Pioneer
Mentor
Wow Ronald M. That certainly does not reflect my own experience with Takumar lenses. I have owned a couple that were not the sharpest tack in the pile but I don't remember any tonal issues. Do you remember specifically what the problem was.
Bingley
Mentor
I shot a lot of candid yearbook photos with a Spotmatic in 1969-71. Loved that camera. It just felt right.
rwintle
Scientist by day
Took the Spottie F out to the race track on Monday. It is very nice to handle all day long - lightweight, button and dial in sensible places. Wearing a Bushnell 135/2.8 and stuffed full of Kodak Plus X gave me this. Probably about 1/200th, f/11 or so (manual, the meter on mine is dead).
Subaru STi - Spotmatic F, Plus X by Richard Wintle, on Flickr
Also had it out and about at Easter - here with the Sigma 28/2.8. Not as contrasty or sharp as I'd really like it to be, but serviceable. Film is Shoppers Drug Mart Easypix 200 (it's Fuji, probably Fujicolor 200 or similar).
Spirit of Sir John A - Spotmatic, Sigma 28mm, Easypix 200 by Richard Wintle, on Flickr
P.S. I realized I didn't post a beauty shot of it, so here it is (taken on a Nikon DSLR, whatever):
Spottie F by Richard Wintle, on Flickr
Very much enjoying this camera.
Subaru STi - Spotmatic F, Plus X by Richard Wintle, on Flickr
Also had it out and about at Easter - here with the Sigma 28/2.8. Not as contrasty or sharp as I'd really like it to be, but serviceable. Film is Shoppers Drug Mart Easypix 200 (it's Fuji, probably Fujicolor 200 or similar).
Spirit of Sir John A - Spotmatic, Sigma 28mm, Easypix 200 by Richard Wintle, on Flickr
P.S. I realized I didn't post a beauty shot of it, so here it is (taken on a Nikon DSLR, whatever):
Spottie F by Richard Wintle, on Flickr
Very much enjoying this camera.
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titrisol
Bottom Feeder
Yes, my favorite SLR.
I finally got a SPF - from my father in law who bought it new in 75 or 76
Joins the SP that my father bought in 73
That 35mm/3.5 is a lens I had overlooked for a long time as I preferred the 28mm
It is really nice
I finally got a SPF - from my father in law who bought it new in 75 or 76
Joins the SP that my father bought in 73
That 35mm/3.5 is a lens I had overlooked for a long time as I preferred the 28mm
It is really nice
Pál_K
Cameras. I has it.
The Pentax was a blessing to me, though not obvious at the time.
For my very first 35mm SLR what I really wanted in 1971 was the sexy Minolta SRT-101 with that 58/1.2 always shown in the full page ads. There was no way I could come close to affording that. I could’ve bought the less impressive SRT-100, but having the plain sister would always remind me of the hottie I didn’t have. So I bought something else I could afford that had a good reputation. The SP500 version of the Spotmatic lacked just the self timer, but had an unmarked speed past 1/500.
I used this one camera and its Super Takumar 55/2 lens exclusively for 15 years, shooting just B&W that I developed and printed myself.
Although I’ve added other cameras and lenses to my stable, I still use my SP500 a fair bit. It’s microprism grid focuses faster for me than that of any other SLR. Although its viewfinder is plain, I’ve realized over the decades that viewfinders with lots of information put me into geek mode and I lose all sense of composition and awareness of my subject. My best photos ever are still those made with this Pentax. I’ve taken it across country and around the world.
As for that little plastic meter switch… that broke in the first week of ownership. I would switch the meter on, then manually lower the switch to open the aperture back up. That lowering operation was stiff and the switch broke off. Although I had it repaired under warranty, to prevent it from happening again I got in the habit of first stopping down the lens via the lens switch, then the meter switch can be raised, held, and released without it catching. Then I could open the lens up again before making the photo. It’s sounds slow and cumbersome, but I could do it quickly. I usually had the camera set at or close to the right exposure anyway. Later, after about a year, I use stopped using the meter altogether - I knew what the exposure needed to be in almost any situation (I always used B&W ASA 125 film).
