This was far better than any instruction manual I read fot the Spotmatic. And I presently have both the original manual and the independent book that was published for Spotmatic owners. Thank you!
Film loading is much easier and more reliable when you first attach the leading edge of the film to the wind-up spool, then push the film onto the sprocket gear and then lower the film canister in its place. The lower the rewind crank and close the camera back.
Just found your channel.. good stuff! I’ve been a fan of Pentax Spotmatics for several decades now. At last count, I had around three dozen varieties of them. Properly cared for, they’ll outlive us all.
I just picked up an SP500 and shot my first roll of film in like 20 years. It was fun, but on about half the shots, there's a spot on the right half of the frame that's blacked out (varied from shot to shot, some it was about 10% of the frame, some up to 50%). Not sure if it's a skill issue, or if somethings not working correctly (unsurprising, given its about 50 years old)
Just ordered one from KEH for $100. I already have the Pentax 55mm F1.8 screw mount lens. Can’t wait to get it in and shoot the first roll. Which will be Kodak TRI-X 400 film.
Very nice video for someone new to the Spotmatic. There is one point I would like to clarify. The light meter IS voltage-dependent! It's true it's a Wheatstone bridge metering system, but the bridge is UNbalanced at the centered needle setting. (Notice the off-center needle position with power-off). You might get reasonable metering results at average light levels with a 1.55V battery, but at the low and high end of the metering scale you get some error.
That was a very helpful video. You have answered many of my questions about my new Spotmatic. Thank you!!! I have been gently adjusting my shutter speed instead of aperture dial to get the exposure needle in the correct spot. I hope that’s okay?
The Pentax Spotmatic series were outstanding cameras. Well-made, sharp Takumar lenses and thru-the-lens metering where a shooter didn’t need a separate light meter. Formally debuted in 1964, the Pentax Spotmatic went on to sell millions of units. It is still an outstanding camera. When this camera first came out in 1964, Tokyo hosted the summer Olympic Games. While I have seen many stories/pictures about the 1964 Summer Games, I am puzzled why there is no mention of whether the Pentax Spotmatic was used to record the games or sold to visitors who came to Japan. There have been anecdotes about the camera being sold during the Olympics in Tokyo with film developing kiosks around the OIympic village. The marketing opportunity for Asahi Pentax during the Olympics seems obvious. Can anyone find out whether there are photos/ads shot by a Pentax during the 1964 Summer Games?
I had to put new light seals in my Spotamatic as well a new mirror bumper. I had no idea the seals were bad until somebody gave me a roll of film and none of the pictures came out
You’ll have to use an external flash that supports the X sync cable for the port on the front side of the camera. A ‘cold shoe’ adapter can be purchased to mount the flash on the camera.
Hi! I’m thinking about spending a good chunk of change on one of these, but just to be clear (and, this might be a stupid question - I’m so sorry) can this camera operate without batteries? The light meter is a really cool thing but can I just work with it manually? Thank you so much :3
Yes it’s entirely mechanical except batteries are required just for the light meter. If you don’t want the meter then you don’t need to use batteries. I should also mention, these cameras are relatively cheap and common. It shouldn’t cost a good chunk of change to purchase one of these guys (depends on location I guess).
@@PentaxTips Hi! Thank you so much for the response :3 it’s much appreciated & very helpful!! Also, yeah I found an all black one from Japan for a total of 120 (shipping included)!!! I know in the photography sphere, where some cameras are in the thousands, that that’s very cheap! 120 is like two tanks of gas so I’m beating myself up a little bit … but I wanna treat myself to a new camera >:3 and i probably will now that i got the clarity on the camera, so thank you again!
Thank you. A blast from the past! The Spotmatic was a very desirable camera when it was first released. I think it remains so.
This was far better than any instruction manual I read fot the Spotmatic. And I presently have both the original manual and the independent book that was published for Spotmatic owners. Thank you!
Film loading is much easier and more reliable when you first attach the leading edge of the film to the wind-up spool, then push the film onto the sprocket gear and then lower the film canister in its place. The lower the rewind crank and close the camera back.
Just found your channel.. good stuff! I’ve been a fan of Pentax Spotmatics for several decades now. At last count, I had around three dozen varieties of them. Properly cared for, they’ll outlive us all.
That was a very helpful video. You have answered all of my questions about my new Spotmatic. Thank you!!!
SIR!! This video is PERFECT. My goodness!! Awesome work.
Great video! I'm going to pick up mine Pentax SP today ❤! It will go great with super - takumars!
Very clear and very useful. Thank you
A most excellent tutorial. Thanks for posting :)
Asahi Pentax fan here. Also, FIRST!
I just picked up an SP500 and shot my first roll of film in like 20 years.
It was fun, but on about half the shots, there's a spot on the right half of the frame that's blacked out (varied from shot to shot, some it was about 10% of the frame, some up to 50%). Not sure if it's a skill issue, or if somethings not working correctly (unsurprising, given its about 50 years old)
Just ordered one from KEH for $100. I already have the Pentax 55mm F1.8 screw mount lens. Can’t wait to get it in and shoot the first roll. Which will be Kodak TRI-X 400 film.
