Difference between revisions of "Ricohflex (original)"

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{{Japanese prewar and wartime TLR}}
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The '''Ricohflex A''' is a Japanese 6&times;6 TLR sold by [[Ricoh|Riken Kōgaku Kōgyō]] around 1940. It is a rebadged version of the [[Rollekonter]], certainly made by [[Mori|Mori Seisakusho]].<REF> Attribution of the Rollekonter to [[Mori]]: Tanaka, p.&nbsp;19 of {{KKS}} no.&nbsp;14. </REF> The camera was only called '''Ricohflex''' (理光フレックス) at the time it was sold, and it seems that the name "Ricohflex A" was carved by collectors after the [[Ricohflex B]].
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/32582084@N06/48114065093/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48114065093_782679a37d.jpg
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|image_text= Ricohflex (Original).
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|image_by= yalluflex
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|image_rights=  with permission
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The '''Ricohflex''' (理光フレックス) is a Japanese 6×6 TLR sold by [[Ricoh|Riken Kōgaku Kōgyō]] from 1939. It was produced by [[Mori|Mori Seisakusho]],<REF name="NSKT 02/39"> ''Gyōkai san-jū-nen no ashiato'' (Feb. 1939), p.13 of {{NSKT}} July 20, 1967, reproduced on p.231 of ''Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku'': 理研光学は、ロールコンターの森製作所にてを伸し「リコーフレックス」の名称で月賦販売を計画. </REF> and was essentially a rebadged version of the [[Rollekonter]]. The camera is sometimes called "Ricohflex A" in recent sources, to distinguish it from the [[Ricohflex B]], but this is apparently a confusion (see below).
  
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== Advertisements and other documents ==
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== Original documents ==
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The Ricohflex was listed in an advertisement dated February 1939 for {{yen|320|1939}}, a price that was very elevated.<REF> [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/R1.jpg Advertisement] published in ''[[Sunday Mainichi]]'' (26 February 1939), reproduced in the [http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze website]. </REF> It was advertised again by [[Ueno|Ueno Shōten]] in early 1940.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;343, lists advertisements dated February and March 1940 in ''[[Asahi Camera]].'' </REF> It was also listed in the official price list compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, for &yen;252.<REF> {{Kakaku1940_short}}, type 7, section 1. </REF>
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The Ricohflex was announced by [[Ricoh|Riken]] in February 1939, for sale with a monthly payment plan.<REF name="NSKT 02/39" /> It appears in an advertisement dated that month for {{yen|320|1939}}, a very expensive price.<REF> Advertisement in ''[[Sunday Mainichi]]'', 26 February 1939, formerly reproduced at [https://web.archive.org/web/20100408043620/http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze (archived)]. </REF> It also appears in advertisements by [[Ueno|Ueno Shōten]] dated early 1940.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.343, lists advertisements in {{ACA}} February and March 1940. </REF> It is finally mentioned for ¥252 in the official price list compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941.<REF> {{Kakaku0141_short}}, type 7, section 1. </REF> (This document shows the same price for all TLR cameras, perhaps by mistake.)
  
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A user guide for the postwar [[Ricohflex (geared lens)|geared lens Ricohflex]] published in 1951 reportedly says that the first Ricohflex, called Ricohflex A, was developed and experimented in 1936, and was a [[pseudo TLR]] with a fixed-focus viewing lens and a front-cell focusing f/4.5 taking lens.<REF> ''Rikōfurekkusu no tsukaikata'' (リコーフレックスの使いかた), written by Yagi Osamu (八木治) and published in July 1951 by Sōgeisha (双芸社). Quoted in Hayashi, p.136 of {{KKS}} no.4. </REF> The camera described is clearly not the Ricohflex sold in 1939&ndash;40. It might be an experimental predecessor of the [[Ricohflex B]] or an altogether different camera, if not a plain mistake.
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== Actual example ==
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The actual examples of the Ricohflex observed so far have the same body and film advance mechanism as the [[Rollekonter|Rollekonter I]].<REF> Example pictured in Tanaka, p.19 of {{KKS}} no.14 and p.141 of ''Nigan-refu no hanashi (zenpen)''. The picture is reproduced in [http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/ricoh-filmcamera/cameralist/flexA.html this page of the Ricoh website]. </REF> The nameplate is shaped the same as on the late Rollekonter I, and only has the ''Ricohflex'' name.
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There is a rounded casing around the taking and viewing lenses, completely covering the shutter.<REF> Example pictured in {{Kokusan}}, p.437, and in Tanaka, p.132 of ''Nigan-refu no hanashi (zenpen)''. </REF> There are three levers on the sides, certainly to set the speed and aperture, and for shutter cocking and release. The front plate is marked ''RIKEN KOHGAKU KOGYO CO., LTD.'' above the taking lens. The speed and aperture are set by levers protruding on either side.<REF> Tanaka, p.19 of {{KKS}} no.14. </REF> The shutter reportedly gives T, B, 1–300 speeds.<REF> Tanaka, p.19 of {{KKS}} no.14. Hayashi, p.136 of {{KKS}} no.4, mentions a self-timer but this is perhaps a mistake. </REF> It is cocked and released by a single lever at the bottom.<REF> Tanaka, p.19 of {{KKS}} no.14. </REF> The taking and viewing lenses are Ricoh Anastigmat with 75mm focal length — the taking lens has f/3.5 maximal aperture, and the viewing lens has f/3.2.<REF> Tanaka, p.19 of {{KKS}} no.14, says f/3.5, whereas Hayashi, p.136 of {{KKS}} no.4, says f/3.2. </REF>
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An isolated example of the Rollekonter has been observed with the same casing around the lenses.<REF> Example pictured in {{Kokusan}}, p.437, and in Tanaka, p.132 of ''Nigan-refu no hanashi (zenpen)''. </REF> This camera has been presented as a "Rollekonter III" in recent sources, but this is probably a mistake (see [[Rollekonter]]). It might have been assembled from an unsold Ricohflex, and it notably has a black plate inscribed ''ROLLE KONTER WORK'' added to the front of the casing, perhaps covering the Riken company name.
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{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
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|| [https://www.flickr.com/photos/32582084@N06/48114022301/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48114022301_68a1e56092_m.jpg] [https://www.flickr.com/photos/32582084@N06/48114015906/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48114015906_cb00bbdc73_m.jpg]  [https://www.flickr.com/photos/32582084@N06/48114048148/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48114048148_93b8aed766_m.jpg]
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|-
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|| [https://www.flickr.com/photos/32582084@N06/48114020291/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48114020291_27e6acfd26_m.jpg] [https://www.flickr.com/photos/32582084@N06/48114115227/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48114115227_bfdeedd11d_m.jpg] [https://www.flickr.com/photos/32582084@N06/48114012966/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48114012966_6c74ea9db8_m.jpg]  
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|-
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|| ''Riken Kōgaku Kōgyō Ricohflex (Original) , Ricoh Anastigmat f3.5/75mm lens<br>Images by {{image author|yalluflex}}. {{with permission}}''
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|}
  
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== Actual example ==
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== The true Ricohflex A? ==
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The only actual example of the Ricohflex observed so far is similar to the [[Rollekonter|Rollekonter III]].<REF> Example pictured in Tanaka, p.&nbsp;19 of {{KKS}} no.&nbsp;14 (picture reproduced in [http://www.ricoh.co.jp/camera/cameralist/flexA.html this page of the Ricoh website]), compared with the example of the Rollekonter pictured {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;437, certainly corresponding to a Rollekonter III. </REF> The only visible differences are the ''Ricohflex'' nameplate and the silver casing inscribed ''RIKEN KOHGAKU KOGYO CO.,LTD.'' The shutter has T, B, 1&ndash;300 speeds and a self-timer.<REF> Hayashi, p.136 of {{KKS}} no.4, and Tanaka, p.19 of {{KKS}} no.14. </REF> The taking and viewing lenses are Ricoh Anastigmat 75mm: the taking lens has f/3.5 aperture, but it is unclear if the viewing lens has f/3.5 or f/3.2.<REF> F/3.5: Tanaka, p.19 of {{KKS}} no.14. F/3.2: Hayashi, p.136 of {{KKS}} no.4. </REF>
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A user guide for the postwar [[Ricohflex (geared lens)|geared lens Ricohflex]] published in 1951 reportedly mentions a '''Ricohflex A''', developed and tested in 1936.<REF name="Tsukaikata"> ''Rikōfurekkusu no tsukaikata'' (リコーフレックスの使い方), written by Yagi Osamu (八木治) and published in July 1951 by Sōgeisha (双芸社). The book is quoted in Hayashi, p.136 of {{KKS}} no.4: 「昭和11年に最初の型が設計試作され、A型と名づけられて発表されたが、根本的な欠陥があったためただちに製作を中止した。これは上のレンズは固定されたものでピントを合わせる役目はせず、下のレンズは撮影用としてヘリコイドによる焦点の調節をするようになっていてF4.5であった」. </REF> It was a [[pseudo TLR]] with a fixed-focus viewing lens and a front-cell focusing f/4.5 taking lens.<REF name="Tsukaikata" /> It is said that the camera had fundamental defects and was soon abandoned.<REF name="Tsukaikata" />
  
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The Rollekonter III only appeared in 1943, so it is very probable that this example of the Ricohflex is a late model, and that the models advertised in 1939 and 1940 correspond to earlier versions of the Rollekonter.
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That Ricohflex A is clearly not the Ricohflex sold in 1939–40 and described above. It might be an experimental predecessor of the [[Ricohflex B]] or an altogether different camera, if not a plain mistake.
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
Line 17: Line 37:
 
== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
 
* {{Showa10}} Item 310.
 
