| Author | Message | ||
     Werner J. Becker Rating: N/A |
If one removes the above mentioned strip of black tape covering the oval hole in the viewfinder housing the screw becomes clearly visible underneath, but, alas, this refers to the usual type of Ricoh 500 G, 500 GX and Hanimex Compact R which is a rebadged but somewhat more attractive 500 G. Unfortunately there is no access to the screw from outside with the 500 G, whereas it can be reached from there by removing a tiny plastic stopper in the top plate of some versions of the 500 GX. Simpler viewfinders types were used in the more recent Ricoh 500 models which usually come in black aluminium bodies and are differently made. There is no "front plate" any longer, but the ordinarily designed top cap, there is an awful lot more cheap plastic parts, etc. The shutters and diaphragm mechanisms - never a problem with early 500's - are carelessly designed and very often sticky due to vagabonding grease from the helicoil, all in all it is better to stay away from these end-of-the-era cameras. |