Super Ricohflex

[ChristopherCoy]

Are Super Ricohflex camera's really worth $80 on average?

I have one that I got in an estate sale junk box. The leatherette needs replacing and the shutter needs to be lubed, but other than that its in tact.

I thought it was just a cheap old TLR, but collectiblend has them at $140-$160 for a mint version, and $60-$70 for average. I just saw one sell on the bay for $79.

I really didn't think the one I had would be worth the postage, but I guess I might be wrong.

 

[Jim Rice]

The results I saw from one were not impressive. I was neither the photographer nor owner.

 

[Terry Christian]

I think they may fetch such high prices because they may not be very common. A couple of years ago I nearly bought one for cheap at a local antique mall but passed it by because it was grungy and the shutter was stuck. Another photographer friend bought it and restored it, and now it takes beautiful photos.

 

[mwdake]

I have one that I paid less than $20 for IIRC, I certainly would not have paid much more.
They do seem to be fetching higher prices recently.
Not a bad camera but nothing special, my Yashica 124 runs rings around it and I got it for about $120 in almost mint condition, not to mention the quite nice Rollei 2.8C Xenotar I got for the the same price.

 

[Valerie]

You bought another camera?? Ummm, Chris darling, do you need an intervention???

 

[Yashinoff]

They are worth about $20 to a well informed buyer - in good condition. But they are also relatively easy to repair, and can give good results so I wouldn't trash it.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

You bought another camera?? Ummm, Chris darling, do you need an intervention???

No, this one came from a friend of mine that does estate sales. She cleaned out a house back in April/May and gave me a box of stuff and this was one of the cameras in it. It's been in my display case because I never thought much about it. But I noticed one on eBay the other day and I followed a few to see what prices were doing.

I've been cut off from camera buying... At least until after my bday in February!!

Although I'm cruising the bay for aux telephoto lenses for my 635 at the moment! Shhhhhhhh! LOL

 

[ChristopherCoy]

The only thing seriously wrong with mine is a sticky shutter. I don't know enough about them to open it up, but maybe I'll send it in somewhere eventually.

 

[Bill Burk]

Certainly good to use to get a feel for TLR's in general to see if the format fits your style...

 

[Yashinoff]

If you look at completed listings, more than half of all recently sold ricohflex cameras sold for under $40. Pretty much the only ones over that mark included boxes and accessories, or were part of lots including other cameras. Occasionally there are buyers who simply don't know any better too. For $40 I'd rather have a Yashica.

Depending on what shutter your super ricohflex has I may be able to clean it. They usually have a frozen focus too. One word of caution that should be put out there in any discussion of ricohflex cameras is if the focus is stiff or locked do not try and force it you can easily damage the camera trying to turn the lens. Freeing the focus is very simple, but every ricohflex I've had has had evidence of having the lenses forced around.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Bill I used to shoot a C33, so I'm familiar with TLR's to a small degree. And I've just fallen in complete love with a Yashica 635 after shooting it for the first time yesterday!

 

[blee1996]

There are some pretty good photos from Super Ricohflex on flickr by TommyOShima. It has a coated triplet lens, which will produce some interesting visual signature when wide open and can be great for portraits. On the other hand, at >$75 price I would rather have a Yashica with Yashikor or a Rolleicord with Triotar.

 

[Bill Burk]

I recall having occasional light leaks when using my mom's old Ricohflex. Looks like (from the looks on an auction site) there is a length of black yarn running around the inside back. So make sure that is still working as a light seal. Maybe an easy do-it-yourself repair.

As blee1996 says, the lens will have an interesting "signature." I've come to appreciate this in vintage cameras. For me a "good" lens in a medium format or large format camera can be worth using. You might enjoy the same.

This could be the knock-around camera you toss in the backpack when you don't want to risk your Yashica...

 

[gandolfi]

Christopher:

I have several twin reflex cameras - from Rolleiflex 2.8F - to Voigtlander Superb - to rolleicord - and also the Super Richohflex...

Making images in the nature, guess what camera I put highest?

Richohflex any day!! Much nicer than the top model from Rollei...

I'd say the price is low... some call it a sleeper - sitting waiting for more to find what I have found...

I have never seen in MF a smoother cremy background than the ones you can get with this.
In here there's a lot of great images done with this camera. Some that prompted me to by some. And it is my all time favourite for out door photography!

take a look at the imege I link to.. this is the one that made me look out for that camera...

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Nice Gandolfi!

 

[blee1996]

Hi Gandolfi: it seems I cannot access your gallery link, maybe it is only for subscribers? I admire your work in LF and am quite eager to see your shots with the Super Rochoflex.

 

[gandolfi]

Hi Gandolfi: it seems I cannot access your gallery link, maybe it is only for subscribers? I admire your work in LF and am quite eager to see your shots with the Super Rochoflex.

just for subscribers yes... (and it wasn't mine...)

But I can upload a couple here...

All Super Ricohflex - full aperture. sharpness not too important (acceptaple for me) - the background is!....

 

[ChristopherCoy]

WOW gandolfi! Im going to have to get the shutter working on mine!

 

[gandolfi]

WOW gandolfi! Im going to have to get the shutter working on mine!

you should!

And the lens can swirl in certain curcumstances... see att.