Friday, April 4, 2025

Argus Model C2 camera

 


Going from a rectangular TLR camera to a rectangular range finder camera. This post will be looking at the brick camera, known as the Argus Model C2.


But first a look at the Argus company. It was first founded as the International Radio Corporation in 1931, by William E. Brown, George Burke and Charles Albert Vershoor. The company started out selling radios made from plastic (Bakelite, according to Eckman 2019) at an inexpensive price under the brand Kadette. But the problem was that radios sales weren’t a year round sale, only selling during the winter, but dropping once summer came. So, Vershoor, came up with the idea of selling cheap, but reliable 35mm cameras and produced their first camera in 1936, The Model A. (Argus Museum)

Argus Model A. Image Source: https://theargusa.com/ara02.jpg

This was a big success for the company, leading them to sell their radio patents and making cameras their main business. This led to their company name to change to the International Research Corporation (Argus Museum).

The name Argus came from the Greek god with a thousand eyes. The idea of the Model A came from Vershoor’s idea to produce a camera, similar to Leica, but at a more affordable cost, which lead him to tour and research in Europe. This led to the sale of “30,000 units by Montgomery Ward in the first week…” (AADL 2025). 

According to Eckman (2019), it was Vershoor’s visit to Germany, that lead him to examine the Leica cameras and “thought that with his expertise at making inexpensive items using Bakelite, that he could do for the camera industry, what he did for the radio industry.

But their inexpensive and reliable cameras put them in competition with Japanese camera companies. To which the International Research Corporation responded by diversifying “its product lines with projectors, optical and specialty equipment for several United States Department of Defense contracts during WWII, and the Korean War, thus saving many local jobs…” (AADL 2025).

But the selling to the military in 1942 lead to the cease of domestic sales and “Argus devoted its production to military optics and radio equipment for the US and allied armed forces. Government loans, which the company eventually repaid in full, enabled the company to expand its production facilities.” Then by 1944, the company went from the International Research Corporation to Argus, Inc. and won the “E” award from the Army and Navy five times! (Argus Museum). 

After the war, Argus went back to civilian sales and filled a gap in the US market and in addition to camera production, Argus also introduced new slide-projectors. Then changed their name again in 1949 to Argus Cameras, Inc. and in the 1950s became the second largest camera (and equipment) seller (Kodak being the first).

But by 1959 the company was bought by Sylvania (due to a “lack of proficient bookkeeping, overgenerous stock dividends, and elaborate corporate spending, caused the company to have a net loss, despite great sales…” Eckman 2019) and then sold by Sylvania in 1969 (Science Museum Group), to “Mansfield, a Chicago-based importer of photographic products…” (Argus Museum). 

Although I should note that, according to Argus Museum, these dates from the Science Museum Group are incorrect and should be 1957 and 1962.

After it was sold for a second time, it went through a few transactions and by 1969 (or 1970 according to Science Museum Group), all camera productions ended. But the brand name Argus, was owned and used by a bunch of other companies to sell cameras (Argus Museum), or in other words: “more recently the Argus brand was re-established used on a variety of inexpensive digital cameras made by the separate manufacturer Argus Camera Company, LLC., located in Inverness, IL.” (Science Museum Group). Like the Argus DC3200 and DC2200 (CollectiBlend 2025).

Argus DC3200. Image Source: https://collectiblend.com/Cameras/images/Argus-DC3200.jpg

Argus DC2200. Image Source: https://collectiblend.com/Cameras/images/Argus-DC2200.jpg

There doesn’t seem to be much more information, but their line-up of cameras is incredible and some of the most interesting looking cameras around, such as the Argus, Argo Seventy-five, Argus Lady Carefree and the Argus M3 Matchmatic (CollectiBlend 2025). Making it easy to believe that “While the business no longer exists, Argus cameras remain much sought-after collectibles...” (AADL).

Argus Argoflex Seventy-Five. Image Source: https://collectiblend.com/Cameras/images/Argus-Argoflex-Seventy-Five.jpg

Argus Lady Carefree. Image Source: https://collectiblend.com/Cameras/images/Argus-Lady-Carefree.jpg

Argus M3 Matchmatic. Image Source: https://collectiblend.com/Cameras/images/Argus-Argus-M3-Matchmatic.jpg

Now let’s look at the camera at hand, the Argus Model C2. This camera was released in 1938-1942 (Eckman 2019) and was a part of Argus’ most famous line of cameras, the C series.



Designed by Gustave Fassin, who saw the potential and need for more cameras that had competitive features at lower costs, came up with a new design patent 110,516. This design is a bit different from the product released but still has the basics (Eckman 2019).

