This is a great video. This is the first camera I ever owned given to me by my grandfather. Had no idea could still get batteries fir it, I still own mine.
Hey, sorry for the slow reply... for some reason I haven't been getting comment notifications. Glad you enjoyed the video. Have you been using the camera?
Hi there awesome vid - I just bought the 35ZF and I am not sure if the light meter is working or not... when looking through the viewfinder while set to AUTO with a new LR44 battery I don't see any needle? Although I can't see it in your example @ 1:51 either (I most likely don't know what to look for then) if you could please assist. Thanks in advance
The needle is at the right side of the viewfinder. You can see it at the very bottom in the red zone in this video at 01:48. Outdoors, as you rotate the shutter speed ring, you should see it move up and down. If it doesn't move, your meter may not be working, in which case you can just use a light meter (or light meter app on your phone) and set the exposure manually instead.
@@stevenpam Thanks for your swift reply! I wasn't sure what to look out for but now I can confirm that it doesn't seem to be working after rotating the shutter speed ring in the garden this morning - I downloaded an app today so hopefully it works well... will find out once I have the digitals developed I guess. Thanks again bud
What is the overlap between the frame visible in the viewfinder and what the camera lens sees? Are there any adjustments to make when cropping? Greetings from Poland, Jarek
Hi Jarek, sorry, I don't remember. What I have found is that it varies with most rangefinder/viewfinder cameras, and it's always worth doing some tests on your first roll.
Excellent review! Do you have spots around the outer corners inside of your viewfinder? If so, what do you think caused then? I just purchased a 35zf and the middle of the viewfinder is clear, but not the sides
Glad you liked it! I moved the camera on shortly after filming this review, but in the viewfinder shot around 1:46 you can see there may have been some. It's just dust, and not unexpected in a camera of this age. Thankfully it won't affect your pictures in any way!
Hey, loved the video. Just picked up this camera from a thrift store and happy to know it works without batteries too. Just wondering is there is an indicator that I can look for in the viewfinder perhaps to know if it is actually working in the automatic mode with the batteries. Cheers!
01:44 There is a needle in the right side of the viewfinder. As you point the camera at a subject and select different shutter speeds, this should move. On a sunny day it should be towards the top. You can download a manual from www.butkus.org/chinon/ricoh/ricoh_35_zf_st/ricoh_35_zf_st.htm
Hi! thanks so much for this video- I have a question about mine, when practicing taking a photo without film it seems on mine that the lease/shutter is really tiny (diamond shape) ? ii this normal? please could you assist
If you turn the dial from "A" all the way to 2.8, it should open up wide. When on "A", it should open up wider in dark conditions (e.g. indoors) and just be a tiny diamond shape in bright conditions.
Hi, I need help. I have a Ricoh 35 fm camera and I don't know anything about using it and I want a manual on how to open it and all that, but I can't find a good manual.
I have never heard of zone focusing on analog cameras(i am very new to analog photography). i have a minolta x-300 and a minolta hi-matic f. Does Zone focusing mean that you are 100% relying on knowing the distance of the subject that are being photographed? or can you see any help in the viewfinder, like on the hi-matic? i currently thinking of buying the 35 zf st from a local man, for 13 euro
The first - you estimate the distance and set that distance on the focus scale. For most subjects in good light (where you’ll be using aperture of f/8 or greater), it’s not a problem. If the subject is closer than say 2 metres and/or you’re shooting wide open, more care is necessary.
It was the first camera i ever bought.when i was a teenager. But lost it, or got stolen. I never knew what happend to it. But recenty i bougt an other one in exelent condition. It is just to add to my collection of all camera's i ever bought new, just as my first slr camera that i once gave away. After that i never gave away or sold my camera's so my collection is complete.
Hi Steven, thanks for the video. Would you recommend this camera for a beginner at film photography? I've always used DSLRs and want to buy my first film camera. Any advice would be appreciated 👍🏽
Hey, sorry for the slow reply... for some reason I haven't been getting comment notifications. I'd say this is an OK beginner camera in that it's not too expensive, has reasonably reliable automatic exposure (plus manual when you're ready for that), and not too much else to think about other than the focus. But if you're used to DSLRs, a basic film SLR might suit you better, as the experience will be more similar (plus you'll have the option to use more lenses and accessories).
Hi there, thanks for the video, I've just got of these on ebay, seems to work OK just wondering what the battery does for the camera, is there meant to be a red flag like the trip 35 if the conditions are too dark? Thanks
Hey Tom, the battery is needed to run the light meter and use the camera in "Auto" (shutter priority automatic exposure) mode. It can be used without a battery as a fully manual camera, but to set the correct exposure you'll need an external light meter or an app on your phone. There is no red flag or other system to stop you from taking over- or underexposed images, but if you are using it with a battery in Auto mode, the needle will point to the upper or lower red zone, respectively. It's worth downloading the manual from butkus.org and familiarising yourself with how everything works. Hope that helps... happy shooting!
@@tomsled Oh, that's a bummer. Did you make sure it was the right way around? Might also be worth making sure the contacts on both sides are clean - you could give them a bit of a scrub with a small piece of green kitchen scouring pad.
This is a great video. This is the first camera I ever owned given to me by my grandfather. Had no idea could still get batteries fir it, I still own mine.
Hey, sorry for the slow reply... for some reason I haven't been getting comment notifications.
Glad you enjoyed the video. Have you been using the camera?
I love film photography, I just won the same camera on Ebay. Very informative video, thank you!
how did you win a camera?
Nice review!
Thanks
Hi there awesome vid - I just bought the 35ZF and I am not sure if the light meter is working or not... when looking through the viewfinder while set to AUTO with a new LR44 battery I don't see any needle? Although I can't see it in your example @ 1:51 either (I most likely don't know what to look for then) if you could please assist. Thanks in advance
The needle is at the right side of the viewfinder. You can see it at the very bottom in the red zone in this video at 01:48. Outdoors, as you rotate the shutter speed ring, you should see it move up and down. If it doesn't move, your meter may not be working, in which case you can just use a light meter (or light meter app on your phone) and set the exposure manually instead.
@@stevenpam Thanks for your swift reply! I wasn't sure what to look out for but now I can confirm that it doesn't seem to be working after rotating the shutter speed ring in the garden this morning - I downloaded an app today so hopefully it works well... will find out once I have the digitals developed I guess. Thanks again bud
What is the overlap between the frame visible in the viewfinder and what the camera lens sees? Are there any adjustments to make when cropping?
Greetings from Poland, Jarek
Hi Jarek, sorry, I don't remember. What I have found is that it varies with most rangefinder/viewfinder cameras, and it's always worth doing some tests on your first roll.
OK dziękuję @@stevenpam
Excellent review! Do you have spots around the outer corners inside of your viewfinder? If so, what do you think caused then? I just purchased a 35zf and the middle of the viewfinder is clear, but not the sides
Glad you liked it! I moved the camera on shortly after filming this review, but in the viewfinder shot around 1:46 you can see there may have been some. It's just dust, and not unexpected in a camera of this age. Thankfully it won't affect your pictures in any way!
Hey, loved the video. Just picked up this camera from a thrift store and happy to know it works without batteries too. Just wondering is there is an indicator that I can look for in the viewfinder perhaps to know if it is actually working in the automatic mode with the batteries. Cheers!
01:44 There is a needle in the right side of the viewfinder. As you point the camera at a subject and select different shutter speeds, this should move. On a sunny day it should be towards the top. You can download a manual from www.butkus.org/chinon/ricoh/ricoh_35_zf_st/ricoh_35_zf_st.htm
Bought ST version from local trift store for 9€ today. Mint condition, nice feeling camera. And it had a film inside...
Hi! thanks so much for this video- I have a question about mine, when practicing taking a photo without film it seems on mine that the lease/shutter is really tiny (diamond shape) ? ii this normal? please could you assist
If you turn the dial from "A" all the way to 2.8, it should open up wide. When on "A", it should open up wider in dark conditions (e.g. indoors) and just be a tiny diamond shape in bright conditions.
@@stevenpam thanks so much!!
Hi! Does it work without batteries? Can you operetas all manual without light meter full y mechanical ir batteries are mandatory? Thanks
Yep, it’s mechanical. Battery is only for meter.
@@stevenpam Thanks!!!
Hi, I need help. I have a Ricoh 35 fm camera and I don't know anything about using it and I want a manual on how to open it and all that, but I can't find a good manual.
Try this www.butkus.org/chinon/ricoh/ricoh_35_zf_st/ricoh_35_zf_st.htm
@@stevenpam I have the fm and no fz already tried with that manual:(
@@inaquiantonio5217 oh, sorry. Most of those old cameras operate in a similar way.
How do I fix my broken light meter
Sorry, no idea! You could get a local camera technician to look at it, but it could easily cost more than the camera is worth.
I have never heard of zone focusing on analog cameras(i am very new to analog photography).
i have a minolta x-300 and a minolta hi-matic f.
Does Zone focusing mean that you are 100% relying on knowing the distance of the subject that are being photographed? or can you see any help in the viewfinder, like on the hi-matic? i currently thinking of buying the 35 zf st from a local man, for 13 euro
The first - you estimate the distance and set that distance on the focus scale. For most subjects in good light (where you’ll be using aperture of f/8 or greater), it’s not a problem. If the subject is closer than say 2 metres and/or you’re shooting wide open, more care is necessary.
It was the first camera i ever bought.when i was a teenager.
But lost it, or got stolen.
I never knew what happend to it.
But recenty i bougt an other one in exelent condition.
It is just to add to my collection of all camera's i ever bought new, just as my first slr camera that i once gave away.
After that i never gave away or sold my camera's so my collection is complete.
Excellent!
Hi Steven, thanks for the video.
Would you recommend this camera for a beginner at film photography? I've always used DSLRs and want to buy my first film camera. Any advice would be appreciated 👍🏽
Hey, sorry for the slow reply... for some reason I haven't been getting comment notifications. I'd say this is an OK beginner camera in that it's not too expensive, has reasonably reliable automatic exposure (plus manual when you're ready for that), and not too much else to think about other than the focus. But if you're used to DSLRs, a basic film SLR might suit you better, as the experience will be more similar (plus you'll have the option to use more lenses and accessories).
Hi there, thanks for the video, I've just got of these on ebay, seems to work OK just wondering what the battery does for the camera, is there meant to be a red flag like the trip 35 if the conditions are too dark?
Thanks
Hey Tom, the battery is needed to run the light meter and use the camera in "Auto" (shutter priority automatic exposure) mode.
It can be used without a battery as a fully manual camera, but to set the correct exposure you'll need an external light meter or an app on your phone.
There is no red flag or other system to stop you from taking over- or underexposed images, but if you are using it with a battery in Auto mode, the needle will point to the upper or lower red zone, respectively.
It's worth downloading the manual from butkus.org and familiarising yourself with how everything works.
Hope that helps... happy shooting!
@@stevenpam great thanks for your reply, I'm put an IR44 battery in but no luck, looks like it may be broken unfortunately
@@tomsled Oh, that's a bummer. Did you make sure it was the right way around? Might also be worth making sure the contacts on both sides are clean - you could give them a bit of a scrub with a small piece of green kitchen scouring pad.
I replaced the light seals in my 35zf today.... time to shoot!
Awesome! Let us know how it goes. Do you have an Insta?