Which Pentax pre-Spotmatic

[J Durr]

I have 3 M42 Pentax lenses but I sold my Spotmatic. Didn't really like it for some reason.
Which pre-Spotmatic Pentax should I look for?

Thanks

 

[Ian Grant]

Spotmatic F because of the full aperture metering. I have 4 Spotmatics plus an SV & S1a, but the F is the nicest to use.

Ian

 

[wiltw]

PRE-Spotmatic...that would be the Pentax H3v model, essentially a Spotmatic without TTL metering.

 

[OAPOli]

Pentax H3v/SV or the H1a/S1a which lacks the self timer. Earlier Pentax models don't have a fully automatic diaphragm*.

Those cameras are very similar in size and ergonomics to the Spotmatic cameras. But the Spotmatic gained mechanical improvements as well as a finer focusing screen.

There is also the Pentax SL which is a Spotmatic without a meter.

*Edit: they require Auto-Takumars which won't return to full open after exposure; the following SMC or Super Takumar need to be used on manual.

 

[GregY]

The S1a is a great meterless working camera

 

[Ian Grant]

The S1a is a great meterless working camera

Like the SV, SL, the S1A had an add-on top mete. I've always found these accurate.

Ian

 

[Paul Howell]

Are you wedded to a Pentax branded body? There are several very good M42 mount brands, Fuji, Chinon, Cosina, Yashica and Rioch name just a few that come to mind.

 

[J Durr]

Are you wedded to a Pentax branded body? There are several very good M42 mount brands, Fuji, Chinon, Cosina, Yashica and Rioch name just a few that come to mind.

No I'm open to other models.

 

[runswithsizzers]

I have 3 M42 Pentax lenses but I sold my Spotmatic. Didn't really like it for some reason.

For me, the biggest reason to not like a Spotmatic was stopped-down metering. Of course, your reason(s) may be different.

One way to avoid the annoyance of stop-down metering would be to avoid metering altogether, as some have suggested. ;-)

But if you want keep the meter without having to stop down every time you use it, then keep in mind, not every M42 lens will allow you to meter wide open. And a lens that allows open metering on one M42 camera may not work the same way on some other M42 camera.

For example, the Pentax Spotmatic F does allow wide open metering, but only when paired with Super-Multi-Coated (S-M-C) Takumar lenses that feature an aperture coupling tab. (I believe Pentax added the aperture coupling tab in the early 1970s?) So if open aperture metering is important to you, the first thing to check is, do your three M42 Pentax lenses have the aperture coupling tab?

If your Pentax lenses are new enough to have the aperture coupling tab, then they should allow open aperture metering on a Spotmatic F. But if you are looking at other brands of cameras, do some research before assuming your Pentax lenses will provide open metering with a given brand and model. Sometimes other brands used different bits and pieces on their lenses to make open aperture metering work.

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

I'm a big fan of the meterless SL, but it isn't a pre-Spotmatic, it's just a Spotmatic with no meter.

I also like the SV, although I do not own one. If you've every seen A Hard Day's Night, that's the camera Ringo uses in the movie. Good enough for the Beatles, good enough for me.

 

[J Durr]

For me, the biggest reason to not like a Spotmatic was stopped-down metering. Of course, your reason(s) may be different.

One way to avoid the annoyance of stop-down metering would be to avoid metering altogether, as some have suggested. ;-)

But if you want keep the meter without having to stop down every time you use it, then keep in mind, not every M42 lens will allow you to meter wide open. And a lens that allows open metering on one M42 camera may not work the same way on some other M42 camera.

For example, the Pentax Spotmatic F does allow wide open metereing, but only when paired with Super-Multi-Coated (S-M-C) Takumar lenses that feature an aperture coupling tab. (I believe Pentax added the aperture coupling tab in the early 1970?) So if open aperture metering is important to you, the first thing to check is, do your three M42 Pentax lenses have the aperture coupling tab?

If your Pentax lenses are new enough to have the aperture coupling tab, then they should allow open aperture metering on a Spotmatic F. But if you are looking at other brands of cameras, do some research before assuming your Pentax lenses will provide open metering with a given brand and model. Sometimes other brands used different bits and pieces on their lenses to make open aperture metering work.

Great info. Thanks

 

[J Durr]

I'm a big fan of the meterless SL, but it isn't a pre-Spotmatic, it's just a Spotmatic with no meter.

I also like the SV, although I do not own one. If you've every seen A Hard Day's Night, that's the camera Ringo uses in the movie. Good enough for the Beatles, good enough for me.

Well I love the Beatles too! Thanks

 

[Paul Howell]

I like the Chinon CM 3, uses a modern battery, all mechanical shutter, the meter readout is somewhat odd, 3 LED spots on the outside of the viewfinder but in the corner of the eye. Takes a bit of getting use. Metering is stopped down, and my example is accurate. The companion CE 3 has an electronic shutter, its one advantage is that it will meter open aperture all M42 lens, single and double pins and has aperture preferred exposure mode. What it does is that the camera picks the shutter speed as the lens is stopped down. The thrown on the shutter release is long giving the meter time to set the shutter speed. Both the CM and EM will take a motor winder, sounds like a sewing machine at 1.5 to 2 FPS. The Fuji 701 has great build, uses all single pin lens, stopped down metering, silicon blue metering cell, but has to use hearing aid batteries or made to propose zinc air batteries. Although mine gave up the ghost a long back the Vivitar XC 2 if found in good working order. Made by Consina, it allows for average and spot stop down metering.

 

[GregY]

Like the SV, SL, the S1A had an add-on top mete. I've always found these accurate.

Ian

I've always appreciated the small size light weight of using the camera without the add on meter...just as i have with the Nikon F & Leica M