Post by casualcollector on May 1, 2009 13:00:21 GMT -5
I've had this camera for several years now. It came with a batch of cameras in various states of disorder from a repair service that was getting ready to close its doors. The Sears 2000 ES is a badge tuned version of the original Chinon CE Memotron. The same camera, in its first and second incarnations was also known as the GAF L/ES and L/ES-2 and Alpa SI-2000. There's probably a few more relabeled versions of it from UK/European distributors.
The camera employs an interesting concept. It accepts M42 lenses and works in aperture priority, auto exposure mode with no coupling of the lens aperture ring to the metering system as in the Pentax ES. Pressing the shutter release stops the lens down to the preset aperture. The meter measures the light and sets the speed of the electronically controlled Copal Square shutter accordingly! It works slick! I'm not sure who pioneered this particular method but I think cameras similar in concept were offered by Cosina and Yashica.
This example as been something of a tease. It was dead when I first tried it with a fresh battery several years ago. Well, almost dead. It, mysteriously, came to life after several cycles. It worked for all of about a minute then died again. A few weeks ago I was returning the Sears-Roebuck collection to storage boxes after photographing it. I cycled this one a few times and noticed the shutter speed seemed quite long. The dial was set to auto and the meter was once again responding to light! I've put a roll of Kodacolor in it and have been taking some pictures. So far, it continues to work!
The camera will work mechanically at 1/90 sec, the flash sync speed. Other than that it is completely battery dependent.
The shutter release stroke is quite long but very smooth. There is a definite point of increased resistance prior to release. A bit of additional pressure and you've made an exposure. After about three tries it all seems very natural. A really interesting concept wrapped up in a big, loud but sleek body.
Bill
The camera employs an interesting concept. It accepts M42 lenses and works in aperture priority, auto exposure mode with no coupling of the lens aperture ring to the metering system as in the Pentax ES. Pressing the shutter release stops the lens down to the preset aperture. The meter measures the light and sets the speed of the electronically controlled Copal Square shutter accordingly! It works slick! I'm not sure who pioneered this particular method but I think cameras similar in concept were offered by Cosina and Yashica.
This example as been something of a tease. It was dead when I first tried it with a fresh battery several years ago. Well, almost dead. It, mysteriously, came to life after several cycles. It worked for all of about a minute then died again. A few weeks ago I was returning the Sears-Roebuck collection to storage boxes after photographing it. I cycled this one a few times and noticed the shutter speed seemed quite long. The dial was set to auto and the meter was once again responding to light! I've put a roll of Kodacolor in it and have been taking some pictures. So far, it continues to work!
The camera will work mechanically at 1/90 sec, the flash sync speed. Other than that it is completely battery dependent.
The shutter release stroke is quite long but very smooth. There is a definite point of increased resistance prior to release. A bit of additional pressure and you've made an exposure. After about three tries it all seems very natural. A really interesting concept wrapped up in a big, loud but sleek body.
Bill
