Ricoh AD-1

image by Hans Kerensky (Image rights)

The Ricoh AD-1 and related A-2 are two somewhat idiosyncratic scale focus cameras notable for their spring tension film-advance mechanisms. Ricoh introduced the AD-1 in July 1979, with an ability to shoot 10–15 exposures (single or continuous) after winding up a knob on the bottom of the camera. The film travels "backwards" compared to most 35mm models, and the rewind crank is also on the bottom of the camera. This placement means the tripod socket has been relocated to one side of the body. At the end of the roll the user turns the knob to the "rewind" position and presses the rewind release. Spring tension is released with what the (English) manual describes as a "zzee" sound, with the reassurance that this is not a cause for concern.

Focusing is done using three zone symbols (a numerical distance scale is hidden upside-down on the lens barrel) and the CdS photocell enables programmed autoexposure.

The other curious feature of the AD-1 is its date imprinting function. This is a primitive version (unlike the electronic type that would become a familiar feature of later point & shoots) as the camera does not keep time; the date is entered manually (in the form YY-MM-DD) and exposed onto the image area after sliding a yellow switch atop the camera.

The Ricoh A2 followed in March, 1980, and is nearly the same camera, simply omitting the date-imprinting function. As the highest number available in the AD-1 Year field is "93," this is not going to be a real hardship for the modern-day user.

Links

• Ricoh AD-1 manual (PDF) from Mike Butkus's OrphanCameras.com
• Five views of the AD-1 at Hans Kerensky's Flickr stream
• Ricoh AD-1 & A-2 (Japanese) and in Google Translate English; from Ricoh's company film-camera history pages