Ricoh Caplio R7

Unfortunately I've just taken my R7 back to the retailer due to persistent lens problems. The lens often gets jammed and won't retract into the body of the camera. At other times, attempting to use the 7x zoom, after a brief pause focusing fails and the lens reverts back to 35mm again. In 11 months, I've had two different R7's, the 1st failed within a month, the 2nd having been in Germany for repair for 6 weeks in the autumn, it then suffered the same problem again over Christmas. Luckily Jessops have agreed to exchange it for a Panasonic TZ5 - I just hope that I have more luck with that one (I haven't read any similar reviews for the R7 so I presume I was very unlucky to get 2 duff ones). It's a real shame because the R7 was pretty good when it worked - so small and light you don't even know you're carrying it. Gripes - I did find the zoom lever quite tricky to make fine adjustments, and the microphone for videos was almost useless (a minor issue to be honest). The battery cover is flimsy and has a tendency to release itself at the slightest touch

I too have an R7, this too has now had the lens stuck twice - repaired once under waranty now looking for how to reopair it myself as it looks like it's going to be an ongoing problem and not loosing camera for 6 weeks every repair. other faults, battery cover flipped off and lost, rubber thumb grip fell off. while it was a nice camera to use and good features, the durability is poor. Will think twice before I buy another Ricoh

I wanted a camera that I could just point and shoot whic I told the sales man in London Camera Exchange I was sold a Ricoli Caplio R7 which seemed to do the job but afterfour months the lens jammed I took it back and it was sent to Germany for six weeks and came back with a certificate Iof quality. Eight months later the same problem has occurred and my camera is on its way back to Germany as I write. I was just searching the net to see if there was a problem with this model and it didnt take me long to find a very similar story. I hope when I hear from my retailer that they offer me another product.

My lens has also jammed 3 times - first time after 2 days, camera replaced by supplier (Fotosense). Second time after 3 months, took 5 weeks to repair, came back with a different lens fault, took another 4 weeks to repair again. Then worked fine for 4 months until yesterday...... I had an R5 before this - wish I still had it

I also purchased an R7 some time ago and with utmost care (always placing it in it's protective case) after 4 months my lens jammed also. I sent it off to Ricoh and they claimed impact damage which baffled me at the time, but now I see that there is massive return on these junk cameras they had to reject warranties to reduce costs. I was presented with a bill for almost $400 to repair it. I refused and threw the camera in the bin. The camera also had a fault where there was a loud buzzing sound audible on recorded videos. I vow never to put another cent into the Ricoh company as I was DISGUSTED with how I was treated. I'll make sure every person I help with the choosing of a camera does not purchase a Ricoh, not just out of spite, but because I would feel bad recommending low quality, unreliable and poorly manufactured products. I am shortly purchasing a Samsung WB550, hopefully I have better luck and they honour their warranty.

I purchased an R7 some time ago and it has just developed the lens fault, gets stuck and wont retract. Out of warranty period and looking for another camera, had been really pleased with it but will never buy a Ricoh again.

i have had the same problem with my R7 got stuck in the middle of a photo shoot, i also think that mine is out of warranty. But consumer law means that the company that sells it to you is responsible for the camera after manufatures warranty has ran out, it can be for up to 6 years after perchase date

This is a terrible problem. This camera have wonderfull lens in its range, but fails. The reliability is poor. I have buyed my first R7 in june 08. 3 weeks later, a problem with the lens appeared. The shop, restored me the money.. and I buyed another R7. Just one year later, the camera fail again. The lens can't retract. I returned the camera in warranty, and now I'm waiting for the dealer response. I expect that they returned me the money again, and I'll buy another camera. Never a Caplio R7.

My Caplio R7 has just suffered lens failure for the second time. This followed an R6 which did exacty the same thing. That's 3 lens failures in two years. Going on a big trip next week so have been forced to buy a new camera as it won't be repaired in time. Needless to say I'm going for a Panasonic this time. On our Peru trip last year the only camera failures in our party were Ricohs, three of them!

My R7 has just done the same thing described many times above... At least I now know it's not just mine, and will mention this to the retailer and see if I can replace it with another brand. Shame really as I've enjoyed it up until now, it died so suddenly, lens wouldn't retract back in, and makes a weird noise when you try and start the thing up...

Yes my R7 suffered the same lens problems - been repaired once and is going back again. Have we any comeback if out of warranty but a duff design. I think we have providing it can be proved that the fault was there was it was purchased. any thoughts

Have just experienced the same lens problem with my R7 which has been working just fine for a couple of years. Of course it happened at the most inconvenient time - and now looks like will be without a camera for 6 weeks - and will be v expensive to repair. Apart from this problem have been very happy with camera as I use macro a lot. Interesting that Jessops are no longer selling Ricoh cameras.

Aggghhhh... my lens is now also stuck in the 'open' position and I can't seem to do anything about it. This seems to be a general issue with these cameras. Camera is about 18 months old. Very sad to find this thread...

same here. lens stuck out and nasty grinding noises when you switch the camera on. It was slightly over 2 years old, but not heavily used, so this is clearly a design problem.

What poor service from Rioch, My R6 failed after 2 years with a zoom problem the lens assy cost over £100 camera cost£207 It's out of the warenty, but we all know the design is flawed but it will still cost me lots of dosh for them to look at it. Dont ever buy a Rioch!

I bought an R7, It developed a stuck lens. It was replaced and the replacement camera started to get a focus problem. All of the frame was out of focus. This initially was 'cured' by switching off and rebooting the beast. But now nothing works. I'd junk it had I not spent extra money in buying spare batteries fot it. Any ideas on how to deal with this problem?

I also bought a R& and yes the lens stuck. sent it away to ricoh and they fixed it free of charge this was may 2009. january 2010 guess what, lems stuck again.Ricoh now have the camera

Bought the R7 just over two years ago and the lens broke (wouldn't retract) in the first year. When it returned from repair there was a hair on the lens so had to go back once again. Now the lens is stuck again and just makes grinding noises when trying to retract. It just needs to go in the bin and I'll never buy another Ricoh again. V disappointed

My family own two R7s. Both have had lens failure and one has had flash failure, all within two years. We have also owned 10 Canon digital cameras over the last 7 years and not one has developed a fault. Draw your own conclusions.

I too am looking at my newly permanently stck out lens.

Yes, me too - first time the lens stuck, I paid for the return postage and they rectified FOC and returned to me. Now about a year later the same fault has ocurred. About time the fixed it for good or gave money back.

I had the sam problem on my R7 they gave me an R8 but that is now stuck too. It happened when the battery went low and my daughter trued to start it with a flat battery.

Ricoh R7, lens stuck and won't extend. Only used camera maybe a dozen times and always very careful. Won't be buying another Ricoh

Ricol R7, lens stuck out and now will not start-up. Had it about 18 months.