Bought a Pentax 35mm!

[Theo Sulphate]

You probably already know this, but for full-aperture metering (i.e. metering wide open) you need the Super Multicoated Takumar lenses (designated SMC).

With Takumars and Super Takumars, you have to use stop-down metering.

 

[LInuxHack3r]

You probably already know this, but for full-aperture metering (i.e. metering wide open) you need the Super Multicoated Takumar lenses (designated SMC).

With Takumars and Super Takumars, you have to use stop-down metering.

That seems to be the lens on it right now, correct? I think I've picked that up from my research. I have now!

 

[Theo Sulphate]

That seems to be the lens on it right now, correct? I think I've picked that up from my research. I have now!

Yes, yours is correct for the camera. Plus, it's one of the best 50/1.4's ever made.

 

[Sirius Glass]

The metering in the Spotmatic F was centerweighted, but not a spot metering system.

An interesting aside - The original Spotmatic was first designed as a spot metering camera, and the Pentax marketing folks assigned the name Spotmatic, and designed advertising as such. However, the engineers changed the metering to average/centerweighted, but left the name intact..

I did not know that. I always thought it had a spot meter. I had bought Minoltas by then.

 

[Helios 1984]

I did not know that. I always thought it had a spot meter. I had bought Minoltas by then.

Apparently, the prototype presented at the Photokina had spot metering, but they ultimately decided that average/center would be better for beginners. Why didn't they changed the name? Like Istanbul, I can't say. People liked it better that way?

#Accidentalwinning!

Very glad to hear that. Before yesterday, I would have chosen the K1000 over this, simply because I had never really heard of this. Glad I didn't realize what it was before I bought it, I may not have bought it because I generally speaking do lots of research before most any purchase. I was actually a tiny bit bummed about it after I purchased it. Now I'm not!

You are not alone, it seems like the K1000 iconic status has overshadowed its siblings. Don't be bummed, you bought yourself a Cadillac.

 

[Bill Burk]

Theo Sulphate is assuming you will be shopping for lenses... Pick up an SMCT 105 f/2.8 you will not be sorry.

And it's good that you are sending it in for clean/lubrication/adjustment (CLA). I find that even though I replace the light seals on my own cameras, over time, the winding becomes stiff and I can just feel the camera is having a hard time.

 

[Les Sarile]

I contacted Eric from the site above, he asked that I send it in after March 1 (unknown reason). I could order the stuff from Jon above and do it myself, but I think I'll simply have Eric go over the camera and make sure everything checks out. Seems like a decent service for the money, as long as no costly parts are added to the quote. From what I can tell, he seems to be the guy in the United States for Pentax cameras. That's awesome, because he literally lives and works an hour north of where I live. I wish I could go up there, meet him, and look over all his equipment. I doubt that could happen though

I've bought Pentax cameras with confidence knowing Eric was going to make it like new . . .

You might find this a good read -> Twenty Questions with Eric Hendrickson

 

[Theo Sulphate]

... the prototype presented at the Photokina had spot metering, but they ultimately decided that average/center would be better for beginners. Why didn't they changed the name? ...

Apparently, "Pentax Averagematic" just didn't have the same snap.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Almost two decades ago my father gave me a Pentax camera. I think it was a K1000. However, it was stolen many, many years ago when the house was burglarized. I've always wanted one like it.

Today I was at a shop and saw what I thought was a K1000. I inspected it and bought it. As soon as I got out the door I realized it as actually a Spotmatic F. Oh well. Now I'm wondering if it was even a K1000 that he gave me, they all look so similarly.

It's in super great shape! The lens glass seems to be pristine without fungus. All functions seem to work, but it needs a battery. From my research, the DURPX625AB sold at Batteries Plus should work. I plan on picking one of those up tomorrow. I hope the metering function works accurately still.

