Sears TLS

From the glory days of the all-metal mechanical SLR is the Sears TLS. The Sears TLS only needs a battery for the exposure meter.  The battery called for in the Sears TLS manual is a no longer made mercury PX625 1.3v. I have found that an SR44 1.5v fits and works fine. You can find out all the details about the Sears TLS at Matt's Classic Cameras .  The Sears TLS is usually very inexpensive on Ebay.  I tend to think it may be the best bargin out there for this type of camera.

The Sears TLS is a very durable reliable body of a camera and the standard 55mm f/1.4 lens seems to be excellent.

I find the standard lens to be especially good for Black & White.

The Sears TLS uses the M42 Pentax lens mount so along with its great standard lens it can use the wide variety of lenses made for that mount.

There are a few more images in my Sears TLS Gallery
The color images are from the Sears 28mm lens.