I like to post something that is related to Pentax's mother company Ricoh. It is perhaps not well known to some of us as compared to Pentax in the film days but I have been shooting the Ricoh xr-p for quite a while. While I am still a big fan of Pentax metal film bodies like MX and SuperProgram, I actually sold all of my Pentax film bodies but I keep my Ricoh xr-p as my single 35mm film body
I almost traded it to friend when I wanted to purchase his Pentax auto 110 kit. And here are some recent shots with Ricoh xr-p. I did struggle with scanning at home with my limited Canon Flatbed 8800F scanner.
My tools:
- Ricoh xr-p
- Vivitar 24mm f/2.8 P/K-AR
- Kodak BW400CN
- Home scan with low resolution for 1200dpi with Canon 8800F
- Dwayne's Photo for film development
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
I should have tried setting ISO to 200 as I was told by my local film shop that the BW400CN is native in 200 though labelled for 400. Most of the indoor shots come out way underexposed and I have a difficult time to pull up lighting in post processing.
Impressions & Notes
- The viewfinder is not as big as the Pentax MX but the display of information as in aperture, shutter, warning of inaccurate shutter in Tv mode really make it a beauty to use with confidence
- The Ev compensation and shutter to 1/2000 with mode dials on top is so much better than the tiny buttons toggle on SuperProgram or the like in ME Super
- Metering is always a breeze with the Ricoh. I am yet to try its TTL flash
- The shutter sound is very different than the Pentax. One may not like it as it has a high pitch noise but I much prefer it over the mechanical shutter in Pentax film bodies. It is quieter for street shooting as the high pitch noise is not as noticeable as the clunk in other film bodies.
- The optional hand-grip really helps me in the shooting. The Pentax has a thinner and sturdier bodies in MX or the like, but the optional grip in xr-p wins me over for steady shot with confidence. Most of the shots that I posted are slower than 1/30 second hand-held. The shots in #1 and #2 are in 1/30 and 1/10 sec as it is a no-windows interior room in shot #2.
- I have two lemon copies of xr-p and it shows that shutter mechanics break as easy as in any other brands.
- The AEL button will light up the optical viewfinder with all the electronic display for shutter and aperture and I find the viewfinder especially good for low light and night time photography with film.
- One usual gripe is in the peeling of its leatherette body in the xr-p and mine is unusually clean and intact with minor marks on the strap lug.
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