Patent 110,516 by Fassin. Image Source: https://mikeeckman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ArgusPatentDrawing-2-512x776.jpg

The C camera was introduced as an updated version of the Model A series (Argus Museum), “Featuring a distinct brick-shaped Bakelite body with polished metal front and back panels, an interchangeable lens mount, and an uncoupled split image rangefinder, the Argus C was quite a step up from the Model A…” (Eckman 2019).

The first in the series was the Model C, which had two variations (Eckman 2019), “The Earliest of these had a ‘dual range’ switch for 2 range (fast & slow) shutter speeds…” (ACG). But this camera had one flaw: “the lack of the coupling gear between the lens and rangefinder window.  This means that the rangefinder and lens could be turned independently of each other.  In order to take a reading, you’d need to look through the rangefinder window and get your images to line up, then look at the rangefinder wheel and see what distance is indicated, and then turn the lens to match the same distance and take your photo…” (Eckman 2019).


Argus Model C. Image Source: https://collectiblend.com/Cameras/images/Argus-Argus-C-black.jpg

But this was fixed with the introduction of the C2, this camera. The C2 is the same as the model C but came with a gear that connected the lens with the range finder (ACG) for “simultaneous adjustment of the focus distance while seeing distance changes in the rangefinder.  By 1938, coupled rangefinders had become the norm in more expensive German cameras like the Leica II and Kodak Retina II, so to have this feature in an inexpensive American camera was a big deal…” (Eckman 2019).

Then, came the most popular camera of the C models, the C3, which was the same as the C2, except that the C3 came with two holes that allowed for a flash to be attached (ACG). But this also means that the C3 had change applied to its shutter to accommodate the flash synchronization (Eckman 2019).

Argus Model C3 add. Image Source: https://lirp.cdn-website.com/08bca7ea/dms3rep/multi/opt/Argus_C3-1920w.jpg

Argus C2 (left) and C3 (right). Image Source: https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3260/3087343057_8b66691092.jpg


The C3 was also later had other variants: the C3 Standard, equipped with an accessory shoe (ACG), the C3 colormatic which referred to the colour “coded numbers on the shutter speed dial, lens, and focusing scale that was there to help novice photographers get accurate snapshots in average lighting…” (Eckman 2019), the C3 Match-Matic a "’Simplified’ exposure system, to work only with Accessory Meter…” (ACG).

Argus C3 Standard. Image Source: https://collectiblend.com/Cameras/images/Argus-Argus-C3.jpg

Argus C3 Colormatic. Image Source: https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2795/4385025384_7161817dde.jpg

Argus C3 Match-Matic. Image Source: https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1398/881564952_37a461c389.jpg

Then came the C3 Gold Shield, when Sylvania bought Argus and merged with General Telephone, and was only sold in jewellery stores due to it having a “gold trim and a fancy name plate…” (Eckman 2019). 

Argus C3 Gold Shield. Image Source: https://mikeeckman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ArgusGoldenShield-1-512x341.jpg

Then came the C33, a "’Automated’ C Model, used in conjunction with coupled, slip-on meter...” (ACG).  But this would see the down fall of the C series, because as Gandy (2016) points out: “…the C3 had already stretched the limits of its market audience beyond reason.  By adding Leica like features, the C33 unfortunately went on to the next level of photo awareness, only to quickly sink like the proverbial bad Hollywood remake into the bottomless black abyss of a Hollywood executive's non-existent conscious…”

Argus Model C33. Image Source: https://mikeeckman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/ArgusC33-6-512x334.jpg

Gandy (2016), goes on further, by writing that the C33 was an improved version of the C3, but that the owners of the C3, didn’t want an improved version. For the C series and the A series, were cameras that (like Kodak) allowed anyone to use a camera no matter how un/skilled the user was or as Eckman (2016) states: “It was used by amateurs, professionals, students, the military, and countless other people in nearly every profession.

Gandy (2016) writes: “The only problem was that most C-3 owners were already in far over their heads photographically.  The intended immense waiting market of C-3 owners lustfully wanting an improved C-3 didn't exist, they had a hard enough time already trying to figure out the mysteries of the C-3.

This is sort of the reverse of what happened to the Minolta company (see the Minolta 110 Zoom SLR film camera post).

But now let’s have a look at the C2. The body seems to be a combination of plastic and metal. The C2 was produced during 1938-1942 (ACG), but according to Sterritt (2023), the serial number of this camera suggests that it was manufactured in 1940. 


It has a size of 140 x 85 x 75 mm (Museum Victoria Collections) and a hefty weight of 1kg (MW Classic)!

Now starting with the front.


 First let’s see the lens.


