• Welcome to Photrio!
    Registration is fast and free. Join today to unlock search, see fewer ads, and access all forum features.
    Click here to sign up

Why did the BEATLES shoot with Pentax ?

Chilling

A
Chilling

  • 0
  • 0
  • 10
old garage

H
old garage

  • Tel
  • Mar 7, 2026
  • 2
  • 1
  • 46

Forum statistics

Threads
202,639
Messages
2,843,406
Members
101,423
Latest member
Hamptonerectus
Recent bookmarks
0
But the Beatles have never be seen with a 250 magazine.
 

Attachments

  • 5655.png
    5655.png
    657.2 KB · Views: 120
  • Screenshot_20230320-010526.png
    Screenshot_20230320-010526.png
    1.4 MB · Views: 124
  • 45554.png
    45554.png
    1 MB · Views: 111
  • 4⁵444.png
    4⁵444.png
    727 KB · Views: 124
Also top of the pops :

Asahi Pentax SP II Motor Drive with a 250 Magazine.View attachment 333116
Oh, that's just a beautiful machine right there!! Should be in a museum to show what engineering+design+craftsmanship can look like when they're done right. 😍

😍😍
 
Thank you for sharing - for me -maybe I'm the only one- Ringo always was the head of the Beatles.


Beauty !

.....you could be right about that, but strangely enought, Paul was in the foreground very early on.
44310646_b3129f11817d49e2c36c1ac8e4ea0d75_wm.jpg
 
While in the Air Force during the Vietnam war we occasional crossed path with DIA, Defense Intelligent Agency operatives, who had the Pentax F with motor drive, a brace of Pentax lens, but not the bulk film back. We were not allowed to talk shop, never knew what they were up to.
 
While in the Air Force during the Vietnam war we occasional crossed path with DIA, Defense Intelligent Agency operatives, who had the Pentax F with motor drive, a brace of Pentax lens, but not the bulk film back. We were not allowed to talk shop, never knew what they were up to.

btw...these guys were also not to be overlocked in Vietnam. Pentax F1 or Nikon F1 ? Typing Error?
 

Attachments

  • U.S._Marine_Corps_Intelligence_Activity_(seal).jpg
    U.S._Marine_Corps_Intelligence_Activity_(seal).jpg
    48.7 KB · Views: 113
W A R N I N G


As a result of seen so many pictures from the Beatles with Pentax, I have to order a further Pentax today (I have a lot ).

Productplacement has a strong impact on subconscious
decisions....🙀...🙀

PENTAX ME, nice, very cheap
x11.jpg
x2.jpg
 
Last edited:
Here is another shot with Dennis Hopper and the iconic F2
57657474.png
 

Attachments

  • h!storaro_coppola_tavoularis_apocalypse_now_articolo_cinefacts_cover.jpeg
    h!storaro_coppola_tavoularis_apocalypse_now_articolo_cinefacts_cover.jpeg
    112.5 KB · Views: 151
  • PIX-5-Apocalypse-Beheading.jpg
    PIX-5-Apocalypse-Beheading.jpg
    941.3 KB · Views: 137
Last edited:
Ah, yes. I never had a camera with an external meter like that, started with a Spotmatic (and an old Minolta TLR, with a handheld meter). It's actually a good look, nicely integrated and makes the gear look interesting.

In UK when this meter first became available (around 1962/3 ish) it was incorrectly marketed in magazines as spot meter until Pentax themselves put them in the picture so to speak.
 
Are there any photographs actually taken by the Beatles with Pentax? I wonder what they are worth today too.
 
FWIW, the YouTube video "How the Beatles Changed the World" at 32:08 shows the press taking fotos - 3 Rolleiflexen, 1 M3, 1 Pentax, 1 other SLR. The Beatles pass by and one of them has a Pentax around his neck.

So it would seem the Rollei was still the camera of choice for the British press, with a minor showing for Pentax.

This, of course, just one sample of one event - how representative it is your call.
 
Rolleiflexen

I need to get more than one Rollei so I can use this term. Makes more sense than Rolleiflexes.
 
Back in the 60s a Pentax Spotmatic with m42 was a modern camera .
It would have been nice to have one at that time. Still true today?
Why did the BEATLES shoot with Pentax ?

Product Placement, I doubt if they paid for them.
 
Rolleiflexen

I need to get more than one Rollei so I can use this term. Makes more sense than Rolleiflexes.

I recall a friend debating what the plural of ‘Doberman Pinscher’ should be. He eventually decided it should be ‘Dobersmen Pinscher’. Made sense, especially over a few beers.
 
FWIW, the YouTube video "How the Beatles Changed the World" at 32:08 shows the press taking fotos - 3 Rolleiflexen, 1 M3, 1 Pentax, 1 other SLR. The Beatles pass by and one of them has a Pentax around his neck.

So it would seem the Rollei was still the camera of choice for the British press, with a minor showing for Pentax.

This, of course, just one sample of one event - how representative it is your call.

.....oh yes, that is indeed a good question : how is my call represented ?🤔
 
Much better than a plastic camera. And yes you are being ridiculous. :tongue:

One of the drawbacks of the Nikon F to use in combat situations, although they were very reliable, because the back wasn't hinged it had to be removed to reload the camera, which was slow and difficult to do on your belly under fire.
 
  • Roger Cole
  • Roger Cole
  • Deleted
  • Reason: Oops - explained and he obviously "got it"
Somewhere, probably here,there was an explanation that Ringo used the Pentax. I believe it was a gift. I’m pretty sure Paul and Linda used a Nikon.

I have a couple of Honeywell Pentaxes that still work well.

Linda, Nikon, definitely.
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom