Description: - Manual exposure control. - All metal shutter with speeds from 1 second to 1/2000 second plus bulb setting. - Include self-timer, universal K-mount, multiple exposure, depth of field preview, and fully mechanical operation in case of battery failure.
Summary: Why would I want to write a review of this camera when the digital age is upon us? I don't use digital and enjoy film photography.
The Ricoh KR-5III is one of the best manual focus cameras I've ever used. It is sturdy, durable and has many features not found in the popular Pentax K1000, such as 1/2000 sec top shutter speed, 1/125 flash synch, multiple exposure switch, DOF preview lever, PC sync socket, and bright viewfinder. Manual exposure gives the photographer total creative control.
Strengths: most noted in summary; winding lever pushed inward locks the shutter to prevent accidental shot.
Weaknesses: rewind lever is made of plastic and is fragil; gotta make sure it doesn't break
Summary: The KR-5 is an excellent alternative to the venerable K-1000. It's fully manual, the only piece of electronics on it is the exposure meter. For a beginner, this will teach you how a camera works so you can take better pictures. For an expert, you have complete control over every aspect of the picture.
The camera is solidly built, and it's been my main camera for over 10 years.
The lens it comes with is adequate, but I'd recommend buying at least a fixed 50mm lens, which has a much wider aperture.
Strengths: Fully manual, you have 100% control. Especially useful for astrophotography and other low-light, long-exposure situations.
Weaknesses: Fully manual, which is not good for candid or sports photograpy or any other situations when you need to snap off a shot in a hurry.
The exposure meter only displays over/under/correct exposure, it doesn't indicate how much over/under.
Summary: A good little camera that will last you through your learning curve. When you've learnt to use it, you can use any pro camera.
I doubt you will find a better basic camera at this price. It looks great, produces very good pictures, and - although it is fully manual - it is very easy to use.
Strengths: Manual rewinding: this is frequently a negative, but you can rewind it in a matter of seconds and do it WHEN you want!
Weaknesses: The winder! Most people have had to have the winding mechanism repaired. Although it's cheap to repair, it will be out of action for a week.
Rating Reviewed by: Ben Fredman III(Unregistered User)
(Intermediate)
Review Date December 17, 2003
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for More than 1 year
Review 4 of 7
Price Paid:
$250.00
from camera and darkroom
Summary: Good basic camera, great for a friggin' student. It's basic. Simple. Uncomplex. perfect for a student or anyone who wants to have a good solid and lightweight camera that has little problems. Good manual action and an electric light meter in new models that works well.
Strengths: manual, good size and weight, cheap to fix, i've had this camera for 6 years, broke once and it only cost 50 bucks to fix
Weaknesses: the winder tends to have some problems, happened to me once.
Summary: I have an MZ-M and not much satisfied with it. One of the serious
problems is the exposure meter of MZ-M. It is 2-segment multipattern
metering and only the PENTAX engineers know how it works. I have
shot many slides with it but every roll came out with 10% of overexposed
slides. Got frustrated with its strange metering pattern, I resorted to
a fully manual Ricoh XR-8 Super (which is identical to KR 5 III). This has
a center weighted meter and I know how it works. Since I knew how to
use a center weighted average meter in difficult light situation, all of my
slides came correctly exposed and I was very much satisfied with it.
The more I used this camera, the more I came to knew about `light'.
There are many strong points about this camera over MZ-M
Strengths: This is going to be a big list. The point mentioned below are
with respect to MZ-M.
1. Centerweighted average metering. I know how it responds.
There are no complicated algorithm to decipher and analyze
the data like in MZ-M.
2. It has a pentaprism. Therefore, the viewfinder is brighter and
bigger (0.84x) than that of MZ-M, which has penta-mirror.
3. It is heavier than MZ-M. For me heavier the camera, more
stable my hands will be.
4.It has a metal chasis to which the metal lens mount is fitted.
Therefore, I can hand heavy lenses like the amateur level
telephoto zooms without any problem. MZ-M is full plastic.
5. Multiple exposure capability. MZ-M lacks it.
6. Mechanical depth of field preview. In MZ-M it is electronic which
means that it will consume more power.
7. Off-camera flash socket. MZ-M lacks it.
8. Manual film advance and rewind. Once, I was shooting a
stage show with MZ-M. I was seating at the front row with the
chief guests. As I finished clicking, the auto rewind motor
rewinding with audible sound and the chief guest, VIPs felt
disturbed and the security gaurd pushed me to the back. In
Ricoh, it is manual rewind. If I wish I can rewind latter. Manual
wind/rewind is also helpful in bird photography where a slightest
unnatural sound disturbs the creature even if you are sitting
in a hide
Weaknesses: Every camera has certain weekness. The
question is, whether the weekness of the
body bothers you or not. I am listing down
the weeknesses of this body.
1. Lack of spot meter. If you are using
Zone system to expose your black and white
negetives or slides, a spot meter is a must.
2. Lack of TTL flash and flash exposure c
compensation facility.
3. A hybrid shutter mechanism, just like
in FM3A would have been better. Having at
least one parameter automatic helps in
certain situation like Candid Street
Photography, Bird Photography etc
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