Difference between revisions of "Pentax Spotmatic"

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===The [[Pentax ES II|ES II]]===
 
===The [[Pentax ES II|ES II]]===
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The ESII came in 1973, Product Nr. 23117 as an evolution to the ES. Improvements included a [[Self-timer|self timer]], shutter release lock (providing a T-mode in Bulb), interior viewfinder blinds, exposure compensation  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.
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The ESII came in 1973, Product Nr. 23117 as an evolution to the ES. Improvements included a [[Self-timer|self timer]], shutter release lock (providing a T-mode in Bulb), interior viewfinder blinds, exposure compensation  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. It was available in chrome and black versions, and a special MD version was available.
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| image=https://live.staticflickr.com/4097/4944344705_70e56a6c93_w.jpg
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| image_text=Variations of the Pentax ESII
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===Special Models===
 
===Special Models===

Revision as of 14:57, 24 June 2021

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Pentax Spotmatic
image by stammi (Image rights)

The Pentax Spotmatics refer to a range of 35mm SLR cameras made by Asahi Optical Company (later Pentax) between 1960 and 1976, originally designed by Dr. Minoru Suzuki and comprising several models that use the M42x1 lens mount.
The original "Spot-matic" is one of the first (if not the first) cameras with TTL metering; while the Electro Spotmatic (ES) and the Spotmatic F introduced aperture priority and fully opened light metering. All Spotmatics use the M42 lens mount and in the final models fully opened light-metering is possible with mechanical changes in the Takumar lenses. Asahi Optical introduced a large number of lenses, which were improved over time with high quality coating and construction.

Description

Asahi Optical Company introduced the Spot-Matic prototype in Photokina 1960, with a light measuring system located in a small arm in the center of the viewing area, effectively metering light as a spot-meter. This design was used several years later, as technology advanced, in cameras such as the Leica CL and Leica M5. However at the time it was not practical and the Asahi staff looked for other solutions.[1]
The Spotmatic camera was launched to the public in 1964, by that time the metering system had been changed to average-metering by using 2 small CdS cells, one on each side of the viewfinder. The change in the metering system was not reflected in the marketing materials, and the original name continued to be used.
The Spotmatic is not an evolution of the previous Asahi cameras, but a completely new design inside and out. Camera body and mirror box are made of aluminum, the mirror mechanism was improved, and more importantly the shutter was a new design. In the new design the life cycle in increased from 20,000 to 100,000 and the flash synchronization is 1/60 instead of 1/50. Focusing screens design allowed for a brighter viewfinder with easier to focus. Film transport guide rails were broadened and the pressure plate elongated to keep the film flatter. Self-timer mechanisms was redesigned as well.[2]

In the United States, Spotmatic cameras were imported and marketed by Honeywell and bear the name Honeywell Spotmatic , while in the rest of the world they had the name Asahi Spotmatic. A series of different models were made, each model had a relatively long run during which minor changes and improvements were made from early to late models.

The Spotmatic SP

The Spotmatic SP was introduced by Asahi Optical Company in 1964, and was one of the first 35mm SLR cameras 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. Mercury batteries are now banned but Zinc-Air batteries can be used instead, or it is possible to carry out a minor modification to the meter circuit to allow the use of 1.55 volt 387S silver-oxide batteries. Later versions of the camera can use silver-oxide batteries without any modification. 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 center a needle on the right edge of the viewfinder. The body took lenses with an M42 screw thread, providing a large range of available lenses. The system became the workhorse of many professionals of the period. The Spotmatic SP did not have a hot-shoe but an accessory cold-shoe. Focusing screen is a fresnel type microprism with 0,85x magnification; with the 55mm f/1.8 lens the camera could be used with both eyes open for sports.
Three variants of the Spotmatic SP are common:
1) Black and chrome body with Asahi Pentax badge on prism housing, Spotmatic badge on front below shutter release and SP badge on top near the rewind knob.
2) All black body with Asahi Pentax badge on prism housing, Spotmatic badge on front below shutter release and SP badge on top near the rewind knob.
3) Blank and chrome body with Honeywell Pentax badge on prism housing and Spotmatic badge on front below shutter release (but no SP badge).

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Spotmatic SP
image by Akira Nakajima (Image rights)
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Spotmatic SP top plate
image by AWCam (Image rights)
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Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic SP
image by steevithak (Image rights)


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Black Asahi Spotmatic SP
image by Vagn Sloth-Madsen (Image rights)
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Black Asahi Spotmatic SP
image by Vagn Sloth-Madsen (Image rights)
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Black Asahi Spotmatic SP
image by Jimmy Smith (Image rights)
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Spotmatic focusing screen and lightmeter
image by Pablo Coronel (Image rights)


The SL

The Pentax SL (Product Nr.23105) is identical to the Spotmatic SP except that it does not include built-in light metering. The bottom plate doesn't have a battery compartment and is lighter than the SP. Like the SP, it came in 3 variants, black and chrome Asahi, black Asahi, black and chrome Honeywell.

