Why did the BEATLES shoot with Pentax ?

[logan2z]

Linda, Nikon, definitely.

Yup

 

[KerrKid]

The Beatles’ Spotmatics had windowpane viewfinders, purple microdot focus screens, and a blotter holder on the rear of the film door. They were a real trip to use.

 

[Beverly Hills]

Yup

NICE......

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

Well, you know they had to use something. If not Pentax then Canon, or Topcon, or Mamiya, Minolta ...

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Pentax cameras were always more popular in Britain than in USA, so why not?

FWIW I have tried most popular brands of 35mm film cameras.
IMO for most users classic Pentax models are among the best.

Chris

 

[Zathras]

The Beatles’ Spotmatics had windowpane viewfinders, purple microdot focus screens, and a blotter holder on the rear of the film door. They were a real trip to use.

 

[Chan Tran]

Yup

Linda was a professional photographer so she used the Nikon. Paul's Pentax was much prettier. The large photomic prism really made the Nikon F looked ugly. The plain prism was OK but still not as good looking as the Pentax.

 

[Mackinaw]

Looks like one of the boys just bought a Canon FT (on the table).

Jim B.

 

[CMoore]

Looks like one of the boys just bought a Canon FT (on the table).

View attachment 342247

Jim B.

Good Lord, help a guy out would you.!

I admit i was looking for a camera, so i was fighting a .....visual bias.?
I do not know what the phrase is.
I was looking for something that was not there.

But how on Earth did you notice that blurry box.?
Is the photo more clear for you.?

 

[MattKing]

But how on Earth did you notice that blurry box.?

Probably, like me, an old camera salesman

 

[CMoore]

NICE......

I always thought she had an understated beauty

The type of "gorgeous" that you see when you fall for somebody because you are in love with them.

From what very little i know, she was a decent person.
I have her book of music photos.
It is very enjoyable if you like 1960s rock bands and personalities.

 

[CMoore]

Probably, like me, an old camera salesman

You old salesman die hard i guess

 

[CMoore]

And what a name for a photographer to be born with.
There are less common names to be sure, but Eastman is not one you hear everyday

 

[MattKing]

You old salesman die hard i guess

The funny thing is that was a different style of box than the Canon cameras I sold - many, many Canon cameras....

 

[Sirius Glass]

The funny thing is that was a different style of box than the Canon cameras I sold - many, many Canon cameras....

Different country, different importer, different box.

 

[Mackinaw]

But how on Earth did you notice that blurry box.?
Is the photo more clear for you.?

After I looked at John and Paul, that blue "FT" jumped out at me. And I'm familiar with the Canon logo.

Jim B.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

The funny thing is that was a different style of box than the Canon cameras I sold

Might it have contained a different style of Canon camera? https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fake_Canon_Camera.jpg

 

[MattKing]

Might it have contained a different style of Canon camera? https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fake_Canon_Camera.jpg

Most of the Canon Cameras I sold were of the same vintage as the AE-1, and came in this style of box:

That included the Canon TX - an enhanced version of the Canon TLb that Sears Canada had exclusive rights to.
There were still a few NOS FTb's and FTs around though still.

 

[Beverly Hills]

 

[lxdude]

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.

That would do in a Pinsch...

 

[FriedLouisStudio]

Paul McCartney's Pentax shots from the early days:

See the Beatles’ First Tour Through Paul McCartney’s Lens (Published 2024)

Sixty years after the Beatles appeared live on “Ed Sullivan,” McCartney reflects on his photos capturing those halcyon days. The Brooklyn Museum will exhibit them, and some will be for sale later.

www.nytimes.com

In the article he says, "Our Pentax cameras were probably a gift."

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Having recently fallen for the Pentax brand, I'm kicking myself for not discovering them sooner - not that it would have made a huge difference in my earlier medium format days as the 67 and lenses for it were pricey. Now, the P67 bodies are expensive but most of the glass is cheap (relatively speaking). And what beautiful glass! I did a portrait with the 105 f2.4 and WOW. But I never liked the look of the K1000. In the 1990s it was dated looking and blocky, not sexy like a Canon Rebel or a Nikon N6006 or even a Minolta X700.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Thinking of the Beatles and Photography, there's a new exhibit opening at the Brooklyn Art Museum of photographs of the Beatles taken by Paul McCartney on their first tour:
Beatles at the BAM

 

[FriedLouisStudio]

Yeah, that show is what the New York Times article I linked above is about.

 

[uranylcation]

Pentax was a much more innovative company than it is now.