Ricoh Auto Rikenon 55mm f1.4 (M42)

**pepperberry farm** · 02-12-2024, 04:53 AM - **2 Likes**

newly-arrived, with the Super-Takumar 55/1.8 on the right for comparison:

nothing fancy, just a fast 55mm lens....

supposedly, Tomioka-designed, and probably the basis for several other re-branded lens....

**pepperberry farm** · 02-12-2024, 04:53 AM

**pepperberry farm** · 02-12-2024, 04:54 AM

**pepperberry farm** · 02-12-2024, 04:55 AM - **1 Like**

**pepperberry farm** · 02-12-2024, 04:55 AM

**boriscleto** · 02-12-2024, 05:39 AM - **1 Like**

I have both the Ricoh and the Sears. Also the older Ricoh 55/1.4 in Nikon F which is a different design.

**pepperberry farm** · 02-12-2024, 06:27 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

I have both the Ricoh and the Sears. Also the older Ricoh 55/1.4 in Nikon F which is a different design.

are there any significant differences between the Ricoh and the Sears, aside from the badging?

**boriscleto** · 02-12-2024, 06:43 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

are there any significant differences between the Ricoh and the Sears, aside from the badging?

Not that I can see. The F mount lens does have significant differences besides being incompatible with Nikon built bodies...

**pepperberry farm** · 02-12-2024, 06:44 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

Not that I can see. The F mount lens does have significant differences besides being incompatible with Nikon built bodies...

what camera is it intended for, if not a Nikon?

**boriscleto** · 02-12-2024, 07:36 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

what camera is it intended for, if not a Nikon?

The original Ricoh Singlex (Sears SL 11) 1962. Ricoh made several F mount lenses for it, but I've only ever seen the 55/1.4 for sale. Ricoh bought the production line from Mamiya who had been manufacturing the Nikkorex F for Nikon. Nikon ditched the Nikkorex when it introduced the Nikomat (Nikkormat). The F mount Rikenon had an extra bit of flange that prevented it from mounting on a Nikon body, but you can mount F mount Nikkors on a Singlex body.

There was a M42 version of the Singlex in 1964 that was also sold as the Sears SL 11. It gets very confusing...The Singlex TLS came out in 1967 with TTL stop down metering.

**pepperberry farm** · 02-12-2024, 07:39 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

The original Ricoh Singlex. Ricoh made several F mount lenses for it, but I've only ever seen the 55/1.4 for sale. Ricoh bought the production line from Mamiya who had been manufacturing the Nikkorex F for Nikon. Nikon ditched the Nikkorex when it introduced the Nikomat (Nikkormat). The F mount Rikenon had an extra bit of flange that prevented it from mounting on a Nikon body, but you can mount F mount Nikkors on a Singlex body.

excellent!

thank you for sharing that info!

**simple1** · 02-12-2024, 06:24 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

are there any significant differences between the Ricoh and the Sears, aside from the badging?

They are pretty much the same lens with different name plates. The Rikenon seems a little more contrasty, but otherwise they render almost identically.

**simple1** · 02-12-2024, 06:37 PM - **1 Like**

**pepperberry farm** · 02-12-2024, 07:53 PM

Originally posted by simple1

They are pretty much the same lens with different name plates. The Rikenon seems a little more contrasty, but otherwise they render almost identically.

thank you - I wondered how close they really are....

**pepperberry farm** · 02-12-2024, 07:54 PM

02-12-2024, 04:53 AM - 2 Likes	#1
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,747	Ricoh Auto Rikenon 55mm f1.4 (M42) newly-arrived, with the Super-Takumar 55/1.8 on the right for comparison: nothing fancy, just a fast 55mm lens.... supposedly, Tomioka-designed, and probably the basis for several other re-branded lens....

02-12-2024, 07:36 AM - 1 Like	#10
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,446	Originally posted by pepperberry farm what camera is it intended for, if not a Nikon? The original Ricoh Singlex (Sears SL 11) 1962. Ricoh made several F mount lenses for it, but I've only ever seen the 55/1.4 for sale. Ricoh bought the production line from Mamiya who had been manufacturing the Nikkorex F for Nikon. Nikon ditched the Nikkorex when it introduced the Nikomat (Nikkormat). The F mount Rikenon had an extra bit of flange that prevented it from mounting on a Nikon body, but you can mount F mount Nikkors on a Singlex body. There was a M42 version of the Singlex in 1964 that was also sold as the Sears SL 11. It gets very confusing...The Singlex TLS came out in 1967 with TTL stop down metering. Last edited by boriscleto; 02-12-2024 at 07:41 AM.

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02-12-2024, 04:53 AM	#2
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,747 Original Poster

02-12-2024, 04:54 AM	#3
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,747 Original Poster

02-12-2024, 04:55 AM - 1 Like	#4
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,747 Original Poster

02-12-2024, 04:55 AM	#5
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,747 Original Poster

02-12-2024, 05:39 AM - 1 Like	#6
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,446	I have both the Ricoh and the Sears. Also the older Ricoh 55/1.4 in Nikon F which is a different design.

02-12-2024, 06:27 AM	#7
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,747 Original Poster	Originally posted by boriscleto I have both the Ricoh and the Sears. Also the older Ricoh 55/1.4 in Nikon F which is a different design. are there any significant differences between the Ricoh and the Sears, aside from the badging?

02-12-2024, 06:43 AM - 1 Like	#8
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,446	Originally posted by pepperberry farm are there any significant differences between the Ricoh and the Sears, aside from the badging? Not that I can see. The F mount lens does have significant differences besides being incompatible with Nikon built bodies...

02-12-2024, 06:44 AM	#9
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,747 Original Poster	Originally posted by boriscleto Not that I can see. The F mount lens does have significant differences besides being incompatible with Nikon built bodies... what camera is it intended for, if not a Nikon?

02-12-2024, 07:39 AM	#11
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,747 Original Poster	Originally posted by boriscleto The original Ricoh Singlex. Ricoh made several F mount lenses for it, but I've only ever seen the 55/1.4 for sale. Ricoh bought the production line from Mamiya who had been manufacturing the Nikkorex F for Nikon. Nikon ditched the Nikkorex when it introduced the Nikomat (Nikkormat). The F mount Rikenon had an extra bit of flange that prevented it from mounting on a Nikon body, but you can mount F mount Nikkors on a Singlex body. excellent! thank you for sharing that info!

02-12-2024, 06:24 PM - 1 Like	#12
simple1 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: In the Florida swamps Posts: 694	Originally posted by pepperberry farm are there any significant differences between the Ricoh and the Sears, aside from the badging? They are pretty much the same lens with different name plates. The Rikenon seems a little more contrasty, but otherwise they render almost identically.

02-12-2024, 06:37 PM - 1 Like	#13
simple1 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: In the Florida swamps Posts: 694

02-12-2024, 07:53 PM	#14
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,747 Original Poster	Originally posted by simple1 They are pretty much the same lens with different name plates. The Rikenon seems a little more contrasty, but otherwise they render almost identically. thank you - I wondered how close they really are....

02-12-2024, 07:54 PM	#15
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,747 Original Poster