Sears KS 500

The Sears KS 500 is a single-lens reflex camera. Introduced in 1979, the device was marketed in the United States through the Sears retail company. The manufacturing was handled by Ricoh from Japan. The identical housing was offered by the actual manufacturer under the designation Ricoh KR-5.

The camera system allows for the exchange of the lens used. A Pentax K-mount is employed here, enabling the mounting of compatible optics. Automatic focusing is not provided with this model. Focusing on the subject is therefore exclusively manual, done by the photographer.

To determine the correct exposure values, the Sears KS 500 has a built-in metering system. This is designed for film speeds ranging from ISO 12 to 3200. Light metering is done directly through the lens. The adjustment of shutter speed and aperture opening is left to manual user input.

A Bulb setting is available for long exposure shots. In this operating mode, the shutter of the 35mm camera remains open for a freely selectable duration. A hot shoe on the top allows for the use of external flash units.

Additionally, the 35mm camera body is equipped with a tripod mount. For triggering, both the integrated self-timer and a cable release can be used.

The housing measures 13.9 x 9.1 x 5 cm. The weight of the body is 540 grams. According to the manufacturer’s specifications, the device requires two S76 batteries for power (eBay / Amazon*).

Films for the Sears KS 500

Conventional 35mm film is required to operate the Sears KS 500. The market still offers a diverse selection of film material for monochrome or color photography.

As an example of a color film, the Kodak Portra 400* can be mentioned. An option for black and white images is the Ilford Delta 100*. Various user reports confirm the good suitability of these films for everyday use and reliable image quality. Apart from these examples, there are many other manufacturers that produce suitable film material for this format.

The development of color negative films is done using the standardized C-41 process. Almost every professional photo lab is capable of performing this process. Numerous drugstores also accept film rolls for development.

The recording format of the Sears KS 500 is 24 mm x 36 mm per frame. Typically, approximately 36 shots can be taken with a standard cartridge. An automatic motor for film transport is not built-in. The film is advanced to the next frame by hand using a lever.