the Ricoh 500G - the Compact with it All

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

To buy my zines: www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/1862203?__r=2474286 And www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/1862235?__r=2474286

[@sesa2984]

I wish the Sears one had the EXACT same styling, because the 500g, especially in silver, looks so cool to me. The font and the little bit of red are so great aesthetically. I’m just nostalgic for Sears and the comfort that things from my childhood represent so I’d have already bought that on Ebay if it looked as good! lol. As it is, I think I may be in the market for this one. I’m looking for a viewfinder though, a non-rangefinder, that is tiny what I really want is a Rollei 35, but I can’t afford to spend real money on hobbies and interests. So if you know of anything tiny, aesthetically pleasing, and solid metal that might go used for dirt …say under 50…Its a pipe wish.

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Yea that’s a tough one. You could look into half frame cameras. They’re usually small and you’ll get a lot more frames for your money as well.

[@michaelwhiles5282]

Also has an exposure LOCK if you half depress the shutter release - recently dug out ours - light seal kit on order - otherwise GOOD TO GO !

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Awesome!

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

Awesome review of the 500G, I had a chance to shoot one once and loved it but it was on loan so I only got to use it once. Congrats on making it two years on KZbin! Keep being awesome!

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Thank you Alex ❤️

[@Maartenols]

You can unfold the little thing on the top, to rewind your film (flip it over and you can rewind). No need for a coin. :) Thanks for the upload, it was helpful! Ps. Oh, now I see, it's missing on your cam. A screwdriver will do too. :)

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Thanks! Someone actually sent me a spare one so I was able to fix it

[@andrewwilkin1923]

Hi Aly, very good camera. Bought one used back in the 80's as a daily carry. Still have it. Found a very distressed looking black one with broken shutter at a flea market in 2019. Wasn't too difficult to fix and now works fine. Look for a broken Ricoh rangefinder and change the rewind crank over.

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Thanks Andrew. I’ve been on the lookout for a broken one on ebay.

[@StevenEspaniola]

Love the vid!! Have had my Ricoh 500 for about 15+ years…your vid gave me renewed appreciation for it! I have the silver/black version.

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

That’s awesome to hear! Thank you

[@pembridgehouse]

Thanks Aly. One of my favourite rangefinder cameras.

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Thank you for watching. It’s a great camera.

[@davidspidell4270]

I enjoy your videos. They cover subjects of interest to me. I'm an old fart in Oregon, getting ready to retire . I understand wanting to meet people interested in photography. Most people's eyes glaze over when I start talking about cameras. I'm currently trying to figure out using flash on old manual cameras. I'm going to install my rolleikin so I will have cheap practice. Hope to see you cover flash. Thanks for all you are doing.

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Thank you David. That means a lot to me. I’ve actually been trying to learn a little about flash myself. The rolleikin is a really good idea for cheap practice. That was how I began too. Arista EDU is a good cheap film to use.

[@davidspidell4270]

@AlysVintageCameraAlley I got a bulk loader for Christmas so I'm trying to decide what to buy a 100 foot roll of. Arista is on my list. I have read it scratches easily. As a rooky to both bulk loading and development, I may go for something like Hp5.

[@a.garland5003]

Great upload Aly , thanks for the tip about the bulb mode for the battery 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻

[@raymondhill780]

Thanks I just change my lightyears thanks Raymond

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Awesome you’re welcome.

[@Baujahr90erAG]

Absolutely great camera. Got it for an incredible 10€ in a flea market. Tested it today and everything works perfectly fine. Only thing that i have to do is doing the light seals which are not a big deal

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Great find! Yes the light seals are easy. I got a kit and demonstrated it in my video.

[@paulasmith4017]

Great Vid Aly. I’ve got a Ricoh 500g too. It’s become my fav 35mm compact even more than the OM trip 35 because of the focusing ability. It’s great to see someone else discover this gem and talk about it.

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Thanks Paula. Yes exactly. I’m glad to hear you’ve discovered it too.

[@RichardNZ68]

Hi, Great video! Thank you. Watched your video and bought one! Can’t wait to give it a try!

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Thank you and enjoy!

[@hedduyou]

Hey there! Thanks for the video! I just found a mint condition one of these in silver, even with the flash! What a coincidence on the 50th anniversary. Just so happened to find it while moving. Hope you have a good day!

