Bought my first SV in 1968, with a Super-Takumar 55/1.8 lens. That got stolen in 1975, but have since bought another one, with another Super-Takumar 55/1.8 and use it with the original 1969 clip-on meter which I bought transiting Cape Town. Everything just works!
The focus screen has a micro prism spot surrounded by a fine ground circular area around it and a slightly coarser ground glass beyond. All of which are focusing aids. The things you forgot are the T setting for long exposures and the X setting for flash sync speed. The camera is called an SV because it has a self timer which you didn’t mention. It is a great camera with superb ergonomics. There were two coupled meters that you could fit and in its way it’s like an SLR homage to the Leica M3. Your photos have that vintage feel! Great camera even in the studio!
I've just started my "post-analog" camera period, buying a (black) Asashi Pentax SV and a Pentax Super-Takumar 85mm f/1,9 lens from online auction (together with a Gossen Lunasix 3 exposure meter). Besides that, I also have saved my old analog cameras from the "analog heydays" of 70's and 80's, like my Hasselblad 500CM, Canon F1, Nikonos IVA and V (and for sure some other "mechanical oldies" from the 50's and 60's. Thanks for an inspiring video and a very clear testament to mechanical cameras reliability. Amazing that your SV passed through three generations without any troubleshooting at all.
I've just bought one of these. It looks and feels amazing. It even has the detachable accessory shoe and the prism mountable light meter - very retro looking! It has just locked up though, which seems to be a common issue, so I'm currently investigating with the bottom plate off.
Good luck! I hope it's an easy fix. These old beauties do need to be serviced after years of sitting idle. But after that, they're normally good as new!
Great summary of this beauty. More than any other cameras, the S series with Takumars are the cameras I will often just sit with, admire and exercize the dials and advance. Everything is designed, machined, built & assembled to utter perfection in this line. I just sold an utterly spotless H1a (S1a) to a newer film photographer who was incredibly excited to receive it. I still have my incredibly battle-worn (well loved) H3v (SV) and will never part with it.
Thank you for this great comment. I sort of carry my SV around with me around the house, like a teddy bear. I'd sleep with it if it weren't so sturdy. The photographer who got the H1a is very lucky. You've basically set them up for life!
@@positivelynegative7753 Hahah. (I somehow missed your reply) I cannot say I blame you. 😂 Such soft edges and lines and soothing noises they make. I really did set up that new owner of the H1a (S1a), particularly because each of them had only been back from CLA perhaps 6 months. The H1a only saw 3 rolls before I sold it on. Wanted to keep both, particularly because that one was in such incredible condition and with still a mint flash shoe attachment. My SV has certainly seen more mileage, but it seems those are the cameras I tend to hold onto... the ones that look used and that I am not afraid of scratching when they go out.
I bought an S3 recently. In comparing it with my Pentax MX, Nikon F, F3, FE, Olympus OM1n it is now right at the top of my favourite cameras. The quality of the engineering is very high and this makes me want to use it all the time. These camera are superb and the Takumars match the quality. I agree that this camera makes you worry less about the exposure and more about the composition and the moment. They are so nice to use.
You have a nice collection! Definitely jealous of your F3! I agree. There's something special about the old Pentaxes. My Nikkormat definitely feels nicer (the winding mechanism is super smooth) but I just prefer shooting with my Pentax. I also think the SV, S3, Spotmatic, etc. are the best looking cameras ever made.
Just got mine today, im really happy getting this model. How it looks and the the sound is just beautiful. Your review definitely help me out in choosing this camera. Thank you! Hope you do more videos about film cameras :)
I have recently bought an SL Has no meter but has a time release. And 142 screw Mt with Tacomar lens The dealers did the seals so I may put a roll through.
Great review of the camera. I own Praktica PLC3 with Pentacon 1.8/50 mm also fully manual. Reminds me this. I was seraching for some review before buying Pentax SV, so you made my day bright. Thank you.
I have a Spotmatic with the excellent 55mm Super Takumar f1. 8 lens. I have had it since the 1970s. It's my old faithfull. I have a Nikkormat ft2 with a 50mm f1.4 ai s-c lens and a 105mm f2.5 ai lens.