The lens is an Argus Cintar lens. It has a focal length of 50mm and a maximum f/stop of 3.5. The Cintar is the standard lens that came with all the C models and was the only lens made by Argus and is a “Cooke Triplet with three lens elements in three groups.  Many sites refer to the Cintar as a Leitz Elmar copy, but it is not as the Elmar is a four element in three groups design.  They may have both derived from an earlier Cooke design, but the Cintar is not a copy of the Elmar. Like the Elmar though, the Cintar’s simplicity works in its favour as it’s a surprisingly capable lens that delivers sharp and contrasty images with very little undesirable qualities like aberrations, coma, or vignetting which is characteristic of lesser lenses…” (Ecman 2019).

Now a Cooke triplet lens is similar to the Anastigmat lens (see Agfa Billy Record 7.7 Pocket Camera post), but is still different. The Cooke lens was invented by H. Dennis Taylor, whose design “changed the direction of popular lenses. He was able to minimize chromatic aberrations and improve sharpness, specifically at the outer edge of optics. With only two biconvex lenses (or positive) on the outer and a biconcave lens in the middle (or negative) he came closer than anyone had managed at the time to optical perfection…” (Eparrino 2023).

Cooke Triplet patent. Image Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/Cooke_triplet.JPG

Basically the Anastigmat only corrects: “spherical aberration, coma, and astigmatism” (Wikipedia) and was invented in 1890. Now the Cooke lens came out in 1894 (Eparrino 2023) and was an improvement on the Anastigmat, by correcting Five Seidel aberrations (Wikipedia), which are: spherical aberration, coma aberration, off-axial astigmatism, curvature of image field and distortion (Jeol). The lens is also interchangeable. Argus brought out other lenses that the C series could use.

Page 16 & 17 from the manual.

Other lenses that the Argus C series could use. Image Source: https://mikeeckman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ArgusLenses-1024x683.jpg

The lens is also where the f/stop settings are on. The settings are found on the outer ring surrounding the lens opening. The F/stop settings are 3.5, 4.5, 6.3, 9, 12.7 and 18. And because the lens is interchangeable, the aperture petals are (unlike the other Argus and early cameras) are in front of the shutter.


Attached to the lens is a gear system (similar to the Ricohflex IIII) that connects the lens to a coupling unit and the range finder (with a base of 44mm, Eckman 2019).


A range finder is similar to a TLR, in that it is a separate lens and can be used to get an idea of what the taking lens sees or in other words:

Rangefinders have a larger viewfinder that is separate from the lens which allows a greater field of vision and, in turn, enhances your ability to see your subject enter the frame, helping anticipate your shot.” (Lee & Lush 2020)

Range Finder diagram. Image Source: https://thedarkroom.com/app/uploads/2020/07/Rangefinder-Camera-Illustrated.svg

But a range finder has the drawback of:

Since you aren’t looking through the lens itself, you are more apt to cover it with your finger, forget your lens cap, etc. The viewfinder also makes a rangefinder not an ideal portrait camera because you aren’t composing or focusing through the lens. Rangefinders are also harder to focus in low light.” (Lee & Lush 2020)

The range finder is also where the user will find the focus settings, which go from three to a hundred feet and infinity.

Underneath that is the shutter set lever, that cocks and readies the shutter. Which is used to stop any accidental double exposure.


 

Above the lens are the viewfinder and range finder opening. The C2 has two viewfinders. The first one is for the range finder, which is a split window from the top and bottom.


 The split window and is used as follows:

Page 8 & 9 from the manual.

Then next to that is just a normal viewfinder.

Next to those two windows is the shutter speed settings. This camera came with ten different settings, but according to Eckman (2019), this was brought down to five for later models.


These shutter speeds are: 1/5, 1/10, 1/20, 1/30, 1/50, 1/75, 1/100, 1/150, 1/200 and 1/300 of a second!

Then on top…


Is where the shutter release is. The early models of the C2 came with the “mushroom” release, but after 1939, they came with the cylindrical release (Sterritt 2023). The shutter is a “fairly stout leaf shutter” (Eckman 2019).



Mushroom shutter release. Image Source: https://mikeeckman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ArgusCMushroomButton-512x341.jpg 

The shutter is also where the user can find the remote shutter release thread, as well as the I and B shutter settings. These settings are on a ring that is around the shutter release.


Next to the shutter is the film counter dial and under that is the counter dial release button, to help count and move the film to the next frame. And next to that is “The large chrome circle with the two divots in it is a port for accessing a rangefinder adjustment screw…” (Eckman 2019).


And finally next to that is the film advance knob.


Under the camera…



Is the stand to balance the camera, the tripod and wristband socket. There is also the rewind knob.

Now for the back…


Here is the film compartment and the film compartment cover.