As for the lenses, both the optical quality and build quality of the M42 Super Takumars is the best of the best. I love the metal knurled focusing and aperture rings. The 55/2 is said to be identical to the 55/1.8, just masked off, but I don’t care. Compared to my 8-element 50/1.4 Super Takumar, the 55/2 is noticeably better - it just is.
Eventually, I did get that SRT-101 and 58/1.2 though.
For my very first 35mm SLR what I really wanted in 1971 was the sexy Minolta SRT-101 with that 58/1.2 always shown in the full page ads. There was no way I could come close to affording that. I could’ve bought the less impressive SRT-100, but having the plain sister would always remind me of the hottie I didn’t have. So I bought something else I could afford that had a good reputation. The SP500 version of the Spotmatic lacked just the self timer, but had an unmarked speed past 1/500.
I used this one camera and its Super Takumar 55/2 lens exclusively for 15 years, shooting just B&W that I developed and printed myself.
Although I’ve added other cameras and lenses to my stable, I still use my SP500 a fair bit. It’s microprism grid focuses faster for me than that of any other SLR. Although its viewfinder is plain, I’ve realized over the decades that viewfinders with lots of information put me into geek mode and I lose all sense of composition and awareness of my subject. My best photos ever are still those made with this Pentax. I’ve taken it across country and around the world.
As for that little plastic meter switch… that broke in the first week of ownership. I would switch the meter on, then manually lower the switch to open the aperture back up. That lowering operation was stiff and the switch broke off. Although I had it repaired under warranty, to prevent it from happening again I got in the habit of first stopping down the lens via the lens switch, then the meter switch can be raised, held, and released without it catching. Then I could open the lens up again before making the photo. It’s sounds slow and cumbersome, but I could do it quickly. I usually had the camera set at or close to the right exposure anyway. Later, after about a year, I use stopped using the meter altogether - I knew what the exposure needed to be in almost any situation (I always used B&W ASA 125 film).
As for the lenses, both the optical quality and build quality of the M42 Super Takumars is the best of the best. I love the metal knurled focusing and aperture rings. The 55/2 is said to be identical to the 55/1.8, just masked off, but I don’t care. Compared to my 8-element 50/1.4 Super Takumar, the 55/2 is noticeably better - it just is.
Eventually, I did get that SRT-101 and 58/1.2 though.
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hap
Well-known
I'd buy a spotmatic F, in black, but everybody else has squirreled them away. Especially those with working meters.
Mackinaw
Think Different
They're out there. I bought a black Spotmatic with the highly-desirable 50/1.4 eight element for $35.00 a few years ago at a local antique show.
Jim B.
Jim B.
p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
@hap I have the Spotmatic II and I like it a lot. Takumar lenses are great. The Sp II has some internal improvements compared to the original Spotmatic - the advance mechanism was improved - cogs that carry heavier loads are made from beryllium copper, an alloy stronger than brass that is corrosion resistant. Hard plastic is used to cushion impact and reduce friction in some parts of the shutter. All the were dropped later on the Spotmatic F (went back to brass).
@Pál_K this is taken with the 55f/2.
@Pál_K this is taken with the 55f/2.
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Richard G
Mentor
I was given mine. 55mm F2. I love that slightly longer focal length. It is a beautiful looking camera. Design simplicity.
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
Pentax SP500/SP1000 are just as good and even simpler (no self timer).
FWIW Pentax SP-F allows full aperture metering but only with SMC Takumar lenses.
Chris
FWIW Pentax SP-F allows full aperture metering but only with SMC Takumar lenses.
Chris
Pál_K
Cameras. I has it.
I remember that photo! It still reminds me so much of Seurat’s Un dimanche après-midi à l'Île de la Grande Jatte - a mirrored B&W version.
I just love it.
AAlfano
Well-known
After shooting Nikon as my only SLR for many years, about five years ago, I bought a Spotmatic with a 50mm f/1.4 Super Takumar for $20 specifically to use in a "Cheap Shots Challenge" photo contest. The meter didn't work but, to my very great surprise, I found that I rather enjoyed using sunny 16 and/or a light meter app on my phone. I think having to put a little more thought and care into my exposure settings has improved my photography. I was very impressed with the images from that old Super Tak—it is easily as good as my 50mm f/1.4 Nikkor AI-S, if not better—and something about that camera just felt RIGHT in my hands.
