Sears KSX

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A less-expensive autoexposure SLR from Sears image by Joe Haupt (Image rights)

Note: this article describes the first Sears KSX model; the KSX-P, KSX 1000, and KSX Super are all different cameras.

The KSX was an SLR introduced by US retailer Sears in their 1980 Fall/Winter catalog. This replaced the KS 1000 as the mid-price option in the catalog; but despite a new price of USD $186.50 being $68 cheaper, this model added aperture-priority autoexposure. (The remaining all-manual KS 500 also received a price drop.) The KSX's electronically-timed shutter does require power from two silver-oxide button cells to operate (type S76, 357, or SR44), although "B" and the 1/90th second X flash sync speed will work mechanically.

As with other Sears K-mount cameras, it is a rebadged Ricoh, specifically the KR-10 (no suffix). A few features were cut down to meet the new price point. The standard lens is f/2.0, rather than f/1.7. There is no depth-of-field preview button, nor the viewfinder peepsight to give a direct view of the aperture-ring setting. Both positions are somewhat inelegantly blanked out by plain covers. The viewfinder indicator of the selected shutter speed remains, and is used for match-needle light metering when selecting shutter speeds manually. The camera's film advance lever must be pulled outwards to unlock the shutter release and activate the meter.

Links

• See the owners manual online (PDF) from Mike Butkus' OrphanCameras.com