Lovely! I really want to get a Spotmatic one day - it will fit nicely between my SV and my K1000. The Super Takumar lenses are so nice! I just love how they feel - especially the older M42 mount ones. The FT2 looks awesome too. I'm definitely jealous of your 105mm lens.
I liked so much your review of this camera that I had to test it myself so I purchased one in ebay from Japan and got it a couple days ago. Shot a roll of 400Tmax today and it was a very nice and satisfying experience I must say. Now I have to wait for the film and see the results which is always kind of a pain because I almost shot entirely digital and when shot film I normally do color and the wait isn’t that long because I develop it myself, but wanted to savor this one a bit longer and wait. I loved the size, shutter sound, ergonomics and ease of focusing of the SV. A total beauty. Thanks for the advice! Cheers.
Thank you! The Spotmatic is awesome. I'd definitely love one for my collection. They just seem to be a bit more expensive than some of the other Pentax models - at least in South Africa. Happy shooting!
Thanks so much! Yes, the S2 is awesome too. I basically love all the M42 screw-mount Pentaxes and I don't think you can really go wrong with any of them. Interesting note about the S2 (H2) from Pentaxforums: "The camera was released as the S2 in other markets except South Africa where the camera was called 'Asahiflex H2' due to the name 'Pentax' being a trademark of another company. " I believe those South African Asahiflexes are quite collectable now. Maybe one day I'll get lucky and find one in an antique store!
@@positivelynegative7753 Thanks for the reply. It's really astonishing that for a 60 year old camera like the SV can be as fresh and usable as a modern SLR. It's retro yet sleek and hip.
@@julsitos2 So true. I think it just goes to show that SLR design was basically perfected back then already. Everything since has just been a variation on the theme - with more plastic and buttons instead of clockwork!
Recently purchased one but the mirror won't come down. It's not stuck because I am able to move it down but it won't stay down. Any idea what this could be? Ty sir, hoping I can bring it to life and run film through it
Hi. My best guess would be that the camera just needs a service. These guys are really old now and sometimes the bits seize up. If you can find a camera technician, they'll do a CLA (Clean, lubricate and adjust) and that should get it going like new again.
I had an SV which came wtih the Super Takumar 55mm f1.8 which is outstanding. I also had an S1a which came with a Super Takumar 50 f/2 which was nearly as good (I sold that camera on tho). I bought three more lenses as a three-lens kit: ST 50mm f1.4 (which is legendary), ST 35mm f3.5, and ST 105/2.8 (both outstanding). Honestly it's difficult to come by bad Asahi Takumar glass.
Hi. The SV doesn't have a built in light meter, so you don't have to set the ISO. There is an ISO reminder dial but that's just there to remind you what ISO film you have in the camera. You will have to use an external light meter or the Sunny 16 Rule.
I have one I would like to sell that’s in pristine condition, do you have any tips as where I could get the best price for it, besides eBay? I also have the Pentax light meter with it.
That's a good question. I think the ideal would be a local store that specialises in either cameras or vintage things in general. I've tried to sell film cameras on Facebook Marketplace and I get buyers asking me where you put the memory card in!
Unless it's been recently CLA'd "best price for it" is incredibly variable and due to the (surprising) lack of popularity of the S series, they simply don't fetch prices that are commensurate with their quality. *All* of these, if their maintenance is unknown, *require* servicing to be reliable. They are entirely mechanical and those mechanics more than half a century old.
It is pure B.S.; the B&W film needs a correct exposure. I do know how to print a "bad" negative on six different bromide paper grades, different paper developers at different dilutions and temperatures, time and agitation, exposed via single, double or triple condensor sytems or by cold light box via a bad or a good clean optic in a darkroom which is safe for the emulsion without white light leak and the correct safe light.where smokig is not allowed. Still I am not getting irritated by the younger newbe photo generations; I do not like their show off behaviour which can also be found at professioal photoshops exposed by the adolescent retailers wearing their caps, drinking coffee and the blabla by amateurs being the spokesmen at the three day camera shows.
