Pentax Spotmatic 35mm SLR Film Cameras, Classic Collectibles
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Pentax Spotmatic 35mm SLR Film Cameras
Many a camera enthusiast will recommend that you should have a 'Pentax Spotmatic' within your collection of old and vintage cameras. Try to get one that is still good condition, clean and one in full working order.
The Pentax Spotmatic series of 35mm SLR film cameras was first introduced by Asahi in 1964 and was recognized as the first camera to sell well with Through-the-Lens light metering. The camera was entirely mechanical apart from the light meter, which was powered by a 1.35 volt PX400 mercury cell.
The eventual range of this camera covers the original Spotmatic, Spotmatic II and IIa, Spotmatic F, the budget models SP500 and SP1000, the SL, identical to the Spotmatic except that it did not have the built-in light meter. In the mid-'70's the Electro-Spotmatic (ES in USA) was the first aperture-priority, electronic, automatic Spotmatic. It was followed by the Electro-Spotmatic II (ESII in USA).
The word Spotmatic is often abbreviated to SP, and are commonly referred to as the SP, SPII, SPF, etc..
The Pentax Spotmatic series of 35mm SLR film cameras was first introduced by Asahi in 1964 and was recognized as the first camera to sell well with Through-the-Lens light metering. The camera was entirely mechanical apart from the light meter, which was powered by a 1.35 volt PX400 mercury cell.
The eventual range of this camera covers the original Spotmatic, Spotmatic II and IIa, Spotmatic F, the budget models SP500 and SP1000, the SL, identical to the Spotmatic except that it did not have the built-in light meter. In the mid-'70's the Electro-Spotmatic (ES in USA) was the first aperture-priority, electronic, automatic Spotmatic. It was followed by the Electro-Spotmatic II (ESII in USA).
The word Spotmatic is often abbreviated to SP, and are commonly referred to as the SP, SPII, SPF, etc..
Asahi Pentax, A Brief History
- Brief History of Pentax Cameras - Photoxels
- The Asahi Optical Company of Japan (the famous AOC triangular symbol you see on the prism of a Pentax SLR) created the Pentax line of cameras. The Pentax (derived from PENTAprism refleX) camera was the first camera to incorporate a pentaprism viewfinder and a reflex mirror system....[read on]
Comparative Shopping
Favorites in Pentax Digital SLRs on Amazon.com
Pentax Remote Control F for Pentax Digital Cameras
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Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens (Black)
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Pentax Electronic Cable Switch for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras
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Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras
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Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens (White)
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Where to shop
- Pentax SLRs at maxBLITZ Electronics
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Learn more
- Photoethnography.com - Classic Cameras
- This original Spotmatic was released in 1964 and was produced until 1967. It has almost a cult following among many photographers,..
- Pentax Spotmatic - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- The Pentax Spotmatics are a range of 35mm single-lens reflex cameras manufactured by the Asahi Optical Co. Ltd., later known as Pentax Corporation, between 1964 and 1976...
- Pentax Spotmatic - Camerapedia.org
- The Spotmatic was introduced by Asahi in 1964 and was the first camera to sell well with Through-the-Lens light metering...
- Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SP, 35mm SLR camera, 1965
- AsahiPentax Spotmatic SP, 35mm SLR camera, 1965 A classic SLR from Asahi Kogaku, Japan. Pentax is a case where the name of the product became bigger than the company that made it,..
Let's see what we have
Pentax Spotmatic SP
A small switch on the (photographer's) left side of the lens housing was pushed up to stop down the lens and activate the meter; the exposure controls would then be adjusted to centre a needle on the right edge of the viewfinder.The body took lenses with a 42mm Pentax/Praktica screw thread, giving a huge range of alternatives. The system became the workhorse of many professionals of the period.
Auctions on eBay
Pentax Spotmatic SP Auctions on eBay
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Pentax Spotmatic SP500, SP1000
Similar to the SP, but without self timer and max speeds of 1/500 (SP500) and 1/1000 (SP1000) The SP500 actually has a 1/1000 shutter speed one click past 1/500, although not marked on the shutter speed dial. Auctions on eBay
Pentax Spotmatic SP500, SP1000 Auctions on eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byPentax Spotmatic SP II, lla
The Pentax Spotmatic SP II is an updated version of the original Spotmatic SP, launched in 1971 with a number of minor improvements to the meter components and film transport, the SP II was fitted with a HotShoe with a switch under the rewind crank for FP and X-flash synchronization and the ASA range was increased to 3200.The Spotmatic SP IIa is virtually identical to the SP II, but with an "electric eye" introduced to support the Honeywell line of dedicated flashes. It was only available in the North American market.
