Best Pentax Spotmatic?

[Bill Burk]

Funny, it's the lens which got me off Pentax cameras because it was so large!. I think they came out with a smaller one later.

I believe the 35mm f/2 Super Takumar with 67mm filter size is better than the 49mm filter size SMCT and the OM 35mm f/2 . I particularly like its “rectilinear” quality. I won’t say it’s better than Leica 35mm Summicron because that’s a pretty good lens.

 

[flavio81]

Are the optical lenses shrunk down or are the barrels, helicoids, aperture mechanisms, etc. shrunk down? For example, the original 35mm f/2 Super Takumar has a 67mm filter thread. The Olympus 35mm f/2 has a 55mm thread. The Leica Summicron 35mm f/2 has a 39mm thread. I doubt the Super Takumar outperforms the Olympus or the Leica. I don't think that buying lens by size alone is a reliable measure.

Please read the "all else being equal" part of my post. Super-Takumar lenses are of an older (older technology) era than Olympus OM lenses.

Regarding the Leica lenses, you can't compare a rangefinder lens to a SLR lens. The lens-flange-to-film distance is much smaller and thus it makes all the difference in the world for lens dimensions, particularly for wideangles. SLR wideangles need to use a different design than rangefinder lenses.

 

[images39]

I recently bought a Spotmatic II in excellent condition, coupled with a 50mm 1.4 Takumar. I really like the "feel" of this camera and lens combo, it just handles really nicely. While the stop down metering isn't ideal, I found that you get used to it quickly. Great build quality and ergonomics.

Dale

 

[Theo Sulphate]

...While the stop down metering isn't ideal, I found that you get used to it quickly. ...

I used the meter for about a month. For the next 14 years and 11 months I never used the meter. It probably helped that the Pentax was my only camera and I had only one lens (Super Takumar 55/2) and used only one film (Plus-X). This was 1971. Exposure scenarios for B&W negative film is fairly easy.

Yes, I had underexposed shots occasionally, but I already knew they would be - I just had to take the shot. The meter wouldn't've changed anything.

 

[BMbikerider]

There was an advertising slogan used by Pentax around the late 1960's early 1970's and that was 'Just hold a Pentax'. The inference I interpreted was it had a balance and capability as good as the next one. (other make). It certainly worked because they sold thousands of them.

Even some of the press guys used them despite the lack of motor-drive.

I have owned around 6-7 models starting with a 'SV' back in in 1965 and my last one in the middle 80's when I went over to Nikon. It was the absolute simplicity of them that appealed to me. It would take a complete buffoon not to get a sharp well exposed picture from one. Even nowadays I only very rarely use anything other than central weighted metering, even on my F6 and F100. Also even though they were made almost completely of metal they were quite lightweight compared to some offerings of today.

 

[darinwc]

My SV:

 

[Theo Sulphate]

My SV:
...

Looks perfect.

I still wonder how the self timer manages to activate the shutter mechanism from the opposite side of the camera -- and why Pentax chose to put it there.

 

[darinwc]

Because when the case is on, the front lever times are pretty useless. I never liked them there anyway.

 

[Uncle Bill]

Owning a pair of Spotmatic SP's, one II, and one F. Of the Spotmatics. I pick up my Spotmatic F and black SP most often, followed by the II and then the chrome SP.

 

[eli griggs]

Just use hearing aid cells. I can't remember the exact model, but simply the ones that have enough size to fit. Use a bit of cardboard to keep them centered. This gives the exact voltage the Spotties like, and are extremely cheap.

An assortment box of Metric or SAE "O" rings from Harbor Freight will give you all the enlarged size you need.

Use a 20% or 25% general discount coupon, even though these boxes are no expensive.

IMO

IMO,

 

[dynachrome]

If I am not using one of my two Spotmatic Fs, I'm probably using a Spotmatic IIa. I still don't have a Strobonar which works with the IIa but I like the look of the eye sticking out of the front.

 

[YellowPangolin]

Honeywell Spotmatic is pretty good. Took great pictures from what I can tell.

 

[Donald Qualls]

I've got an Asahi Spotmatic SP, sent it off the Kentucky several years ago to replace failed meter cells (guy there was modifying Pentax 67 cells to fit -- pretty sure they're all gone now). Fully mechanical camera, so even if the meter is dead, you can still shoot at all speeds.

To be honest, I prefer my Ricoh Singlex II -- has a better meter, IMO, and better shutter, and as I recall syncs at one speed higher (Copal Square shutter).

 

[AndyH]

To me, the Spotmatic II is the most elegant and simply beautiful of all. The feeling of quality is on par with my Hasselblad, Rolleiflex, and Leica. I can live without the hot shoe (I use a potato masher flash), stop down metering, and screw mount lens mounting speed (If I'm shooting action, I generally use my DSLR). I love the compactness of the Spotmatic line in general, but its apogee was the was the Spotmatic II in my opinion. I use Wein cells or a hearing aid battery with an o-ring, and alternate between the TTL meter and a Gossen Luna Pro. I get a tactile and visual pleasure every time I wind the film advance, press the shutter button, or focus one of the Super Takumar or SMCT lenses. Even fitting an M42 threaded lens to the mount is a pleasurable experience. I have more fun using my Pentax outfit than any other 35mm or digital camera I own, and that includes my Leicas.

Andy

 

[pentaxpete]

I bought one of those 'Electro=Spotmatics' on a trip to Japan in 1973 -- it let me down badly on Press Photography work -- it had a 'memory' effect with the CdS cells and caused huge over-exposure at times - I sold it to a Camera Club member as it had the original Brown Case and Box and Instructions. Then I ordered a 35mm f2 Super-Takumar with 49mm filter thread from a Camera dealer who went to Hong Kong and brought it back for me == the WORST Pentax lens I ever had -- no 'resolution' until stopped down to f11 -16 when I needed the f2 for Press Work ! I sold it cheaply to an 'Unsuspecting Friend' -- many many years later I was GIVEN an SV with several lenses including that 35mm f2 Super-Takumar with the HUGE filter mount and it is SHARP at f2 !. I can use it on my K10D with the M42 adapter.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

.

Even some of the press guys used them despite the lack of motor-drive.
.

Recall, there was a version with a motor drive. I do not know if it was the first Spotmatic or the II. I wonder if any of those motors still work?

 

[BMbikerider]

To me, the Spotmatic II is the most elegant and simply beautiful of all. Andy

There was an advert which appeared in magazines, newspapers and elsewhere which showed the picture of a Spotmatic with a persons hand on either side The wording was very simply "Just hold a Pentax". a simple headline but so true.

Yes it was an iconic design. Straightforward, simple to operate, reliable, elegant, and whatever accolade you would care to throw at it.
The microprism was I think the 1st time it had been used and has never been bettered. Over the years I have owned models from the even simpler, non metered versions S1a and SV right through to the SP2. They never let me down. Of all my cameras in my 58 years of photography I think the one that gave me more satisfaction to use was my 1st Pentax SV.

Yes they were indeed used by the press even in the face of the up and coming Nikon F models. They were quicker to operate than the Rollieflexes which they used before 35mm started to come to the fore and the quality was up to the standard what they needed for news print. One of the press photographers was a gentleman called Victor Blackman. His 'day job' was as a staff Photographer for the 'Daily Express' newspaper. He wrote a weekly article in the British magazine, Amateur Photographer. I clearly remember him advising readers about the Pentax S1a

which had speeds from 1 second to 1/500. He pointed out that the shutter dial had one extra click-stop which set the shutter speed to approx. 1/1000th. This speed was not governed so could not be classed as accurate but he had one taken apart and the missing speed was now completely accurate.​

 

[blockend]

I bought one of those 'Electro=Spotmatics' on a trip to Japan in 1973 -- it let me down badly on Press Photography work

Do you mean the ES/ESII? That's interesting, the camera has achieved minor cult status from the Pennie Smith connection. She was/is a rock band photographer who favoured the ES for her professional work.
https://kosmofoto.com/2019/09/pentax-esii-the-clash-london-calling/

I'm speaking from ignorance, but I place the ES in the same category as the Nikkormat EL and similar early electronic cameras - I wouldn't want to rely on one, especially for metering.

 

[BMbikerider]

I'm speaking from ignorance, but I place the ES in the same category as the Nikkormat EL and similar early electronic cameras - I wouldn't want to rely on one, especially for metering.

If they are working well then there is no reason to doubt their reliability - especially the metering. They are not dependant on the 1.3v mercury battery as they will be just as accurate with the 1.5v Silver type. This is due to the bridge circuity used in the meter which does not complain with a slightly higher voltage

 

[AndyH]

If they are working well then there is no reason to doubt their reliability - especially the metering. They are not dependant on the 1.3v mercury battery as they will be just as accurate with the 1.5v Silver type. This is due to the bridge circuity used in the meter which does not complain with a slightly higher voltage

I am kind of a meter nut. I have a number of Luna Pro models, Weston Masters, Pentax 1/21, and Norwood/Brockway/Sekonic incident meters. I cross check them regularly with my DSLR and with all of my cameras that have built in meters as well. The Pentax bodies I own are always "Spot" on. I've found that CdS meters generally have a flat error - that is, if they are off, they are consistently off by the same margin across the band of light values. That's easy to compensate for by adjusting the film speed you set. I generally meter handheld, but in scenes where the range of light values is fairly small, I trust the Pentax metering system.

Andy

 

[gordrob]

Recall, there was a version with a motor drive. I do not know if it was the first Spotmatic or the II. I wonder if any of those motors still work?

Yes they do work or at least mine does. I haven't used it in a number of years but I pulled it out when I saw your comment and put a fresh set of batteries in it and it works just fine. Now that it is out of the storage cabinet I will load a roll of film and take some pictures with it to make sure it is used and not forgotten.

 

[btaylor]

Wow, I didn’t realize they made a 250 exposure back for it too- impressive!

 

[gordrob]

And it all fits into a slim briefcase that is under 4" deep. It shoots at a maximum of 3fps which was fast back in the late 70s

 

[YellowPangolin]

This is just like computers that are briefcase sized, very nice. Neato.

 

[BMbikerider]

Yes they do work or at least mine does. I haven't used it in a number of years but I pulled it out when I saw your comment and put a fresh set of batteries in it and it works just fine. Now that it is out of the storage cabinet I will load a roll of film and take some pictures with it to make sure it is used and not forgotten. View attachment 243662

I mentioned a UK press photographer a few posts ago called Victor Blackman and he used one of these when at work on a State Event sometime in - I can't remember exactly when but it must have been the early 70's. He had a small problem with random parts of the film having fogged areas with a dark centre in the negatives. This was found to be caused by static electricity when the film was being wound on during warm dry weather. He could also replicate it in the darkroom by running a length of unexposed film through his fingers at around the same speed it travelled through the camera when being wound on with the motor running. He wrote you could see flashes when the static discharged.