Ricoh
The Riken research institute (abreviation of Rikagaku Kenkyūjo, 理化学研究所, means Physico-Chemical Research Institute) exists since 1917. In 1927 they created the Rikagaku Kōgyō Kabushiki Kaisha (理化学興業株式会社, means Physico-Chemical Development Co Ltd) to market products derived from their research. In 1936, the photo paper division became Riken Kankōshi K.K. (理研感光紙株式会社, means Riken Sensitized Paper Co Ltd).
In 1937, Riken Kankōshi bought the Olympic Camera Works (株式会社オリンピックカメラ) and the associated trade company Asahi Bussan Gōshi Kaisha (旭物産合資会社). Olympic had started the production of cameras in 1934. The Olympic and Asahi Bussan names remained in use for some time.
With these two companies, Riken Kankōshi founded the Asahi Optical Industries Co Ltd (旭光学工業, Asahi Kōgaku Kōgyō K.K.), later Asahi Musen Kōgyō (旭無線工業, Asahi Wireless Industries). These companies are not related to the Asahi Optical Company who made the Pentax.
Riken Kankōshi became Riken Optical Industries Co Ltd (Riken Kōgaku Kōgyō K.K., 理研光学工業株式会社) in 1938. Whether it was Riken Optical or Asahi Optical who made the cameras until 1942 is unclear. Production of cameras was stopped during the war.
After the war, Asahi Musen introduced the Steky in 1946 or 1947. Soon its development was transfered to Riken Optical Industries. The Ricohflex was launched in 1950. Asahi Musen became Asahi Seimitsu Kōgyō (旭精密工業, Asahi Precision Industries), then was merged with Riken Optical Industries in 1953.
Riken Optical Industries finally became Ricoh (Kabushiki Kaisha Rikō, 株式会社リコー) in 1963.
Contents
35mm film
Fixed lens
- Super Olympic D
- Super Olympic DIII
- Ricoh Auto 35
SLR
- Ricoh KR-5
- Ricoh KR-10S
- Ricoh TLS 401
Autofocus Point & Shoot
120 film
4.5x6 rigid
4.5x6 folding
127 film
3x4 rigid
4x4 rigid
4x4 folding
4x6.5 rigid
- Regal Olympic, both 4x6.5 and 3x4
- Vest Olympic (telescopic tube)
Links
- Ricoh camera list at the company's Japanese site
- Ricoh camera library: featured articles at the company's Japanese site
Company's history sources: