Difference between revisions of "Ricohflex B"
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== Description == | == Description == | ||
| − | The Ricohflex B is a 6×6 TLR made of pressed steel.<REF> Pressed steel: see [http://ext.ricoh.co.jp/camera_lib/library/1936b.html this page of the Ricoh website]. </REF> It is a close copy of the [[Richter]] [[Reflecta]].<REF> Tomuro, pp. 72–77 of {{KKS}} no. 14, demonstrates that the Ricohflex B is a copy of the [[Sears]] [[Trumpf Reflex]] because it has three red windows | + | The Ricohflex B is a 6×6 TLR made of pressed steel.<REF> Pressed steel: see [http://ext.ricoh.co.jp/camera_lib/library/1936b.html this page of the Ricoh website]. </REF> It is a close copy of the [[Sears]] [[Trumpf Reflex]], an export version of the [[Richter]] [[Reflecta]].<REF> Tomuro, pp. 72–77 of {{KKS}} no. 14, demonstrates that the Ricohflex B is a copy of the [[Sears]] [[Trumpf Reflex]] because it has three red windows, the exact same depth-of-field plate and distance scale. </REF> The focusing is done by a lever at the bottom of the taking lens, driving a helicoid supporting the lens and shutter assembly. The viewing lens is coupled to the helical focusing, certainly by internal gears. The closest focusing distance is 3.5 feet (the distance scale is exactly the same as on the [[Trumpf Reflex]]). |
| − | The film advance knob is on the photographer's right. The back is hinged to the top and contains three red windows on the left, protected by a vertically sliding cover. Indications are embossed in the back leather next to the red windows: ''1357,'' ''2468'' and ''1357,'' meant to use the 1 to 12 series of numbers for the 6×9 format. | + | The exposure chamber and film spool holders are grouped in a removable frame. The film advance knob is on the photographer's right. The back is hinged to the top and contains three red windows on the left, protected by a vertically sliding cover. Indications are embossed in the back leather next to the red windows: ''1357,'' ''2468'' and ''1357,'' meant to use the 1 to 12 series of numbers for the 6×9 format. This advance system was necessary for 6×6 cameras in the 1930s, when the rollfilm paper backing was not yet marked for the 6×6 frame size, but it was antiquated at the time the model was sold. |
| − | There is a depth-of-field plate | + | There is a depth-of-field plate on the back of the viewing hood, written in English and exactly similar to the depth-of-field plate of the [[Trumpf Reflex]]. Strap attachments are mounted on both sides of the body. The nameplate is inscribed ''Ricohflex'' and ''MOD.B.'' Two variants of the nameplate are known, one is almost rectangular and has ''<small>MOD.B</small>'' written in small capital letters, the other has an incurved top and ''MOD.B'' written in larger letters. |
The shutter gives T, B, 5–200 speeds on all the versions. On the early examples, the shutter is everset and the shutter plate is inscribed ''HEIL'' at the top and has an ''AKK'' logo on the right. On the late examples, the shutter has a setting lever and no shutter name is visible.<REF> Shutter variations: Tanaka, p. 20 of {{KKS}} no. 14, and Tomuro, p. 72 of the same magazine. </REF> | The shutter gives T, B, 5–200 speeds on all the versions. On the early examples, the shutter is everset and the shutter plate is inscribed ''HEIL'' at the top and has an ''AKK'' logo on the right. On the late examples, the shutter has a setting lever and no shutter name is visible.<REF> Shutter variations: Tanaka, p. 20 of {{KKS}} no. 14, and Tomuro, p. 72 of the same magazine. </REF> | ||
Revision as of 22:06, 13 April 2007
The Ricohflex B (理光フレックスB型) is a Japanese 6×6 TLR made and sold by Riken Kōgaku Kōgyō in 1941 and 1942.[1]
Contents
Description
The Ricohflex B is a 6×6 TLR made of pressed steel.[2] It is a close copy of the Sears Trumpf Reflex, an export version of the Richter Reflecta.[3] The focusing is done by a lever at the bottom of the taking lens, driving a helicoid supporting the lens and shutter assembly. The viewing lens is coupled to the helical focusing, certainly by internal gears. The closest focusing distance is 3.5 feet (the distance scale is exactly the same as on the Trumpf Reflex).
The exposure chamber and film spool holders are grouped in a removable frame. The film advance knob is on the photographer's right. The back is hinged to the top and contains three red windows on the left, protected by a vertically sliding cover. Indications are embossed in the back leather next to the red windows: 1357, 2468 and 1357, meant to use the 1 to 12 series of numbers for the 6×9 format. This advance system was necessary for 6×6 cameras in the 1930s, when the rollfilm paper backing was not yet marked for the 6×6 frame size, but it was antiquated at the time the model was sold.
There is a depth-of-field plate on the back of the viewing hood, written in English and exactly similar to the depth-of-field plate of the Trumpf Reflex. Strap attachments are mounted on both sides of the body. The nameplate is inscribed Ricohflex and MOD.B. Two variants of the nameplate are known, one is almost rectangular and has MOD.B written in small capital letters, the other has an incurved top and MOD.B written in larger letters.
The shutter gives T, B, 5–200 speeds on all the versions. On the early examples, the shutter is everset and the shutter plate is inscribed HEIL at the top and has an AKK logo on the right. On the late examples, the shutter has a setting lever and no shutter name is visible.[4]
The viewing lens is a Ukas Anastigmat 75mm f/4.5. The taking lens is the same Ukas Anastigmat on the early examples and it is a Koa Anastigmat 75/4.5 on the late ones.[5]
Notes
- ↑ Dates: advertisements listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 343.
- ↑ Pressed steel: see this page of the Ricoh website.
- ↑ Tomuro, pp. 72–77 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 14, demonstrates that the Ricohflex B is a copy of the Sears Trumpf Reflex because it has three red windows, the exact same depth-of-field plate and distance scale.
- ↑ Shutter variations: Tanaka, p. 20 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 14, and Tomuro, p. 72 of the same magazine.
- ↑ Lens and shutter equipment: Tanaka, p. 20 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 14, and Tomuro, p. 72 of the same magazine.
Bibliography
- Asahi Camera (アサヒカメラ) editorial staff. Shōwa 10–40nen kōkoku ni miru kokusan kamera no rekishi (昭和10–40年広告にみる国産カメラの歴史, Japanese camera history as seen in advertisements, 1935–1965). Tokyo: Asahi Shinbunsha, 1994. ISBN 4-02-330312-7. Item 311.
- Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). P. 57.
- McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). P. 832.
- Sugiyama, Kōichi (杉山浩一); Naoi, Hiroaki (直井浩明); Bullock, John R. The Collector's Guide to Japanese Cameras. 国産カメラ図鑑 (Kokusan kamera zukan). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1985. ISBN 4-257-03187-5. Item 2020.
- 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). Kamera Rebyū: Kurashikku Kamera Senka (カメラレビュー クラシックカメラ専科) / Camera Review: All about Historical Cameras no.14, October 1989. No ISBN number. Rikō kamera no subete (リコーカメラのすべて, special issue on Ricoh). Pp. 19–20.
- Tomuro Seiwa (戸室靖和). "Rikōfurekkusu B-gata no rūtsu wo saguru" (リコーフレックスB型のルーツを探る, Looking for the roots of the Ricohflex B). Kamera Rebyū: Kurashikku Kamera Senka (カメラレビュー クラシックカメラ専科) / Camera Review: All about Historical Cameras no.14, October 1989. No ISBN number. Rikō kamera no subete (リコーカメラのすべて, special issue on Ricoh). Pp. 72–8.
- 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
In Japanese:
- Pages from the Ricoh corporate site:
- Advertisement for the Ricohflex B published in the March 1942 issue of Hōdō Shashin, reproduced in Japanese camera page of the Gochamaze website
| Asahi Bussan and Riken prewar and wartime cameras () | ||
|---|---|---|
| rigid or collapsible | ||
| Vest Adler | Gokoku | Semi Kinsi | Letix | Olympic | New Olympic | Regal Olympic | Semi Olympic | Super Olympic | Vest Olympic | Riken No.1 | Ricohl | Roico | Seica | Zessan | ||
| folders | pseudo TLR | TLR |
| Semi Adler | Adler III | Adler A | Adler B | Adler C | Adler Four | Adler Six | Gaica | Heil | Kinsi | Chukon Ref | Ricohflex | Ricohflex B |
