Ricoh COLOR User manual

THE CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT
                IN REFLEX DESIGN  !

     The RICOHFLEX "DIA" was designed and precision engineered
  to give you performance and photographic results which are equal
  to those obtainable from the most expensive twin-lens reflexes.
     Although the RICOHFLEX "DIA" is moderately priced, its
  matched twin  8 cm RICONAR  f 13.5 lenses are  hard  - coated
 and color-corrected for  unsurpassed corner-to-cerner  negative
  sharpness.                  ,s
    The needle-point clarity of details is evident even at  full
  diaphragm opening. Also, color prints and transparencies have
  truer tone reproduction over the entire spectrum.
    The most important and outstanding feature is the exclusive
  DUO-LEVER*FOCUSING system. Developed by Riken, its superiority
  over other systems has been proven by the ease and rapidity
  with which the subject is brought into sharp focus. In addition,



                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       l  hand movements-the cause of blurred pictures are minimized.
   A brilliant full-size 2% x 2% image is clearly seen on the
\ extra-bright viewing screen even in the dimmest light. The hinged
  magnifier is easily flipped into position to enable you to critically
  check the sharpness of focus of the entire picture format. And, for
  action or sports, just look through the eye-level finder.
  * Patented and trade markwww.butkus.usregistered
    -2-

The shutter has speeds up to  lall   of a second which is fast
 enough to "stop" any type of action, especially sport events. The
 shutter's construction provides the highest efficiency at any speed
                                                                                                         ,, F,, and  ,, X,, flash setting.  It  is fully synchronized for ,'M ",
 requirements. Also, the built-in self-timer enables you to get into
 the picture-a convenient feature when taking group pictures.
On pages 12 through 17, additional information will be found on
 selecting and setting the proper shutter speed.
   On the lightweight, die-cast aluminum alloy body, all surfaces
are machined at microscopically small tolerances with the highest
degree of accuracy. And, the anti-reflection baffies interrupt the
stray light which usually reduces the contrast of the image
on the film.
   To enable you to obtain the maximum pleasure from your
RICOHFLEX "DIA", we have endeavored to include many principles
of advanced technique as well as all basic operations. These "tips',
are based on recognized factors that are used by  all leading
photographers and which result in prize-winning pictures; they are
easy to follow and you will show your shots with pride as to
your ability.
    Before loading the camera with film, we recommend that you
put the camera through its various operations to familiarize yourself
with some simple points to be remembered. The illustrations on
pages 4 and 5 will serve as  useful guides for identification of
various parts.
   You can load the camera with any standard 120 spool film in
either black-and-white or color f.or 12 exposures of 2fux2fu format.
                                                       -3-

RICOHFLEX
                       D IA
                                        (semi-automat)





           PRINCIPAL PARTS

  @ Focusing hood
  @ Carrying straP looP
  @ Film winding knob
  @ Film advance release
  @ Film speed indicator
  @ Exposure counter
   @ Control window for shutter speed and diaphragm stop
   @ Shutter cocking lever
     €) DUO'LEVER focusing
   @ Shutter speed selector
   @ Shutter release buttonwww.butkus.us

-4-

@ Taking Iens
 @ M-X sychronization lever
 @ Aperture selector
 @ Feed spool knob
 @ Self-timer lever
@ Viewing lens
@ Flash terminal

@ Accessory shoe
@ Cordless flash contact
@ Take-up spool knob
@ Direct view-finder frame
@ Sighting aperture for direct view_finder
@ Magnifier for critical focusing

                    @ Back cover
                  @ Back cover locking

                                          clamp

                  @ Back cover locking

                                                  disc
                  @ Tripod bushing

FILM LOADING
l
   The Ricohff.ex Dia takes 12 exposures on 120 roll film. Film
should not be put into, or taken out of the camera in direct sunlight'
         OPENING THE CAMERA
                                                                           Ill


                    b,
(A). Rotate the locking disc @ in the direction of the red arrow
     The locking clamp @ will move away from the  camera-O-body and can be lifted up to the position shown in figure 4'
(B). Swing the hinged back open to the position shown in figure
5. You will note that the counter @ automatically returned to "o".
(C). Put the empty spool in the
"take-up" chamber bY Pulling
the knob @ away frorn  - the
camera body and ehgaging the
slit on the spool with  the
end of the winding knob's shaft.
 Release the knob, engaging the
 spool with its shaft. Turn the
winding knob until the long slot
 of the take-up spool is in the
 position shown in figure 9.  www.butkus.us
  *6-

(D). Pull knob @ away from    (E). Break the seal and  pull
camera body. Place the film    out the paper leader.
roll into the "feed" chamber,
seating the slit onto the stud.
Be sure to properly engage the
spool on both ends.





