Ricoh 500 User manual

Ricoh 500 Owner’s Manual Page 1 of 14
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Ricoh 500 Owner’s Manual Page 2 of 14
1 Eyelet
2 Range-finder window
3 Bright-frame window
4 DUO-LEVER focusing controls
5 Triggermatic-Action lever
6 View-finder window
7 Flash terminal (European standard)
8 Rapid rewinding crank
9 Accessory shoe
10 Cordless flash contact
11 Shutter release button
12 Film counter
13 Combined synchro setting and self-timer ring
14 Shutter speed setting ring
15 Light value figures
16 Diaphragm setting ring window
17 Light value adjusting ring
18 Distance scale
19 Depth-of-field scale
20 Rewinding spindle
21 View-rangefinder eyepiece
22 Film rail
23 Rewinding release button
24 Sprocket
25 Take-up spool knob
26 Take-up spool slot
27 Back cover locking disc
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Ricoh 500 Owner’s Manual Page 3 of 14
28 Tripod bushing (American standard)
29 Film pressure plate
30 Cartridge positioning spring
31 Film-type indicator
OPENING AND LOADING THE CAMERA
Avoid direct sunlight.
Use 35mm film in cartridge (not in magazine), 20 or 36 frames.
1 Turn back cover looking discs so that the black marks come
in line with the red O. (See Figure 1.)
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Ricoh 500 Owner’s Manual Page 4 of 14
2 Place fingers against both sides of the back cover and pull
down gently, holding the camera firmly. When putting on the
cover again, follow a reverse process, making sure it is fully
engaged. Be sure the edges are in position and the film
pressure plate does not catch and get scratched. Turn back
cover locking discs so the; the black marks come in line with
the black C. (See Figure 2.)
3 Place your new film cartridge in the chamber below the
rewinding spindle. (See Figure 3.)
4 Engage the end of your unexposed film firmly in the inner
take-up spool slot. (See Figure 4.)
5 Make sure the perforations on the film are properly engaged
on the teeth of the sprocket, and that the film is properly
centered. While pressing the rewinding release button, turn
the take-up spool knob in the direction indicated by the white
arrow to make sure the film is to be wound properly. (See
Figure 5)
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Ricoh 500 Owner’s Manual Page 5 of 14
6 Then wipe off any particles of dust or finger marks on the
film pressure plate with a soft brush or piece of gauze. When
you have done this, put on the cover gently and firmly, taking
good care that the film pressure plate does not get caught on
the edge of the film, and turn the back cover locking discs in
the direction indicated by black arrow, so that the black
marks come in line with C.
7 At the bottom of the camera, and on one of the back cover
locking discs, you will find your film type indicator with ASA
and DIN numbers. These numbers stand for degrees of
sensitiveness of films to light, so that when the figure is high,
less exposure of faster shutter speeds are required, while in
case of a film with a low sensitivity the figure is also low, so
that greater exposure or slower shutter speeds become
necessary. This exposure index is indicated on the packet in
which your film is sold and probably in the Directions printed
and enclosed in the packet. Bring either ASA or DIN number
of your film in line with the black mark by turning the dial with
the tip of your nail on the tiny metal catch. This is done so
that you might remember what the film speed is, a matter of
utmost importance when taking pictures. When the camera
is empty, bring the catch (where there is no number) in line
with the black mark. (See Figure 6.)
8 Bring out the triggermatic-action lever. (See Figure 7 ) You
will note that the film counter shows "S" (Start). (See Figure
8.) Release the shutter, or at least press the button to ensure
that it is released, and turn the triggermatic-action lever with
your left index or middle finger as far as it will go to the left.
This advances the film by one frame and cocks the shutter at
the same time. If the lever will not advance never force it;
because it means the shutter has not been released.
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Ricoh 500 Owner’s Manual Page 6 of 14
Release the shutter again and advance the film once more,
and you will find that the arrow in the film counter is opposite
a point closer to "1" than to "S". When the film is advanced
for the 3rd time, the arrow points at "1". Then set the LIGHT
VALUE required and take your first picture.Anything taken
on a frame before the arrow points at "1" is likely to be on an
exposed part of the film, and therefore to be useless.
EXPOSURE AND LIGHT VALUE
In taking a picture a certain amount of light must pass through the
lens and reach the film. This is what is called an exposure. If the
amount of exposure is too great or too little, the picture will be no
good. In the conventional type of camera one has to set the shutter
speed and the required f stop separately. The LIGHT VALUE device
eliminates all this trouble, since any change in the shutter speed due
to any change in the f stop or any change in the f stop due to any
change in the shutter speed is done AUTOMATICALLY. It must of
course be understood that the amount of light is about the same.
(Webmaster: this does not mean you have an Automatic camera or
light meter. It just means if you go by the estimates of the lighting,
this camera will allow you to somewhat get your exposure close. A
light meter is suggested)
This is the first Japanese camera which makes AUTOMATIC the
giving and ensuring of the correct exposure by simply setting the
LIGHT VALUE indicator. This is a mechanical brain that computes
the correct exposure for you, provided you know what the LIGHT
VALUE is.
LIGHT VALUE TABLE
ASA/DIN
Index
Snow,
mountain,
and sea
scenery
Light
Subject,
Distance
scene
Subject in
shade,
folks in
open
Dark
Subjects,
folks in
shade,
building
Among
trees or
in light
room
50 (18
DIN) 14 13 12 11 10
100 (21) 15 14 13 12 11
200 (24) 16 15 14 13 12
a. For mornings and evenings subtract 2 from figures indicated.
b. When slightly cloudy subtract 1, cloudy 2 and rainy 3.
c. For color film you are strongly advised to use an electric
exposure meter.
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Ricoh 500 Owner’s Manual Page 7 of 14
1 Set your light value by referring to the light-
value table or by taking a reading from an
electric exposure meter.
2 Turn the light value adjusting ring and bring
it into the required position. (See Figure 10.
which shows that the light value is "13").
Disregard all shutter speeds and the relative
openings in setting the light value. Just
shoot.
If either shutter speed or opening (which affects depth of field of
focus shown on a chart on another page) is not what you want, turn
the shutter speed setting ring until your desired speed or opening is
indicated. (See Figure 11.)
When you want to have everything in sharp focus, turn the shutter
speed setting ring to the left. If On the other hand you wish to have
things on the far and near side of your subject out of focus, turn the
ring to the right. (See Figure 12 and 13.)
The extent to which things are in sharp focus may be found by
reading the depth of field scale.
The f stop must be interpreted on the scale in such reading of depth
of field as being a rough guide.
When the required shutter speed is a fast one, turn the shutter speed
setting ring to the right until the required speed is brought in line with
the red mark arrow v.
When the required shutter speed is a slow one, turn the ring to the
left until the required speed is brought in line with the same red arrow
v.
Make sure that the shutter speeds are brought exactly in line with the
click stops, since no intermediate speeds are obtainable.
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Ricoh 500 Owner’s Manual Page 8 of 14
So long as there is no change in the light value, the required
exposure is constantly and automatically ensured, whatever the
shutter speed or f stop you set. However, at f/2.8 the f stop window
stops moving any farther, so that if you move the shutter speed
setting ring beyond this point, the light value figure will get out of line,
and the result will be underexposure.
Similarly, when a slower shutter speed is required, moving the
shutter speed ring beyond the f/22 point will result in the light value
figure getting out of line, and this will result in overexposure.
Medial points just between the light values may be used, such as
3.5, 4.5...16.5.
When the shutter speed is set to "B" the shutter will remain open so
long as the shutter release button is pressed.
The figures stand for fractions of a second, so that 1 means 1
second, 2 means 1/2 second, 4 means 1/4 second, and 500
means 1/500 second. The aperture or opening is bigger in proportion
to the smallness of the f stop number and is smaller
in proportion to the largeness of the f stop number; and the opening
itself is a 5 sided hole as illustrated in Figure 14.
As illustrated in the following chart (Figure 18), the depth of field of
focus increases in proportion to the smallness of the opening or f
stop, and decreases in proportion to its largeness. It is this range that
is commonly referred to as the depth of field.
Consequently, apart from the fact that you will have to make sure
your subject is in sharp focus, give full consideration to this important
factor. For instance, in taking a picture of a person, the blurring of the
background by using a wide opening will make the person stand out.
On the other hand, when taking a group picture where people are
standing in rows a small opening becomes necessary to ensure
Thus, if you set the opening at f/8 and the distance scale at the red
mark, everything will be in sharp focus from 10 feet to infinity. (See
Figure 15.) For taking sequence shots referred to in a subsequent
section this will prove of immense advantage.
