Ricoh XR-M: An Advanced 35mm Manual Focus Film Camera No One Knew About

[@mmichaels5345]

I still have mine. Fully operational and with many accessories. Have never been able to part with it. Paid $300 for it brand new in the 80's. Incredible camera. Really was way ahead of it's time.

[@jamesmorris8633]

There is also a attachable speedlight flash that connects to the one side and it draws power from the camera batteries.

[@glennerickmiller]

Great overview! This was my first film camera, given to me years ago by a family member. It came with the kit lens and two primes: 58 and 135mm. This thing is a tank but also a very smart, capable camera.

[@ALBG-4]

Thanks! Great introduction and precise overview...because of how you presented it..I just purchased one off eBay.

[@TheGizmoGarage]

Enjoy the shooting experience!

[@jamesmorris8633]

Nice review. I have XR-X model of this camera I and I love it, a real gem of a camera. It also had the capability of shooting images from TV or video by compensating for the frame speed of the TV etc.

[@peterkin1010]

Thanks very much for a wonderful review. Sadly the Ricoh XR-X/XR-M is long forgotten about nowadays but I used to sell them back in 1987 the only omission I can think of here is the Speedlite PX which fitted on the side of the camera and was great for fill in flash etc. Everything else was pretty much spot on.

[@TheMrTarzan]

I love this cam, I have started a small collection of Ricoh, I currently have a XR-P, XR-X (and XR-M), and the last model of their analogues, XR-X3PF. But the XR-X is by far my favorite, often used with the Rikenon P 50/1.4. I am looking for a 55/1.2 but they are horrendously expensive lol

[@machoomellon]

I also got a xr7 and a xr5

[@ghosttownsentinel5288]

Looks interesting, but it is missing MLU to be a full featured SLR.

[@sarahgenskow-neal1669]

Awesome review- thank you! Super helpful!

[@Ivan33120]

Wow, interesting one. How much frames does it scroll after film loading? and is there any way to use additional two frames if film loaded in dark?

[@TheGizmoGarage]

Not sure, but usually with these you can't save those pre-rolled frames, nothing in instruction mention about frame saving on auto advance after loading, and I'm sure it rolls enough so you don't mess up the first shot.

[@Ivan33120]

@@TheGizmoGarage Thanks for answer)

[@johnnyloveit901]

How long does the AEL stay activated?

[@TheGizmoGarage]

Not sure, but go here and see if the manual would specify: www.butkus.org/chinon/ricoh/xr-m/xr-m.htm

[@Limitless_Potato]

Would you recommend this for a beginner? I'm stuck between this and the minolta x570

[@TheGizmoGarage]

I'd say go for X570, it's size is very advantageous.

[@Limitless_Potato]

@Li Reviews thank you. I ended up getting an XD 11 for a steal and love it so far! I am thinking about getting another camera next though!

[@TheGizmoGarage]

@@Limitless_Potato MD11 is great I have one love it

[@patricksandberg6690]

Roughly how much do these go for? Looks super capable!

[@TheGizmoGarage]

very affordable, usually less than $50 USD

[@vintagevantics]

Can it be used without battery?

[@TheGizmoGarage]

No it can not.

[@Chapter6]

so cool! thank you

[@Ivan33120]

And what about typical problems of this camera, does it have some?

[@TheGizmoGarage]

The biggest problem is this camera is very very bulky compared to other more mechanical cameras of that time