(F). Draw the papef over the    (G). Turn the fihn winding
two rollers and slide the tapered    knob, winding the film leader
end into the long slot of the    evenly onto the take-up spool
take-up spool and out through     until the double-ended arrow
the short one.                    points to the two red dots on
                                the camera boby.

(H). The reverse order of
                                 opening the camera back is now
                                 used to close it. Shut the hinged
                                   back, push the clamP into Place
                          and move the locking disc in
                                      the direction of the arrow'-C--;
                        be sure the clamp is  caught
                                 onto the small Pin.

      SETTING FILM TYPE INDICATOR
               INTRODUCTION
   Film manufacturers rate their various films according to the
effect of the light upon the particular emulsion. Some films are
more sensitive and responsive to light than others.
    International standards have been adapted so that you can make
most effective use these values, especially in  setting exposure
meters. These ratings are expressed as numbers which are referred
to as the film's "ASA Exposure Index".
   .The data sheet in every film package will give two numbers
uidei 'i[e  .,Exposure Index"; one number is used when taking
daylight shots and the other when under artificial lighting, such as,
flash or flood lamps. With black-
and-white films, the  tungsten
number is generally 80fu of tb.e
daylight index. However, with
color films the package clearly
indicates that it  is for use with
daylight or artifrcial light. There-
fore, when using color film,  set
the indicator to the number listed
under the primary intended usage
since the secondary index is quite
different because a specific filter
is also required. The film data
sheet should also be  read
thoroughly since many excellent ,,tips"      on proper settings arewww.butkus.usgiven. The beginning amateur should
give close attention to the data, especially if  it for color frlm.

SETTING
(I). Turn the indicator disc @ until the ASA Daylight Exposure
Index is opposite the marker. Illustrated is a setting of 100 for
Super XX film. If the film is daylight type color, use the "D-COLOR"
reference number; for artifical light color, use the "T-COLOR" number.
       BRINGING THE FIRST FRAME
             INTO POSITION
                                    (J). Press down on the film
                        advance release @.   This
                             automatically  engages  the
                                   internal film advancing gears.
                                (K). Turn the film winding knob
               @ in a clockwise direction until
                                                    it stops. As you can see in figure
                                 14, the number "1" has appeared
                                  in  the counter window.  All
                                succeeding frames are brought

into position by rePeating stePstiJ"   and "K".   After the last
picture, again press down on the
film advance release; the  red
circle will appea-r in the window
and the film winding knob can
be turned continuouslY.


                                  This exclusive Riken feature
                              preventp the film from  being
                          wound 'past its proper position
                               since advance of the film only
                            becomes possible when the film
                              advance release button is pressed
                          down. It  completely eliminates
                                blank exposures and gives equal
                         spaces  between   negatives,
                                 preventing overlapped shots.

                                                        -9-

COMPOSITION AND EXPOSURE
                 FOCUSING
    Duo-Lever Focusing is the most modern system since the subject
is brought into sharp focus faster and easier. Also, hand movements
      cause of blurred pictures-are minimized.-the
   OPEN THE HOOD
  The hood is  opened by
simply lifting upon the back
part of it. Be sure to remove the
protective lens cap.

           HOLDING THE CAMERA





   When the camera is held at chest or waist level, the best
perspective is obtained since the lines of the subject are undistorted
in the picture format.
   The fingers should be on the Duo-Lever controls as illustrated
above. By keeping both hands on the camera in this manner, the
subject is quickly brought into sharp focus by moving the levers
. . . . . the left lever is moved downward  if the point of sharp
focus is further than the subject and, conversely, the right lever is
moved downward  if the point of sharpness is closer to the camera.
   The area visible on the extra-bright viewing screen is exactly
what will appear on the negative.  It  thus becomes very easy to
select the desired subject matter, background, etc., by moving the
camera to the right or left, www.butkus.usand up or down.
  -10-

CRITICAL FOCUSING

                                The wide-field magnifier can
                            be "flipped up" in a fraction of
                            a second when critical focusing
                                       is necessary. As illustrated in
                                   figure 19, just push the direct
                                    viewfinder frame @ back about
                                 712 inch and the magnifier auto-
                                      matically swings into position.
                          When using the magnifier,
 hold the eye close to it!
     Before closing the hood, be sure to push the magnifier down to  its original position  !