* {{Showa10}} Item 310.
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* Hayashi Teruaki (林輝昭). "Kamera taishūka no kōrōsha Rikōfurekkusu" (カメラ大衆化の功労者リコーフレックス, The Ricohflex, a deserving effort to popularize cameras). {{KKS004}} Pp.136&ndash;9.
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* Hayashi Teruaki (林輝昭). "Kamera taishūka no kōrōsha Rikōfurekkusu" (カメラ大衆化の功労者リコーフレックス, The Ricohflex, a deserving effort to popularize cameras). {{KKS004}} Pp.136–9.
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* {{Kakaku1940}} Type 7, section 1.
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* {{Kakaku0141}} Type 7, section 1.
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* Tanaka Masao (田中政雄). "Rikō kamera no nagare" (リコーカメラの流れ, Evolution of the Ricoh cameras). {{KKS014}} Pp.&nbsp;8&ndash;11.
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* {{NSKT}} July 20, 1967. "Gyōkai san-jū-nen no ashiato" (業界三十年の足跡, Records of thirty years in the business). Pp.12–33. Reproduced in {{NSKT1000}} Pp.230–51.
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* Tanaka Masao (田中政雄). "Senzen no kamera 3: Nigan-refu kamera" (戦前のカメラ3・二眼レフカメラ, Prewar cameras 3: TLR cameras). {{KKS014}} Pp.&nbsp;19&ndash;20.
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* Tanaka Masao (田中政雄). ''Nigan-refu no hanashi (zenpen)'' (二眼レフのはなし[前編], TLR stories [first part]). Gendai Kamera Shinsho (現代カメラ新書) no.68. Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1980. No ISBN number. Pp.141 and 143.
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* ''Watakushi no ni-gan-refu kamera-ten'' (私の二眼レフカメラ展, Exhibition of twin lens reflex cameras). Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 1992. (Exhibition catalogue, no ISBN number.) P.&nbsp;21.
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* Tanaka Masao (田中政雄). "Rikō kamera no nagare" (リコーカメラの流れ, Evolution of the Ricoh cameras). {{KKS014}} Pp.8–11.
 +
* Tanaka Masao (田中政雄). "Senzen no kamera 3: Nigan-refu kamera" (戦前のカメラ3・二眼レフカメラ, Prewar cameras 3: TLR cameras). {{KKS014}} Pp.19–20.
 +
* ''Watakushi no ni-gan-refu kamera-ten'' (私の二眼レフカメラ展, Exhibition of twin lens reflex cameras). Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 1992. (Exhibition catalogue, no ISBN number.) P.21.
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
 
In Japanese:
 
In Japanese:
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* [http://www.ricoh.co.jp/camera/cameralist/flexA.html Ricohflex A] in the [http://www.ricoh.co.jp/camera/cameralist/index.html camera list] of the [http://www.ricoh.co.jp/ Ricoh official website] (copied in [http://navi.kitamura.jp/camera/0000002221.html this page of the Kitamura Camera Museum])
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* [http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/ricoh-filmcamera/cameralist/flexA.html Ricohflex A] in the [http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/ricoh-filmcamera/cameralist/ camera list] of the [http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/index.html Ricoh official website] (copied in [http://navi.kitamura.jp/camera/0000002221.html this page of the Kitamura Camera Museum])
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* [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/R1.jpg Advertisement for the Riken camera range] (on the left) published in the 26 February 1939 issue of ''[[Sunday Mainichi]],'' reproduced in the [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki-c.htm camera company page] of the [http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze website]
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* [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/ricoh/ricohflex_dia/ricohflex_dia.htm Ricohflex Dia/Dia M PDF manual] at [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/index.html Butkus' OrphanCameras.com]
 +
 
  
  

Latest revision as of 03:25, 22 January 2022

48114065093_782679a37d.jpg
Ricohflex (Original).
image by yalluflex (Image rights)

The Ricohflex (理光フレックス) is a Japanese 6×6 TLR sold by Riken Kōgaku Kōgyō from 1939. It was produced by Mori Seisakusho,[1] and was essentially a rebadged version of the Rollekonter. The camera is sometimes called "Ricohflex A" in recent sources, to distinguish it from the Ricohflex B, but this is apparently a confusion (see below).

