Ricoh RZ-800 (1991–?)
The Ricoh RZ-800 is a compact autofocus 35mm film camera with a built-in 38-80mm zoom lens, introduced in 1991. It was sold under several names depending on the market. The Shotmaster Zoom Super, Myport Zoom RZ-800, Q-80Z, RZ-880, and RZ-780 Super are all the same underlying camera, and a Date variant added a quartz date back. The lens is a Ricoh 38-80mm f/4.5-6.4 zoom, seven elements in seven groups, with a macro function that focuses down to a fixed 0.3 metres.
The autofocus was a real step up from earlier Ricoh compacts. It's a five-beam active system with roughly 650 focusing steps, plus a spot-AF option. The shutter is programmed from 1 second to 1/400 sec. For its era it's a fully-featured point-and-shoot: super macro mode, TV mode, soft-flash mode, remote control capability, built-in flash that fires automatically in dim light or backlight, self-timer, and auto wind and rewind. It runs on a single CR-P2 battery and has a plastic body, available in black. A seller of the related Shotmaster Zoom Super Date described it as a fairly large point-and-shoot that sits nicely in the hand, with a finger grip on the front and thumb grip on the back.
Enthusiasts have a reputation for the RZ-800 as an underrated value pick. One Vietnamese-language video source called it the "king of price/performance," praising its sharpness and detail, especially in portraits. A dealer's listing notes it has an "impressive ISO range" and is a hard-wearing, versatile option. No numeric ISO range is documented in the sources consulted.
One caution. A claim surfaced that the RZ-800 Date is "essentially a re-badged Ricoh Auto 35," but that contradicts the RZ-800's zoom lens specification and appears to be an error referring to a different model. Treat it skeptically.
A 60-page repair manual exists and is available as a PDF, with exploded views and a parts list. Used prices are modest. One UK listing was at £120, and the Shotmaster Zoom Super Date variant sold out at $84 from one dealer. Production end year isn't documented.
Known specifications:
- Type: Compact autofocus 35mm film camera, point-and-shoot
- Lens: Ricoh 38-80mm f/4.5-6.4, 7 elements in 7 groups, macro to 0.3m
- Autofocus: 5-beam active, ~650 steps, spot-AF
- Shutter: Programmed, 1 – 1/400 sec
- Film: 35mm (135), auto wind and rewind
- Features: Built-in flash (auto in dim/backlight), self-timer, super macro, TV mode, soft-flash, remote control
- Battery: 1× CR-P2
- Body: Plastic, black
- Introduced: 1991
- Also sold as: Shotmaster Zoom Super (D), Myport Zoom RZ-800, Q-80Z, RZ-880, RZ-780 Super
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