Quoting "P.J. Alling" <webstertwenty...@gmail.com>:
Ricoh used to make a line of second string K mount SLRs, prior to
that they made a line of second string m42 mount SLRs, and
apparently they marketed a Nikon mount SLR, made by Mamiym. They
put some pretty nice technology into them, often the K mount bodies
seemed to have somewhat better tech and more features than Pentax,
and they were pretty nice cameras, but there was always something
off about their ergonomics.
Back when Pentax still had a presence in most Cameras stores, (not
that long ago actually), one of the best local camera stores in the
area went out of business, (they had one of my LXen in for repair,
and I was worried about getting it back, I did eventually), at their
going out of business sale they had a used Ricoh, I forget the model
number, it resembled a Pentax A3 but included a ME Super style
button system for setting manual shutter speeds IIRC. This
particular camera seemed to be pristine condition and the price was
certainly right, I was seriously considering buying it as a body to
carry where I didn't want to risk a LX or MX, when one of the
buttons simply fell off. The salesman who I knew, (it wasn't a paid
liquidator running the sale), said, "That seems to happen a lot, it
just snaps back on." I decided to take a pass.
Ricoh abandoned the SLR market sometime in the 90's. I don't
remember when, exactly. I don't remember any big announcement, such
as when Yashica stopped making cameras, Ricoh just sort of stopped,
making SLRs.
I had a Ricoh XR-2 in the 1970s/80s. It may have been a second-string
brand but it was an excellent camera - functionally equivalent to the
ME Super in a slightly larger body and without the push buttons.
Sadly, it was stolen in the mid 80s but, on the positive side, the
theft brought me back to Pentax :-)>
I think Ricoh decided not to get involved in the SLR autofocus race.
They continued to make a few manual focus SLRs until the mid 90s
before pulling the plug.
--
Cheers
Brian
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Brian Walters
Western Sydney Australia
http://lyons-ryan.org/southernlight/
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