Ricoh SLX 500 User manual

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    FEATU R ES YOU'LL LI KE ...

         Through-the-lens viewing ends accidental subject cropping  ...
         you see your exact picture in brilliant viewfinder before you take
                    it.

         Through-the-lens focusing: Micro-prism image rangefinder
          plus focusing screen make extra-sharp pictures easier to take,

          Through-the-lens system GdS exposure meter measures light
         with high degree of accuracy.

          Single-stroke film-advance lever also cocks shutter, counts
         exposures and prevents double exposures.

          Instant-return mirror automatically returns to viewing position
          the instant exposure is made - no viewfinder "blackout" to delay
           picture taking.

         Automatic diaphragm you focus and compose with lens at its
          widest opening - prevents viewfinder dim ming when smaller lens
         openings are selected.

        Auto Rikenon lens lets you produce slides and prints of superior
         sharpness and color fidelity.
         Focal plane shutter: A range of speeds from 1/30 sec. to
         1/5OO sec. plus bulb let you "freeze" swift action as well as take
         photos of excellent quality.

        Hot Shoe makes it easy to take flash pictures with the electronic
           flash unit.

KNOW YOUR CAMERA

    A) Film Speed Selector
    B) Shutter Speed Dial
    C) Film-Advance Lever
    D) Shutter Release Button
     E) Cable Release Socket
     F) Exposure Counter
    G) Neck Strap Eyelet
    H) Preview Lever and Exposure Meter Switch
       l) F-stop Ring
    J) Depth of Field Scale
    K) Distance Scale
     L) Focusing Ring
   M) Film Rewind Knob
    N) Hot Shoe
    O) Viewfinder Eyepiece
    P) Focal Plane Shutter
   O) Film Rewind Shaft
    R) Flash Socket (X-type)
    S) Film Chamber
,   T) Back Cover Latch
   U) Battery Compartment Cover
    V) Rewind Button
  W) Film Take-up Spool
   X) Film Pressure Plate
    Y) Sprocket Teeth (2)





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FILM LOADING
Always load camera in shade, ngver in bright or direct sunlight.
Use good quality standard 35 mm (12, 20 or 36 exposures) film,
color or Hack and white.
Press Shutter Release Button (D) to see that the shutter has been
released. Pull Back Cover Latch (T) until camera back clicks open
(Fig. 1). Swing open camera back and place film cartridge into Film
Chamber (S). To place film cartridge properly make sure that the
projected core of the film cartridge comes to bottom of camera (Fig.
2l and rotate Film Rewind Knob (M) back and forth so that Film
Rewind Shaft (O) engages film cartridge and film cartridge is seated
in place (Fig. 3).
Pull tapered end of film across back of camera and insert into and
through any one of the slits of Film Take-up Spool (W). Rotate Film
Take-up Spool (W) by advancing Film-Advance Lever (C) to take up
film slack and check to see that the tip of film has been firmly hooked
onto Film Take-up Spool (W). Wind film and press Shutter Release
Button (D) each time until a set of sprocket holes on the film engage
Sprocket Teeth (Y) (Fig.  ). Close camera back and snap it shut,
Advance Film-Advance Lever (C) two or three times depressing
Shutter Release Button (D) each time until Exposure Counter (F) is
set to " 1" , ready for your first picture (Fig. 5).
Set the camera for the film which you are using. To set film speed
pull up Shutter Speed Dial (B) and rotate it until the ASA number of
your film is opposite the red marker (Fig. 6). Check the in-
struction sheet packaged with your film for the correct ASA speed for
that film.  lf you are using German film. refer to Fig. 7 for the relation
between ASA and DlN.
 * When you check the camera before loading the film, do not turn
    the sprocket or Film Take-up Spool (W) after advancing Film-Ad-
   vance Lever (C). Besides. do not turn the sprocket at 350
    degrees before advancing Film-Advance Lever (C).

BATTERY LOADING
Unscrew Battery Compartment Cover (U) with a coin and remove  it.
Wipe off the surface of the mercury battery (packaged with your
camera) with cloth and place the mercury battery in the compartment
with plus "*"  end up (Fig. 8). Make double sure that the mercury
battery was loaded correctly and replace the cover. lf the mercury
battery is placed incorrectly, the exposure meter needle wiil not
move. The mercury battery is the power source of automatic ex-
posure system and will last for about one year. Replace the mercury
battery when the exposure meter needle does not move in bright or
direct sunlight with Exposure Meter Switch (H) pressed. For replace-
ment use Eveready EPX625, Mallory RM625 or equivalent
  * The mercury battery may explode  if disposed in fire.

