Official Manual of Ricoh 500G

This manual is provided by the courtesy of Mr. Yohei Suzukawa.
If there's any typo or whatever inaccuracy, they are from me but not from Mr. Suzukawa.
I've asked long enough to Ricoh, I reckon. I am going to put the scanned images soon unless they say not to do it. (They will be removed as soon as Ricoh asks me to remove. So once you see them, please download them asap.)

Features you'll like

Compact and light weight: Ricoh 500G is so small that you can carry it in your pocket with ease. Nevertheless it's a GREAT camera with up-to-date features packed.(please don't forget that this manual was published in 1959.)
Electric-eye: The built-in CdS electric eye automatically sets correct lens opening for optimum result at any time. Also manual lens-opening setting is possible if you so desire.
Coupled Rangefinder: Just bring two images together for a crisp, detailed photo. The parallax correction mark will help to prevent an accidental cropping of subject.
Single-stroke film wind lever: One motion advances film, cocks shutter, counts exposure and prevents double exposure.
Sharp, fast Rikenon f2.8 40mm lens: Always assures you of corner-to-corner sharp photos.
Built-in Self-timer: Lets you get yourself into your photo.
Hot shoe: The direct-contact type accessory shoe enables you to use direct-contact type flash unit or electronic flash unit without difficulty.

Film loading

Always load camera in shade, never in bright or direct sunlight.

Pull Film Rewind Knob (Q) up until camera back clicks open. Swing open camera back and place film cartridge into Film Chamber(T) and push Film Rewind Knob back to its original position... be certain Film Rewind Spindle (S) engages film cartridge.
Pull tapered end of film across back of camera and insert into and through the slit of Film Take-up Spool(U). Rotate Film Take-up Spool(U) in direction of arrow to take up film slack... check to see that sprocket holes in film have engaged both sets of Sprocket Teeth(V).
Close the camera back and snap it shut. Advance Film Wind Lever(D) twice, depressing Shutter Release Button (B) each time. Advance Film Wind Lever once more and Film Counter (E) will be automatically set to "1", ready for your first picture.

Correct exposure

Open Electric-eye Battery Chamber(Z) with a coin by turning the cover counterclockwise, put a mercury battery with the plus "+" side up and replace the cover. The mercury battery is the power source for the electric eye and will last for a year approximately. For replacement, use 1.35V type Eveready Epx 675, Malory, PX675 or equivalent.
To set the exposure meter for the film you are using, turn Film Speed Selector(O) either to the left or right until the same film speed number as your film appears in Film Speed Window(N). Check the instruction sheet packaged with your film for the correct film speed setting. Next set Auto/Manual Ring(G) at "A"(Auto). Your camera is now set for automatic exposure control.

Manual Override

If you want to operate your camera manually, you can do so. Simply rotate Auto/Manual Ring(G) and set the desired lens opening number at red marker. The instance you rotate Auto/Manual Ring(G) off "A" (Auto), the letter "M" will appear in the viewfinder indicating your camera is set for manual use.

Setting shutter speed

Lightly hold Shutter Speed Knobs(I) and rotate Shutter Speed Ring(H) until the desired shutter speed comes opposite red marker. The Shutter speed setting governs the amount of time the film is exposed to light. "60" (1/60 second) is recommended for subject not in motion. Where motion exists, a shutter speed ranging from 1/125 to 1/500 should be used.
Look into the viewfinder and you will observe two red zones, one at the upper right-hand corner, and the other lower right-hand corner, and lens opening numbers in between. The upper red zone is warning mark for over-exposure. If the exposure meter needle is in the red warning mark, set Shutter Speed Ring (H) at faster speed. If you find the needle in the lower red warning mark, use slower shutter speed. If the needle stays on or between numbers, this is correct exposure and the number, such as 2.8 or 4 or 5.6 . . . indicated by the needle tells you the lens opening at which you are going to make exposure.

viewing and focusing

Look into viewfinder eyepiece to compose your picture and focus the lens. Rotate Focusing Ring (K) until the double image in the rangefinder (center of viewfinder) has merged to a single image. . . your subject will now be in sharp focus.
When composing your picture, keep your subject within the bright frame outline of the viewfinder. When you shoot a close-up, keep your subject within the inner bright-frame so that your subject may not be cropped. To take the picture, hold the camera either vertically or horizontally as steady as you can and press Shutter Release Button (B) slowly and smoothly all the way down.

Flash pictures

Your camera has synchronization designed to permit flash pictures with flash bulbs and also electronic flash. You may use a flash gun or electronic flash.
The flash gun attaches to the Direct-Contact Accessory Shoe(A) of your camera. If your flash unit has no direct contact, the flash connecting cord of the flash gun should be attached to Flash Synchronization Socket (R) of your camera.
For No. 5, 5B, 25, 25B, M5, M5B, M2, M2B, AG1, AG1B Flash bulbs, shutter speeds from 1/30 through 1/125 second may be used.
For Electronic Flash any shutter speeds from 1/8 through 1/500 second could be used. However, the shutter speeds ranging from 1/60 up to 1/500 second are recommended for better flash picture.

Setting the lens for flash pictures

To determine the lens opening, divide the distance in feet (or meter) from flash to subject into the flash bulb guide number for the film used. Check the chart on the flash bulb carton for the guide number.

Example:	Flash Bulb Guide Number	:	66 ft.
	Flash-to-Subject distance	:	6 ft.
	66/6=11; use lens opening f	:	11

Rotate Auto/Manual Ring(G) off "A"(Auto) and set the obtained lens opening number at red marker.

The self-timer

By using the Self-timer, you can also get into the picture. Merely move the Self-timer Lever(L) away from the lens. When you press Shutter Release Button(B), there will be about 8 second delay before the Self-timer automatically releases the shutter. Camera should be placed on tripod or other sturdy support.

Unloading film

Always unload your camera in the shade, never in bright light.
After the last picture on the roll has been taken, press Film Rewind Button(X). Lift up crank on Film Rewind Knob(Q) and rotate crank clockwise until the entire roll of film has been rewound. . . tension on the crank will decrease noticeably.
Open the camera back, pull up the Film Rewind Knob and remove the film cartridge. Push Film Rewind Knob down all the way and return crank to closed position.

Tips for better pictures

Read the instruction booklet carefully.
Before you go on a trip or photograph a special event, shoot a practice roll of film.
Keep fingers and strap clear of the camera lens and electric eye.
When you reach the end of the roll of film (check Film Counter), the Film Wind Lever becomes harder to advance. . . don't try for "Just one more shot". It's time to rewind.
When the camera is not in use, set Shutter Speed Ring at "B" (bulb) and protect lens with lens cap, which will prevent unnecessary consumption of exposure meter battery.
Protect your camera from dust, dirt and rough handling -- do not expose camera or film to excessively high temperatures such as in a close automobile under a hot sun.
Clean the eye of the meter. If it is not properly cleaned, your pictures will be overexposed.
Never clean the lens without knowing exactly what you are doing. Even though the lens may look filthy, still it's a lot better than with the scratches that you would make with cleaning.

Reference(s)

Ricoh 500G by Ricoh company, ltd. No. 14-6, 6-chome, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.