On the cover is a wheel known as the film speed dial. It is as Schuster (2012) writes: “is simply a reminder of what film you have loaded -- it serves no mechanical function, since this camera has no light meter.


Above that are the viewfinder and range finder windows.


To open the film compartment cover, the user presses down on the pressure plate or lock clip, located on the right side.


The film compartment is a right to left feed, instead of the usual left to right. This camera takes 35mm film (see the Kodak 200 Color Plus Film post).


Loading the film is quite the process, so to keep it simple here is the manual’s explanation:

Page 4 & 5 from the manual.


Page 6 & 7 from the manual.


Page 15 from the manual.


This camera also came with a leather carrier and a lens accessory kit.

Page 18 & 19 from the manual.

Argus also sold an optional Electormatic speed printer to help print out film negatives and pictures.

Page 10 (C) from the manual.


And there it is, the brick of the camera world. With its size and shape, this camera can also possibly be used as a weapon (and with a chunk missing in the corner, something tells me that it might have been used as one!).

The camera is simple to use, and it is easy to see why people compared it to the Leica and why it sold so well. The only drawbacks are the weight, and size makes it difficult to pack. But at the end it is still an amazing piece of engineering, and it has a unique look that just mesmerizes and draws people towards it.

It is a real must have for camera collectors and vintage collectors alike.

Anyway, thank you for making it to the end and as always, I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did researching it. 

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Please see the Please help this site post on this blog, for more information.

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List of sources:

AADL. The Story of Argus Camera. https://aadl.org/arguscamera

ACG. Argus "C" Series Cameras. https://www.arguscg.org/reference/c.shtml

Argus Museum. History of Argus. https://www.argusmuseum.org/history-of-argus

CollectiBlend. 2025. Argus Price guide. https://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Argus/thumbnails/

Eckman, M. 2019. Argus C-Series Part I – History. https://mikeeckman.com/2019/08/argus-c-series-part-i-history/

Eckman, M. 2019. Argus C-Series Part II – Repairs. https://mikeeckman.com/2019/08/argus-c-series-part-ii-repairs/

Eckman, M. 2019. Argus C-Series Part III – Identification. https://mikeeckman.com/2019/08/argus-c-series-part-iii-identification/

Eckman, M. 2019. Argus C-Series Part IV – Lenses and Use. https://mikeeckman.com/2019/08/argus-c-series-part-iv-lenses-use/

Eparrino. 2023. A Revolutionary Lens: The Story Of The Cooke Triplet. https://www.lomography.com/magazine/351477-a-revolutionary-lens-the-story-of-the-cooke-triplet

Gandy, S. 2016. Argus C-33 aka Brick 33 aka Walter Mitty. https://cameraquest.com/argc33.htm

Jeol. Five Seidel aberrations. https://www.jeol.com/words/emterms/20121023.035259.php#gsc.tab=0

Lee, T & Lush, h. 2020. Rangefinder vs SLR. https://thedarkroom.com/rangefinder-vs-slr/#:~:text=Rangefinders%20have%20a%20larger%20viewfinder,frame%2C%20helping%20anticipate%20your%20shot.

Mike. Argus C2 Manual. https://butkus.org/chinon/argus/argus_c-2/argus_c-2.htm

Museum Victoria Collections. Camera - Argus, 'C 2 Range-Finder', Michigan, U.S.A., circa 1940. https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/378560#:~:text=Model%20Name%20or%20Number,Products%2C%20Chrome%20Steel%2C%20Leather%20Products

MW Classic. Argus C2 “Brick” 35mm coupled rangefinder camera with 50mm f3.5 Cintar lens. As featured in the Harry Potter “Chamber of Secrets” film. https://mwclassic.com/product/argus-c2-brick-35mm-coupled-rangefinder-camera-with-50mm-f3-5-cintar-lens-as-featured-in-the-harry-potter-chambre-of-secrets-film/

Schuster, R. 2012. Argus C3 (the brick) Review. https://shotonfilm.wordpress.com/the-cameras-2/argus-c3-the-brick/#:~:text=The%20viewfinder%20window%20is%20extremely,of%20the%20rangefinder%20dial%20gears.

Science Museum Group. Argus Camera Company 1936. https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/people/cp68129/argus-camera-company

Sterritt, P. 2023. When was my Argus camera made? A guide to estimating the date of production for Argus cameras made between 1936 and 1966. https://argusinfo.net/DatingGuide/DatingYourArgus.htm#C3A

Wikipedia. Anastigmat. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anastigmat#:~:text=The%20first%20Anastigmat%20was%20designed,in%201891%2C%20substituting%20a%20cemented

Wikipedia. Cooke Triplet. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooke_triplet#:~:text=The%20Cooke%20triplet%20is%20noted,negative)%20lens%20in%20the%20middle



Friday, March 21, 2025

Ricohflex Model IIII

 




Continuing with interesting looking cameras, this post will be going over the Ricoh camera range. This post is all about the Ricohflex Model IIII.




