RicohFF-9

The Ricoh FF-9 comes out of 1987-89, when plastic bodies got better lenses than the metal ones they replaced. Catalogued as a autofocus compact, it pairs the Rikenon 35mm f/3.5 with a 35mm film path. A bit of background: a criminally underrated 80s point-and-shoot from Ricoh.

Format

35mm

Year

1989

Lens

Rikenon 35mm f/3.5

Shutter

2s – 1/500s

Min. focus

0.6 m

Flash

Built-in

Battery

2× AA

The Rikenon 35mm f/3.5 doesn't chase exotic specifications; it just renders cleanly, focuses predictably, and gets out of the photograph's way. On the film-availability spectrum, plain 35mm is as easy as it gets in 2026. It runs on common AA batteries — you can resurrect one on a Sunday afternoon with whatever the corner shop has in stock. The built-in flash will fire whenever the meter decides it should, so learn the override before your first night out. Minimum focus is 0.6 m, close enough for a coffee cup or a face but stops short of true macro. One thing worth knowing before you load a roll: The Rikenon lens has a contrasty, slightly cool signature. Pair it with HP5 or Portra and you have a general-purpose travel camera that handles 80% of what you'll point it at.

The Ricoh FF-9 has its fans for a reason, but it's no longer a secret — set a strict budget, hold out for a clean copy, and don't overpay for a famous name. Worth remembering: an honest workhorse you can still find for pocket change.

• §1A criminally underrated 80s point-and-shoot from Ricoh.
• §2The Rikenon lens has a contrasty, slightly cool signature.
• §3An honest workhorse you can still find for pocket change.