RICOH 126C-FLEX
TLS

This camera manual library is for reference
and historical purposes, all rights reserved.
This page is copyright© by M. Butkus, NJ.
This page may not be sold or distributed without the
expressed permission of the producer
On-line camera manual library 

If you find this manual useful,
how about a donation of $3 to:


M. Butkus, 29 Lake Ave.,
High Bridge, NJ 08829-1701
and send your e-mail address
so I can thank you. 
Most other places would charge
you $7.50 for a electronic copy
or $18.00 for a hard to read Xerox copy.

This will help me to continue to host this site,
buy new manuals, and pay their shipping costs.

It'll make you feel better, won't it ?


If you use Pay Pal, use the link below.

Use the above address for a check, M.O. or cash.



www.PayPal.me/butkus

Venmo  @mike-butkus-camera  Ph. 2083


<<< IF YOU WOULD LIKE THIS OR ANY PDF FILE
PRINTED, BOUND AND MAILED TO YOU,
SEE THIS OUTSIDE COMPANY'S OFFER
>>>

  Back to my main camera manual page



Ricoh 126C-Flex TLS PDF
- - Direct from manual - -
Ricoh 126C-Flex TLS Bedienungsanleitung
Ricoh 126C-Flex TLS Mode D'Emploi
Ricoh 126C-Flex TLS Manual de Instrucciones



CLICK HERE FOR PDF MANUAL
 Ricoh 126 Flex MADE FROM HTML PAGE

In 2016 I did hear someone is making
 126 cartridge film and adapters.

Ricoh 126C Flex camera

Features you'll like......

Drop in film loading; You'll take color slides, color or black and white prints with instant film loading ease— cartridge eliminates complicated film threading.
Through-the-lens focusing and composing eliminates parallax—you see your exact picture before you take it.
Through-the-lens system CdS exposure meter measures light with high degree of accuracy, and controls diaphragm to the optimum opening automatically. Also you can set f-stop manually.

Instant-return mirror automatically returns to viewing position the instance exposure is made—no viewfinder "blackout" to delay picture taking.
Single-stroke film wind lever winds shutter, counts exposure and prevents double exposures.
High speed f:2.8 interchangeable lens lets you shoot in broad range of lighting conditions. 100 mm telephoto and 35mm wide-angle lenses will increase your enjoyment. Convenient flash use: Both flashcube and normal flash gun with or without connecting cord can be used.
Versatile shutter operates on 1/30 SEC. through 1/300 sec. & B.

Know your camera

Ricoh 126C Flex camera A. Shutter Release Button
B. Auto/Manual Ring
C. Neck strap Eyelet (2)
D. Shutter Speed Ring
E. Focusing Ring
F. Flashcube Socket
G. Accessory Shoe
H. Direct Contact

 

Ricoh 126C Flex camera I. Flash Terminal
J. Back Cover Latch
K. Viewfinder Eyepiece
L. Exposure Meter Window


Ricoh 126C Flex camera M. Film Wind Lever
N. Film Window
O. Exposure Meter Battery Housing
P. Flash Battery Housing
Q. Tripod Screw

 

Loading your camera

Use No. 126 type film cartridge—color or black and white.

Ricoh 126C Flex camera Pull Back Cover Latch (J) and swing open camera back. Place film cartridge in camera upside down as shown in Fig. 1. Close camera and press back cover to snap it shut. Advance Film Wind Lever (M) until number "1" appears in Film Window (N). You need not to make any adjustment for film speed. It is set automatically when film cartridge is seated in the camera.


Do not open camera back until all pictures have been taken and paper backing has been wound past Film Window.

Correct exposure

Ricoh 126C Flex camera Simply turn Shutter Speed Ring (D) until the desired shutter speed number is set at the red mark (Fig. 2). Be certain the Ring is set at a click stop. "60" (1/60-second) is recommended for subject not in motion. Where motion exists, the faster shutter, 1/125 or 1/300,should be used. When set at "B", the shutter will remain open as long as the Shutter Release Button (A) is depressed.


Ricoh 126C Flex camera For automatic Turn the Auto/Manual Ring (B) until "A" comes at the black marker (Fig. 3), And the Through-The-Lens CdS exposure meter automatically sets the f-stop always to obtain correct amount of light. The f-stop number at which your picture is taken is shown in Exposure Meter Window (L) on top of camera (Fig. 4).


Ricoh 126C Flex camera   When the amount of light is not proper, i.e. too much or too little, a Red warning signal will appear at the left bottom corner in the View Finder,  and the Shutter Release Button is automatically locked, thus preventing improper exposure. Then choose a different shutter speed, or use flash. (See page 5 for flash pictures). This Red Warning Signal device does not function when Auto/Manual Ring is set to the manual aperture position for intentional under- or over-exposed photography. The Through-The-Lens CdS exposure meter works on a 1.3 volt "mercury battery" (Mallory RM675 or equivalent) and it will last for approximately one year. When inserting the battery, make sure that (+) and ( - ) ends of the battery are facing the direction illustrated in the Battery See this link on a Wein Air replacement battery.
Housing (O) (Fig. 5).

