operation).

  • Normal age-related body wear: light scratches and a couple of tiny dings.

What’s Included

  • Ricoh 500G body with fixed Rikenon 40mm f/2.8 lens

If a function or flaw isn’t listed above, it passed our verification checks.

Tech Specs (Ricoh 500G)

  • Format: 35mm rangefinder camera (coupled RF)

  • Lens: Fixed Rikenon 40mm f/2.8 (multi-purpose normal field of view)

  • Focusing: Coupled rangefinder, close focus ~0.8 m (approx.) to ∞

  • Shutter: Leaf shutter, speeds approx. B, 1/8 – 1/500 s

  • Exposure: Manual operation; CdS light meter (battery-powered) for guidance (this sample’s meter is inoperative)

  • Power (meter only): Originally 1.35 V mercury cell (modern alternatives/adapter required if restoring meter)

  • Flash: PC-sync / hot shoe (leaf shutter enables high sync speeds)

  • Build: Compact metal body; mechanical release; tripod socket; cable-release thread

Notes for use: Shoot manual with Sunny-16 or an external meter. The leaf shutter and fresh light seals make this a reliable, quiet street/travel camera even without an internal meter.

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