A Bargain Ricoh

[doubs43]

I've just snagged a guaranteed fully working Ricoh Singlex TLS camera with 50mm f/1.7 Rikenon lens in seemingly excellent condition for $16.50. Shipping will bring it to almost $30 but I still think that's a bargain. The Ricoh, IMO, is an often overlooked jewel built like an anvil and almost as heavy. The metal (Copal?) vertical shutter on every one I've handled seems bulletproof.... as reliable as it gets. The seller has nearly 600 feedbacks and close to 100% rating. I feel good about this one. The auction is number 190078854721

Walker

[Just Plain Curt]

Hi Walker,
Nice catch there. I've bought plenty more Ricoh Singlex SLR's than Pentax as they're usually much more reasonably priced and as tough as nails. Been bidding on most Prakticas and Ricohs that were priced well, surprised I missed this one, LOL. Good lens too. I've found Ricoh glass is every bit as good as Pentax to my eye anyhow and easier to find as the digital crowd hasn't caught on yet. Enjoy the Ricoh and I hope to see a few pictures one of these days.

[herron]

Mamiya produced a camera for Nippon Kogaku (Nikon) similar to the Prismat NP, using a standard Nikon F lens mount. It was introduced in 1962 by Nikon as the Nikkorex F.

It was the first camera fitted with the new metal Copal S vertical-travel focal plane shutter, and it beat the introduction of a similar shutter on the Nikon Nikkormat by a full three years. The Nikkorex F, particularly one found in good working order, is sought after today by both Nikon and Mamiya collectors (got mine! ).

Later, this same camera from Mamiya could be seen in the Nikon-mount Ricoh Singlex. A version was also marketed in Germany as the Nikkor J. I've never been able to find out if this was the only Ricoh that Mamiya had anything to do with -- or for that matter, whether they produced it, or just provided the plans.

[casualcollector]

Ron,

The Nikkorex F, Ricoh Singlex, Sears SL-11 trio is one of my favorite subjects and I've not found any definitive information either. My hunch is that Mamiya produced the camera for both Ricoh and Sears. There may have been some continued cooperation between Ricoh and Mamiya. The 55/1.8 screwmount lens is nearly identical from both makers.

The later, screw mount, Ricoh Singlex was available in two varieties from Sears. The TLS with "Through Lens Sensing" and a less expensive SL-11 with an attachable meter. I've never seen a Ricoh version of the screw mount SL-11.

Bill

[herron]

Bill:
Mamiya had a long-standing agreement with Sears to provide Sears-branded versions of their SLRs. There were also Tower versions sold through Sears. I have a few of both.

www.mamiya35collectors.com/Sears 32-B.jpg[/img]

For instance, the Sears 32-A and 32-B were based on the Mamiya Prismat NP. So was the Tower 32B. Only difference between the Sears and the Tower (other than the nameplate)...the Tower had its synch posts on the left side of the housing, and had a arc-shaped counter window.

The detachable meter probably looked like this one.....



There was a Tower 18B and 20B rangefinder that was made by Mamiya...there was also a similar looking Tower 19 rangefinder that was actually made by Olympus!

Not sure about the SL-11. I know there was a Sears SL9 that was made for Sears by Ricoh, based on the Ricoh 35 Flex. There was a selenium and CdS cell model sold under the same name (it was sold in Germany as the Revue Reflex).

[herron]

doubs43 said:

I've just snagged a guaranteed fully working Ricoh Singlex TLS camera with 50mm f/1.7 Rikenon lens in seemingly excellent condition for $16.50. Shipping will bring it to almost $30 but I still think that's a bargain.....

Walker

Walker:
The most recent McKeown's lists the Singlex TLS as going for $80-120.
Looks like you did snag that bargain....!

[doubs43]

herron said:

doubs43 said:

I've just snagged a guaranteed fully working Ricoh Singlex TLS camera with 50mm f/1.7 Rikenon lens in seemingly excellent condition for $16.50. Shipping will bring it to almost $30 but I still think that's a bargain.....

Walker

Walker:
The most recent McKeown's lists the Singlex TLS as going for $80-120.
Looks like you did snag that bargain....!

Thanks for the information Ron. While my observations of ebay sales of the Singlex don't show them to average quite that high, I have noticed prices going up. Besides, McKeown may have done better research than my casual look.

IMO, any quality working SLR with lens is a bargain at $30.

Walker

[herron]

doubs43 said:

....IMO, any quality working SLR with lens is a bargain at $30.

Walker

Amen!

[casualcollector]

Here's a pic of the Ricoh TLS based screw mount Sears SL-11 without its meter. On e-bay now if you're interested. Price a bit high, IMO.

[doubs43]

casualcollector said:

Here's a pic of the Ricoh TLS based screw mount Sears SL-11 without its meter. On e-bay now if you're interested. Price a bit high, IMO.

That's interesting. I wonder what the actual differences are between it and the Singlex TLS? Other than the markings and lack of a meter, the SL-11 appears to be identical in every respect to the Singlex.

Walker

[casualcollector]

Near as I can tell, nothing. It is a Singlex TLS set up to use an accessory lightmeter. The meter couples to the silver pin on front of the shutter dial and is secured with the knurled collar around the shutter release. I'll post a clear photo of mine when I unpack (Don't hold you breath).

The early Sears cameras had the name stamped in the body as in the picture. Later Sears cameras had a nameplate glued on. Take a look at e-bay and you'll see what I mean. I did discover one difference. Probably a mid production change. The viewfinder prisms were ground to slightly different shapes. I found this when I tried replacing the de-silvered prism in my SL-11 with one from a TLS donor.

Here's a link to a site that shows the Nikkorex F triplets.

www.cameraguild.jp/nekosan/singrex.htm

Bill