Manual exposures
For special effects or other situations where you wish to set the lens manually, merely turn Auto/Manual Ring (B) until the f stop you desire is aligned with the black indicator marker (Fig. 6).

Holding the camera
When you are ready to take the picture, hold the camera steady, and gently press Shutter Release Button (A) all the way down.

Viewing and focusing

Ricoh 126C Flex camera Look into Viewfinder Eyepiece (K) to compose your picture and focus the lens. Rotate Focusing Ring (E) until your subject becomes clear in the micro-prism focusing screen (Fig. 7).
Since you are viewing through the taking lens there is no parallax problem what you see in the viewfinder will
appear in your picture. Even when you shoot close ups there is no longer danger of accidental cropping.


Changing the lens

Ricoh 126C Flex camera Your camera is equipped with a 55 mm lens which is the proper focal length for general-purpose picture taking. You may also use Rikenon 100mm telephoto or 35mm wide-angle lens.

To remove the lens for exchanging the lenses, continuously turn the lens counterclockwise until it comes off (Fig. 8).
To insert the standard lens or telephoto or wide-angle lens, turn lens clockwise until the lens stops.

Flash pictures

Ricoh 126c flex camera

Insert a 15-volt flash battery in Flash Battery Housing (P) according to the (+) ( - ) illustration in the Housing (Fig. 9).

Using Flashcube
To take flash picture with flashcube, set Shutter Speed Ring (D) at " picture of flash bulb", and the shutter speed is set automatic ally at 1/30sec., suitable for flash pictures. Then, turn Auto/Manual Ring (B) and select the proper f-stop. The proper f-stop can be obtained by the following calculation.

F-stop divided by Guide No. 21 m (or 65 ft.) by Distance between camera and subject (in meters or ft.)

Set Auto/Manual Ring (B) to the nearest f-stop in accordance with the value obtained by the above calculation.
Place flashcube in Flashcube Socket (F) so that 4 prongs in base of flashcube align with accommodating slots in Flashcube Socket (F). Press flashcube gently into the socket until cube clicks into position (Fig. 10). When you wind Film Wind Lever (M), flashcube automatic" ally rotates. If you have used some of the bulbs within the cube, insert cube after Film Wind Lever (M) is wound, with usable bulb facing the subject -be sure to eject cube when used bulb has reached "firing" position.

Using the normal flash bulbs

Ricoh 126C Flex camera If you are using the normal flash or electronic flash, mount the flash gun onto Accessory Shoe (G) of your camera, and attach the connecting cord to Flash Terminal (I) (Fig. 11). Your camera has a Direct Contact (H) built into Accessory Shoe (G) and cordless type flash guns may be used.



Set both shutter speed and f-stop properly in the same manner as mentioned in "Using Flashcube". Any type of the
flash bulbs has its own guide number and you have to divide the guide number by the distance from the camera to
the subject in order to get the proper unstop value. When using the normal flash unit, set Shutter Speed Ring (D)
at '"flash bulb picture".  If you are using the electronic flash unit, you can select any shutter speed ranging from 1/30 -1/300 sec., and "flash bulb picture " (1/30 sec.).
 Do not use flashcube and flash gun simultaneously. 

Unloading film
When the last picture has been taken, wind Film Wind Lever (M) until all of the paper backing is wound past Film Window (N), and take out the film cartridge for processing.

Ricoh accessories

Ricoh 126C Flex camera

The following accessories are available for your Ricoh 126C Flex TLS Camera (Fig. 12):
Tele Rikenon 100mm f2.8 telephoto lens
Wide"       " 35 mm f2.8 wide-angle lens
Ricoh 52mm screw-in filter, Y2, UV, 85A, Skylight
Ricohlite V 5-successive shots flash unit
Ricohtron II electronic flash unit
Ricoh Self timer

Camera TIPS and CARE......
* Read the instruction booklet carefully.
* Before you go on a trip or photograph a special event, try a practice roll of film.
* Keep fingers and neckstrap clear of lens.
* Protect camera from dust, dirt and rough handling—do not expose camera to excessively high temperatures.
* Do not attempt to repair your camera.
 

EXTRA ITEM - the Ricoh V5 successive shot unit is a flashbulb unit.  Someone questioned me on it.  I found a photo showing it uses flashbulbs and like a flashcube will fire 5 in succession.   I don't see how it fits, maybe at an angle ?  I tried to find a manual, but not paying $20 to get one.

Ricoh 126c flex flash

 

Ricoh 126c flash