For Trade Want to trade for a battery cap for Spotamatic SP

nsurit · Feb 6, 2015

I have an Asahi Pentax Spotamatic SP I'm trying to rehab to pass on to a student. Looks to me to be in OK condition with a 50mm f1.4 lens, however the battery cap is missing. No corrosion however who knows if it will work without a batteryand cap. So, I need a battery cap to get it up and running or to determine it is DOA. Would like to trade something of similar value (filter, film, battery cap for Olympus OM, whatever) or would consider buying one. If you lived next door, I would ask to borrow one to see if the camera worked. Let me know what you have and what you need. Serial number on body is 2767709. I'm question 1967 or 68 vintage. Bill Barber

heespharm · Feb 6, 2015

Can we get a pic of the battery cap area... Maybe I have something that'll worl

Jeff Bradford · Feb 7, 2015

The Spotmatics have mechanical shutters and only used a battery for the light meter.
You could still shoot a roll of film with it using a hand-held meter or guestimating exposure.

David Brown · Feb 7, 2015

Bill:

I have three of these old Spotmatics. One of them was my first "good" camera and i think a lot of the line.

The camera and lens are probably just fine, the meter is probably not. The battery is only for the meter, and even if you had the cover and managed to get a battery that worked, the meter would likely not be accurate. And then, while there are substitute batteries available, the mercury batteries that are really needed are no longer available.

Someone may disagree, but I wouldn't jump through too many hoops to try and get the battery cover and get the meter working. The camera, on the other hand, should be a jewel!

Cheers,

nsurit · Feb 7, 2015

Great advice, guys. I had one of these shortly after they first came out and later switched to the Olympus OM system, which I still use today for my 35mm work. Given that my intention is to pass this one to a student new to film, I thought a working meter might be nice. Maybe not. Bill Barber

Hatchetman · Feb 7, 2015

The meters on my Spotmatics have always been very reliable. who knows? get any silver oxide 1.5v battery that fits. the one in my camera at the moment is a "Renata 394." somewhere along the line I picked up a little plastic washer that makes it fit tight.

maybe some aluminum foil and bit of duct tape would work as a battery cover?

Surrealistic · Feb 17, 2015

I have a parts body with a battery cap. Where are you located?

Curt

Greg Heath · Feb 23, 2015

Call Eric at Pentaxs.com and he will fix your meter and your battery issues. He has worked on my 3 spotmatics and lenses and he is GREAT !

Greg Heath · Feb 23, 2015

If you want your Pentax Spotmatics fixed with whatever issues they have call Eric at Pentaxs.com He has refurbished 3 of my Spotmatics and they are absolutely flawless. I highly recommend him. A CLA starts at $63 USD. That is a huge bargain.

Greg

Randalcav · Mar 4, 2015

Bill,

I know how you feel. Even if the meter doesn't work its nice to have a battery cap on the camera.
I have an old Fujica ST605 that was given to me by my parents. My first 35mm camera. I just replaced the light seals on it and I've been missing the odd threaded battery cap for years. Last night I acquired another working Fujica ST605 for $1.91, now my camera will be whole again, when I remove the cap from the one that's going to show up soon and make my keepsake ready to shoot again even if the meter doesn't fire up. It's sad how entire old 35mm's can be acquired cheaper than actually buying a separate battery cap off someone?

For Trade Want to trade for a battery cap for Spotamatic SP

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