As usual, I will first go over the camera company’s history. The Ricoh camera company started in 1936 in Japan, Tokyo by Kiyoshi Ichimura, who was a “remarkable visionary who championed a responsible, progressive, and people-first approach to doing business. Mr Ichimura recognised the importance of embracing human potential to create a better future for our people and planet…” (Ricoh 2025).

The company first started as Rikagaku Kogyo, a company started by the “Institute of Physical and Chemical Research to commercialize the fruits of its R&D” and sensitized paper in 1927 and then changed its name to Riken Kankoshi Co., Ltd. in 1936, then to Riken Optical Co., Ltd two years later and by 1963 to Ricoh Company, Ltd. (Ricoh Media).

When the company went by Riken Kankoshi Co., Ltd. when the sensitized paper division split under the directorship of Ichimura and “led the successful development of the business that started with 350,000 yen in capital and a staff of 33…” (Ricoh Media).

The company only started selling cameras in 1937 and in “1950, it created Japan’s first mass production structure for cameras, driving their popularity among consumers. The company entered the business machine field in 1955 by launching the Ricopy 101…” (Ricoh Media).

Ricopy 101. Image Source: https://www.ricoh.com/-/Media/Ricoh/Sites/com/about/company/history/2000/img/copy_01.jpg


The key to their success was the fact that Ricoh was the first company to introduce the conveyer belt system “achieving a production capacity of 10,000 units/month —more than ten times the capacity of the then standard level of less than 1,000 units/month from the conventional handicraft industry…” which lead to the Ricohflex Model IIIB to be created in mass production(Camera-wiki) leading to it being more affordable and a big hit with the public, “representing more than 50% of total national camera production during its sales peak…” (Ricoh Media). This mass camera production led to them receiving the Ohkochi Memorial Production Prize in 1957 (Ricoh.com). 

Ricohflex Model IIIB. Image Source: https://p1-d9ebd2ee.imageflux.jp/c!/w=1280,h=1280,a=0,u=1,q=75/101048/1723170986882.jpg


In 1955 the company released the Ricopy 101, their first office copier. It became a popular item and even received the “Mechanical Engineering Heritage Certification No.54 for fiscal year 2012.” Then by 1962, the paper plant in Numazu (1960) was expanded to include the sensitized paper production. In that same year led to the Ohmori Plant and the General Research Lab, which helped “served as strong Ricoh bases to support expansion of its business areas of microphotography cameras, o‑set printers, data processing systems, and many others…” (Ricoh Media).

This led to Ricoh to venture into the automatic cameras, creating the Ricoh Auto-35 (the first camera with an electric-eye made in Japan) and the Ricoh Auto-Half (a more advance system with automatic film-rewind, focus and exposure). These cameras were easy to use and “purse-sized” which made them popular, especially among the female populace. This same year also saw the founding of the USA branch: Ricoh Industries, U.S.A. Inc. (Ricoh.com). This led to their 10-million-yen sales milestone leading to the name change of Ricoh Company, Ltd. in 1963 (Ricoh Media) and also the founding of the European branch in Switzerland (Ricoh.com).  

Ricoh Auto-35. Image Source: https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4653634054_44d699f75f.jpg



Ricoh Auto-Half. Image Source: https://cdn.assets.lomography.com/da/acdd28f0730006b46608fa371ec82cf565fd39/1216x912x2.jpg?auth=3d26372ec45511d061302c9ba93c97ec2b1f9a86


This led to them wanting to make further leaps in the industry, but business started to fade but came back when they brought out their first electrostatic copier, the Ricopy BS-1 (Ricoh Media). The next two years saw the opening of two factories in two other prefectures in Japan and in 1968, the death of Kiyoshi Ichimura (Ricoh.com). 

Ricopy BS-1. Image Source: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CQyj1gYU8AA79FS.jpg:large


In the 1970s, the company opened Ricoh of America, Inc. through the integration of the Ricoh Industries, U.S.A. Inc., and throughout the 1970-1984, released more office equipment, factories in different Japanese prefectures and even one in Germany and California USA. They also established new subsidiaries (like Imaging Technology) and even had mergers with the Ricoh of America, Inc. and Rapicom, Inc. This period also saw the death of another company president, Mikio Tatebayashi (Ricoh.com). 

