A quick fix to a Ricoh GR1s viewfinder surround.

By Hamish Gill

I picked up a Ricoh GR1s for a very reasonable price the other day. I should first say I am very happy to own another Ricoh GR1, you can read my experience of my first one here. I regretted selling it, now I have another, very pleased!

Less pleasing was the reason I got it cheap. It is in fact the second one I have had in my possession that has had this issue so I am going to assume they are if not prone, at least susceptible to such an issues. The problem is the viewfinder surround breaking.
It is held on at one end by a screw and the other with a clip. The clip breaks and the surrond flaps about.

Broken Ricoh GR1 viewfinder Broken Ricoh GR1 viewfinder

The problem as I saw it was that super glue would be far to permanent and if I spilt it into the on off button it would be game over! Also, getting it repaired would potentially prohibitively expensive for such a small problem. I decided the best thing to use would be a little bit of glue gun glue.

I gently lifted the edge, ran some glue down the edge, stuck it down then scraped away the excess.

Ricoh viewfinder repair

I know it doesn’t look perfect, but it is a lot better, and it can be undone! Now time to enjoy a Ricoh GR1 again … and just in time to take it on my holidays tomorrow! Very pleased!

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About The Author

By Hamish Gill
I started taking photos at the age of 9. Since then I've taken photos for a hobby, sold cameras for a living, and for a little more than decade I've been a professional photographer and, of course, weekly contributor to 35mmc.
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A Week in Wales – Part 1 on A quick fix to a Ricoh GR1s viewfinder surround.

Comment posted: 01/07/2013

[...] this with the recently repaired Ricoh GR1s, the first thing that crossed my mind when I pressed the button … I never thought to check [...]
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The saga of the Ricoh GR1v - Pt1 - my tale of woe : 35mmc on A quick fix to a Ricoh GR1s viewfinder surround.

Comment posted: 16/02/2014

[…] again. By this time I had read this guide on fixing the screen issues they commonly suffer and had fixed my ‘s’ VF surround with a glue gun so was beginning to feel a little more confident that I could manage a less than perfect […]
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Elle on A quick fix to a Ricoh GR1s viewfinder surround.

Comment posted: 29/12/2014

Hi Hamish!
I have just come across your post after trolling the net for some help about that same issue, how ever I have managed to loose that entire plastic shield inc. the rubber button. Do you know where I might be able to find that spare part anywhere? Its so sad as the camera works perfectly! :(

Any words of advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Elle
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Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 29/12/2014

I never managed to find one myself, though thats not to say its not possible... To be honest though, your best bet is unfortunately waiting for a spares/repair one to come up on ebay. Sorry, that probably isn't what you wanted to hear? Hamish

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simon on A quick fix to a Ricoh GR1s viewfinder surround.

Comment posted: 31/10/2015

My GR1v has a VF that is skew. Any ideas how to fix it?

Also my GR1s has now developed a sticky VF surround. I cant work out how to remove the stickiness.
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Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 31/10/2015

I wouldn't know how to fix the skew viewfinder, sorry. As for the sticky, maybe some white spirits?

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theo vervloet on A quick fix to a Ricoh GR1s viewfinder surround.

Comment posted: 04/08/2017

Interesting post by you.
Just for info.
I have a GR1 and GR1rs. All in order but nthe flash is dead. Ever heard about this issue. Beautiful camera in results, less in construction.
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Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 04/08/2017

Not heard of a flash issue myself - though it doesn't surprise me

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Lisa on A quick fix to a Ricoh GR1s viewfinder surround.

Comment posted: 22/02/2020

Can you recommend a repair source for a Ricoh GR1? We have one that no longer powers up. and also try a fresh battery as well.
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Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 22/02/2020

The film camera - try PPP camera repairs

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krish on A quick fix to a Ricoh GR1s viewfinder surround.

Comment posted: 21/07/2020

I am still looking for spare parts, but not getting it
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Mario Mathews on A quick fix to a Ricoh GR1s viewfinder surround.

Comment posted: 04/08/2020

Man, it's so COMPACT! I would love to have a full-frame digital camera this size. Sony RX1 looks like a giant next to this camera.
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Tim Roberts on A quick fix to a Ricoh GR1s viewfinder surround.

Comment posted: 29/12/2020

I think spare parts are not easily available in the market. Have to struggle a lot.
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StereoDIY on A quick fix to a Ricoh GR1s viewfinder surround.

Comment posted: 05/05/2023

Do you know where I might be able to find that spare part anywhere? Its so sad as the camera works perfectly!
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Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 05/05/2023

I'd probably look for someone to 3d print one

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