Summer 1980 Spiratone Catalogue online

[Kino]

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

 

[AnselMortensen]

Fun!
Thanks for sharing it.

 

[jvo]

now isn't that catalog a pleasant memory!

ever visit the spiratone store in midtown manhattan?

 

[Kino]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

The good old days...

 

[Sirius Glass]

Sure! Be sure to send cash in your envelope!

To your address?

 

[Kino]

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

 

[Maris]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.