The mirror and prism seem to be kinda dirty. Again, I don't think any mold, just "stuff" from a camera roughly five decades old. However, I've noticed that there is a "felt" material inside lining some edges. I feel like it is there to absorb light to some extent. But the felt itself is/has disintegrated for the most part. That's leaving black specs everywhere.

Tomorrow I plan on getting that battery. If it is sunny, I hope to place the lens and body outside in the sun (lens off the body). This is a "just in case" procedure regarding mold. Tell me if it is useless to do this. After this, then I'll take my air blower and try to get as much of those specs out.

I hope to get some film soon. I'll probably buy a few rolls of Kodak Portra 160. It seems to be an affordable film that was pretty well liked.

And now...pictures!

I paid ~$36.00 for it. From what I can tell, the 50mm 1.4 SMC lens on it could be worth at least that. If everything checks out and works correctly, I think I accidentally paid a good price for it (I saw accidentally because I thought it was a K1000 from the get go, and was so excited I never noticed that it wasn't until I bought it).

I'm happy. I haven't shot film since I had that camera my Dad had given me, I was about in the fifth grade. I didn't know what I was doing then, really. I am excited to perhaps shoot a few rolls of film a year now, minimum. I think it'll be a fun exercise to compliment digital.

Wow with a 50 f/1.4 have tons of fun with it. get some B&W film too.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Yes, yours is correct for the camera. Plus, it's one of the best 50/1.4's ever made.

It certainly is - it's about the only one (that I can afford) I like, I wish it fit Nikons.

 

[Paul Howell]

I have both Spotmatics and a K1000, with an adaptor I can shoot all my M42 lens on the K1000, functional not much difference, still it is rare that I shoot with the K1000, most often I use either my Spot or a Chion CE3. In my opinion the K1000 is overpriced, later models P3 are just as good and a lot less.

 

[Chan Tran]

Why so? It seems that the K1000 used more plastic, I like metal when it comes to older cameras. Any other reasons in particular?

The first version of the K1000 wasn't that much plastic but when you hold both cameras in your hand you can feel the quality of the K1000 is much less. Another the way to think about this is the Spotmatic F was Pentax best and the K1000 was Pentax cheapest. Pentax did a good job saving cost but still the quality suffered.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

I have both Spotmatics and a K1000, with an adaptor I can shoot all my M42 lens on the K1000, functional not much difference, still it is rare that I shoot with the K1000, most often I use either my Spot or a Chion CE3. In my opinion the K1000 is overpriced, later models P3 are just as good and a lot less.

I have two K1000s with lenses, I grab them at yardsales - sometimes off the free pile - clean them up, make sure they work, and give them to a nearby community college which teaches film & darkroom. One is an early Asahi, Japan, the other is a Hong Kong (marked so on baseplate). The difference isn't huge, but the Asahi is nicer and smoother.
After reading this thread, I looked on feepay and was surprised to see what they sell for, I'd been valuing them at $50 for donation writeoff.

 

[Paul Howell]

K1000 have gotten quite expensive, sort of a cult status I guess, for much less Minolta 101, Konica T, even Ricoh and Chinon made very robust M42 and K mount bodies.

 

[Helios 1984]

K1000 have gotten quite expensive, sort of a cult status I guess, for much less Minolta 101, Konica T, even Ricoh and Chinon made very robust M42 and K mount bodies.

Some could say that it's a blessing, while the cool folks are fighting over the K1000s, the price of other cameras stay "low".

 

[DREW WILEY]

Way better than a K1000. It was my first camera and I used it for all my mountaineering misadventures. One tough camera, but eventually the shutter speeds failed. I kept the original lens. Wouldn't mind finding another body if the old gasketing hasn't decomposed.

 

[GRHazelton]

Some could say that it's a blessing, while the cool folks are fighting over the K1000s, the price of other cameras stay "low".

Right you are! I snapped up a KX in E+ condition with a lovely f 1.4 attached for just over $100.! The KX is so far superior to the K1000 (yes, I own a K1000) that the comparison is almost embarrassing. I think too many photo class instructors are holding the K1000 up as an ideal that uninformed students see it as the be-all and the end-all.

