I'm an original owner of one of these lenses (1970). I received it for Xmas 1970 connected to a silver SEARS TLS (Ricoh) camera (both long gone but replaced many times over). I was disappointed that it was not the Pentax Spotmatic that I was hoping for. However, I made do and covered the embarrassing SEARS name plate and used the combination professionally for years with great results! It turns out the lens is of a double gauss PLANAR type design (6 element version). The TLS camera had an advantage over the Spotmatic because it had a bullet prof metal shutter with a sync flash speed of 1/125th of a second where as the cloth shutter Pentax was limited to 1/60th of a second. I ended up with the better camera and did not realize or appreciate it until years later. The meter (if the batteries weren't left in to rot the inside of the camera) is as good as any camera of the day (1.35 volt). I collect these cameras and their many variations and use them even to this today (2024)! I have paid as little as 99 cents for one! (once). $100 is still a steal in my opinion.
You are absolutely correct...named after the Sears "TOWER" in Chicago Read...Where is the original Sears Tower? Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower) is a 110-story building in the heart of Chicago's downtown. Willis Tower is not only one of the tallest buildings in the world, but also a magnificent icon, impossible to miss within Chicago's skyline.
I'm an original owner of one of these lenses (1970). I received it for Xmas 1970 connected to a silver SEARS TLS (Ricoh) camera (both long gone but replaced many times over). I was disappointed that it was not the Pentax Spotmatic that I was hoping for. However, I made do and covered the embarrassing SEARS name plate and used the combination professionally for years with great results! It turns out the lens is of a double gauss PLANAR type design (6 element version). The TLS camera had an advantage over the Spotmatic because it had a bullet prof metal shutter with a sync flash speed of 1/125th of a second where as the cloth shutter Pentax was limited to 1/60th of a second. I ended up with the better camera and did not realize or appreciate it until years later. The meter (if the batteries weren't left in to rot the inside of the camera) is as good as any camera of the day (1.35 volt). I collect these cameras and their many variations and use them even to this today (2024)! I have paid as little as 99 cents for one! (once). $100 is still a steal in my opinion.
C'mon Carmine I sleeep with all my lenses under my pillow! My best dreams are at F2.
OK...that was a good one :)
Is this lens also called the auto rikenon?
@jemellsmith6740 hold on let me check ✔️ ✅️
Didn't Sears market some earier cameras under the name Tower? Love your channel!
You are absolutely correct...named after the Sears "TOWER" in Chicago
Read...Where is the original Sears Tower?
Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower) is a 110-story building in the heart of Chicago's downtown. Willis Tower is not only one of the tallest buildings in the world, but also a magnificent icon, impossible to miss within Chicago's skyline.
@@CarmineTavernaPhotography Thanks1