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

That’s awesome! It’s the 50th anniversary? I didn’t even realize that. Enjoy it!

[@hedduyou]

@@AlysVintageCameraAlley Well I think so maybe my math is off but by the release date you mentioned in the video I got to 50 haha. I thought you said 1972 or something like that. Maybe I was wrong!

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

@@hedduyou you’re probably right. I have memory issues so I rarely remember the facts I mention in my videos lol that’s pretty cool that it’s 50

[@autorizeduser9876]

Thanks for the review i love these Ricoh cameras

[@jimpurcell]

Thanks!

[@RobMadeo]

Nice video, thank you. I'm interested in getting a small rangefinder carrying around, and this is on my short list. I hope you're not shooting while driving, says the dad in me!

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Thank you! Oh no don’t worry. I’m always in the passengers side when I take pics from the car. Thanks for looking out 😊

[@Matt-im9rg]

Really enjoy your videos Aly, excellent reviews, thank you.

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Thank you 🙏

[@Xaansanity]

Ayy, Superia 400 is one of my favs too! I'm about to pick up one of these along with a Hanimex and Pentacon auto 1.8/50 in "unknown" condition this weekend for dirt cheap. (Lady selling it doesn't know anything about them but they don't have any obvious damage and for the cost, even if only the Pentacon lens is salvageable, it'll be worth it) Definitely most excited for the Ricoh though. Been looking for a nice compact inexpensive rangefinder for a while!

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Nice! Enjoy 😊

[@MrMarkpoole]

I have the Sears version. It's a very nice camera. If you're storing the camera for more than a few weeks it's best to remove the battery so it won't leak in the camera if it goes bad.

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Yes definitely. I am always using my cameras so I don’t do that but yes you’re right.

[@thebendu33]

What is it called under Sears?

[@TheFilmFellow]

Super cool video again Aly! That Ricoh looks like a great every day carry. I feel the same about my Konica when it comes to carrying it around. I’m always worried about dropping it lol which takes away from some of the freedom of shooting. I’m also looking for something which I don’t worry about dropping and which produces great results. Love your videos Aly!

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

I know what you mean. That’s exactly how I feel with my Leica M2. Thank you 😊

[@JHurrenPhotography]

Oh sweetheart! I lost a roll of film yesterday, such a sad sad

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Oh no! Yes it’s terrible especially with the price of film lol

[@heisia]

thank you so much for the info!

[@JimPollock-my6hb]

Hey Aly - I just bought my first 500G and was so excited to get it. I got it on Ebay and the notes said "Tested" and perfect etc. When I got it I put in fresh battery and ugh the meter doesnt work. I did get the majority of my money back so I have a 500G without a working meter. You have any thoughts on that? I presume I can just treat it as a manual camera but thet main reason I bought it was for the meter. I've since ordered another one I found in UK and seller says it's perfect even after I asked about the meter, so we shall see. Also, as this is my first Aly video, the bit you share about your personal situation touched me. Art has a way of putting us all in a spot to be creative whatever our situation is for the most part. Keep Shooting & Keep Sharing! - Jimmy

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

That’s a shame about the first one. They should’ve given you a full refund. Hopefully this next one is perfect for you! Thank you 🙏

[@JimPollock-my6hb]

@@AlysVintageCameraAlley The next one arrives by June 6 - will let you know.

[@JodyFarms]

FINE! I give up. You win... I just bought one.

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Lol I hope you love it!

[@podhoncisty]

Aly that is cool camera I like it 😍 I hope you will find replacement rewind crank 🙂

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Thank you 😊

[@callmegucio]

Great video and very cute camera! Can I use it without batteries? Thanks

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Thanks. Yes I’m pretty sure you can use the camera still but not the meter

[@alangamble3236]

Hi, great video. I bought my 500g back in 1973, I still have it and it’s working fine. One of my favourite rangefinders as it’s so compact and has a quality wide aperture lens. Did you manage to fix your rewind lever. ? As I have a spare.

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Someone sent me their spare 500g so I pillaged it off that one but now that one doesn’t have one lol

[@TechnicIsFun]

Hi! I have the ZF, wonderful camera, underrated indeed. I have a question; i wear glasses and find it hard to dee the needle in the viewfinder very clear. Do you have the same issue?

