Difference between revisions of "Pentax Spotmatic"
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<small>Pentax Spotmatic SP, 28mm 3.5, 50mm 1.4 and 135mm 3.5 lenses</small></div> | <small>Pentax Spotmatic SP, 28mm 3.5, 50mm 1.4 and 135mm 3.5 lenses</small></div> | ||
| − | === The Spotmatic === | + | === The Spotmatic SP === |
| − | The '''Spotmatic''' was introduced by [[Asahi]] in 1964 and was the first camera to sell well with [[TTL|Through-the-Lens]] light metering. The camera was entirely mechanical apart from the [[light meter]], which was powered by a PX400 mercury cell<ref>[[Mercury batteries]] are now banned; "Zinc-Air" cells can now be used instead.</ref>. 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 | + | The '''Spotmatic''' was introduced by [[Asahi]] in 1964 and was the first camera to sell well with [[TTL|Through-the-Lens]] light metering. The camera was entirely mechanical apart from the [[light meter]], which was powered by a PX400 mercury cell<ref>[[Mercury batteries]] are now banned; "Zinc-Air" cells can now be used instead.</ref>. 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 [[M42|42mm Pentax/Praktica screw thread]], giving a huge range of alternatives. The system became the workhorse of many professionals of the period. | The body took lenses with a [[M42|42mm Pentax/Praktica screw thread]], giving a huge range of alternatives. The system became the workhorse of many professionals of the period. | ||
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* Type: [[SLR]] body | * Type: [[SLR]] body | ||
| − | * Manufacturer: [[Asahi]] Optical | + | * Manufacturer: [[Asahi]] Optical Co. |
* Year of launch: 1964 | * Year of launch: 1964 | ||
| − | * Films: 35mm, speeds | + | * Films: 35mm, speeds up to 1600 [[ASA]] |
* Viewfinder: [[pentaprism]] eye-level viewfinder | * Viewfinder: [[pentaprism]] eye-level viewfinder | ||
* Lens Mount: [[M42|Pentax/Praktica screwmount]] (M42) | * Lens Mount: [[M42|Pentax/Praktica screwmount]] (M42) | ||
| Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
=== The SL === | === The SL === | ||
| − | Same as the | + | Same as the SP but without [[light meter]]ing |
=== The SP500 and SP1000 === | === The SP500 and SP1000 === | ||
| − | Same as the | + | Same as the SP, but without [[Self-timer|self timer]] and max speeds |
of 1/500 (SP500) and 1/1000 (SP1000) | of 1/500 (SP500) and 1/1000 (SP1000) | ||
The SP500 actually has a 1/1000 shutter speed one click past 1/500, it's just not marked on the shutter speed dial. | The SP500 actually has a 1/1000 shutter speed one click past 1/500, it's just not marked on the shutter speed dial. | ||
| − | === The Spotmatic II === | + | === The Spotmatic SP II === |
{{Flickr_image | {{Flickr_image | ||
|image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/89853469@N00/2043581398/in/pool-camerapedia/ | |image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/89853469@N00/2043581398/in/pool-camerapedia/ | ||
|image= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2124/2043581398_cae44113d8_m.jpg | |image= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2124/2043581398_cae44113d8_m.jpg | ||
|image_align= right | |image_align= right | ||
| − | |image_text= Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic IIa | + | |image_text= Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic SP IIa |
| thumbnail | | thumbnail | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | + | An updated version of the original Spotmatic SP, launched in 1971. As well as a number of minor improvements to the meter components and film transport, the SP II was fitted with a [[Hot shue|HotShoe]] with a switch under the rewind crank for FP and X-[[flash sync]]hronization and the ASA range was increased to 3200. | |
| − | ASA | ||
| − | === The Spotmatic IIa === | + | === The Spotmatic SP IIa === |
| − | Virtually identical to the II, but introduced to support the Honeywell line of flashes. | + | 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. |
| − | |||
| − | It was only | ||
| − | === The Spotmatic F === | + | === The Spotmatic SP F === |
<div class="floatleft">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimmysmith/81294243/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/43/81294243_2728c47aea_m.jpg]<br/> | <div class="floatleft">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimmysmith/81294243/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/43/81294243_2728c47aea_m.jpg]<br/> | ||
<small>Spotmatic , body only</small></div> | <small>Spotmatic , body only</small></div> | ||
| − | The Spotmatic F | + | The Spotmatic SP F, launched in 1973, included several improvements. It was the first version to offer open-aperture metering, but this needed the updated Super-Multi-Coated (SMC) Takumar lenses with an aperture-position linkage to the camera. 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 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. |
| − | |||
=== The ES === | === The ES === | ||
| − | Automatic exposure ([[aperture priority]]) camera with automatic speeds from 1-1/1000 | + | 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. Open-aperture metering with the S-M-C and SMC Takumar lenses, as for the SP F, is maintained. |
| − | |||
| − | Open-aperture metering with the SMC Takumar lenses | ||
===The ES II=== | ===The ES II=== | ||
| − | + | Similar to the ES, but with a [[Self-timer|self timer]], shutter release lock, interior viewfinder blinds and shutter speeds from 8 seconds to 1/1000th second in auto mode. | |
| − | |||
== Links == | == Links == | ||
Revision as of 15:21, 31 October 2008
Pentax Spotmatic SP, 28mm 3.5, 50mm 1.4 and 135mm 3.5 lenses
Contents
The Spotmatic SP
The Spotmatic was introduced by Asahi in 1964 and was 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 PX400 mercury cell[1]. 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.
- ↑ Mercury batteries are now banned; "Zinc-Air" cells can now be used instead.
- Type: SLR body
- Manufacturer: Asahi Optical Co.
- Year of launch: 1964
- Films: 35mm, speeds up to 1600 ASA
- Viewfinder: pentaprism eye-level viewfinder
- Lens Mount: Pentax/Praktica screwmount (M42)
- Shutter: Focal plane shutter, speeds 1 - 1/1000 sec.
- Metering: CdS TTL metering (stopped-down manual match-needle metering system) EV 1.7 ~ 18 (ISO 100) ASA range 20-1600 (on original Spotmatic)
The SL
Same as the SP but without light metering
The SP500 and SP1000
Same as 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, it's just not marked on the shutter speed dial.
The Spotmatic SP II
|
| Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic SP IIa |
An updated version of the original Spotmatic SP, launched in 1971. As well as 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
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.
The Spotmatic SP F
Spotmatic , body only
The Spotmatic SP F, launched in 1973, included several improvements. It was the first version to offer open-aperture metering, but this needed the updated Super-Multi-Coated (SMC) Takumar lenses with an aperture-position linkage to the camera. 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 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.
The ES
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. Open-aperture metering with the S-M-C and SMC Takumar lenses, as for the SP F, is maintained.
The ES II
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.
Links
- Repair Notes on the Spotmatic
- Manual Camera User's Opinion about the Spotmatic
- Manual Camera User's Opinion about the Spotmatic F
- Spotmatic
- Manuals of Spotmatic and Spotmatic II
- Manuals at Pentax Manuals by Kim Coxon
- Spotmatic, SP500, SP1000 and Spotmatic User Manual, Spotmatic F User Manual, Spotmatic Service Manual at www.collection-appareils.fr
References
Kepler H. 1974 The Pentax Way. 8ed. Focal Press, London