            EYE-LEVEL VIEWFINDER
                             For rapid eye-level shooting, first
                           push the frame down ,into the hood
                                 until it catches on Jhe latch. Then,
                        by sighting through the aperture @,
                         the limits of the field will be seen
                         through the direct viewfinder. It  is
                           abvisable to   first focus with  the
                            viewing screen to obtain the correct
                              distance setting for the main subject.
                          The frame is brought back to its
                               original position by moving the hood
                                 slightly back. This releases the latch
                        and the frame springs up into place.

             CLOSING THE IIOOD
   Be sure the magnifier is in its originar position.''Then, to crose
the hood, iust push the top towards the back of the camera.

                                                      -11  -

SIIUTTER SPEED AND APETURE OPENING
   By moving the shutter speed selector @ and the aperture
selector @, the speed and stop settings are visible in the "peep
window" @.  It is very easy to quickly change from one speed to
another or from one diaphragm opening to another without changing
the camera position since the extra large control window is located
on the top of the lens housing.


       SIIUTTER
       SPEED                               APERTURE
 O-     'a-!.      .    ..            , CONTROL                   CONTROL





                        Figure 21

    Addition information on the shutter  speed and aperture
 relationship is on pages 16 andwww.butkus.us17
  -t2-

PICTURE TAKING
     According to:
           the light conditions,
           the extend of action of our subject,
          the desired picture depth,
    set the aperture and shutter speed to meet our picture-taking
    requirements. Illustrated in figure 2l are an aperture of f/8 and a
     shutter speed of 1/50 of a second.

t
I
                              Figure 22
       Cock the shutter by moving lever @ down as far as it will go.
    See the picture on the left in figure 22. After focusing on the main
     subject and selecting the desired area, press down on the shutter
     release button @ with a gentle squeezing action. Since very little
     pressure on the button is required to put the shutter's mechanism
     into motion, a "jabbing" push on it should be avoided because it
     will cause the camera to "move" at tlre moment when the diaphragm
      is open. The illustration on the right in figure 22 shows the correct
    method of releasing the shutter.

"t    tt[ghu  llo,ilt, pufi&Bs                                                                                      I ntorust rtg
       The most important operations in the making of an attractive!I     picture are to properly arrange the subject matter and to choose
    the camera angle which portrays the best perspective. Your_big
    advantage in using the Ricohflex lies in seeing on the viewing screen
   BXACTLY what will appear on the negative.  It becomes an easy
     matter to select the proper taking point to obtain your desired
     format. On the following pages are the basic factorS which are easy
     to use and worth while remembering.
                                            _13_

By using these main principles of good composition: simplicity.
balance, leading line, background, depth and camera angle, your
pictures will be more attractive to everyone and of prize-winning
caliber.
Sirnplicity. Every picture should have a main point of interest
whether it be a single object or a group. It should present one idea
with clarity and not have distracting objects or lines which would
prevent the viewer from recognizing the photograph's purpose.
                                                                         3Balance. Photo pictures of more than one object (for example :
persons) are considered. to be well-balanced when they are in har-
mony with one another. This can be done by arrangirig objects of
similar shape and size in various positions. If you place your main
interest halfway between the center and the edge of the viewfinder,
you will find your composition immediately has a pleasing effect; it
is generally agreed among professionals that the principal object of
attraction should not be in the exact center. This technique is very
useful when taking a group picture--have some of the people pose
in various positions, rather than lined up abreast.
Leading line. Any line-straight or curved-that brings the eye to
the main object is an excellent feature in a picture. This technique
is especially useful in outdoor photography where a roadway, or
even footprints in the sand from the lower left corner leading to
the subject, can be included. Notice how, in the picture to the left,


                         1"'"# corner through our graceful                         fu   swans towards the tYPical
                                   Japanese house in the upper
                                       right corner. As you will note,
                              we used all our basic princiPles
                                      to bring out a Pastoral scene.
                                  Enlarged, it became a restful
                          and decorative picture for
                                 everyone to enjoy its rustic
                                 serenity (f/16 at 1/50 of  a
                              www.butkus.ussecond on Plus X).

