RICOH SINGLEX (1962–1967)

Name: Ricoh Singlex
Brand: Ricoh

The Ricoh Singlex was Ricoh’s first 35mm SLR camera with interchangeable lenses, marking the company's entry into the SLR market.

Overview

The Ricoh Singlex was Ricoh's first SLR, introduced in 1962 as the company's initial reflex camera with interchangeable lenses. It was based on the Mamiya-designed Nikkorex F, a camera originally created for the amateur market. With strong export demand and no in-house SLR ready, Ricoh acquired the design to enter the growing SLR market quickly. The Singlex was also sold under the Sears brand as the SL 11, and its design was used exclusively for this model before Ricoh developed its own SLRs with different mounts.

Specifications

Type	35mm Single-Lens Reflex (SLR)
Film Format	35mm film, 24x36mm frame size
Years Produced	1962–1967
Lens Mount	Nikon F mount
Shutter	Mechanical vertical focal-plane metal Copal shutter
Shutter Speeds	1 sec to 1/1000 sec, plus B (bulb)
Flash Sync Speed	1/125 sec
Viewfinder	Non-changeable screen with horizontal split-image rangefinder surrounded by microprism collar
Metering	No TTL metering; camera is completely mechanical
Exposure Meter	External coupled clip-on CdS meter
Standard Lens	Auto Rikenon 55mm f/1.4
Dimensions	147 x 93 x 102 mm

Design

The Ricoh Singlex features a completely mechanical construction with no electronics, making it resistant to battery leakage or electronic failure. It has a shutter speed dial on the top plate and a hinged camera back for film loading. The body is described as "quite well built" and includes X & M PC sync ports on the side. A cold shoe for flash is located on a slip-on cover over the pentaprism. Depth-of-field preview and mechanical self-timer are combined into a single lever. The Nikon F mount locking pin is positioned at 5 o'clock. The external CdS meter sold by Ricoh is specific to this model and compatible with the Sears SL 11 and Nikkorex F.

Context

The original Ricoh Singlex is the only Ricoh SLR to use the Nikon F mount; all subsequent models, including the Singlex TLS and Singlex II, used a 42mm screw mount and were in-house Ricoh designs. Rikenon F-mount lenses are optically and mechanically distinct from Nikkor lenses. The black version of the Singlex is rarer than the black Nikkorex F, with the rarest configuration being the all-black body paired with the special black 55mm f/1.4 lens.