From 1985-1999, saw the company still grow. Creating more office equipment, which won them twenty-one more awards, more international offices in France, USA, Russia, UK, India, Italy, Spain and China, as well as more factories in other Japanese prefectures. This period also saw the Ricoh company entering the CD industry and producing its first digital camera, the Ricoh DC-1 in 1995, which won the Camera Grand Prix '95 Special Prize in Japan (Ricoh.com).  

Ricoh DC-1. Image Source: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSmJwsvcdj6GbJUhUnjZkY62orgVZ85Y2R6yA&s


This growth just wouldn’t stop. In 2000-2010, the company got more awards, opened more international and prefecture offices, more advanced office and camera equipment. They even inaugurated the Ichimura Nature School Kanto for youth education and development, joined the UN Global Compact, joined a partner agreement with the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, Janan and even became the sponsor for the Woman’s British Open international golf tournament (Ricoh.com). 

Then by 2010 and onwards, Ricoh’s: “range of value provided to customers has begun to expand significantly. Ricoh launched the Projection System business in 2010, the United Communication System business in 2011 and the Additive Manufacturing (AM) business in 2014, coupled with the introduction of various network appliances linked to cloud services. In 2013, we released RICOH THETA, the world's first digital camera capable of taking fully spherical pictures. These are some of the many ways Ricoh creates new value for its customers…”

This period saw more awards (shocker!), factories and subsidiaries. It even entered the health care industry and became more environmentally conscious, while still innovating in the world of office and school equipment. Their most notable achievements (notable to me anyway) is that it bought and acquired the Pentax brand in 2011 and releasing the Ricoh GR (Kaninsky), brought out the RICOH THETA, a “product capable of capturing the scene around, above and below the device in a fully spherical image…” and the RICOH-SV-M-S1, “an industrial stereo camera which can take accurate and speedy 3D measurements…” as well as many more impressive cameras and camera equipment (Ricoh.com).  Please do check out the Ricoh timeline: https://www.ricoh.com/about/history for the full story. 

Ricoh GR. Image Source: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQjQpOgHvQgXZsDmrgwiBCdCWcXgWaqn1ADsLbF47Z6iHZ6nbCZhpgX5FVcuis8hnhY4XU&usqp=CAU

Ricoh Theta. Image Source: https://cameralandsandton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ricoh-theta-x-8-768x495-1-1.jpg


Ricoh-SV-M-S1. Image Source: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQlT_xjVMZCFfWQxj5zkk9LZFx1E7lnR-gPng&s


It really seems like the Ricoh name isn’t going away anytime soon and that nothing will stand in the way of this powerhouse!

But anyway, now for the main event: a look at the camera of this post, the Ricohflex Model IIII. 



The Ricohflex Model IIII was produced 1952 (Erker). What is interesting is that this camera is the second in the series, despite the first one being labelled as Model III (Pantax 2021).

Ricohflex Model III. Image Source: https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2702/4517454296_6d328e0fcd_m.jpg

It seems that the Model IIII was part of the conveyer belt system that developed the Model IIIB, the second variation of the Model III (SpyZee).

What I find interesting about the Model IIII is that since it came out in the 1950s, its full name is technically Riken Optical Co., Ltd Ricohflex Model III camera, as proven by the date and the fact that the lens cap has the name Riken on it.


The second piece is that this camera is the early version of the Model IIII, because “Earlier ones are labelled IIII which was later changed to the more correct Roman Numeral IV…” (Erker).

Ricohflex Model IV. Image Source: https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/bmc-penny-images/production/1200/10.40.07-2ba1847e29db4d0314d4f2eb413d28bf.jpeg

This camera was followed up with the Model VI (Camera-wiki), a Model V was never made (TLRgraphy 2012), making the Model IIII (or IV) a part of Ricoh’s “19 TLRs, albeit some of them are remarkably like each other. Its TLRs span the near bottom of the market and a few quite high-end models…” (SpyZee).

Ricohflex Model VI by David Donnadieu. Image Source: https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3391/3259016770_de827edf5b_m.jpg

It appears that there is no difference between the different models. The only differences seem to be that certain models have faster shutter speeds, f/stop settings and film advance wind knobs, like the Ricohflex Holiday (Erker). 

Ricohflex Holiday. Image Source: https://i.etsystatic.com/13173561/r/il/c488c9/4635822556/il_1080xN.4635822556_cqza.jpg

But comparing the Model III to the Model IIII, I can’t really see any difference. Both have the same type of lenses, f/stops and shutter speeds (Spyzee), except for the first Model III, which had the smallest f/stop at 16 (the Model IIII is 22), but later models of the Model III came with the 22 setting (TLRgraphy 2012). 

Another difference is that the Model IIII has “a folding viewfinder shade which was changed to the pop-up type” which was introduced when the Model IIIB was made (TLRgraphy 2012).

