Ricoh Auto 66 TLR Camera
by Karl Bryan

The Ricoh Auto 66 was Ricoh�s attempt at a point and shoot twin lens reflex camera, similar to the RolleiMagic, RolleiMagic 2 and Yashica E. The Richo Auto 66 was in production from 1960-1964.

Shutter is a Seikosha L, B, 1/30 � 1/500 shutter, with X flash synch. The lens is a coated Riken Ricoh, 80mm, f3.5 � 22, with bayonet mount (Bay 1).

The ASA setting is from 10 � 400, set by rotating the ASA dial on the upper left of the camera. On Auto, the camera sets the diaphragm/shutter speed using a programmed EVS curve. Correct exposure is possible if the meter needle is visible in the silver zone of the meter dial.

To set the shutter/aperture, the red circle must be over the meter needle. The dial on the left hand bottom of the front of the camera (dial in picture reads 12, 10, 8.6) is rotated until the red circle is over the meter needle. The numbers on the dial are EVS number and range from 8.6 � 17, B and flash. On the right hand bottom of the front of the camera is the manual aperture override. The aperture override only works when the EVS dial is on B or flash. In order to set the EVS dial to B or flash, the button between the dials needs to be pushed to the left as the EVS dial is set to B or flash.

  

Film chamber is baffled for control of flare. The camera is capable of taking good pictures and is useable even if the meter is not working (though an EVS lightmeter would be needed in order to determine where to set the aperture/shutter EVS dial).

Film advance is by a semi-automatic knob wind. Line up the arrows, close the back, The film counter will now read �0�. Wind until the number �1� shows in the counter window, the knob will automatically stop being able to turn. Manually cock the shutter (lever in front of film wind knob), take your picture and wind on to the next frame. The red indicator to the upper left of the wind knob is for double exposure reminder. Green for ready to expose and red for already exposed. The shutter being separately cocked will allow double exposure if you don�t pay attention to the green/red indicator. Film wind off is from the top to the bottom of the camera, thus preventing the film from taking a set as it passes over the film rollers (system also employed in the Minolta Autocord cameras).

Focus is the famous Ricoh dual lever rocking focus system, located on each side of the lens board. A distance scale is located just below the taking lens. Ground glass does have a fresnel lens with a focus spot in the middle.

The camera is more of a collectible item than a user. The selenium cell meter accuracy, after almost 40 years, is questionable at best. The camera does have a hot shoe and a PC flash contact.