Super Ricohflex film transport care?

jay moussy · Jun 15, 2019

An older gentleman gave me a Super Ricohflex.

The camera has some 20-year old film in it, and the film transport feels very stiff.

Is it due to the old film, or is there something I should pay special attention to, beside making sure the spool is in the right spot, and maybe inspecting parts involved in detail?

Anyway this the first MF machine I ever had in my hands, so it is a thrill!

Kino · Jun 15, 2019

It could be both the mechanism and the film, but undoubtedly the film is brittle and "set" in the camera.

Don't try to force anything. I would remove the film immediately.

If you wish to try to process what is on the roll, take it to a dark room or get a changing bag to remove the spools and wind it on by hand.

You can damage the camera by trying to force the film through the film path.

Kino · Jun 15, 2019

In the meantime, have a look at these:

http://mattsclassiccameras.com/tlr-box/super-ricohflex/
http://www.filmwasters.com/forum/index.php?topic=777.0
https://cameralegend.com/tag/super-ricohflex-review/

jay moussy · Jun 15, 2019

Kino said:
In the meantime, have a look at these:

http://mattsclassiccameras.com/tlr-box/super-ricohflex/
http://www.filmwasters.com/forum/index.php?topic=777.0
https://cameralegend.com/tag/super-ricohflex-review/

Thanks. I had read about the focus gearing.
Mine feels like it just left the assembly line!

Film transport: I will remove the film and save it, with the backing pape,r and use it for tank reel loading practice- I also got some Kindernann 120 tank gear.

GRHazelton · Jun 15, 2019

Here's a source for the user's manual: https://www.butkus.org/chinon/ricoh/super_ricohflex/super_ricohflex.htm Do send Mike Butkus a few dollars to help cover his costs maintaining this valuable service.

jay moussy · Jun 15, 2019

Well, after removing the old film which had a serious crease, and close visual inspection of components, film transport works fine, unloaded.
The advance knob is a bit stiff, perhaps by design?

Neat machine!
I have to learn how to handle 120 film.

Kino · Jun 15, 2019

jay moussy said:
Well, after removing the old film which had a serious crease, and close visual inspection of components, film transport works fine, unloaded.
The advance knob is a bit stiff, perhaps by design?

Neat machine!
I have to learn how to handle 120 film.

Could be dry or with stiff lube. If you are careful, you can disassemble and clean the advance with naphtha. If you feel you have to lubricate it after cleaning, use ONE drop of a good synthetic oil; NO MORE. Work over a surface that is covered by a cloth so parts don't bounce off. Take pictures as you go and you'll be fine. Otherwise, you could try squirting a bit of naphtha down in the advance to see if that will free it up.
Here's a tutorial on cleaning this camera... [

Cholentpot · Jun 16, 2019

I have one of these. The lube dries out. My lens was frozen up and I disassembled it and re-lubed. It's a very simple camera but it gets the job done. Does has some pretty strong vignetting though.

titrisol · Apr 20, 2020

YOur advance mechnism has a lever and a button? that is the autostop transport, and it is stiff by design
The main issue I've found on these cameras y the need to flush the shutter with ronsonol and add a small dab of moly-grase on the shutter
Other than that they are pretty sturdy

Super Ricohflex by titrisol, on Flickr

Cholentpot · May 2, 2021

Revive this thread.

I just bought the 35mm insert off of the flea site. It's missing the auto-stop knob. Is this necessary? If so, anyone got a lead on one?

The Kaleu · Jan 5, 2022

Cholentpot said:
Revive this thread.

I just bought the 35mm insert off of the flea site. It's missing the auto-stop knob. Is this necessary? If so, anyone got a lead on one?

The auto-stop is not necessary for the 35mm insert. There are gears which will automatically stop you from advancing once you reach the next frame. To release the auto stop and cycle to the next frame, all you have to do it pull the film advance knob out towards you and then let go. This will release the stop and allow you to advance to the next frame. There should be numbers on the inside edge of the advance knob that you can use to count the 35mm frames. There is a notch in the leatherette right above the advance knob in the shape of a triangle that you can line up with the corresponding number.

Cholentpot · Jan 5, 2022

The Kaleu said:
The auto-stop is not necessary for the 35mm insert. There are gears which will automatically stop you from advancing once you reach the next frame. To release the auto stop and cycle to the next frame, all you have to do it pull the film advance knob out towards you and then let go. This will release the stop and allow you to advance to the next frame. There should be numbers on the inside edge of the advance knob that you can use to count the 35mm frames. There is a notch in the leatherette right above the advance knob in the shape of a triangle that you can line up with the corresponding number.

Zombie post found me!

Thanks for the info.

Turns out that I figured this all out. Pull out knob, advance, shoot rinse and repeat. I don't have any numbers on my knob or indicators. When the film stops advancing the roll is over.

Results are really nice although the lack of shutter speeds is quite limiting. Framing and focusing is for the dogs. A massive pain. When you do nail the focus it is quite nice.

Super Ricohflex film transport care?

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