most noted in summary; winding lever pushed inward locks the shutter to prevent accidental shot.

rewind lever is made of plastic and is fragil; gotta make sure it doesn't break

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.

Customer Service

None needed

Similar Products Used:

Pentax KX, LX, MX, ME super, Super Program, ZX-M, Zx-5, ZX-L, pz-1P
Ricoh XR-P, XR-10, XR-10m, KR-10m, XR-M
Nikon N2020, N70, FE, FM-2N
Konica TC, Fp-1, FC-1, T2n, T3n

Fully manual, you have 100% control. Especially useful for astrophotography and other low-light, long-exposure situations.

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.

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.

Manual rewinding: this is frequently a negative, but you can rewind it in a matter of seconds and do it WHEN you want!

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.

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.

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

the winder tends to have some problems, happened to me once.

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.

Customer Service

cheap to fix

Similar Products Used:

Minolta ST 202

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

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

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

Customer Service

No experience.

Similar Products Used:

None

All manual functions. Have to decide a speed and apenture, so better understanding how things work. Good for starting point. A lot of mistake to get you right. Light weight.

Hard and slow to get a sharp pictures. Focusing screen is not so clear. Light meter is underexpose ( better picture with 1 stop overexpose). Noisy, and heavy mirror flip up, easy camera shaking. Not good quality lense.

I have ricoh Kr5 III for 3 year. I have just change it for a FA nikon. It's good with starting to learn how to use SLR camera. It's have most basic functions of manual camera. But it take time to get a good photo. It's not reliable. I have set of 4 lenses. 2 lense are ricoh orginal. I have to repair it once when the trigger jam. It's not so costly.

Customer Service

cheap to repair.

Similar Products Used:

Fa nikon

Built quality, low price. I finally learned how to load and unload a manual slr.

Fully manual, which can also be its strength! :)

I wanted a completely manual camera without any of the fancy functions of my other equipment. Well, I got it. This camera is fully manual, with only a 3 position exposure meter. Everything else is in the user's control. It was Made in Japan, and I paid 150 bucks on Ebay with a 50mm and an 80mm lens,+ flash and a bag. The camera body is very sturdy, feels heavy (much heavier than my Pentax ZX5n)and well built. It features a K mount so finding lenses should be easy.

Customer Service

have not needed yet.

Similar Products Used:

Other slr's