Ricoh 800 Z

Ricoh 800 Z

Year: 1973-76

Lens: Ricoh Zoom f: 1.7 \ F: 7.5-60 mm (Composition: 11 groups, 14 elements) filter size: 58 mm

Zoom: 8x Ratio with Auto / Manual with 2 Speeds (4 and 6 sec)

Focusing: manual, micro-split image, 1.5 m to infinity

Viewfinder: single-lens reflex with adjustable eyepiece

Viewfinder information: f/stop numbers, under and over-exposure warning, film advance & film end

Exposure: Auto & Manual exposure control; TTL EE, CdS Cell

Film speed: auto for 16/25, 25/40, 40/64, 64/100, 100/160, 160/250 and 250/400 ASA (daylight/tungsten)

Backlight control: +1 f/stop

Aperture range: f/1.7 to f/22

CCA filter: Built-in 85A filter

Frame Speed: 18, 24, 36 fps & single frame

Fading: auto fade-in/fade-out

Remote control socket

Cable release socket

Movie light socket

Battery test indicator (shows Motor or EE battery depending on the pressed button)

No sound

Power source: 4 x AA batteries + Separate battery for light meter (2.6V mercury battery PX-14 or H-2D)

Weight: circa 1500 g

Dimensions: 60 x 200 x 250 mm

Tripod socket: 1/4"

Manufacturer: Riken

Original price in England (in the year of introduction): &pound;156

Prices on eBay:
 * eBay Germany:
 * EUR 1,99 (+ EUR 8,00 shipping) in 02/2007

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Comments
I bought this second-hand heavy-metal (about 1.4Kg) camera in 2004 by a colleague in Italy, paid it about 20 Euros. It came together with the original multi-language manual (English, German, French, Spanish and Italian), its leather case and its Ricoh lens hood. Lately the same year I bought the original Ricoh Remote Control by an australian Ebayer. It's a bit underestimated camera, I think. It works with almost every kind of film speed. Comment by Romyuki 11:57, 8 June 2006 (PDT)

Better than the Nikon R8
An affordable alternative to a Nikon R8, and possibly better than the R8 in some ways: It is the same lens as on the R8 (built by nikon), minus the macro setting, and with extra coatings. This should in theory make the lens perform better than the controversial R8 lens. I have been unable to test this however as my R8 needs its wiring fixed. Like the R8/R10 it also auto-meters for a wide range of film speeds with a "variable" notch; 10-250 Daylight and 25-400 Tungsten, making it an easy camera to use with modern film stocks, however the electronic and even the manual meter will not work without the additional button cell batteries. While it does not have the dissolve and double exposure options offered by the R8, where I think this really beats the R8 is with the sturdy, compact design and fold-able handle, which makes it easy to fit in a backpack and great for tripod shooting. It's smaller and lighter than the R8 and more well balanced (imo). Not sure how steady it is in comparison to the R8, but a frame-master plate can eliminate most frame jitter anyway. You can also call it a "true successor" to the Nikon 8X Super Zoom, as the body design is very similar.

In Conclusion: A simple, no-nonsense, underrated camera with a decent lens. It should be competitive with the Canon 814 E AZ and Nikon R8 but typically the Ricoh can be had for much cheaper, I only paid $15 for mine. I would say it's also superior to the R10 in the same ways it's superior to the R8, however the lens on the R10 is what generally makes it a better camera.