Original documents

The Ricohflex was announced by Riken in February 1939, for sale with a monthly payment plan.[1] It appears in an advertisement dated that month for ¥320, a very expensive price.[2] It also appears in advertisements by Ueno Shōten dated early 1940.[3] It is finally mentioned for ¥252 in the official price list compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941.[4] (This document shows the same price for all TLR cameras, perhaps by mistake.)

Actual example

The actual examples of the Ricohflex observed so far have the same body and film advance mechanism as the Rollekonter I.[5] The nameplate is shaped the same as on the late Rollekonter I, and only has the Ricohflex name.

There is a rounded casing around the taking and viewing lenses, completely covering the shutter.[6] There are three levers on the sides, certainly to set the speed and aperture, and for shutter cocking and release. The front plate is marked RIKEN KOHGAKU KOGYO CO., LTD. above the taking lens. The speed and aperture are set by levers protruding on either side.[7] The shutter reportedly gives T, B, 1–300 speeds.[8] It is cocked and released by a single lever at the bottom.[9] The taking and viewing lenses are Ricoh Anastigmat with 75mm focal length — the taking lens has f/3.5 maximal aperture, and the viewing lens has f/3.2.[10]

An isolated example of the Rollekonter has been observed with the same casing around the lenses.[11] This camera has been presented as a "Rollekonter III" in recent sources, but this is probably a mistake (see Rollekonter). It might have been assembled from an unsold Ricohflex, and it notably has a black plate inscribed ROLLE KONTER WORK added to the front of the casing, perhaps covering the Riken company name.

48114022301_68a1e56092_m.jpg 48114015906_cb00bbdc73_m.jpg 48114048148_93b8aed766_m.jpg
48114020291_27e6acfd26_m.jpg 48114115227_bfdeedd11d_m.jpg 48114012966_6c74ea9db8_m.jpg
Riken Kōgaku Kōgyō Ricohflex (Original) , Ricoh Anastigmat f3.5/75mm lens
Images by yalluflex. (Image rights)

The true Ricohflex A?

A user guide for the postwar geared lens Ricohflex published in 1951 reportedly mentions a Ricohflex A, developed and tested in 1936.[12] It was a pseudo TLR with a fixed-focus viewing lens and a front-cell focusing f/4.5 taking lens.[12] It is said that the camera had fundamental defects and was soon abandoned.[12]

That Ricohflex A is clearly not the Ricohflex sold in 1939–40 and described above. It might be an experimental predecessor of the Ricohflex B or an altogether different camera, if not a plain mistake.

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Gyōkai san-jū-nen no ashiato (Feb. 1939), p.13 of Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin July 20, 1967, reproduced on p.231 of Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku: 理研光学は、ロールコンターの森製作所にてを伸し「リコーフレックス」の名称で月賦販売を計画.
  2. ↑ Advertisement in Sunday Mainichi, 26 February 1939, formerly reproduced at Gochamaze (archived).
  3. ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.343, lists advertisements in Asahi Camera February and March 1940.
  4. ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku", type 7, section 1.
  5. ↑ Example pictured in Tanaka, p.19 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.14 and p.141 of Nigan-refu no hanashi (zenpen). The picture is reproduced in this page of the Ricoh website.
  6. ↑ Example pictured in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.437, and in Tanaka, p.132 of Nigan-refu no hanashi (zenpen).
  7. ↑ Tanaka, p.19 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.14.
  8. ↑ Tanaka, p.19 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.14. Hayashi, p.136 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.4, mentions a self-timer but this is perhaps a mistake.
  9. ↑ Tanaka, p.19 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.14.
  10. ↑ Tanaka, p.19 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.14, says f/3.5, whereas Hayashi, p.136 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.4, says f/3.2.
  11. ↑ Example pictured in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.437, and in Tanaka, p.132 of Nigan-refu no hanashi (zenpen).
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Rikōfurekkusu no tsukaikata (リコーフレックスの使い方), written by Yagi Osamu (八木治) and published in July 1951 by Sōgeisha (双芸社). The book is quoted in Hayashi, p.136 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.4: 「昭和11年に最初の型が設計試作され、A型と名づけられて発表されたが、根本的な欠陥があったためただちに製作を中止した。これは上のレンズは固定されたものでピントを合わせる役目はせず、下のレンズは撮影用としてヘリコイドによる焦点の調節をするようになっていてF4.5であった」.

Bibliography

Links

In Japanese:


Asahi Bussan and Riken prewar and wartime cameras (edit)
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folders pseudo TLR TLR
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