Owning a vintage Ricoh XR-P 35mm SLR film camera is a great way to begin exploring the world of analog photography. You can search the world for beautiful treasures and capture them forever on film. This camera body utilizes Ricoh’s own proprietary System RK mount, which can be used with both Rikenon P lenses and non-Ricoh lenses. The 35mm is compatible with most Pentax K mounts. In addition to Pentax lenses, it can also utilize the Tamron adaptall-2 17-millimeter f/3.5 lens and the Cosina 55-millimeter f/1.2 lens. This piece of photographic equipment takes either four alkaline 1.5-volt batteries or four silver oxide 1.55-volt batteries. Alkaline batteries will last six months before they need to be changed, while silver oxide batteries will last a year. You also have the option of using two rechargeable lithium 3V batteries in this camera.This unit features a viewfinder that displays a full 93% of the image field you want to capture in your photograph. With a standard 50-millimeter f/1.4 lens, this image display can also provide 0.88 levels of magnification. It has a self-timer that can be set for 10 seconds or for zero seconds when initiating a left-handed operation. It also boasts an interval timer that can be set for intervals of 2, 15, or 60 seconds. This allows you to take time-lapse photographs that can capture your subject as your subject changes over time.The image display window offers menu options that allow you to adjust exposure and program F-stop settings. There is also a setting on the viewfinder that lets you know when batteries need to be changed. The image display window features a diagonal split screen that many photographers find easier to work with than a horizontal split screen.The Ricoh XR-P is a film camera. If you have never worked with film before, you may want to familiarize yourself with some basics so you get the most out of the experience. Film equipment has some controls that you won’t find on digital equipment. The Ricoh XR-P has a shutter speed dial that sets the time interval during which the film is exposed to light. The unit also has an ISO dial, which controls the speed of your film. The speed of your film is referred to either as ISO or ASA. ISO specs are printed on the film packaging and canister. Load a roll of film by inserting it into the film chamber and advancing it with the film advance lever. When you are done shooting the roll, first roll back the film using the film rewind crank, then remove it.This piece of SLR photographic equipment has sensors that can automatically select the F-stop you’ll need for an optimal shot. Sensors are able to do this by evaluating available illumination. You also have the option to set your F-stop and shutter speed manually as well when you want to be more creative.You can use any compatible flash with this model as well. Effortless switching between automatic and manual modes and compatibility with Pentax lenses make this 35mm SLR a great introduction to analog photography.