I cannot get the meter in my Spotmatic fixed as the cost would put it outside of the rules of the "Cheap Shots Challenge" contests I use it for, but I found a local seller who had a chrome SL and got a good deal on it. I sent that one to Eric for a CLA and now I have a 50 year old camera that works like new. I have also now aquired a nice set of Pentax M42 lenses. (28mm f/3.5 SMC Tak, 35mm f/3.5 Super Tak, 50mm f/1.4 S-M-C Tak, 55mm f/1.8 S-M-C Tak, and 105mm f/2.8 Super Tak). All are fantastic performers, especially considering the moderate cost, and the build quality of them is outstanding. Overall, I couldn't be happier with these cameras and lenses.
Now if I can find a black SL…
I cannot get the meter in my Spotmatic fixed as the cost would put it outside of the rules of the "Cheap Shots Challenge" contests I use it for, but I found a local seller who had a chrome SL and got a good deal on it. I sent that one to Eric for a CLA and now I have a 50 year old camera that works like new. I have also now aquired a nice set of Pentax M42 lenses. (28mm f/3.5 SMC Tak, 35mm f/3.5 Super Tak, 50mm f/1.4 S-M-C Tak, 55mm f/1.8 S-M-C Tak, and 105mm f/2.8 Super Tak). All are fantastic performers, especially considering the moderate cost, and the build quality of them is outstanding. Overall, I couldn't be happier with these cameras and lenses.
Now if I can find a black SL…
titrisol
Bottom Feeder
All those excellent performers, the 105 and 35mm are 2 focal lengths I overlooked for a long time
Both Takumars are just excellent, and have given me a new way to look at things.
My 105 is a "transition" example, it says Super-Multi-Coated but doesn;t have the mechanical linkage in the back for open-metering.
titrisol
Bottom Feeder
Just back from Eric's service... the Spotmatic that my dad bought in 1973
Asahi Pentax Spotmatic - SP
I have taken hundreds if not thousand of rolls with this one, climbed mountains and travelled thousands of miles in buses, by foot, by plane or by car.
I guess the wear can be seen in a few places, but it performs great and the lens is tack sharp.
Asahi Pentax Spotmatic - SP
I have taken hundreds if not thousand of rolls with this one, climbed mountains and travelled thousands of miles in buses, by foot, by plane or by car.
I guess the wear can be seen in a few places, but it performs great and the lens is tack sharp.
hap
Well-known
I have a super smc takumar which is capable of open aperture metering. I've long looked for a spotmatic F....but I wanted a sure good functioning copy. that's not all that easy since most of these cameras need TLC and CLA. I thought the F would be "cheap" but they are not IMO.
panatomic
Member
I went on an ES II shopping spree and ended up with two of them. I’m into the extra grip space and extremely not cool metering/exposure system.
titrisol
Bottom Feeder
ddutchison2
Established
The first really "good" camera I got, the S1a (though not this particular one) with the secret 1/1000-ish shutter speed. In the mid 70's these were cheap enough for a high-school kid to buy if they saved a bit. The promise Pentax made was that if you could live without the extreme versatility of the big system camera, and the very wide range of fast or specialized glass, then the Takumar's would deliver results every bit as good as Nikon and Canon.
To the Spotmatic in particular, I'll argue that they took more news photos than anything else. The Glossy magazines and city dalies may have all used Nikon, but back then the world was filled with small weekly papers - almost every town had one - and the Spotmatic was the what did all the work there.
To the Spotmatic in particular, I'll argue that they took more news photos than anything else. The Glossy magazines and city dalies may have all used Nikon, but back then the world was filled with small weekly papers - almost every town had one - and the Spotmatic was the what did all the work there.
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
I only wish the Spotmatics used a more easily obtainable battery. I know about the Wein replacement, but hearing aid batteries aren't really that viable for me. (I may get one, just to figure out what watch battery can fit instead!) The 394 battery is a good option but you have to look around for it, but you need to use a proper spacer, which I have, fortunately.
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
Is anyone health concerned with the radio activity of the SMC 55mm f1.8 lenses ?