Summer 1980 Spiratone Catalogue online

Kino · Dec 15, 2021

For your reference and edification:
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/27588017/catalogue-photo-of-the-day

AnselMortensen · Dec 15, 2021

Fun!
Thanks for sharing it.

jvo · Dec 15, 2021

now isn't that catalog a pleasant memory!

ever visit the spiratone store in midtown manhattan?

Kino · Dec 16, 2021

jvo said:
now isn't that catalog a pleasant memory!

ever visit the spiratone store in midtown manhattan?

No, I would have liked to, though! I found this when a friend at work gave me some Spiratone Colorflow Vari/Split filters he found while cleaning out his desk to retire. I vaguely remembered them being advertised and was trying to find out just exactly what they do. Very strange filters; I really don't see me using them much, but they are like new.

Kino · Dec 16, 2021

I am not entirely clear on how to use them, but I think you have to use it in conjunction with a polarizing filter. In any event, the color combinations are quite strange. If I point this filter at a computer monitor, it does vary from deep red to green when turning the filter ring, but when pointed at a typical scene, it remains a kind of dirty sepia color. I am guessing only highlights will be colored this red or green...

AgX · Dec 16, 2021

These are filters that change their color in combination with a polarizer.

Over here I got them listed as full-frame filters with either integrated polarizer or, for the cheapscate, without integrated polarizer.
The half-frame versions over here were only listed in the cheapscate versions.

Depending on type up to 6 combos were offered.

I never came any of them across in the wild.

Sirius Glass · Dec 16, 2021

I never bought anything from the Spiratone Catalog but I would get a kick out of looking at it. Can we order from this catalog now and are the prices the same?

Kino · Dec 16, 2021

Sirius Glass said:
I never bought anything from the Spiratone Catalog but I would get a kick out of looking at it. Can we order from this catalog now and are the prices the same?

Sure! Be sure to send cash in your envelope!

Andrew O'Neill · Dec 16, 2021

The good old days...

Sirius Glass · Dec 16, 2021

Kino said:
Sure! Be sure to send cash in your envelope!

To your address?

Kino · Dec 16, 2021

Not unless you are interested in purchasing some super cool, highly desirable Spiratone Colorflow Vari/Split filters...

Maris · Dec 16, 2021

I actually purchased the 18mm f3,5 Ultra-Wide Angle lens for my Pentax camera out of this very catalogue. There was a very gratifying feeling of superiority over my pals who only had 28mm lenses. Curiously, the camera club judges didn't agree that ultrawide was perfect for all things at all times.

Sirius Glass · Dec 16, 2021

Maris said:
I actually purchased the 18mm f3,5 Ultra-Wide Angle lens for my Pentax camera out of this very catalogue. There was a very gratifying feeling of superiority over my pals who only had 28mm lenses. Curiously, the camera club judges didn't agree that ultrawide was perfect for all things at all times.

Ultra-Wide Angle lenses which are not always good for all situations are very enjoyable to use. I like putting one object up close and personal and everything else fall in place, usually in focus. I have a 21mm to 25mm AF zoom for 35mm and the 30mm Hasselblad Fisheye both of which I have found to be more useful than I originally thought.

btaylor · Dec 16, 2021

I still have my “Sharpshooter 400.” Probably bought in on ‘82. I think I even went for the coated version. Honestly, it worked quite well for very little money. I didn’t realize they had so much stuff in their catalog!

mrosenlof · Dec 16, 2021

As a teenager, I read their ads in the back of Modern Photography. They always had the "too good to be true" feel. But more believable than the X-ray "girls will never trust you" glasses in the comic books.

AgX · Dec 16, 2021

btaylor said:
I still have my “Sharpshooter 400.”

Over here this lens (or rather a group of three very similar lenses) was well known and praised. Actually production ended only few years ago. The brand Spiratone though was not known here.

markjwyatt · Dec 16, 2021

Sirius Glass said:
I never bought anything from the Spiratone Catalog but I would get a kick out of looking at it. Can we order from this catalog now and are the prices the same?

Prices are as listed. Only requirement is that you pay in pre 1964 US quarters and dimes at face value.

Summer 1980 Spiratone Catalogue online

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency