Alan Chan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: I once had XR-P with PG-4 grip, but so long ago I don't remember much. http://www.butkus.org/chinon/ricoh_pg-4/ricoh_pg-4.htm
OK, I cleaned the contacts (on winder and camera), as Fred suggested. But the winder still seemed to take at least 2 shots. I say "at least two" because I came to the end of a roll. But I then tried using the winder without its two AAA cells. Guess what? It works as a power release button; it just doesn't advance the film. That's exactly what I want! I've now removed the AAAs so that I don't inadvertently turn it on, an act that seems to cause the shutter to fire. I also have the tiny clip-on power grip, but I'm always nervous that it wil pull out of the attachment holes if I swing the camera while a really large lens is mounted. The Power Grip-4, alas, has an equally small grip. But because the AAA cells go in the grip--not below the camera--Ricoh was able to design the tripod socket very close to the camera's center of gravity. I still long for a beefier grip, like that of the Pentax ME-II winder. Ricoh apparently made a PG-3 power winder that had the same shape as the beautiful and functional PG-1 that I use on the XR-1 and XR-2. It provides a great, confidence-inspiring grip. But I hate the way-off-center tripod hole, especially when shooting verticals. I nearly bid on the rare, 3.5 fps Motor 3 at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3001722067&category=15241 just to get a better grip. When introduced in 1984, it sold for (well, listed for) $266. The Motor 3 even has a side release for shooting verticals. But I can use my XR-P's intervelometer button for that; and now that I can use the PG-4 sans batteries, I have a setup that suits my quiet shooting style just fine. If anyone else wants (or needs) the Motor 3, write to me; I know of two other sources, both in Europe, both over $100. [EMAIL PROTECTED]
