Underated Marvel - The Cosina CT1 Super and OEM versions (Ricoh KR5, XR8, Olympus OM2000, Nikon FM10, etc.)

The Cosina C1 is the precursor of a very large family of cameras that was sold millions of units under a very wide range of brands and models.

I'll be talking specifically about the Cosina CT1 Super , aka Ricoh XR8 (KR5 Super II) because I still have one of these humble but marvelous cameras.

It's an inexpensive, basic, all-mechanical camera with a pretty decent viewfinder (type varies according to the "brand and model") and the original model has a k-mount bayonet (aka Pentax K).

The shutter is a vertical travel Seiko with speeds from 1s to 1/2000s plus Bulb setting for long exposures. The flash sync speed is 1/125s, typical for this kind of shutter.

It also has a very good, basic light-meter with three leds on the viewfinder left side, two red ones for over and over exposure indication and a green one for correct. It uses two widely available LR44 or equivalent batteries, just to power up the light meter.

Why is this camera so good in my opinion ? Simple. It's basic, but extremely reliable and very inexpensive. This Cosina CT1 Super chassis is so good that it was chosen by:

- Ricoh (KR8, KR5 Super II, etc.)

- Porst

- Vivitar (V2000, V3000, etc)

- Nikon (FM10)

- Olympus (OM2000)

- Voigtlander (Bessaflex TM, Bessa-R, Bessa-T, Bessa-L)

- Chinon CM7

- Petri GX1

- MIranda MS1

And many others.

Plastic cover ? Yes. But who cares ? Mine is about 30 years old and alive and kicking. In the meanwhile, my Nikon FM2 went to CLA at least 4 times to fix shutter issues.

Barebones ? Too basic ? The Nikon FM has the same specs and nobody complains. Okay, made of metal... Prove me that this makes it last more. OK, the FM has interchangeable focusing screens and a better viewfinder and that's it. Sorry for being so frank.

Cosina-Voigtlander Bessaflex TM

The CV Bessaflex TM was a beautiful camera and the last made camera with a M42 thread mount. The only differences compared to the CT1 were the exquisite focusing screen and cover. This one is fitted with the fantastic EBC-Fujinon 50mm F1.4.

Cosina Voigtlander Bessa-R

The CV Bessa-R was built over the same basic chassis, but without the mirror and pentaprism assemblies. Instead, a direct view viewfinder with a rangefinder. It was equipped with a Leica M39 thread mount, and a modified light meter.

Ricoh XR-8 (KR5 Super II)

Ricoh XR-8 (KR5 Super II)

The Ricoh XR-8 is the Asian market designation for the KR-5 Super II. It's the same camera. Another incarnation of the so under rated Cosina CT-1 Super. This little camera is a true joy to use.

To conclude, this is a very well designed plastic-fantastic, inexpensive, all-mechanical camera that does everything right and it deserves a place in the Hall of Fame of the 35mm film cameras of all time.

Think it's something like the VW Beetle or the Citroën 2CV of the cameras !