(GR1v) Softening of Little Plastic Plate at Viewfinder

[michaelchau]

hi there,

i have recently had a look at my GR1v after not using it for quite a long time and found out that little plastic part at viewfinder is softened. the camera was kept in a sealed plastic storage box when i did not use it. the plastic part seems to 'melt' and finger print has been left on it.

does anyone has similar experience and know why this happens? wonder if ricoh can do the replacement of that part.

will check with local ricoh support here later.

michael
(hong kong)

 

[michaelchau]

here is the photo showing that softened plastic part.

 

[Wiener]

Hi Michael,
I am having trouble with my web-browser at the moment and therefore am unable to view your picture.
However, it does sound like some kind of chemical damage? Solvents, insect repellents and so on do have this effect on plastic.
Not sure if this helps?
I know that my favourite brand of insect repelent disolves plastics that I touch after it has been applied to my fingers...
Hopefully it gets no worse and the rest of the camera is not affected...
Andy

 

[odklizec]

Hi Michael,

I fixed the link to your image so it's now visible.

I'm afraid, I don't have any clue what's wrong here. But Andy's suggestion sounds very reasonable. Please let us know if Ricoh HK helps you with this problem! It seems the stock of GR1 spare parts start to be a problem in these days. I was told that the Cris camera (USA) no longer accepts the GR1 cameras for repair, just because of no spare parts. But I guess it should not be a problem to get if fixed in HK?

 

[michaelchau]

dear andy,

i believe it doent affect the operation of camera. however, the feeling of sticky is not good while touching that disolved plastic part. i do feel sad i cant do anything at this moment to my favorite film camera. i sent my problem to ricoh (hong kong) and no reply is received so far. maybe i give them a ring to see if there is help.

thanks for all advices here.

michael
(hong kong)

 

[michaelchau]

hi all,

i just had my plastic thing replaced. ricoh told me it is kind of 'oxidized effect' after using it for long time. he also suggested me to replace the spongy thing that keep the film in place inside the camera as it also experienced the same effect. I was asked to wait in the service centre and he took less than 15 mins to have all replaced with a new one. friendly people there and good service. the replacement costed me HK$250 Hong Kong dollars.

anyone who has GR1v should take a look at the issue and replaces it while the part still lasts.

michael

 

[jaydubbleya]

Exactly the same thing happened to my GR1 when I had it, so it is definitely a known problem.

 

[Wiener]

That really interesting; thanks for the tip!
I will inspect my little one when I get back home in October...