Ricoh Auto Shot

Last on my Ricoh spring-loaded models is the Ricoh Auto Shot. It is an early model in a dynasty of compact cameras by Ricoh, an assortment of point-and-shoot, manual and automatic modes, some spring loaded, with a further mix of #126, #135 and #135 half-frame formats. This line began in 1960 with the Ricoh Auto 35 and lasted for about twenty years till it was succeeded with Ricoh’s fully automatic point-and-shoot models. The Ricoh Hi-Color described earlier is a descendant of this camera.

The Ricoh Auto Shot is a basic, no-nonsense camera. The large dial at the bottom charges a spring clockwork mechanism that winds the film. It winds counterclockwise, unintuitive. The film perforation over the cog in the film pathway cock the shutter, meaning if there is no film, the shutter will not fire. To enable the shutter, turn the cogs to the left till it clicks. A full winding should yield six actuations.

The shutter speeds are limited to B and auto, where auto defaults to 125 or to 30 with flash. In auto, the selenium meter selects the f value or it can be manually selected on the same dial. Ricoh’s legacy large dot on top of the viewfinder shows white with good lighting and turns red with underexposure. No battery is needed to operate the meter.

The zone-focusing dial is marked with meters, feet and simulated icons. This dial is smooth with no serration, so it isn’t easy to purchase, let alone with sweaty fingers.

The viewer is set on the right, an odd placement, unfriendly to large-nose owners.

To rewind, press the little button in the middle of the winding dial. The self-setting frame counter is illegible, true to Ricoh tradition.

A neat feature is the lens cover that doubles as a flash dish. Regrettably, not many of these covers have survived and offered for sale.