Ricoh TLS 401

The one of a kind view

An all black design with white text and hints of bare metal make this variation of the Ricoh TLS 401 truly stunning. This is an all metal camera and quite heavy. Every switch, dial, and control feels precision engineered with the utmost care. A work of art in every sense of the word. The Ricoh TLS 401 has the same body style as other TLS cameras but with one main difference, the prism. The 401 has a larger prism housing to facilitate the addition of the movable prism. You are able to choose from two different viewing angles, with a simple turn of the dial on the prisms right hand side. The EL or ‘Eye Level’ setting lets you view through the standard area of most other SLR cameras, on the back side. While turning the dial to WL or ‘Waist Level’, you are able to put your eye to the viewing window on the top of the prism for a different viewpoint; a very similar feeling to the magnifying viewer on a TLR.

While the camera is in either Eye Level or Waist Level viewing, the line of sight goes on the exact same path and through the lens. This means you are able to see the meter setting and exposure needle in both views. To activate the meter, there is a sliding switch to the right side of the front of the camera, perpendicular to the lens. Slide this into the ON position, and the 401 stops down the lens and takes a continuous meter reading. While looking through either viewfinder, on the right side of the frame you have a simple match needle metering system. You need to center the needle in between two black bars, changing the shutter speed and aperture accordingly. On the left hand side, you can see which metering type is selected, Sp (Spot) or Av (Average). The switch to change this setting is on the back of the camera, to the right of the regular eyepiece. Spot metering takes a reading from inside the microprism focusing circle, in the center of the frame. While Average metering takes a reading from a majority of the frame.

The meters ASA value can be changed on the same control the shutter speed is used for; A large round dial on the front facing, left hand side of the camera. To change the ASA you pull on the dial and turn. Turning the dial regularly changes the shutter speed from bulb and one second to 1/1000th of a second. Underneath that dial, on the camera body, is a standard self timer as well. The meter is a TTL CdS cell and takes one button size battery; located under a cover on the bottom right hand side of the camera. Use a coin to turn the cover and insert a 625 or equivalent battery. To the left of that is a tripod socket, and lastly on the bottom left corner is the rewind release button.

Moving once again to the top of the camera, on the right hand side you have a standard 180 degree winding lever and threaded shutter release button. There is also a film wind indicator under the shutter button, going from red to green when the camera is wound. On the far left hand side, there is a film type reminder dial around a standard film rewinding lever. Underneath the Waist Level finder, there is a cold shoe with two separate PC sockets (x sync and M sync) on the left and side of the camera, perpendicular to the rewind lever. Lastly, the all encompassing M42 mount is on the TLS 401, with stop down metering. No special aperture linkage means stop down metering can work on a large majority of M42 lenses

THE SPECS AND FEATURES

Shutter Speeds - bulb, 1 second to 1/1000th of a second

Aperture - dependent on what lens is used

Meter Type - stop down metering, CdS TTL (Average or Spot)

Shutter - metal, vertical Copal Square shutter

ASA - 10 to 800

Lens - M42 mount

Flash Option - cold shoe, PC sockets (X or M sync), 1/125 sync

Batteries - 625 equivalent or an LR44 works

Film Type - 35mm

Other Features - multiple view viewfinder, film wind reminder

The Experience

This camera is incredibly unique and one I've been looking to get for a very long time. I wanted to get a black version and held out for a couple of years until I found one at a reasonable price. Truly built like a tank, I was not surprised to find the camera working perfectly when it arrived. Another reason I chose the black version, is with how beautiful the camera looks when the paint wears and brass starts to show. It has quite a stunning look.

I love a unique camera, especially one offs like this that never really had a follow up. The top viewfinder is pretty useful too, I found myself using it in a handful of situations, especially when getting close to the ground. I seemed to have only one Ricoh brand lens, being most of mine are the Sears variations. I took the 50mm f/2.8 Auto Rikenon and went out to take pictures on a somewhat rainy day. The 401 performed perfectly without a problem, the top mounted viewfinder really came into play when I was working on lower shots. I took the 401 on one other walk with a friend of mine and did all of the metering with the camera. All those black and white shot came out spot on. An incredible meter in my opinion.

The Ricoh TLS 401 has gone down in my book as a solid and reliable camera, and honestly one of my favorite SLR cameras I’ve used recently. With an M42 mount, you have access to a plethora of lenses from Russian to Zeiss. Just as a camera body alone, the TLS 401 is a true competitor. I cannot recommend giving this camera a try enough. It’s built like a tank, has a great metering system, and has a very functional movable viewfinder. A one of a kind camera, with quality to match.