Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

**snappyhoffy** · 05-10-2021, 07:33 AM

As an avid user of Pentax gear (now proud owner of a K3 III!!) I am trying to recall the fist SLR I purchased back in the late 70's.

I was working overseas in Iran (when the Shah of Iran was around!) and had some spare cash and decided to buy an SLR. The choices were limited (1) in the local town 'camera shop / bazaar'. I am struggling to remember/confirm the brand but thought it was a 'Ricoh' .

It was black (narrows it down!) and the unique feature I remember it had a neat system of 'flipping an internal mirror/prism' to allow top viewing of the pentaprism (through similar eyepiece as traditional viewfinder opening but covered with a cover) beside the hotshoe on top of pentaprism..

I have searched various historical websites / wikis but no joy..

Any historic camera buffs able to confirm whether I started the Pentax / Ricoh journey earlier than I imagined?

Andrea K · 05-10-2021, 07:44 AM

This Ricoh TLS 401 35mm Slr ? Simon Hawketts' Photo Blog ?

**boriscleto** · 05-10-2021, 08:09 AM - **1 Like**

The dual-viewing concept was revisited in a medium format camera 10 years later...

Ricoh TLS 401 - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia

**snappyhoffy** · 05-10-2021, 08:24 AM - **1 Like**

Yes!!!! Now that does away with the need for a 'flippy screen'! - I was a true Pentaxian after all!

LesDMess · 05-10-2021, 04:19 PM

I thought it was interesting enough to acquire . . .

womble · 05-12-2021, 12:00 AM

I'll admit I was curious enough to check out ebay but the only working examples at the moment are pricey.

**boriscleto** · 05-12-2021, 05:00 AM

Originally posted by womble

I'll admit I was curious enough to check out ebay but the only working examples at the moment are pricey.

You just described the film camera market...

05-10-2021, 07:33 AM	#1
snappyhoffy Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Buckinghamshire, UK Posts: 185	Help me remember my first SLR....(possible Ricoh connection) As an avid user of Pentax gear (now proud owner of a K3 III!!) I am trying to recall the fist SLR I purchased back in the late 70's. I was working overseas in Iran (when the Shah of Iran was around!) and had some spare cash and decided to buy an SLR. The choices were limited (1) in the local town 'camera shop / bazaar'. I am struggling to remember/confirm the brand but thought it was a 'Ricoh' . It was black (narrows it down!) and the unique feature I remember it had a neat system of 'flipping an internal mirror/prism' to allow top viewing of the pentaprism (through similar eyepiece as traditional viewfinder opening but covered with a cover) beside the hotshoe on top of pentaprism.. I have searched various historical websites / wikis but no joy.. Any historic camera buffs able to confirm whether I started the Pentax / Ricoh journey earlier than I imagined?

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05-10-2021, 07:44 AM	#2
Andrea K Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rome, Italy Posts: 822	This Ricoh TLS 401 35mm Slr ? Simon Hawketts' Photo Blog ?

05-10-2021, 08:09 AM - 1 Like	#3
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	The dual-viewing concept was revisited in a medium format camera 10 years later... Ricoh TLS 401 - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia

05-10-2021, 08:24 AM - 1 Like	#4
snappyhoffy Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Buckinghamshire, UK Posts: 185 Original Poster	Yes!!!! Now that does away with the need for a 'flippy screen'! - I was a true Pentaxian after all!

05-10-2021, 04:19 PM	#5
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	I thought it was interesting enough to acquire . . .

05-12-2021, 12:00 AM	#6
womble Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hertfordshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,324	I'll admit I was curious enough to check out ebay but the only working examples at the moment are pricey.

05-12-2021, 05:00 AM	#7
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	Originally posted by womble I'll admit I was curious enough to check out ebay but the only working examples at the moment are pricey. You just described the film camera market...

Help me remember my first SLR....(possible Ricoh connection)

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!