In this age of digital camera homogeneity, it's easy to forget that cameras began with that funny manual medium called film. It's perhaps even easier to forget that some film cameras were exceptionally well made and had very long shelf lives, as evidenced by Ricoh's 35mm rangefinder cameras. Ricoh began making these cameras in the 1950s, but you can still find them for sale in working condition through online auction sites, as of May 2011.
Ricoh "35"
Ricoh manufactured three different rangefinder cameras called "35" during the 1950s and many more in the subsequent years. Ricoh's first three 35mm film cameras were dubbed the 35, 35 DeLuxe and 35S. Both models feature the same stainless steel case with "35" engraved on top. In later years, Ricoh released other rangefinder 35 models, including the 35L and 35 Electronic.
Rangefinders
Most camera companies made rangefinder cameras during the 1950s. This type of camera doesn't work like a standard point-and-shoot or single-lens reflex camera. You never look through the lens (via a viewfinder) to focus your shots; instead, you look through a rangefinder box, sort of like a viewfinder on a disposable camera. You still use a focus ring to bring the shot into focus, but the process is a little more complex. When looking through the rangefinder, you see two images that move as you spin the focus dial. When the two images are aligned perfectly on top of one another, the shot is in focus.
Ricoh's Rangefinder 35mm Cameras
Ricoh's first 35mm rangefinder camera hit the market in 1955. Ricoh manufactured over 16,000 units in the first year of production. The camera sold with a stock f/3.5 aperture lens that could focus as close as 4.5 centimeters from the tip of the lens. Subsequent Ricoh 35s had different stock lenses with wider maximum apertures. The 35 DeLuxe, which was released in 1956, had an f/2.8 lens with a minimum focus of 4 centimeters. The 35L, which came out in the early 60s, had an f/2.0 lens and a minimum focus of 4.8 centimeters.
Using the Camera
Since these cameras were all made some 50 years ago, it can be difficult to find a used version with its original manual. Fortunately, shutter bug Mike Butkus scans a variety of original (and dated) camera manuals to PDF and uploads them to his site (butkus.org). The manuals are half originals scans and have the author's typed instructions, but you'll find everything you need to use your Ricoh 35 Rangefinder on his site (see Resources).
Tags: cameras were, rangefinder cameras, Ricoh Rangefinder, 35mm rangefinder, during 1950s, film cameras