The Sears TLS is a single lens reflex camera. It was built by Cosina and distributed by Sears. The model was also available under the name “Ricoh Singlex TLS“.
The Sears Holdings Corporation is a trading company from the USA. Various cameras and photo accessories were sold under their own brand. In 2005 Sears took over the competitor Kmart, which also sold this model.
The lens of the Sears TLS is interchangeable. It comes with a M42 thread. The M42 thread is a standardized, manufacturer independent lens mount for interchangeable lenses.
The lens thread was developed in the 1930s at Carl Zeiss in Jena, Germany. Zeiss, KMZ, Voigtländer, Pentacon and Pentax were among the manufacturers of M42 interchangeable lenses. The Sears TLS has no autofocus. Therefore you have to focus by hand.
The Sears TLS has a built-in light meter. It was designed for films with a sensitivity of ISO 25 to ISO 1600. Exposure is determined by the SLR when measured through the lens (TTL). Aperture and exposure time can be freely set by the photographer.
The camera comes with a bulb mode. In this mode, the shutter is released as long as the shutter-release button is pressed. An external flash can be used via the PC flash socket. The Sears TLS has a built-in self-timer and a connection for a cable release. There is also a thread for a tripod.
The dimensions of the 35mm camera are 14.8 x 9.2 x 5.3 cm. It weighs 720 grams. The power source of the 35mm camera is a PX675 1.35V mercury battery.
Films for the Sears TLS
The Sears TLS exposes 35mm film. 35mm films are still produced today. They can be developed in most laboratories. Possible films for the Sears TLS are the Kodak Gold 200* for color pictures and the Kodak T-Max 400* for black and white pictures.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Single lens reflex camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Manual |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Lens mount | M42 lens mount |
| Focus | Manual |
| Viewfinder | Pentaprism finder |
| Exposure times | 1/1000 second to 1 second, Bulb |
| Bulb mode | Yes |
| Light meter | CdS light meter |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 25 to 1600 |
| Exposure modes | Manual mode |
| Auto DX (Film sensitivity) | No |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Flash Connection | PC-Flash |
| Flash sync speed | 1/125 s |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | Yes |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Power supply | 1x 1.35 V mercury battery |
| Size | 14,8 x 9,2 x 5,3 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 5.83 x 3.62 x 2.09 inches |
| Weight | 720 Grams |
| Manufacturer | Cosina |
| Estimated value / Used price | 46,01 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 3 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of July 24, 2023 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 44,43 Euro (47.63 US-Dollar) |
FAQ about the Sears TLS
Is the Sears TLS a manual focus camera?
Yes, the Sears TLS doesn't have autofocus. You have to manually focus the lens. This is common for older cameras like this one, offering more control over the focusing process.
What kind of lens mount does this camera use?
It uses an M42 screw mount. This is a standard that allows for a wide variety of lenses from different manufacturers to be used, providing flexibility for the photographer.
Does the camera have a built-in light meter?
Yes, it has a built-in TTL light meter, which measures the light through the lens. This helps determine the correct exposure settings for your film.
What type of film does the SLR use?
It uses standard 35mm film, both color and black and white. 35mm film is still readily available and developed by many labs.
Can I use a flash with this camera?
Yes, it has a PC flash sync terminal that allows you to connect and use an external flash. This is useful for shooting in low-light conditions.