Difference between revisions of "Pentax Spotmatic"
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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. | 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. | ||
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=== The Spotmatic SP === | === The Spotmatic SP === | ||
The '''Spotmatic SP''' was introduced by [[Pentax|Asahi Optical Company]] in 1964, and was one of the first 35mm SLR cameras with [[TTL|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 Cells|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. | The '''Spotmatic SP''' was introduced by [[Pentax|Asahi Optical Company]] in 1964, and was one of the first 35mm SLR cameras with [[TTL|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 Cells|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. | ||
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=== The SL === | === The SL === | ||
| − | The Pentax SL (Product Nr.23105) was | + | The Pentax SL (Product Nr.23105) was introduced in 1968 as a replacement for the SV/H3v, is basically a Spotmatic except that it does not include built-in [[light meter]]ing. The bottom plate doesn't have a battery compartment and is lighter than the SP. A CdS clip-on exposure meter could be bought as accessory. |
Like the SP, it came in 3 variants, black and chrome Asahi, black Asahi, black and chrome Honeywell. | Like the SP, it came in 3 variants, black and chrome Asahi, black Asahi, black and chrome Honeywell. | ||
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=== The SP500 and SP1000 === | === The SP500 and SP1000 === | ||
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=== The Spotmatic SP II === | === The Spotmatic SP II === | ||
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=== The Spotmatic SP IIa === | === The Spotmatic SP IIa === | ||
Revision as of 14:56, 12 August 2021
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| Pentax Spotmatic image by stammi (Image rights) |
Spotmatic refers to a range of 35mm SLR cameras made by Asahi Optical Company (later Pentax) between 1960 and 1977, originally designed by Dr. Minoru Suzuki's team. These cameras use the M42x1 lens mount, just like their predecessor (Pentax S or Honeywell H series), and are well nown for bringing Through-the-Lens (TTL) metering to the masses together with a line of high quality lenses. Asahi Optical set new standards in quality of image and construction under the Takumar brand, and the late models called Super-Multi-Coated Takumar allowed for fully opened light-metering with mechanical linkage to the camera which was used in the Spotmatic F and the Electro Spotmatics. Asahi Optical introduced a large number of lenses, which were improved over time with high quality coating and construction and some have achieved cult-like status.
The Spotmatics were in production for a long time, and improvements were made continuously both mechanically and in electronics, resulting in several models, and over 5 million cameras sold, until they were finally replaced by the K-series of cameras in 1975. The original "Spot-matic" was presented in Photokina 1960 (sales began 1964) and is one of the first (if not the first) cameras with Through-the-Lens (TTL) metering; the Spotmatic II added a hot shoe, and later with the evolution and miniaturization of electronics an electronic camera with aperture priority was introuced, the Electro Spotmatic (ES), finally the Spotmatic F introduced fully opened light metering.
Contents
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 covering the whole area. A switch on the side of the camera activates the light metering and a needle shows the exposure to be correct. This light metering system was very succesful and it was adopted by many other camera companies.
The change in the metering system was not reflected in the marketing materials, and the original name continued to be used.
The Spotmatic was not an evolution of the previous Asahi Pentax 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 had 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 that was 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.[1] Over the course of the production of the Spotmatic, over 100 internal changes were made to the camera, like improved focusing screens, more reliable mirror mechanism, changes to the light meter switch, etc.
Motor Drive, Data back, and other special models were also available and several variations exist.
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 Spotmatic continued the use of lenses with an M42 screw thread as its predecessors, providing a large range of available lenses from many manufacturers. Asahi Optical introduced the Super Takumar lenses as companion of the Spotmatic line, and raised the bar for quality for years to come. 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).
- Type: SLR body
- Manufacturer: Asahi Optical Co.
- Year of launch: 1964
- Film: 35mm, early models had speed range 10-800 ASA and after 1965 20-1600 ASA
- Viewfinder: pentaprism eye-level viewfinder
- Lens Mount: Pentax/Praktica screwmount (M42x1)
- Shutter: Focal plane shutter, speeds 1 - 1/1000 second, flash sync 1/60 second
- Metering: CdS TTL average metering (stopped-down manual match-needle metering system) EV 3~18 (ISO 100) early models and 1.7 ~ 18 (ISO 100) later models.
- Product number: 231; 23100 (from 10/1966); 23102; 23104
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The SL
The Pentax SL (Product Nr.23105) was introduced in 1968 as a replacement for the SV/H3v, is basically a Spotmatic 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. A CdS clip-on exposure meter could be bought as accessory. Like the SP, it came in 3 variants, black and chrome Asahi, black Asahi, black and chrome Honeywell.
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The SP500 and SP1000
The SP500 was introduced after the SPII in 1971 (Product Nr.23109) and SP1000 introduced after the SP-F in 1974 (Product Nr. 23120) these cameras are virtually identical to the Spotmatic SP except there is no self timer and they were offfered with a Super-Takumar or SMC 55mm f/2.
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 (1974 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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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 Pentax 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.
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| 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
Links
- Repair Notes on the Spotmatic
- Manual Camera User's Opinion about the Spotmatic
- Manual Camera User's Opinion about the Spotmatic F
- Spotmatic at Karen Nakamura's Photoethnography.com
- User's manuals at Pentax Imaging:
- Manuals of Spotmatic and Spotmatic II at Orphan Cameras (Mike Butkus' site)
- Manuals at Pentax Manuals by Kim Coxon
- Spotmatic, SP500, SP1000 on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand (in French)
- Flickr set by steevithak: Photos of and with the Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic SP