   -14-

DATA:
      Plus X film
       (ASA 80)
b      tl4
      L1200 of a second
     R-O filter
       (see additional
       details below)

    Background. In a close-up picture of a specific object, the back-
    ground should be plain or in harmony with the subject. Your
     selection of appropriate surroundings will be an indication of your
     ability.  If  conditions will not permit an agreeable background,
    overcome  it by decreasing the depth-of-field through an increase
     in the aperture like we did for model above.
    Depth. When taking a picture of a far-off scene, a 3-D effect is
    added  if. a nearby object is also included in sharp focus.
    Camera angle. This does not refer to the holding of the camera,
    but to what is selected for the picture area. Whenever possible,
    within this area, avoid horizontal or vertical lines (as seen through
    the viewfinder) that divide the picture in" half  !
       About the photograph aboye. The film data recommended   t 116
    at 1/100 of a second. Since a red filter with a factor of 8 was used,
    the aperture was opened to f.15.6. To increase the blurring of the
    background, the stop was opened further to   f 14. Then, to
    compensate for this larger f-stop, the shuttr speed was increased
    to U200 of a second. The smiling model now "stands out" for a
     pleasing picture to be put into the album.
                                                      -15-

-D-
               SELECTING
     SHUTTER SPEED AND APERTURE
   We know you will 6nd'lpicture-taking is fun;  if photography  is
a new addition to your hobbies, we believe that, after reading this
section, you will see it is also easy.
   The combination of the lens opening and shutter speed controls
the amount of light entering the camera. The diaphragm setting
determines how much of the lens' area will be used and the shutter
speed will govern the duration df the opening. However, before
selecting these settings, we believe you should understand what they
are and how they work.

           APERTURE OPENING
   when we select an aperture opening, w€ regulate the size of
the circular hole in the diaphragm. This opening will control the
intensity of the light admitted into the camera.
   The size of this opening is designated by a number and is
referred to by many interchangeable names: "lens stop, f-stop,
f-number, aperture, and diaphragm setting (or stop)."
   The "f" numbers are exacty the reverse of the opnings. The
smallest number (f/3.5) on the diaphragm scale is the maximum
opening, while conversely, the largest number (f/16) is the smallest
opening.
   The aperture scale has these stop markings:
                   3.5 4 5.6 8  1l  16
    Beginning with the smallest opening, fll6, each succeeding
setting doubles the quantity of effective light passed through the
lens. Thus, at f.15.6 we put 8 times more light onto the negative
than we do at f/16!
   A "half-stop" f-number can be obtained by setting the  scale
between two numbers. For example: if we desire an f16.3 opening,
move the aperture control lever so that the blank area between the
 f/5.6 and 8 markings is in the peep window.
     Since the amount of light required to reproduce a given subject
 is fixed, the shutter speed must be considered before selecting this
 opening; this is explained onwww.butkus.usthe next page.

   -16-                                              1

SITUTTER SPEED
   The Ricohflex Dia shutter speed are:
          8125102550100200400
   Thesenumbersrepresentfractionsofasecond.Thatis,l:one
second, while 400:1,1400 th of a second. The larger the number, the
faster is the shutter action in its opening and closing. This means
that at the slowest speed (one second), 400 times more light will
pass through the lens than at the highest speed'
   The polsition "B" is used for time exposures since the shutter
willremainopenaslongasthereleasebuttonisdepressed.When
using this setting, the iamera shoulcl be placed on a firm'  solid
supp"ort-preferably a tripod-and a cable release should be used to
open and close the shutter.
             DELAYED ACTION
   Tousetheself-timer.putthecameraonatripodandfocuson
yourgroup.Settheaperture,shutterspeedandcocktheshutterin
the usual manner. with  ttre synchronization lever @ in the " X "
position (see page 19), push the self-timer lever @ down' Pressing
down on the shutter release button will activate the self-timer and
the exposure will be made automatically after a 10 second delay.
Since i1 enables you to also get into the picture, prints of your
 family and friends will be moie delightful to look at when mounted
 in your album.
   Iriote: The self timer wiII not operate when the shutter speed
          setting iB at "8" or when the MX synchronization lever
          is at "M".
               ACTION SHOTS
    The selection of your shutter speed is determined primarily by
 the amount of "movement" of your subject. For persons walking
 towards your camera, 1/50 of a second will freeze the movement.
 For sport events or horse races where the action is approaching
 or moving away from the camera' use 1/100 of a second' If the
 action is very fast or is moving across the field of view, set the
 speed on 11200 or 71400 of a second'
      WHAT STOP AND SPEED TO USE ?
    Aswehaveseenfromtheprecedingsections,thelensstopand
 shutterspeedaredependentuponeachothertoobtainthecorrect                                                                         1/100 exposure and compo"itio'';  fl8 at 1/50 of a second and f/5.6 at
 of a second will produce the same image density on the negative'
 The combination you select will depend upon what you want in
 your picture,

