Sears TLS Single Lens Reflex Camera

When I got this Sears TLS, it had a black Dymo label over the Sears logo that read "Ricoh". I guess the originally owner was embarrassed to carry around a Sears branded camera. Sears camera line was a series of rebranded cameras made by all of the top-of-the-line makers. This one is a rebranded Ricoh Singlex TLS.

I decided to stick with one M42 screw mount lens for this month. I used the Sears len pictured above. It's a 55mm lens that stops down to 1.4. The ASA dial is located on the front face of the camera. It's set by lifting the face and rotating it to the correct setting. The same dial is used to set the shutter speed. The TTL light meter switch is located next to the lens and you push it up to turn it on. Unlike the GAF L-17 I used a few months ago, the meter does not shut off after each use. So I ended up killing the battery pretty quickly since I left it on by accident. I'm a slow and deliberate picture taker so, for me, the auto shutoff of the GAF suits by style more than this design.

As I go through this project, I have started to figure out my true preferences when it comes to cameras. I think SLR cameras are fine but they're not my favorite to lug around. The picture quality and control over focus and aperture are top-notch but I'm less inclined to tote one of these SLR's around.

Another thing I've learned about myself--every time I shoot color film, I wish that I had shot black and white. Then when I shoot black and white I think that I better shoot some color film so I'm not just shooting black and white. It's a conundrum!

Personal preferences aside, the Sears TLS camera is a fine camera that produces excellent results.

Film: Fujicolor 200 (barely expired)
Developer: Unicolor C41 Kit
Scanner: Epson V550













Next month's camera: Vivitar 35ES Rangefinder

Ricoh 500G

The Ricoh 500G is an excellent compact rangefinder. I would put it in the same class as the Olympus XA in terms of being able to produce consistently great quality images with the sharp Rikenon lens (40mm/f2.8). The camera is capable of shooting 25-800 ISO film with shutters speeds of 8/15/30/60/125/250/500 plus Bulb.

Inside the viewfinder, the rangefinder patch is about adequate and the aperture scale is situated vertically on the right side in the viewer. You can run this camera manually or in auto mode. In auto mode, the camera operates as a shutter priority camera. I've found that the camera does a great job of determining correct exposure (even with a modern battery) so I ran it in auto mode for most of my pictures this month. The light meter eye is located in the lens ring so you can use filters without having to compensate for them.

I found this camera on eBay and got it for $20. It was local so I didn't have to pay for shipping.

As I go through this blog project, I've been taking mental notes on which ones I can't wait to focus on when I get back to using any camera I choose. The Ricoh 500G will definitely be one I reach for when I want a compact camera that's capable of capturing impressive images.

Film: fresh Kodak Tri-X 400
Developer: R5 Monobath Developer
Scanner: Epson V550




















Next month's camera: Sears TLS

introduction

I knew it was a bad idea to count up the number of film cameras I own. I thought I had maybe 12 and had a great idea of using a single film camera each month for an entire year. As it turns out, I actually own 18 vintage film cameras. 

So I've decided to spend the next year and a half using these cameras and sharing my results here. I’m not setting any rules regarding film (black and white? color?) or how many pictures I can take in any given month. My only rule will be that I will only carry one single camera for the entire month.

The Line-Up:

Manual Cameras:

Agfa Solinette

Agfa Isoflash Rapid C

Canon Demi EE17 (half frame)

Medium Format:

Ansco Color Clipper (w/flash)

Petri

Ansco Titan

Franka Solida III

Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex 1b

SLR’s:

Sears TLS

GAF L-17

Konica Autorex (full and half-frame)

Rangefinders:

Olympus XA

Konica Auto S

Chinon 35 EE II

Vivitar 35ES

Yashica Electro 35 CC

Ricoh 500G

Fujica 35 EE

I will try to mix it up from month to month but—due to the disproportion of certain camera styles—this won’t be mathematically possible. Actually, I think I’ll shoot these cameras in alphabetical order because it’s a pretty good mix that way.