This was so helpful! Thanks!
Very nice video for someone new to the Spotmatic. There is one point I would like to clarify. The light meter IS voltage-dependent! It's true it's a Wheatstone bridge metering system, but the bridge is UNbalanced at the centered needle setting. (Notice the off-center needle position with power-off). You might get reasonable metering results at average light levels with a 1.55V battery, but at the low and high end of the metering scale you get some error.
Hi, I recently found a SP 2 and I’m not seeing anything out of the view finder. Are you able to help me figure out how to use it? 😭
Sounds like the mirror is stuck up..
That was a very helpful video. You have answered many of my questions about my new Spotmatic. Thank you!!!
I have been gently adjusting my shutter speed instead of aperture dial to get the exposure needle in the correct spot. I hope that’s okay?
Yep! All depends if you want to control for motion (shutter speed) or depth of field (aperture)
Great camera I had the spotmatic 2 as my firstcamera
I have two Spotmatic that are still in operating condition, my biggest issue is finding the replacement for the old mercury battery.
Thanks!
Depth of field can be seen by moving a switch on Super-Takumar lenses, which saves battery power.
Do you know if the Spotmatic F will work with the 50mm f1.4 super takumar 8 element version or will it damage the back element? Thank you
Should be fine. It’s only models older than the Spotmatic that really have issues.
@ thank you! Looking forward to trying the combo soon.
The Pentax Spotmatic series were outstanding cameras. Well-made, sharp Takumar lenses and thru-the-lens metering where a shooter didn’t need a separate light meter. Formally debuted in 1964, the Pentax Spotmatic went on to sell millions of units. It is still an outstanding camera. When this camera first came out in 1964, Tokyo hosted the summer Olympic Games. While I have seen many stories/pictures about the 1964 Summer Games, I am puzzled why there is no mention of whether the Pentax Spotmatic was used to record the games or sold to visitors who came to Japan. There have been anecdotes about the camera being sold during the Olympics in Tokyo with film developing kiosks around the OIympic village. The marketing opportunity for Asahi Pentax during the Olympics seems obvious. Can anyone find out whether there are photos/ads shot by a Pentax during the 1964 Summer Games?
I had to put new light seals in my Spotamatic as well a new mirror bumper. I had no idea the seals were bad until somebody gave me a roll of film and none of the pictures came out
The clip-on meter measures with an angle of 40 degrees, so no problem with standard and wide-angle lenses!
I hope you see my comment i just bought this camera how can I use a flash for it because i want to take pictures in the night
You’ll have to use an external flash that supports the X sync cable for the port on the front side of the camera. A ‘cold shoe’ adapter can be purchased to mount the flash on the camera.
@ ty so much 🙏🏼
can i ask if you know which pentaprism from other cameras can be replaced with spotmatic sp1? my spotmatic had desilvering. pls helppp T_T
Sorry I’m not sure about that. I might suggest picking up a for-parts SP1, as they are relatively common and affordable?
@@PentaxTips In my country not so common but will try researching for this and let you know. Though it might take a while.
Hi! I’m thinking about spending a good chunk of change on one of these, but just to be clear (and, this might be a stupid question - I’m so sorry) can this camera operate without batteries? The light meter is a really cool thing but can I just work with it manually?
Thank you so much :3
Yes it’s entirely mechanical except batteries are required just for the light meter. If you don’t want the meter then you don’t need to use batteries. I should also mention, these cameras are relatively cheap and common. It shouldn’t cost a good chunk of change to purchase one of these guys (depends on location I guess).
@@PentaxTips Hi! Thank you so much for the response :3 it’s much appreciated & very helpful!!
Also, yeah I found an all black one from Japan for a total of 120 (shipping included)!!! I know in the photography sphere, where some cameras are in the thousands, that that’s very cheap! 120 is like two tanks of gas so I’m beating myself up a little bit … but I wanna treat myself to a new camera >:3 and i probably will now that i got the clarity on the camera, so thank you again!
Thank you!!
I own this camera. It's great!
Any advice on which cheap electronic flash unit to mount?
Make sure you put batteries in them. 😆😆😆
I see you have the 8 element 50mm there, nice 👍
Nice 8 element super Takumar 50mm f1.4
A bit of an Easter egg ;) nice catch
@@PentaxTips I have 3 X 8 Element and 10 X 7 Element 50mm f1.4 Takumars.
@@mikepxg6406 Your private army.
An orange R on the rewind crank does not guarantee the safe use of the 8-element 1.4/50 lens. The paddle should have a crescent-like shape.
A Spotmatic does not have center-weighted metering, the metering is integral (measuring the whole picture frame).
I prefer to set the aperture I need for a specific depth of field first and adjust the shutter speed accordingly.
Sometimes I forget to stop down the lens before taking a picture. Other than that it's one of my favorite cameras.
I picked up 2 of these for dirt cheap in the last month or 3…
I stole one from my grandpa