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Black and Chrome Asahi Pentax SL
image by Guy Kokken (Image rights)
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Black and Chrome Honeywell Pentax SL
image by Matt Phillips (Image rights)


The SP500 and SP1000

The SP500 (Product Nr.23109) and SP1000 (Product Nr. 23120) are virtually identical to the Spotmatic SP except there is no self timer. The SP500 shutter speed dial shows a max speed of 1/500, however, like the SP1000 and SP, the SP500 can actually shoot at 1/1000 by turning the shutter speed dial to an unmarked stop after 1/500. The SP1000 (1973 to 1977) was the replacement model for the SP500 (1971 to 1974). Like the SP, the SP500/SP1000 models came in 2 variants, black and chrome Asahi, and black and chrome Honeywell. The SP500 and SP1000 were not for sale in Japan.

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Asahi Pentax SP500
image by Vagn Sloth-Madsen (Image rights)
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Black and Chrome Honeywell Pentax SP1000
image by Nesster (Image rights)
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Black and Chrome Asahi Pentax SP1000
image by Bracket ツ (Image rights)


The Spotmatic SP II

An updated version of the original Spotmatic SP, launched in 1971 under Product Nr.23108. As well as a number of minor improvements to the meter components and film transport, the SP II was fitted with a hot shoe with a switch under the rewind crank for FP and X-flash synchronization and the ASA range was increased to 3200.

More importantly, at the same time the Super Multi Coated Takumar lenses were launched, with 7 layer coating which improved image quality and contrast, and mechanical pins for the aperture reading.

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Black and chrome Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SP II
image by Derek von Essen (Image rights)


The Spotmatic SP IIa

Virtually identical to the SP II, it had an "electronic eye" introduced to support the Honeywell Strobonar line of dedicated flashes 772 and 882. The sensor was set to 3 different apertures for exposures. It was only available in the North American market, in chrome or black with the Honeywell badge as Product Nr. 23112.

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Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic SP IIa
with a 50/4 Macro SMC Takumar
image by Pablo Coronel (Image rights)
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Black Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic SP IIa
image by Kimmo Kulovesi (Image rights)


The Spotmatic SP F

The Spotmatic SP F (Product Nr 23110), launched in 1973, included several improvements. It was the first camera to offer open-aperture metering, using the the updated Super-Multi-Coated (S-M-C) Takumar lenses with an aperture-position linkage to the camera. 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. The battery now needed extra capacity and was changed to the now-defunct PX625 mercury cell. The light meter is constantly switched on but there is an automatic cut-off when the light is at EV2 or less, so it is important to keep the lens cap on when the camera is not in use, in order to conserve the battery.

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Asahi Pentax Spotmatic F
image by John Nuttall (Image rights)
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Black Asahi Pentax Spotmatic F
image by Tim Jones (Image rights)


The ES or Electro-Spotmatic

Launched in 1971, with Product Nr.23111 An electronic shutter was developed for this camera, with speeds between 8s and 1/1000 (even though the camera only says 1-1000) in automatic exposure (aperture priority) and manual speeds of 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. IT was available in Chrome and Black

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Black Honeywell ES
image by Don Henderson (Image rights)

The ES II

The ESII came in 1973, Product Nr. 23117 as an evolution to the ES. Improvements included a self timer, shutter release lock (providing a T-mode in Bulb), interior viewfinder blinds, exposure compensation 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. It was available in chrome and black versions, and a special MD version was available.

[httpshttps://www.flickr.com/photos/wolf-t/4944344705/in/pool-camerawiki 4944344705_70e56a6c93_w.jpg]
Variations of the Pentax ESII
image by wolf4max (Image rights)

Special Models

Several special models were developed from the Spotmatics, such as:

  • Pentax Spotmatic MD (Motor Drive)
  • Pentax Spotmatic Data I and II(Data back)

References

Kepler H. 1974 The Pentax Way. 8ed. Focal Press, London

  1. ↑ Gerjan van Oosten. 2021. The definitive Asahi Pentax Collector's Guide. 2nd ed. p.50
  2. ↑ Gerjan van Oosten. 2021. The definitive Asahi Pentax Collector's Guide. 2nd ed. p.51-52

Links

Retrieved from "http://camera-wiki.org/index.php?title=Pentax_Spotmatic&oldid=206915"