Hipsters? "Cool folks?" They tend to be ineducable.

 

[Arbitrarium]

I did not know that. I always thought it had a spot meter. I had bought Minoltas by then.

You assumed a Spotmatic would have a spot meter? What could possibly have given you that idea...

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Way better than a K1000. It was my first camera and I used it for all my mountaineering misadventures. One tough camera, but eventually the shutter speeds failed. I kept the original lens. Wouldn't mind finding another body if the old gasketing hasn't decomposed.

The K1000 used to be dirt cheap, I gave one to a friend's daughter and it has served her very well as a simple reliable straightforward-in-use tool with superb optics.
But the SPF is as said above the Cadillac. I found mine at a yardsale, the camera and an old Weaver K-8 with mounts for $4.
The camera looked as if it hade been sprayed with coca-cola and then left to gather dust for five or six years, the contact in the cell compartment was green dust. I made a stainless steel contact and the camera cleaned up very nicely, it has the 55 f:1.8. Since then I've been given a pristine SP 1000 with 55 f:2,
and I have an H1a, a nice minimal camera. The old screwmount Pentaxes have become real favorites of mine.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Right you are! I snapped up a KX in E+ condition with a lovely f 1.4 attached for just over $100.! The KX is so far superior to the K1000 (yes, I own a K1000) that the comparison is almost embarrassing. I think too many photo class instructors are holding the K1000 up as an ideal that uninformed students see it as the be-all and the end-all.

Hipsters? "Cool folks?" They tend to be ineducable.

I think too many instructors are one paragraph (or less) ahead of the students.

 

[trendland]

You have a much better camera than the K1000.

Not from my point. The K

 

[trendland]

You have a much better camera than the K1000.

Not from my point - the K1000 is nearly the same but later models were assembled outside japan. Advantage /disadvantage (outside japan) I can't say.But you have later production dates.
I bought a new one to 200 bucks - years ago in Vancouver. Till 2005 it was in good condition - later I noticed shutter problems.
A friend shows me his SP500 I had to repair his one.
1) batteries - no LR 44/SR44 it is a real smaler one I never remember - possible discontinued.
2) film transport malfuntion.

I cant state it is the better one.
K1000 fits Pentax K /M lenses.
Advantage to some / disadvantage to friends of m42.
I would say both are nearly the same.
But it has to be in good condition - livetime could be limited to 20 - 25 years in worst cases (just from my experience)
with regards

PS : Conglatulation to the OP - for such nice price it is just "phantastic"

 

[trendland]

Also, once you get it going, don't trust the needle in the center to mean OK exposure... sometimes it means the "power" is off. At least that's how mine works. I have to make sure the needle is going up and down with changes in f/stop and shutter speed before I will trust it.

Bill just by the way (because I gave the SP500 of a friend last week back to him)
What kind of cell does this model fit?
I tryed a portfolio of 30 usable cells but no one was correct.
He wanted to ask at Riccoh but I doubt on it. His best friend is at Riccoh image. But he has to do with coppy machines or something else (Not photo service) Pentax service was suprime from my point with many old parts they offered.
But now they are closed.

with regards

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Bill just by the way (because I gave the SP500 of a friend last week back to him)
What kind of cell does this model fit?
I tryed a portfolio of 30 usable cells but no one was correct.
He wanted to ask at Riccoh but I doubt on it. His best friend is at Riccoh image. But he has to do with coppy machines or something else (Not photo service) Pentax service was suprime from my point with many old parts they offered.
But now they are closed.

with regards

An MN400, which is obsolete mercury chemistry. Try a 387 silver oxide cell.

 

[trendland]

An MN400, which is obsolete mercury chemistry. Try a 387 silver oxide cell.

I see - thanks, it is a watch cell so I will report him.

with regards