SPT Journal
The SPT Journal & Service Notes, sometimes referred to simply as the SPT Journal, is a printed periodical published by the Society of Photo-Technologists (SPT) starting in 1959 and continuing through the 1990s. It contains technical and service information on cameras and was a benefit of membership in the society. Generally members who received the journal operated independent camera repair or service businesses. SPT still exists today but no longer publishes the printed journal; instead service information is provided through an online database. However, the online versions of the periodical are paywalled and only SPT members can access them. At present there is no special membership rate for collectors or hobbyists making direct access to the documents impractical for most collectors.[1]
While all issues of the journal are believed to be out of print, they can often be found in used book stores, online auctions, and other sources of second hand periodicals. Larger libraries which subscribed to technical publications may also have copies. No publicly accessible index of issues is currently know to exist, making it difficult to know which issue contains topics of interest to specific collectors. Despite the difficulty of obtaining copies, the journals continue to provide valuable information to collectors.
Contents
Regular Issues
Each issues was an inexpensively printed and bound, 3-hole punched journal, usually 50 to 60 pages. Content was monochrome and included low-resolution photos. An issue covered one or more pieces of equipment in detail with diagrams and notes on disassembly, repair, and re-assembly. Issues appear to have been bi-monthly. In addition to the regular issues there were sometimes smaller collections of service notes and updates sent out at irregular intervals.
Annual Issues
Special annual issues including an annual Directory of Repair Parts & Services and an annual Membership Directory.
Notes
Links
- The Society of Photo-Technologists - official website and online library
