Ricoh xr-p with added hand-grip
So far the Ricoh xr-p has met my interest on b&w film and I hope I can go further into slide films. I don't see myself developing film at home but I hope I manage to cut down the cost with my inexpensive Canon 8000F scanner and my planned purchase of Vuescan software.
I have several gripes against the Ricoh xr-p. It is not built as strong and trouble-free like the Pentax K1000, ME Super and SuperProgram. I have done three separate purchases of used Ricoh xr-p bodies, I got two lemons in getting stuck shutter release and various other problems related to broken shutter and mirror locked up. One frequent complain with the xr-p is about the absence of optical DOF preview. For me I have the most problem on how easy the electronics and mechanical parts can fail on the Ricoh. Though the minus, I love the rich features on the xr-p, especially on the rich array of information display that go with the optical viewfinder. For reference, I have a scanned copy of the user menu on the optical viewfinder display
Optical Viewfinder Indicators
The viewfinder's field of view covers 93% and magnification at .88X. I especially like the diagonal split screen and I find it easier to obtain focus than the horizontal split screen. And there is the auto exposure lock that doubles up with added lighting in viewfinder and I find it valuable in shooting indoor or when the available light is dim.
The ricoh xr-p is compatible with all Pentax K mounts. It is unfortunate that the Pentax A data pin is not the same as the Ricoh P pin. What that means is that the various program modes are not enabled but the metering work the usual way like a Pentax film body in Av mode as long as I select A on the shutter dial and select aperture on aperture ring. If I select a shutter speed instead, the optical viewfinder will indicate overexposure and underexposure with the set aperture. Here are the few lens that I have used with xr-p to great liking
- Tamron SP 17mm f/3.5 in adaptall-2 mount (51B)
- Cosina 55mm f/1.2 in K mount
- Access P-MC 35-70mm f/2.5-3.5 1:2.6 Macro Zoom in R/K
Left: Tamron SP 17mm f/3.5 (51B)
Right: Cosina 55mm f/1.2 in K mount
And I plan to use the following lens with my Ricoh xr-p soon with both slides and films.
- Vivitar 24mm f/2.8 from Cosina in P/K-AR mount
- Rikenon P 35mm f/2.8 in R/K mount
- Tamron SP 35-80mm f/2.8-3.8 1:2.5
- Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8 limited
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2 comments:
Hello Hin, just wanted to let you know I enjoy your informative posts very much. Also I;d like to ask if you can recommend the XR-P after the experience you've probably accumulated by now.I currently use a MZ-5 as my main K mount body and I think the XR-P might be an upgrade (I'd still keep the MZ-5 for when I want AF)
Thanks.
I really like my xr-p so you will know that I will recommend it. I actually sold my Pentax MX and keep my Ricoh xr-p as the my go-to 135 format film camera. But be warned that there are many broken xr-p bodies if you look for it in ebay -- make sure the seller rating is trustworthy and a return policy is stated if something don't match your expectation.
The shutter is very different than the Pentax, it has a high pitch noise but I find it more quiet and less on vibration from shutter. The viewfinder knocks out the Pentax SuperProgram/Me Super or the like easily with a diagonal split screen but it is smaller than the MX. The digital display blended in nicely with the optical viewfinder -- you see all info. such as the shutter, aperture, Ev and there is a night switch to brighten up the viewfinder for indoor and night time shooting -- much better than the Pentax. I am not familiar with the MZ-5 but I am sure it is another fine camera from Pentax and the AF will be beneficial when you need it.
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