Honeywell Pentax

Steve Mack · Jun 7, 2009

About a year ago my brother-in-law gave me a 35mm camera since he knew I still use film, and he's gone completely digital. I took the camera, with thanks, brought it home and promptly forgot I had it until yesterday, when I went to scavenge the lens for my late son's K-1000. Surprise, surprise! It's not a bayonet mount, it's a 2.0 55mm Super Takumar, 42mm Pentax screw mount! I have a whole new (old) camera to play with. Everything seems to be working just fine, I use the Sunny f/16-11-8 Rule to guestimate exposure on a sunny day, and I'm going to run a roll of Ilford SP4 + through it and see what happens.

I don't plan to sell it; I really want to see what happens when I use it. I think it's going to be FUN! I really like these old working-order cameras, I think they're neat and many are esthetically pleasing, as well as goo working cameras for amateurs like me, who don't need to deliver the bacon but can indulge ourselves with free or inexpensive older cameras.

BTW, I didn't know I was supposed to shoot B/W: my Muse told me so, and she's always been right so far. (My Muse is not to be confused with my Significant Other, AKA She Who Must Be Obeyed, AKA The Ultimate Mater Of All Living Things At Our House). They are two entirely separate entities.

Cheers, and best regards to all.

Stephen S. Mack

dougjgreen · Jun 7, 2009

Mu best advicce: make sure that your Ultimate Master of All Living Things at Your House doesn't find out about your Muse. That could get ugly in a hurry.

Steve Mack · Jun 7, 2009

My Muse is internal; she's not a girl-friend.

With best regards.

Stephen S. Mack

tony lockerbie · Jun 7, 2009

You have a very wise Muse, and the Spotmatic is one of the very best of the old school SLR's, you will have fun with it. Trouble is, there are so many great screw mount lenses about that this may become an addiction, be warned, as significant others often don't understand this!
Tony

panchro-press · Jun 7, 2009

A lot of photographers have 'delivered the bacon' using that camera. Enjoy!

-30-

Steve Mack · Jun 8, 2009

For some reason I forgot to mention that the camera is a Honeywell Pentax. Model H1a. Don't how I managed to neglect that detail:confused:.

With best regards to all.

Stephen S. Mack

geauxpez · Jun 8, 2009

Ah -- pre-Spotmatic then with no meter. Nice. In case you are not that familiar with that model, on the rewind knob the color of the "R" will indicate whether it is the earlier (green R) or later (orange R) version. This only makes a difference in collector status (somewhat) and the ability to mount some lenses (probably more important). This chart lays it all out for you.

winger · Jun 8, 2009

Steve Mack said:
For some reason I forgot to mention that the camera is a Honeywell Pentax. Model H1a. Don't how I managed to neglect that detail:confused:.

With best regards to all.

Stephen S. Mack

That's the one I have. I borrowed it from my dad when I was a kid and he still hasn't gotten it back. It's a great camera. I learned more from using it than from any other.

Steve Mack · Jun 8, 2009

Hi, Bethe!

That sounds like *my* daughter: she borrowed my Canon AE-1 and kept it for 12+ years. I got it back about 2 years ago!!

With best regards.

Stephen S. Mack

winger · Jun 8, 2009

Steve Mack said:
Hi, Bethe!

That sounds like *my* daughter: she borrowed my Canon AE-1 and kept it for 12+ years. I got it back about 2 years ago!!

With best regards.

Stephen S. Mack

Well, I've offered "mine" back to my dad, but he says he needs autofocus now (trifocals). And it's been over 20 years, too. Though mom always reminds me that it's still dad's camera.

rosey · Jun 8, 2009

I am still a fan of the classic screwmount Pentax gear. Other
than a homely Kodak Signet 35 and a tidy little Petri rangefinder in the
50s, my first good camera was a Pentax H3v. I lost that in a fire about 30
years ago and, after a lengthy search (pre-eBay), found another in mint
shape. I have added a couple Spotmatics and a mint H1a. I have numerous,
new, modern autofocus whizbangs that I use for some paying jobs, but when I
want to really feel the joy of making pictures, I carry the Pentax stuff.
There is nothing quite like the sensory joy of using a well-made camera with
a lens that focuses like butter. The optical results equal anything else,
too, with those splendid Takumars.

darinwc · Jun 9, 2009

Your on the right track! the point is to have fun and experementing with (new) old cameras are a great way to go.
One request is that you post your pics at the end of this thread!

dougjgreen · Jun 9, 2009

geauxpez said:
Ah -- pre-Spotmatic then with no meter. Nice. In case you are not that familiar with that model, on the rewind knob the color of the "R" will indicate whether it is the earlier (green R) or later (orange R) version. This only makes a difference in collector status (somewhat) and the ability to mount some lenses (probably more important). This chart lays it all out for you.

Most Spotmatics no longer have a meter either, nowadays. At least not a working one.

PentaxBlue · Jun 15, 2009

The S1a is essentially the little brother to the SV (aka H3v). It has a different focusing screen. However, there is a detent beyond 1/500 shutter speed that is actually the same as the 1/1000 shutter speed on the SV. If set there, your body will work at 1/1000.

PentaxBlue · Jun 15, 2009

dougjgreen said:
Most Spotmatics no longer have a meter either, nowadays. At least not a working one.

There are a lot that work as well.

dougjgreen · Jun 15, 2009

PentaxBlue said:
There are a lot that work as well.

I'm 0 for 6 personally - and 4 of those looked pretty clean and worked otherwise.

aparat · Jun 15, 2009

I am having as much fun (out of necessity since my other camera has been packed away for our move next week) with an old Minolta SRT 101.

Steve Mack · Jun 15, 2009

My Pentax died that afternoon that I was doing street photography in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia. Shutter got stuck, and I'm not going to pay to have it repaired...

With best regards to all.

Stephen S. Mack

Honeywell Pentax

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency