Ricoh Auto Half

[henryvk]

I'm not sure how one would attach a lens shade to the Auto Half. The lens is recessed a bit which probably already helps cut down flare.

Rhenish Winter on Kodak Gold:

 

[xkaes]

I'm not sure how one would attach a lens shade to the Auto Half. T

It depends on the model.

 

[henryvk]

I don't see how you would attach a lens hood to any of them other than the SL.

 

[mango28]

Hi, I recently shot a 400 iso roll on the auto half S, but all the images were out of focus. I used it in the automatic mode. It's my first time using this camera, so I'm not sure if it's user error, or something is wrong with it? How would I go about fixing it, if needed? (I've included images - the only thing in focus on the whole roll is the steering wheel in the car because it was closer to the camera?)

 

[koraks]

Welcome to Photrio @mango28!
It seems your camera focuses much closer than it's supposed to. Since this camera is of a fixed focus design, this suggests something is out of alignment. Inspect the camera carefully to see if there are any signs of the lens assembly being deformed, warped or moved, and whether the film pressure plate functions as it should. Focusing too closely suggests the distance between the film and the lens is bigger than it should be.

Also, I'm not sure if a close up accessory exists for this camera, but in any case, verify that none is mounted!

 

[mango28]

Welcome to Photrio @mango28!
It seems your camera focuses much closer than it's supposed to. Since this camera is of a fixed focus design, this suggests something is out of alignment. Inspect the camera carefully to see if there are any signs of the lens assembly being deformed, warped or moved, and whether the film pressure plate functions as it should. Focusing too closely suggests the distance between the film and the lens is bigger than it should be.

Also, I'm not sure if a close up accessory exists for this camera, but in any case, verify that none is mounted!

Thank you!
How can I check if the film pressure plate is functioning well? I can push down on it, and it goes back to its position when I let go, but I have no way of verifying if that happens when I close the camera.
Lens seems fine from the outside, I'd have to take apart the camera to see if anything else is wrong with it, I guess?

 

[koraks]

By what you write, the pressure plate sounds fine, really. I'd be hesitant to recommend at this point to take apart the camera. I feel the cause of the focus issue should be observable at least to an extent without disassembly.

 

[4season]

Hi, I recently shot a 400 iso roll on the auto half S, but all the images were out of focus. I used it in the automatic mode. It's my first time using this camera, so I'm not sure if it's user error, or something is wrong with it? How would I go about fixing it, if needed? (I've included images - the only thing in focus on the whole roll is the steering wheel in the car because it was closer to the camera?)

Does your Auto Half have adjustable focus? Most do not, but there is one variant which does.

 

[xkaes]

Does your Auto Half have adjustable focus? Most do not, but there is one variant which does.

Exactly. The original Auto Half model came is TWO versions. You have the one that focuses. (But that wasn't the only Auto Half model that focused, nor the only Ricoh half-frame camera that focused.)

Look closely. There is a red dot next to the lens that is the focusing index. There are four distance icons on the lens ring that you line up to the red dot: Mountain (infinity), Person (full figure), Dot (hyperfocal distance), and Head (close-up).

http://www.subclub.org/shop/ricoh.htm

 

[koraks]

Exactly. The original Auto Half model came is TWO versions. You have the one that focuses.

He mentions an 'Auto Half S' - does that mean anything in this case? I had a look at the camera-wiki page and it mentions an 'S' model, but I see nothing about adjustable focus.

 

[xkaes]

I'll have to check. There were different "S" models, so that might make a difference. The SL had a focusing lens.

 

[koraks]

Thanks; in the meantime it would probably help if @mango28 could post a snapshot of the front of their camera.

 

[mango28]

I think it's fixed focus, here's an image of the camera, and the adjustment dial.

 

[AnselMortensen]

Oooh! TWO Red Dots!

 

[blee1996]

I think it's fixed focus, here's an image of the camera, and the adjustment dial.

Yes, your Ricoh Auto Half is fixed focus like mine. I think if it works properly, everything from 2 meters to infinity will be sharp in bright outdoor conditions. If not, then there might be some problem with the camera.

I saw in the right hand side frame of your first diptych, the steering wheel and dashboard inside the car seems quite sharp while the outside portion are blurry, That might indicate that your lens is focusing too close. I don't know how can that happen since the lens is not adjustable.

Here is an example of a sunny day outdoor shots, using Kentmere 100 film

Ricoh Auto Half

Cute half frame camera

www.flickr.com

 

[xkaes]

Yeah, that's a fixed focus lens. I suppose it's possible that the front or rear element of the lens has come loose, and moved slightly out of place. You might want to check to see if that has happened. Given the short focal length of the lens, just a small movement would create a big change in the focus. And make sure that the pressure plate on the camera back still works correctly. It might have gotten "stuck", so that the film isn't being pushed forward enough.

 

[mango28]

I noticed something I missed before- the back cover is a bit loose on one of its hinges. You can see a gap in the first image on the left side, maybe it's not applying enough pressure onto the pressure plate?

 

[xkaes]

That, or some other problem. The foam on these puppies is notorious for disintegrating. You should give it and the pressure plate a through inspection.