Ricoh TLS 401 - An SLR with a Top Down View Finder? // Some Photography Show // ep. 5
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- Опубліковано 16 вер 2024
- In this episode, I find out if the Ricoh TLS, a camera with both an eye and waist level viewfinder is functional or just bullshit.
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I bought one of these while in the navy, really liked the two viewfinders, the meter system and the metal shutter which gives a higher sync speed. While a CSI, took thousands of crime scene photos with it. It has been a real workhorse plus pentax thread would accept good and some cheaper lenses.
Yeah a lot of freelance press photographers used this same model too. It really is a daily driver that would not let you down and yes, the M42 screwmount makes it one heck of a useful camera with such a big range of lenses to chose from.
The viewfinder on the top is called a "waist-level" viewfinder, hence the "WL" on the viewfinder knob, not "top down." I've had a TLS401 since 1977.
So then you know there's no way you're seeing anything If it's at your waist. You need to put your eye right up to it, unlike a TLR.
You nailed it. I NEVER used that viewfinder. Great video though, thanks!
@@kaju1722 it was also not very clear. Fun to use nonetheless.
@@MikMilman understood. I'm glad you shared the video, thanks again.
Black bar across the top of the photos is your cap :/
No the camera was accidentally opened before rolling the film.
@@MikMilman in that case the bar would be white
@@TheMelChone no it would not.
What you say in the video and here is bullshit. It's clearly your hat.
@Jake I don't recall. I would have to rewatch my video. It could in fact be my hat.
I loved this camera. I used before I got my Pentaxs. I still have a Pentax that works. Canon A 1 1980. Canon digital now. Most of my pro work was Mamiya medium format though sometimes I shot 4x5 or larger.
I really liked that look down finder for group shots.
It was a lot of fun to use, that's for sure.
I have one of these Models and yes, the viewfinder is very dim. But that's the price you pay for a penta-mirror system. This is why actual glass-prism viewfinders are a lot brighter (and a lot more expensive too). In a pentamirror "box" you really have a lot of light-loss. Still thou, sometimes it is quite helpful to be able to look down from the top of it. But you'll find yourself using the regular back viewfinder a lot more often. And this thing is also VERY heavy. A lot heavier than a Pentax MX or Praktica Super TL or even a Zenit TTL or Zenit 12XP.
I no longer have it but I enjoyed the quirks of this camera.
Agree to the dim finder ,
my Praktica VLC has a penta-mirror system too and it's dimmed .
Hello! Very nice pictures. :) Did You use light meter built-in Ricoh or maybe You used external light meter? Is light meter built-in Ricoh useless or it can give us good exposition?
At this point I really do not remember. Sorry :(
Hi, does anyone know what the Sp / Av switch button is for?
Hey, Felix. Here is a link to the manual. I think you'll find your answer there: www.butkus.org/chinon/ricoh/ricoh_401/ricoh_tls_401.pdf
Thank you, found it 👍🏻
@@felixhubert9939 my pleasure.
this might be a dumb question but does this camera only shoot in black and white or is it just the film you’re using?
It's just the film you're using.
Great video! I've found this camera in an old box and many different lens. I'm looking for the right film to be able to shoot again. Could you give me some advice about the type of film I should buy?
Thank you!
P.S. I'm Italian so sorry for any mistake I made while writing!
Color or black and white?
@@MikMilman I'm more interested about color!
Thank you!
Most people recommend Portra 160 or Portra 400. But if its your first time shooting film, I would suggest trying something more affordable first. Kodak and Fuji both make reasonably priced films.
@@MikMilman Thank you, you have been very helpful!
That's good to know! Let me know how it goes.
I just found this camera in between a bunch of my grandpas old stuff he doesn’t use. I have no clue how it works or how to even turn it on. I would love to see if it has a film inside. Would you suggest taking it to someone who knows about these types of cameras?
I have two suggestions. 1: give it to me. 2: don't take it in to someone unless they won't charge you. To see if theres film in it, just press the little button on the underside of the camera. That will release the film so that you can wind it. Once you've done that, you can then wind the film. I would show you in a video, but I no longer have mine :(
These Cameras don't need to be turned on as this camera is basically purely mechanical. The only thing that needs power is the lightmeter (which runs with a 1,35V buttoncell battery) and that is also the only thing that can be turned on and off.
Nice video, like the samples, especially the two young ladies and the dead plant in front of the window.
Try to find a Ricoh TLS 401 now, have a lot of M42 lenses, until now used them on Praktica cameras ( which are workhorses too ).
Think the Ricoh has some interesting features like the on-top finder and the spot metering , try to find a black model.
I have a TLS 401 and some lenses for sale if interested
Black model is better than the silver? What are differences between them?
@@McAsi96 i expressed myself wrong.
the black model isn't better in no way.
but it looks more stylish for my opinion.
@@jensknappe2485 Ok, thank you for your answer. Have You got this model? Do You use light meter built-in Ricoh or maybe You use external light meter ? Is light meter built-in Ricoh useless or it can give us good exposition? I bought black edition but my light meter isn't working. I can exchange it for model with light meter working properly but I don't know if it is worth it. If the light meter built-in Ricoh is useless even it works. Maybe buying external light meter is better option. The other model with properly working light meter is silver.
@@McAsi96 a few month ago i purchased a black TLS. unfortunately the light meter doesn't work. the viewfinder inside is very dirty and with different dark colours, nearly unusuable.
the vendor on eBay didn't write about these faults before.
of course, i'm very disappointed.
i don't invest in repairs.
so i continue to shoot my M42 lenses with my trusty Prakticas or with the Contax RTS.
Whoever taping this, might consider to use the steady mode….
Awesome video!
Thanks Emanuel
I was going to leave a comment about how awful, pretentious, and tryhard cringe that opening sequence was, but then you salvaged it right at the end.
Ha I had to rewatch to remember what the intro was. You've gone deep into my old videos.