                                                                                                    Lt                                                                                                                         -        -

FLASH TECHNIQUE
   Your Richohflex Dia has an M-X  synchronization system.
Perfect coincidence of the flash with the shutter opening is obtained
when using strobe (electronic flash) and with almost every type of
flashbulb.





       i"* {r;    6n ri


         "X" Setting                 "M" Setting
                           Figure 23
   Type X synchronization is used with electronic flash units and
Class F  flashbulbs. Move the lever @ to the "X" setting as
illustrated above.
   When Class M flashbulbs are used, the lever @ is moved to the
M position and the self-timer lever @ is cocked as shown on the
right in figure 23. When the shutter release button is pressed, the
shutter's opening is delayed about 16 milliseconds. This delay will
give the lamp sufffrcient time to reach its peak brilliance at the
exact moment that the shutter is wide open, even at the fastest
shutter speed.
   The self-timer lever must be re-cocked every time to obtain this
16 ms delay interval since the self-timer is released when the
shutter's mechanism is activated.
   The chart on the opposite page lists the speeds which can
be used with the different typeswww.butkus.usof flashbulbs.
  -18-

MOUNTING THE FLASH TINIT
    Holding the contact sPring
    up, slide the metal Plate of
    the RICOH Flash, Model
    8-300, as far as it can go
    into the accessory shoe @.
   The circuit  is  comPleted
   through the  special flash
    contact @ in the center of
    the shoe. Figu re 24 illustrates
    the Model 8-300 mounted in
    the shoe.
      For other flash unit models,
    the connecting cord must
    have an European-tyPe tiP to
      fit onto the flash terminal @.
        "Battdryai\    case-bracket" types of flash guns can also be used bY
    attaching tha.bracket to the tripod bushing @.
          FLASHBULBS          USABLE SPEED RANGE
          TYPE NUMBERS
             5158. 8125, 25B, PFS&PF4      all speeds     B to U25
                SF, SM & SS      B to U25     B to U50
                        B to 1/100     B to U25
                6, 68, 26 & 268          DO NOT USE
         ECTRONIC FLASH        NOT         ALL
             (STROBE)          RECOMMENDED     SPEEDS{*
     There is a table of GUIDE NUMBERS on every flashbulb package.
    Under the tungsten index of your film, you will find a nunber
    for your shutter speed setting which gives the relationship of
     "distance-from-subject" and the aperture. Dividing this number by
     the distance-in-feet from your subject, you obtain the correct stop
    opening. For example : if the number is 110 and 'you are 10 feet
     away, the aperture should be set on tlLL.

F*
            MULTIPE FLASH
   By   using   an
additional Iamp in an                                         (8)
extension unit, picture
quality will be greatly
improved. Roundness
and  depth will  be
added to the features
of the face and harsh
shadows  will    be
"softened".
      Attach    the
connecting cord from
the extension unit  to
the terminal marked
"extension". The diagram shows a basic "Triangle" set-up that gives
good results ; one flash (A) is on the camera and the extension (B)
is placed high and to the right about half the distance of subject-
to-camera. This arrangement will give you the simplest professional
lighting.
   An additional professional "touch" is to place a white cardboard
slightly to the left, above and behind the subject. This acts as a
reflector and directs the main light back into the shadows to give
highlight for the hair.
   The diaphragm setting must be closed one full stop to allow
for the additional light. For example : your calculator shows an
opening of f.[l  for one lamp; set the aperture on f.ll6 f.or the two
lamps.                      www.butkus.us
  -20-

SOME TIPS ON FLASIT

         * Buy the proper type of flashbulb. Be sure to use blue-coated
     bulbs with daylight type color film.

         * Use fresh batteries. The light of a flashbulb lasts only a
     fraction of a second. To catch the picture, the camera shutter must
    be wide open at that exact moment. Weak batteries will not produce
     the light at that required instant.

        * Don't let your subject just sit ; have then doing something
 l* which avoids the appearance of a "posed" picture.
    I        * Use flash "fill-in"  to eliminate unattractive squints and
    harsh, dark shadows caused by strong sunlight. You'll find that
     flash adds a sparkling quality to your pictures  if you have your
     subjects facing off to an angle from the sunlight instead of having
       it shine into their eves.

        * When taking flash pictures outdoors at night, in a very largeIq
    room or a room with dark interiors, increase the aperture opening
   by one f/-stop. For example : from the Guide Number and
    Distance, your Calculator tells you to use tlll   ;  set the aperture
   on f/8.
                                                                -2t-