I have a question about the Ricohflex-range. I have a model VII. Which attachments (lens, lens-hoods, close-up attachments …) exist for the ricohflex? I found information about one close-up lens: Kenkô Proxar 2 30–50 cm. But i cant find one… Does there exist other close-up lens attachment for Ricohflex?

Maybe you also find wide-angle lenses or …. Are there people who know other attachments? Where to get? …

Best,
Bart

Answer:

Your question has got me a little stumped. The Ricoh Diacord series uses Bay-1 (“Bayonet 1″) series filters and attachments. However the Ricohflex series does not have the same system of mounting, because the lenses rotate to focus. So only push-on accessories work with the camera, that fit around the outside of the lens barrels.

While I haven’t tried it myself, I think I know of a way you could make something that worked, if you’re at all handy:

The Bay-1 series of closeup/macro lenses are about the same outer diameter as the outside of the Ricohflex lens barrel (36mm for the barrel). I have a Bay-1 closeup set for my Yashicamat TLR, so I was able to compare to my Super Ricohflex.

You could buy a Bay-1 closeup lens set for any TLR camera (not too hard to find). And also buy a rubber/plastic lens cap for the Ricohflex. Cut the middle so you have two caps, and cut off the leftover material from where the two covers are joined, so you can rotate the lenses with the caps on. Then cut out the front of the caps and glue the closeup lenses into or on the front of the caps. Whether they would go inside and poke through the holes in the caps, or rest on top, you’d have to decide for yourself. It all depends on how sturdy the caps are…focusing wouldn’t be as accurate as if they were metal.

By the way, I have a bent-up Ricoh Diacord lens cap that is made out of metal. If it weren’t dented, it might also make a good candidate. Harder to cut, but sturdier for focusing. It would also need some sort of thin felt around the inside to make it friction-fit to the Ricohflex properly.

Or just buy a TLR that supports the Bay-1 accessories, like the Diacord. Certainly a more expensive option though.

Another possible solution: there are a number of magnetic lenses available for video cameras, digicams and other cameras that don’t have a threaded lens. They simply stick over the lens using a magnet. A couple of these cheap lenses (link) would give you telephoto capabilities, and they come with stick-on metal surfaces you place around your lens, for the magnet to cling to (the Ricohflex itself won’t hold a magnet). If the rings weren’t the right size, it’s entirely possible to buy two 1″ inner-diameter steel washers, and epoxy them to the front of the Ricohflex (being careful to check for vignetting first). More expensive lenses are available for wide angle etc, but I’m not sure how many have a big enough inner diameter. This one might work. (link)

This macro/close-up lens (link) is a 37 mm threaded set. You could epoxy a step-up ring (like this one) to your Ricohflex, and then screw in the macro lens. You would however need two sets of each.

You might be able to use just one lens to share between the viewing and ‘taking’ lens (the one you “take” the actual pictures with), but it would require a tripod. You could set the focus using the viewing lens, with attached lens in place, then move it to the taking lens for the actual picture. As long as you were careful it would probably work.

Of course, if you can find that Proxar 2, you are set with macro!

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