Ricoh Singlex TLS - viewfinder not assembled correctly - front focussing

[MrBaz]

Unfortunately, I do not have pictures at this time, but I need help assembling the viewfinder/prism 'bucket' in the correct order. It was working just fine until I took it apart for cleaning before a trip. Apparently, I assembled it in the wrong order, because all my pictures are front focussing by almost a foot. Lens has not changed or been damaged.

Parts that go in the viewfinder prism 'bucket' that sits right above the mirror:
- focussing screen (fresnel side facing mirror or viewfinder? - I'm fairly certain its original orientation was with the fresnel side facing the mirror)
- very thin steel spacer (thinner than a piece of paper, no identifying marks for orientation)
- thicker aluminum spacer
- lens
- lens bracket/spacer
- viewfinder prism

 

[schramlw]

Assembly drawing from Ricoh Singlex TLS Repair Manual

See attachments ... good luck!

Wolfgang

 

[schramlw]

another page that might be useful for adjusting focus

again, good luck.

Wolfgang

 

[lxdude]

You might have put the focusing screen in upside down (wrong side toward the mirror).

 

[BrianShaw]

Thanks Wolfgang. My Godfather recently gave me his old Ricoh and I managed to get a few decent pics with it. The seals were all gummy and the shutter was fouled. It cleaned up fairly well but the meter still doesn't work and I've been stalling on opening it up for a proper cleaning since the repair manual hasn't yet been located. When I get the time I hope to get it working 100% for my kid to learn manual analog photography with.

 

[MrBaz]

See attachments ... good luck!

Wolfgang

AMAZING!

Thank you so much! My googling skills must be really rusty. I've been trying to find the repair manual forever! This has helped me a TON!

 

[MrBaz]

I got it reassembled in the correct order (fresnel side facing mirror, matte side facing prism).
I put some frosted tape across the back film plane to simulate ground glass (works when you're in a bind/hurry). It looks like that did it. The distance scale on the barrel now seems to be accurate, and the focus seems to be the same through the viewfinder and on the film plane.

I've got some B/W I'm shooting at wide open (f/1.4 - f/2.8 max) as a test roll. We'll find out in a few days if that was the trick. Again, thanks a TON!

 

[malfunction54]

Complete service manual?

Hi, I realize this is an old thread, but I'm looking for a service manual for the Ricoh Singlex TLS, The pages already posted are useful, but I'd like to see the rest of the assembly as well. Specifically, I'm looking for the best (read: least damaging) technique for removing the cover on the wind lever. I have one copy of the camera where this was already removed, but I'm not sure how to remove it without damaging the cap on another copy. Thanks!

(If this is inappropriate to post here, I apologize!)

-Andy