This camera is called by various names: the original Diacord or Ricohflex Dia. The nameplate at the top justs says Ricohflex.A fully manual 6x6 format camera without light meter, using knob film advance with Auto-Stop at the next frame. Released in 1955.
- Taking lens: 8cm (=80mm) f3.5 Riken. I don't have a definitive answer on whether this lens is a 3 or 4 element one. Unlike the other Diacords this original model does not have the Bay 1 mount for filters and accessories. Push-on filters or accessories could be used.
- Shutter: Seikosha shutter with speeds of 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, and 1/300 plus B. The 50 is marked in red (others are black) which might be an indication that it only flash sync'd at one speed. There are 5 shutter blades. The shutter is cocked and fired with the same lever (located below the taking lens). There is no double exposure prevention.
Aperture: goes from a marked f3.5 to f16. The aperture will close down smaller than this (perhaps to f22). The aperture is formed by 10 blades which should give very near circular out of focus highlights.
DOF scale: None.
Viewing lens: 8cm f3.5
Finder: Same as Diacord L.
Meter: None.
Focusing: same Duo-Lever Focusing system as later Diacords (and Ricohmatic 225). Focus distance indicator is the same as later Diacords.
Film advance is done with a knob. A button on the Auto-Stop bulge is press to release the lock and then the knob is turned advance to the next frame, where it stops automatically. There is no mechanism to prevent advancing without taking a photo (blank frames). There is a film reminder dial on the advance knob.
Film changing: Same as Diacord L.
Flash: Cold shoe on left side of body. PC connector on taking lens housing at 11 o'clock position. No switch for M/X so it may be sync'd for flashbulbs only.
Photo courtesy of, and copyright 1998 by, Matt Surles
Click here to see a bigger photo showing all sides of the camera. (Large photo courtesy of, and copyright 1999 by Jose Pantoja.)
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Email: greg.erker@home.com