Auctions on eBay
Pentax Spotmatic SP II, lla Auctions on eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byPentax Spotmatic F
The Spotmatic SP F, launched in 1973, is the first version to offer open-aperture metering, but this needed the updated Super-Multi-Coated (S-M-C) Takumar lenses with an aperture-position linkage to the camera. In the Spotmatic SP F the FP option for the hot shoe synchronisation was dropped and the meter circuit design was revised to take account of the lens aperture setting and to indicate correct exposure when zero current is flowing through the meter, which now allowed for a variation in voltage from the battery. Auctions on eBay
Pentax Spotmatic F Auctions on eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byPentax Spotmatic ES, ES ll
Automatic exposure (aperture priority) and manual mode camera with automatic speeds from 1-1/1000 and manual speeds from 1/60 - 1/1000 seconds. The light meter operates only when the shutter button is pressed and only in auto mode and the meter needle now indicates the auto shutter speed. Open-aperture metering with the S-M-C and SMC Takumar lenses, as for the SP F, is maintained. This camera is powered by one 4SR44 6.2v silver oxide battery and there is a battery check button.The ES II is similar to the ES, but with a self timer, shutter release lock, interior viewfinder blinds and shutter speeds from 8 seconds to 1/1000th second in auto mode. The power supply is now four modern 1.5v alkaline or silver oxide cells.
Pentax M42 Screw Mount Lenses
All Pentax Spotmatics use a M42 lens screw mount. The lenses are focused at maximum aperture to give a bright viewfinder image for focusing, then a switch at the side stops the lens down and switches on the metering to enable the exposure to be set prior to pressing the shutter release to make the exposure.The Spotmatic F, ES, and ESII models are capable of open-aperture metering when used with lens models which support this feature.
Auctions on eBay
Pentax M42 Screw Mount Lens Auctions on eBay
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Images streams tagged 'pentax spotmatic' on Flickr
monks III
monks II
spotmatic @ f/16
ayutthaya
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phantom
0026 500
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Pavlowsky 1979
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liney lines
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Pentax Spotmatic on the Blogs
- [SOLD] Asahi Pentax Spotmatic 35mm Camera, Takumar Lenses ...
- PentaxForums.com Marketplace Listing All Takumar Lenses are SOLD Asahi Pentax Spotmatic 35mm camera body (meter broken), Tundra light meter, wire.
- STREET STYLE: PICS BY POLKA DOT: baby, it's cold outside
- FYI: I shoot with either my dad's old Pentax Spotmatic from the sixties, in real film, or my lovely little digital Canon EOS. Lately, for speed, I'm mostly digital: my pre-August posts are all with film. ...
- on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
- Declan - Pentax - Spotmatic. ... Declan - Pentax - Spotmatic. To take full advantage of Flickr, you should use a JavaScript-enabled browser and install the latest version of the Macromedia Flash Player. ...
- Pentax 300mm f4 Super Takumar SMC - Steve's Digicams Forums
- I believe a Pentax 300mm f4 Super Takumar SMC is a screw mount lens (M42) and KEH is selling the same lens in EX condition for $235. I had the same lens and used it on my Pentax Spotmatic for years and was extremely pleased with the IQ. ...
Pentax DSLRs in the News
- Pentax Kx review
- Noise levels were even lower than from Nikon's D90, making this the best entry-level DSLR we've seen for noise. It was barely visible at ISO 1600, ...
- Samsung NX-10 Hybrid Camera: 'Cause the World Needed Another Camera Format
- I admit, an alliance with Pentax like the NX20 could make the idea a lot more appealing, but until it happens?or until I see some mindblowing pictures ...
- Pentax and Sony DSLR Face-Off
- A year after Pentax released its highly rated Km, there is a new entry-level DSLR with the Kx. The two cameras are very similar, with the exception of one ...
- Pentax K-7 Review
- In terms of size, advanced amateur DSLRs have to strike a difficult balance: most consumer DSLRs feel too small and cheap, but upper tier, advanced cameras ...
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