COR R ECT EXPOSU R E

Correct exposure is achieved by setting the lens (f-stop) and shutter in
correct combination for the film, subject and lighting condition.
As your SLX 50O camera has a built-in through-the-lens system CdS
exposure meter, you can adjust exposure with high degree of ac-
curacy in the following manner.
  1. Set shutter speed by rotating Shutter Speed Dial (B), A shutter
    speed ranging from 1/60 -  1/250 sec. will suit your normal
    outdoor picture-taking and 1/3O sec. and "B" (bulb) for indoor.
    (Read "setting the shutter" carefully).
 2. Rotate F-stop Ring tl) and set the lens at its full opening
    (Smallest number).
 3. Hold your camera and look your subject through Viewfinder
    Eyepiece (0). Then, press preview Lever (H) and at the same
    time turn F-stop Ring (l) until the exposure meter needle in the
    viewfinder comes to horizontal position in-between "f  " and
    "-"   indicators (Fig. 9).

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                        lf the exposure meter needle is in the area of "f  " indicator (Fig.
I              10). this is overexposure. Select a smaller lens opening or a
              faster shutter speed,  lf, on the contrary, the needle stays in the
            area of "-"   indicator (Fig. 11), this means underexposure -
            choose a larger lens opening or a slower shutter speed.
         4. Focus the lens and release the shutter. For focusing the lens,
              refer ib "Viewing and focusing".
       You may set F-stop first and then shutter speed. Other procedure is
       same as above. This setting may be used when you take a portrait or
        the like making your subject attractive with the back ground and the
        scene in front of your subject blurred. How your subject stands out
       depends on F-stop setting (Refer to "Depth of field"). Hold your
       camera firm or use a steady support like tripod if you have to use a
       slow shutter speed.
 t
         * Correct exposure may not be obtained when you expose the
il            subject with your eye away from Viewfinder Eyepiece (O) or with
            the sunlight in front of your because your face may reflect inside
           the viewfinder, which will influence the exposure meter.
         * Press Exposure Meter Switch (H) until it completely stops.

     SETTING THE SHUTTER
        Simply turn Shutter Speed Dial (B) until the desired shutter speed
       number is set opposite the white marker (Fig. 12). Make sure the
        Dial is set at a click stop. Do not set Shutter Speed Dial (B) in
       between two shutter speeds. Always set it at a click stop.
       The shutter speed setting governs the amount of time the film is ex-
       posed to light. "60" (1/60 sec.) is recommended for subjects not in
        motion. Where motion exists, shutter speeds ranging trom 1/125to
       1/5OO should be used.
       To achieve maximum depth of field (area of sharpness in front of and
       behind subject), or when shooting in poorly lit areas, 1/30 and B
         (bulb) are available. When using "B" (bulb), use a tripod or other firm
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support to prevent blurring of the picture. When set at ,,8,' the
 shutter will remain open as long as shutter Release Button (D) is
 depressed. The "8" setting is ideal for long night exposure using
 street lights or electric signs as a light source, or under poor light con-
 ditions when flash cannot be used.

    Do not turn Shutter Speed Dial (B) with Shutter Release Button
     (D) pressed.
    Do not depress Shutter Release Button (D) with Film-Advance
     Lever (C) not completely advanced.
   Do not wind Film-Advance Lever (C) while pressing Shutter
     Release Button (D).

SETTING TH E LENS
Rotate F-stop Ring (l) until the desired f-stop number is opposite the
red marker (Fig. 13). Click stops are provided to prevent accidental
movement from setting made.
The lens opening determines the amount of light entering the lens
and striking and exposing the film. The smaller the f-stop number
(12.O, f2.8 etc.) the wider the lens opening and the greater the
amount of light entering the lens. The larger the f-stop number  (f 16,
fl 1 etc.) the smaller the lens opening and the smaller the amount of
light entering the lens. As the lens opening is moved from  f 16 to  f 1 1
the amount of light entering the lens is doubled; as the lens opening
is moved from f2.0 to f2.8 the amount of entering light is cut in half.
You may set F-stop Ring (l) in between two f-stop numbers  if
necessary.

VIEWIN G AN D FOC US IN G
Look into viewfinder Eyepiece (o) to compose your picture and focus
the lens. Rotate Focusing Ring (L) until subject becomes clear in the
micro-prism image, the center circle area (Fig. 14).. When your subject
appears sharp in the micro-prism image. your picture has been focus-
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       ed. To take the picture hold the camera as steady as you can and
        press Shutter Release Button (D) slowly and smoothly. Since you are
       viewing through the lens there is no parallax problem ... what you are
       viewing in the viewfinder will appear in your picture. Even when you
       shoot close-ups there is no danger of accidental cropping as may oc-
       cur when the viewfinder is above or to one side of the lens.

    DEPTH OF FIELD
     A portion of the picture in front of and behind your subject will also be
       sharp. lf you wish to know how much of an area will be sharp in your
        final picture, this can be predetermined in two ways.

      Depth of Field Previewer
       Pressing Preview Lever (H) will set the lens at the corresponding
      opening you previously set on F-stop Ring (l) (Fig. 15). This will
       enable you to preview the area of sharpness in the picture before you
       take it. The viewfinder will become dark corresponding to F-stop you
       previously set on F-stop Ring (l). The Preview Lever (H) will
       automatically return to its original position when you leave your finger
        off the lever and the viewfinder will become bright.
il     Depth of Field Scale
       After you have set the lens opening and have focused the camera,
      area of sharpness in front of and behind your subject can also be
       determined on the Depth of Field Scale (J). Locate on Depth of Field
       Scale (J) the two numbers corresponding to the f-stop you have set
     on F-stop Ring (l), The distance between these two f numbers of
       Distance Scale (K) will be the area of sharpness in your picture. For
      example, if F-stop Ring (l) is set at I  (fB), about 3.5      1 0 m (1 1 .5                                                          -              -
      33 ft.) will be in focus when Focusing Ring (L) is set at 5 m (16.5 ft.)
        (Fig. 1 6),

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CHANGING THE LENS
Your camera is equipped with a 50 mm Practica type screw mount
lens, the focal length of which is proper for general-purpose picture
taking. You may select additional Practica type screw mount lenses
from wide range of Rikenon lenses which include extremely wide
lenses through long focal length telephoto and zoom lenses. Rikenon
lenses are made of selected high quality materials under severe quali-
ty control to give high performance and full satisfaction.
To remove the lens, continuously turn the lens in a counterclockwise
direction until it can be removed (Fig. 17). To insert another lens,
turn the lens in a clockwise direction until the lens is secured in posi-
tion.
  * Never change the lens with Preview Lever (H) pressed.

FLASH PICTU R ES
Your camera has Hot Shoe (N) on top of camera which permits you to
use a direct contact type electronic flash unit and Flash Socket (R) on
one side of body to enable you to use electronic flash unit with con-
necting cord.
lf your electronic flash unit is of direct contact type, simply mount  it
onto Hot Shoe (N) (Fig. 18). No other setting is necessary.  lf you
have an electronic flash unit with connecting cord, mount the flash
unit onto Hot Shoe (N) and connect the end of connecting cord to
Flash Socket (R).
Regardless the type of electronic flash unit, set shutter speed at 1/60
or 1/3O. Setting the shutter speed at faster speed than 1/60 will
result in unsynchronized  picture.

  * Flash Bulbes cannot be used because only X contact via Hot
   Shoe (N) or Flash Socket (R) is available.
                                                                (R) when you  * Never deeply touch the central part of Flash Socket
    use an electronic flash unit by mounting  it onto Hot Shoe (N).

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    UNLOADING FILM
      Always unload your camera in the shade, never in bright light.
      After the last picture oh the roll has been taken, depress Shutter
      Release Button (D). Press Rewind Button (V) and lift up crank on
      Film Rewind Knob (M). Turn crank in a clockwise direction until the
I      entire roll has been rewound. Tension on the crank will decrease
I      noticeably (Fig. 19). Open camera back by pulling Back Cover Latch
        (T), and remove the film cartridge.
     Have film processed as soon as possible.

    TIPS FOR BETTER PICTURES
       * Read the instruction book carefully.
       *  Before you go on a trip or photograph a special event, shoot a
           practice roll of film.
       *  Keep fingers and neckstrap clear of the camera lens.
       * When you reach the end of the roll of film [check Exposure
          Counter (F)1, film-Rdvance Lever (C) becomes harder to advance
                  ... don't try for "Just one more shot", it's time to rewind.
       *  Protect your camera from dust, water, rain dampness, salt air,
             dirt and rough handling. Do not expose your camera or film to
           excessively high or low temperatures.
       *  Put lens cap to protect the lens.
       * Do not place lens with its pin on rear part pressed.
       * When camera is not in use, put lens cap, remove the mercury
           battery, place camera in the carrying case and store it in a dry
          cool place.

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        19. Bellows Attachment For 135 mm Bellows lens has focusing
          knob for maximum sharpness at extremely close distances  ... ex-
            cellent for extreme close-ups.
     20  Extension Ring Set This is used to photograph objects at
          extremely close distances. Rings can be used separately or in
          combination depending upon distance from object you desire to
           photograph.
I     21. Microscope Attachment allows camera to be attached to
         microscope for photographing objects utilizing microscope
I          magnification. Plus a broad line of other photographic
            accessories.
     The following accessories are also available for your Ricoh SLX 5OO
      camera.
     22. Close-up Lens#1 100 - 32cm
                              cm      23. Close-up Lens t'2 50 - 24
      24. Bellows Attachment "A"
      25. Deluxe Bellows Attachment "8" w/slide copier and focusing
            track
      26. Extension Ring Set (Auto.. 3 pieces per set)
       27 . Microscope Attachment
      28. DiopterAdjuster, (-3,                           -2, *O.2, +1, +2, +31      29. Eyepiece Magnifier, x 2
      30. Copy Stand
      31 .' Cable Release
      32. Deluxe Hand Grip (Foldable bracket)