It looks more like the Model IIIB and IIII/IV could be the same. My theory is that the Model III was popular and when Ricoh used the conveyer belt system, they possibly felt that naming the new camera model IIIB didn’t fit their brand of being the company that made new luxury models with their new method of producing cameras, so they made the Model IIIB, but renamed it the Model IIII and then renamed it the Model IV to the correct roman numeral. But this is just my theory, so I could be wrong.

Now the only difference I can find between the Model IIII and the VI, is that VI came with a red film counter window (Erker).

Now time to look at the camera itself. The body is “made from sheet steel with a thicker steel lens plate…” (Erker) and covered in snakeskin leatherette. It has a weight of approximately 453g (BlueMoon) and 5” (7 when viewfinder is unfolded) x 2.7” x 2,9” in size.

Now for the front of the camera.


First the lenses.


The lenses are similar to the Eugen Ising Pucky I Flex Camera, except the Model IIII is a real TLR with a geared lens (Camera-wiki).

I do go over what a TLR is in my Pucky I post, but I will give a brief overview:

A twin lens reflex (TLR) camera is a type of camera that features two lenses: one for capturing the image on film and another for the finder. This lens reflex camera offers an alternative experience in photography to the standard film camera. Pioneering models like the Rolleiflex and Mamiya C series have been instrumental in the camera makers’ industry. These cameras mostly used 120 film, with fixed lens setups such as the 80mm tessar lens. A few later models, like the Mamiya c220, introduced interchangeable lenses. The camera body often has controls for shutter speed and aperture, enabling the adjustment of depth of field. Using a TLR entails looking down into the top of the camera through the viewfinder, which contains a reflex mirror. The image seen in the viewfinder is reflected from the front of the camera and behind the viewing lens…” (Photoco 2025).

Rolleiflex. Image Source: https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/UwzbuvZS6eAJjUq346fa2PqUl0lV0vqPTvCZhihNdaHEqJGQeeBRc5pK8BZ_ejY2cnMMNRfghrMyeO6cfgsVSoIm5cuctYT9nGzoc7_7kiiiMAizzurb

Mamiya C220. Image Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/62/Mamiya_C220front.JPG

Or: “the TLR employs two lenses of the same focal length, arranged one above the other. The lower lens is the ‘taking’ lens, while the upper lens is the viewing lens, behind which is a fixed mirror set at 45-degrees to reflect the image up to a focusing screen. The mirror accounts for the word “reflex” and the twin lens arrangement were designed to give a viewfinder image that was remarkably close to the one that was recorded by the taking lens. There is some parallax error – the slight difference in the two lenses’ fields of view – but it was negligible when focusing over long distances. It was more of an issue when shooting close-up, but many TLRs had a moving indicator in the viewfinder to show the difference in framing…” (Burrows 2021). 

So, unlike an SLR, which the viewfinder is connected to the lens, the TLR has two separate lenses that are the same and when focusing one, the other focuses at the same time and with the Model IIII, it is done through a gear system.


Both are most likely 3 element coated as well (Erker), talked about in the Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera post.

Now let’s look at each lens individually, starting with the viewer lens.


It is a Ricoh Viewer, with a focal length of 80mm and a maximum aperture of 1:3.5. It is also most likely an anastigmat lens (which is discussed in Agfa Billy Record 7.7 Pocket Camera post). But through further research, I suspect that the Ricoh Viewer is similar, if not the same, as the Triver Anastigmat lens found on the Ricohflex B from 1941 (Camera-wiki).

 

Ricohflex B. Image Source: https://www.collection-appareils.fr/ricoh/images/Ricohflex_Mod_B_face.jpg

This is also where the focus range settings are set. It can be set between 3.5-60 feet and infinity.


Now for the taking lens.


This is obviously like the viewer lens. An anastigmat lens with a maximum aperture of 3.5 and a focal length of 80mm. The only real difference between the two lenses is that the taking lens is where the shutter speed and f/stop settings and the aperture peddles are set.

Speaking of...


The shutter is bottom left.

 


It is a different type of shutter lever. By this I mean its method of preventing any accidental double exposure. To use the shutter, one must lift the shutter lever to cock the mechanism. According to the Model VIIs manual, “The convenient design of the Ricohflex shutter combines the setting and tripping lever in one unit.” Then once it is set, the user presses down on the lever to take the picture. 

The shutter is a leaf-shutter, specifically a Riken shutter, which means that it is synchronized for flash photography (Camera-wiki).

The shutter speed settings are found above the taking lens and behind the gear TLR system, on the outer ring. It has the setting speeds of 1/25, 1/50, 1/100 of a second and a B setting.


Above the lever is the Cable Release Socket, for remote shutter release cable.


