PentaxForums.com - View Single Post - The Off-Brand Club!!

stevebrot · 07-05-2008, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by WJW

I'm surprised it didn't have the 55/1.4 as that seems to be the most common combination. I've had my TLS/1.4 combo (purchased used with a Vivitar 135/2.8) for..... damn, almost 30 years. Both still work great, although the meter switch on the TLS is getting touchy......

I bought the camera/lens on an nostalgic impulse about five years ago. My first SLR was a Singlex TLS bought new in 1970. Unfortunately, it was delivered with a Rexatar 50/1.8 (might have been f/1.7) instead of the Rikenon that I thought I was ordering. That camera had been long gone for almost 20 years when I saw this one on eBay with the lens I originally ordered. I could hardly believe it. It was delivered in the original box along with the original manual and packing materials. The leatherette case was disintegrating, but the body, lens, original camera strap and lens cap were in excellent condition (no brassing, no scratches, no obvious flaws except for rotten light seals and mirror damper). The meter is no longer in proper calibration, but the rest of the camera works quite well. There is a picture of the camera here with my Jupiter-9 attached as part of the Jupiter-9 review.

If I have the opportunity to get the f/1.4, I will probably buy it, but to date, I have not seen one for sale.

Steve

BTW...If I remember correctly, the standard kit lens on the TLS was a Rikenon 50/2.8. Both the f/1.7 and f/1.4 were optional upgrades with the f/1.7 giving the most bang for the buck.

07-05-2008, 07:03 PM	#14
stevebrot Pentaxian Location: Vancouver (USA) Gallery Photos: 4 Posts: 3,946	Originally Posted by WJW I'm surprised it didn't have the 55/1.4 as that seems to be the most common combination. I've had my TLS/1.4 combo (purchased used with a Vivitar 135/2.8) for..... damn, almost 30 years. Both still work great, although the meter switch on the TLS is getting touchy...... I bought the camera/lens on an nostalgic impulse about five years ago. My first SLR was a Singlex TLS bought new in 1970. Unfortunately, it was delivered with a Rexatar 50/1.8 (might have been f/1.7) instead of the Rikenon that I thought I was ordering. That camera had been long gone for almost 20 years when I saw this one on eBay with the lens I originally ordered. I could hardly believe it. It was delivered in the original box along with the original manual and packing materials. The leatherette case was disintegrating, but the body, lens, original camera strap and lens cap were in excellent condition (no brassing, no scratches, no obvious flaws except for rotten light seals and mirror damper). The meter is no longer in proper calibration, but the rest of the camera works quite well. There is a picture of the camera here with my Jupiter-9 attached as part of the Jupiter-9 review. If I have the opportunity to get the f/1.4, I will probably buy it, but to date, I have not seen one for sale. Steve BTW...If I remember correctly, the standard kit lens on the TLS was a Rikenon 50/2.8. Both the f/1.7 and f/1.4 were optional upgrades with the f/1.7 giving the most bang for the buck. Last edited by stevebrot; 07-05-2008 at 07:11 PM.