.
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Ricoh 500 Owner’s Manual Page 9 of 14
LOOKING THROUGH THE VIEWFINDER
Looking through the viewfinder, you see a bright-line frame on the
image. The frame shows the field to be photographed. It
automatically compensates parallax, so that at all distance when the
lens is focused what appears within the frame is exactly what will
appear on your negative.
You will find you can easily and exactly select the most favorable
limitation of the subject with this finder.
FOCUSING THE CAMERA
1 As illustrated in Figure 16, place your right index finger lightly
on the shutter release button and with both hands turn the
Duo-lever focusing control.
2 Usually the image as seen through the view-and-rangefinder
will appear "double" in the center tinted square, which
means that the subject is not in focus. When this is the case,
move the lever so that the two images merge, or in other
words, become superimposed. The subject is now in sharp
focus.
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Ricoh 500 Owner’s Manual Page 10 of 14
TAKING YOUR PICTURES
To muddle means the possibility of missing a shot, so let us do
things systematically so as not to miss our chance.
1. Get your light value set.
2. Decide on your depth of field and shutter
speed.
3. Wind your film, which cocks the shutter, too.
4. Focus your subject.
5. Release the button and take your picture.
Steady your camera when you shoot by resting the camera against a
part of your face and hold your breath for a moment as you shoot.
(See Figures 17 and 18.)
The camera is built in such a way as to prevent the taking of double
exposures and the skipping of a frame. In other words, there is no
danger of DOUBLE EXPOSURES or BLANKS.
Do not advance the film until the shutter has been fully released.
This is particularly important when using the bulb or slow shutter
speeds.
After you have advanced your film, which cocks your shutter
automatically, it is highly advisable not to change shutter speeds
between 1/250 and 1/500.
The only absolute guarantee against taking shots that are spoiled
owing to any jolting of the camera is the use of the tripod. For any
speed slower than 1/30 we recommend its use. It always pays to
make sure that your important group and other pictures are not
spoiled.
When using a cable release, screw it on to the shutter release button
groove,
USING THE SELF-TIMER
To use the self-timer, put the camera on a tripod and focus on your
group. Set the light-value and pull the trigger lever. Turn the
combined synchro setting and self-timer ring to the left and set its
window at "V" position. Pressing down on the shutter release button
will start the self timer and the exposure will be made automatically
after about an 8 second delay. Since it enables you to also get into
the picture, prints of your family and friends will be more delightful to
look at when mounted in your album. (See Figure 19)
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Ricoh 500 Owner’s Manual Page 11 of 14
TAKING SEQUENCE SHOTS WITH THE TRIGGERMATIC-
ACTION LEVER
The Triggermatic-action lever is an outstanding feature of this
miniature camera, adding further to the maneuverability of an already
maneuverable camera. Only a full pull On the triggermatic-action
lever, which takes but a fraction of a second, and the film is
advanced by a frame and the shutter set.
The LEVER-PULLING AND SHUTTER-RELEASING ACTION is so
rapid and smooth as to be a feature unequaled in other cameras. If
you bring the red mark on the distance scale to the center and set
the lens opening f/8, its versatility is greatly increased, ENABLING
THE TAKING OF PICTURES AT THE RATE OF 10 IN 10
SECONDS.
AFTER EXPOSING ALL OF THE FILM
After the film has all been exposed, raise the rapid rewinding crank
and rewind while pressing the rewinding release button. When the
film has been completely rewound the rewinding crank will suddenly
become lighter to turn. Then open the back cover and take out the
cartridge carefully. ALWAYS AVOID DIRECT SUNLIGHT WHEN
OPENING THE COVER. Do not open the cover until the film has
been completely rewound.
YOUR RICOH FLASH UNIT
The flash unit is your answer to taking pictures at night, especially of
subjects that are in motion, to taking a portrait against the light, and
to softening the too-sharp contrast in strong sunlight.
We have flash bulbs of various kinds, such as F. M, or electronic
flash. On an ordinary camera there is no course but to choose the
kind of bulb for which the synchro mechanism is made. The RICOH
500, however, is provided with M and X settings, making it possible
to use all kinds of flash bulbs. Set the synchro setting ring to M or X,
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Ricoh 500 Owner’s Manual Page 12 of 14
according to the kind of flash bulb as indicated on the wrapper or
box, and you will be ensured of your flash light and shutter opening
fully synchronizing from 1 to 1/500, according to the conditions
indicated in the following table, which illustrates the relation between
the kind of bulb and synchro setting.