Then on the other side of the taking lens…


Is the PC flash connector, with a pin (see Eugen Ising Pucky I Flex Camera for more information).


Underneath that is the f/stop settings, with the settings being 3.5, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16 and 22. The aperture peddles, like the Agfa Billy Record 7.7 Pocket Camera and The Utility Falcon Model F, are behind the shutter.




















On top - 


Is the viewfinder, with a “self-erecting and closing hood” where the 45-degree angle mirror is to look through the viewer lens, which is manufactured from ground glass. The hood is used to help block out light and have the user see the image better. It is used the same as the brilliant finders on the Kodak Brownie Model 1 and the Brownie No. 2 Model D, meaning that it is viewed from the user’s hip.



















The viewfinder also comes with a Wide Field Magnifier, which is built into the hood and is used for occasions when lighting is too distracting for viewing on the hip, or if the mirror is out of focus, by looking directly into the magnifier.








































To use the magnifier, look through the magnifying lens to the rear of the hood with one eye, while observing the subject with the other eye. The eye looking through the magnifier sees two thin white outlines. The large square outline shows the limits of the field, when 12O film is used; the small rectangular outline shows the field covered by 35mm film, used in the RICOHKIN ADAPTER…” according to the Model VII manual. 

On the left side…


Is the film advance winder knob, which like the Brownie cameras, also holds the film carrier in place and is released by pulling the knob outwards.


There are also the studs. There is one on either side and this is where the strap would go.


Underneath…


Is the tripod socket and the Rear catch and lock that keeps the film compartment cover closed.

Speaking of which, the back…


This is where the film compartment cover is. On the cover is the film counter window and the window cover.



As mentioned, the later Ricohflex models had red windows and the Model IIII seems to have a yellowish window.


In the film compartment is the film carrier, that takes twelve 6 x 6 pictures with 120 film (see Agfa Clack Film camera for more information) and is easy to load. It is similar to the Brownies and the Pucky I.




































Although according to Erker, a Ricohkin or Color Adapter, can be used to allow the camera to use 35mm film.

The Model IIII might not be as advanced as the other TLR cameras, but it is simple and easier to use and is a good introduction for photographers (yes, even better than the Eugen Ising Pucky I Flex Camera) who want to get into the TLR camera game. Just found it a bit frustrating because of how limited the information about this camera is out there.

But anyway, thank you for making it to the end. And as always, I hoped you enjoyed this as much as I did researching it.

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List of sources:

BlueMoon. Ricoh Ricohflex Model IV Twin Lens Reflex Camera. https://bluemooncamera.com/shop/product/RED0120%7C118155C/ricoh-ricohflex-model-iv-twin-lens-reflex-camera?srsltid=AfmBOopGlMCFjusJs_o2ogsmdvqJG8U6RDfmqg_PatJiEyaMIC_ZqjZe

Burrows, P. 2021. The rise and fall of the TLR: why the twin-lens reflex camera is a real classic. https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/features/the-rise-and-fall-of-tlr-cameras-why-the-twin-lens-reflex-is-a-real-classic

Mike. Ricohflex VII Manual. https://butkus.org/chinon/ricoh/ricohflex_vii/ricohflex_vii.htm

Camera-wiki. Ricohflex B. http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Ricohflex_B

Camera-wiki. Ricohflex (geared lens). http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Ricohflex_(geared_lens)

Erker, G. Ricohflex / Diacord / Ricohmatic 6x6 TLRs. https://www.angelfire.com/ca/erker/ricohflex.html

Kaninsky, M. History of Pentax. https://aboutphotography.blog/blog/history-of-pentax-ricoh-imaging

Pantax. 2021. Ricohflex Model III Medium Format TLR. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjIHyB9Y2SM

Photoco. 2025. The Art of the Twin lens Reflex Camera: A Complete Guide for Photographers. https://photococamera.com/the-art-of-the-twin-lens-reflex-camera-a-complete-guide-for-photographers/#:~:text=A%20twin%20lens%20reflex%20(TLR,and%20behind%20the%20viewing%20lens.

Ricoh. 2025. Our History. https://www.ricoh.co.za/about-us/our-company/#:~:text=Ricoh%20was%20formed%20in%201936,from%20experts%20across%20our%20industry.

Ricoh.com. Company History. https://www.ricoh.com/-/Media/Ricoh/Sites/com/about/company/history/pdf/1936_1969/all.pdf

Ricoh Media. Company History. https://www.ricoh.com/about/history

Spyzee. Riken's Ricoh TLRs. http://www.tlr-cameras.com/japanese/Ricoh.html

TLRgraphy. 2012. Collection: Ricoh. https://tlrgraphy.com/tag/ricohflex/



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