Ricoh Singlex TLS and 2 'new' Lenses

May 12, 2026

Ricoh Singlex TLS and 2 'new' Lenses

About a month ago I posted about a FB Marketplace camera buy that went wheels up but, I ended up with the attached lens because I knew I could use it and it looked in very good condition. That lens was a Carl Zeiss aus Jena DDR T 50mm f2.8 (click on the link here and read that post). The lens was in perfect condition and the M42 mount would work well with my Ricoh and Praktica cameras.

I felt like something was missing though. Having a 50mm lens was workable but I still felt like I needed another lens when shooting from a distance. I searched on FB Marketplace for a zoom that would satisfy that craving but the offerings on there left much to be desired (given condition and price).

So, I contacted a bloke who owns a Photographic Business and deals in Vintage Cameras as well. Les Porter runs his business in a converted garage under his house. When he receives any vintage gear, he sends it down to a camera technician for an appraisal and any work that might need doing on it to bring it back to life. He charges a good price and offers a 3 month warranty on any of these cameras and lenses he sells. He had a Tasman Auto 135mm f2.8 prime lens with M42 mount for a reasonable price. Of course, I bought it!

I took the camera and lenses with me when we took the dogs to Caves Beach for a morning run and to the Caves Beach Surf Lifesaving Club Cafe for lunch. Mylos Cafe at Caves Beach is a great place for good food and coffee set back just off the beach. It was a beautiful Autumn morning for photos!

About a week or so later, we were at the Merewether Surfhouse, catching up with my Brother and his Wife for lunch (another great place for food and coffee looking out over the beach). I took the camera with me and finished off the roll. I also got a few photos of other places in between when I had the chance.

Both lenses performed very well. They are not as sharp or quick to focus as a modern lens but, what they do offer is a softer sharpness and rendering of contrast and, a smoother transition between light and dark.

The only problem I have, is navigating my eye around the viewfinder so that the sweet spot on my glasses lines up with the focussing circle through the lens! The Ricoh has a micro-prism centre spot surrounded by a matte ground glass screen. The focus ring has to be manually turned on the lens until the image appears sharp. If my glasses are not lined up in the viewfinder, it can result in slightly out of focus results. Same goes for the Tasman Auto 135mm lens on the Ricoh. I am not sure if I can get a Diopter attachment for the viewfinder.

Both lenses have the 'Auto' and 'Manual' switch on the lens barrel. In Auto Mode, the Aperture remains wide open for bright viewing allowing the user to focus correctly. When the Shutter Button is pushed, the lens steps down to the chosen aperture for the photo. In Manual Mode, the lens is always stopped down to the aperture chosen on the ring. I believe this is called 'Preset Mode'. I have used this system once before (although it wasn't as simple as choosing Auto or Manual) on a Hanimar 35mm f3.5 lens. Read about that lens by clicking on this link.

The Tasman Auto 135mm f2.8 is a bit of a mystery. Not much information on that brand although I have read that it was made in Japan in the 70s/80s by a third party manufacturer such as Kino Precision or Tokina. It was also a brand associated with Hanimex, an Australian Distributor. It was sold as a budget friendly portrait lens.

I found that, for a couple of vintage, budget lenses, they have done a very decent job.

These photos shot on Ilford PANF Plus 50.