NOTE
Synchro mechanism operates as X setting when using the self timer
There are many kinds of flash unit; but the RICOH 500 is provided
with a CORDLESS FLASH CONTACT on the ACCESSORY SHOE,
so that if you slip on your RICOH FLASH UNIT BC-605, it will save
you the trouble of attaching a flash cord on to the flash terminal. No
dangling cord, and no failure in charging the bulb through faulty
connection is your gift that comes to you in your RICOH FLASH
UNIT BC-605.
In taking pictures with haste, it is vital that the exposure is correct.
Otherwise, underexposure or overexposure will result, the danger
being even greater in most cases than in day light conditions where
the light is even. Any variation in the distance from the source of
flash light to the subject results in a proportionate and great
difference in the amount of light. Thus, it is extremely important
to set the correct f-stop according to the distance from the
subject.
(Webmaster: It looks like you can use any "auto" electronic flash
unit. Set the lens flash choice to "X" and the F-stop to what the flash
states depending on the film used. Since this is a non SLR camera,
any shutter speed above 1/30 will work with the flash unit since the
shutter exposes all of the film at any instant. This is different from
SLR cameras where 1/60 or 1/125 is the top speed due to the fact
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Ricoh 500 Owner’s Manual Page 13 of 14
that the film is exposed as a slit across the film. All this other stuff is
about the old flash bulbs no longer used.)
To put it simply, granting that different types of bulb differ in their
luminosity, the closer the subject the smaller must the
opening be and vice versa.
With any packet of flash bulbs you buy you will find a table of what
are technically referred to as GUIDE NUMBERS. If you divide the
number which fits your case by the distance-in-feet, the figure you
get shows the f stop opening which is required for your shot. For
example, if your film has ASA 100 Exposure Index, you look for your
GUIDE NUMBER that is given for this Index.
If you wish to find out the distance in feet for a given f stop, divide the
GUIDE NUMBER by the number that stands for the f stop.
ACCESSORIES
A number of accessories for this camera have already been
mentioned in the foregoing pages, besides which we are happy to
offer you the following, manufactured specially by our firm.
RICOH LENS HOOD (43 mm)
Our lens hood does the important job of cutting off unnecessary light
or glare that may damage a picture. It is for this reason that the inner
side of the hood is coated with black. Our hood is handsomely made
and fits snugly into an equally handsome leather case.
RICOH FILTER (34 mm)
Your Ricoh filters ensure the taking of pictures with the right tone and
texture, and are a NECESSARY PART of your picture taking
equipment. The most greatly used of the various filters are the UV
and Y ~ and Y 2 filters. The yellow filters help to bring out red and
yellow tints and to tone down the blues, so that clouds are made to
stand out against a filter darkened sky. The degree to which a sky
may be darkened will depend on the darkness of the filter and
amount of exposure. When no filter is used, the sky is more than
likely to come out flat.
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Ricoh 500 Owner’s Manual Page 14 of 14
THE CARE OF THE CAMERA
The camera is a precision built instrument that requires the greatest
care and attention.
1 The lens is the life of the camera, so that it
requires the most delicate handling.
Consequently, do not touch it unless it is
dusty or smudged. In removing dust or grit
do not wipe it, but first use a soft lens brush
and, if necessary, wipe gently with a silicone
cloth. When a camera is brought into a
warm place from a cold place suddenly, it
will get clouded. So wait until the camera
and lens temperature reaches the room
temperature, and the lens will clear up.
2 When you have taken pictures by the
seaside or on wet weather, see that it is
clean before putting your camera away, and
wipe it, if necessary, with a piece of soft
cloth.
3 Do not leave the camera with the shutter
cocked over a period of days, as this will
weaken the shutter spring.
4 Place the synchro setting at X except when
using M class flash bulb. This is important in
preserving the life of the camera.
5 When putting the camera in the case, set
the distance at infinity.
6 In order to keep the camera from getting
damaged through exposure to moist
atmosphere, put it in a box and in a dry, cool
place. A chemical substance that will keep
the air dry may be obtained.
This manual was transcribed for the Web by M.
Butkus: [e-mail], and is available on the
Web at:
http://www.butkus.org/chinon/ricoh_500/ricoh_500.htm
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