Big World Picture: Camera case #2 Ricoh 500 ME

This is my Ricoh 500 ME rangefinder made in the late 1970’s. I acquired this camera from a local charity shop for the grand total of £5.

It is a great little 35mm film camera with a Color Rikenon 40mm f/2.8 lens. The 500ME consists of a Aluminium and plastic shell that makes the camera light and rigid.

Some the added cool function of multi-exposure capability. There is a switch on the front of the camera that allows you to cock the shutter without advancing the film. The multi-exposure function was more of a gimmick but definitely something that I plan to experiment more with.

I like that this camera has the ability for shutter-priority automation (although I can also use it in full manual mode).

The exposure works well and is powered by a single A675 battery, similar to that is used in a hearing aid.

I really enjoy using this camera as it is small and reasonably compact. The lens may not be the fastest in the world but it is more than capable of helping to create great photographs and the rangefinder focusing system is very clear and great to use, my only niggle with the rangefinder(and this goes for most rangefinders), is that it is hard to see the focus square in low light.

Below are a few photographs taken on my first roll of film put through this camera.