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

I have had this issue with a lot of my cameras. My glasses tend to position my eye in a way that the meter is just out of view and I’ll have to turn to see it. It’s such a pain.

[@mar4kl]

1:52, "You may know it also as the rebranded Sears 35|RF." - Other way around, actually. Sears didn't manufacture its own, home-branded products. Such products were manufactured for them by various companies. Sears has sold many different cameras over the years, all produced under license by actual camera manufacturers. The Sears 35|RF was one of the better ones, a rebranded Ricoh 500G. As always, great video!

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

I think I said it wrong but that’s what I meant it was rebranded as the Sears 35RF

[@CripplerSS74]

Have you thought about making a Discord? I've recently got into film cameras and it'd be super nice to have a place to share information. Plus could share finds and even start a marketplace

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Hey Brandon. I don’t know much about Discord.

[@CripplerSS74]

@@AlysVintageCameraAlley If you have the time it could be worth a looking into. Great way to build a community. Thank you for the reply, hope you enjoy your day 😊

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

@@CripplerSS74 thank you I will def look into it :)

[@lesliewalters3896]

hi Aly How do you shoot while driving ?. I have a job keeping level horizons with a tripod but yours are brill. I have a Ricoh ZF 500 with the same lens as you & have got really sharp images with it, try it with HP5 at 800 and Keep on with your inspiring videos,

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Hi Leslie. Thank you. I’m not doing the driving when I shoot.

[@lonewalker89]

really enjoyed the video.. I just picked up a ricoh 500rf which I think is pretty much the same camera. I'm completely new to film but wanted to give it a shot, I put a new battery in and got a roll of film today which I have not loaded yet, however when I look through the viewfinder I cant seem to see the exposure meter needle, I'm hoping its just something silly I'm missing? Does the film need to be loaded before the needle will show? sorry if this is silly question just a film noob! Thanks

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Hey. So I’m looking at mine right now so I can give you a proper answer. So I’m not sure if your model is any different than mine, but you should see the meter scale on your right hand when looking through the viewfinder. Try facing the lens at a lamp or bright light to see if you see the needle respond. If not check that the shutter speed ring is not set to B. That is what I set it to to turn of my camera and not drain the battery. If that’s still not making a difference then check the battery compartment to make sure it’s clean. If that doesn’t help unfortunately the meter may be broken. I hope this helps. Feel free to contact me here or on Instagram if you need more help.

[@fr3sh3r]

Hi Aly, do you have any tips for cleaning the battery contact? My Ricoh 500 g light indicator doesn’t work right because of a slightly green looking battery contact.

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Hey, I’ve always struggled with this type of thing. I’ve used baking soda and warm water on a Q tip to wipe off any battery acid. You could give that a try. However it doesn’t always get all of it off. You could try 99% isopropyl alcohol on a qtip as well. Hope that helps! If you find another trick that works let me know

[@joeprete7424]

LR44 is the wrong voltage. I think it's 1.5v, correct battery is PX675 1.35v. is your exposure off with LR44?

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Oh really? I haven’t had any issues.

[@geofff6671]

Some cameras while designed for 1.35v mercury batteries have electronics that correct for higher voltages. Not sure if it applies to the Ricoh though. I know you can use modern batteries with Yashicas. On the other hand my Konica C35 meters too high and under exposes with a 1.5v battery.

[@filmgazing]

Hi, is the focus ring of the Ricoh 500g generally stiffer than other rangefinder?

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Hello. Not in my experience. It’s been fine for me.

[@KevinSolagnier]

do i need to play with the shutter speed when my aparture is at A? where does the needle need to be? or is it all automatic and i can just focus and shoot?

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

You still have to set the shutter speed. The camera will choose the aperture based on that and of course set your ISO as well. The meter needle will still let you know if it’s under/or over exposed because even on automatic the lighting may be too much or too little based on the ISO. Hope this helps.

[@NicholasSpeaks]

I’m new to film. I thought the film was the iso, so you can adjust iso on this camera?

[@AlysVintageCameraAlley]

Yes you can set it for the meter. The speed of the film is the ISO. So for example Kodak Portra 400 film you’d set the iso on the camera to 400. Hope that helped.

[@NicholasSpeaks]

@@AlysVintageCameraAlley yes thank you!