Yes you reminded me. The exposure meter is so important, as is knowing how to rate film for flat or contrasty light, as is which developer at what dilution, as is the enlarger (whether it’s condenser or diffuser or cold cathode)., and myriad other variables. It can be depressing seeing over contrasty images with blocked highlights and shadows and giant clumps of grain being passed off as the best image quality that film can produce. Perhaps we can get out there again and teach people how to do it properly.
There two mount Pentax on top exposure meters for your SV. Informatio can be found in the Pentax Book and in the manual And of course at .......................me.
Bought my first SV in 1968, with a Super-Takumar 55/1.8 lens. That got stolen in 1975, but have since bought another one, with another Super-Takumar 55/1.8 and use it with the original 1969 clip-on meter which I bought transiting Cape Town. Everything just works!
The focus screen has a micro prism spot surrounded by a fine ground circular area around it and a slightly coarser ground glass beyond. All of which are focusing aids. The things you forgot are the T setting for long exposures and the X setting for flash sync speed. The camera is called an SV because it has a self timer which you didn’t mention. It is a great camera with superb ergonomics. There were two coupled meters that you could fit and in its way it’s like an SLR homage to the Leica M3.
Your photos have that vintage feel! Great camera even in the studio!
I've been shooting an old folding Semi Leotax it teaches you so much about real photography. Shooting "sunny 16" actually works pretty well.
I've just started my "post-analog" camera period, buying a (black) Asashi Pentax SV and a Pentax Super-Takumar 85mm f/1,9 lens from online auction (together with a Gossen Lunasix 3 exposure meter). Besides that, I also have saved my old analog cameras from the "analog heydays" of 70's and 80's, like my Hasselblad 500CM, Canon F1, Nikonos IVA and V (and for sure some other "mechanical oldies" from the 50's and 60's. Thanks for an inspiring video and a very clear testament to mechanical cameras reliability. Amazing that your SV passed through three generations without any troubleshooting at all.
One of the most simple yet functional cameras! A perfect slr!
Couldn't agree more!
A peach of a camera. I love my SV! 🤩
I've just bought one of these. It looks and feels amazing. It even has the detachable accessory shoe and the prism mountable light meter - very retro looking! It has just locked up though, which seems to be a common issue, so I'm currently investigating with the bottom plate off.
Good luck! I hope it's an easy fix. These old beauties do need to be serviced after years of sitting idle. But after that, they're normally good as new!
Great summary of this beauty. More than any other cameras, the S series with Takumars are the cameras I will often just sit with, admire and exercize the dials and advance. Everything is designed, machined, built & assembled to utter perfection in this line. I just sold an utterly spotless H1a (S1a) to a newer film photographer who was incredibly excited to receive it. I still have my incredibly battle-worn (well loved) H3v (SV) and will never part with it.
Thank you for this great comment. I sort of carry my SV around with me around the house, like a teddy bear. I'd sleep with it if it weren't so sturdy. The photographer who got the H1a is very lucky. You've basically set them up for life!
@@positivelynegative7753 Hahah. (I somehow missed your reply) I cannot say I blame you. 😂 Such soft edges and lines and soothing noises they make.
I really did set up that new owner of the H1a (S1a), particularly because each of them had only been back from CLA perhaps 6 months. The H1a only saw 3 rolls before I sold it on. Wanted to keep both, particularly because that one was in such incredible condition and with still a mint flash shoe attachment. My SV has certainly seen more mileage, but it seems those are the cameras I tend to hold onto... the ones that look used and that I am not afraid of scratching when they go out.
I bought an S3 recently. In comparing it with my Pentax MX, Nikon F, F3, FE, Olympus OM1n it is now right at the top of my favourite cameras. The quality of the engineering is very high and this makes me want to use it all the time. These camera are superb and the Takumars match the quality.
I agree that this camera makes you worry less about the exposure and more about the composition and the moment. They are so nice to use.
You have a nice collection! Definitely jealous of your F3! I agree. There's something special about the old Pentaxes. My Nikkormat definitely feels nicer (the winding mechanism is super smooth) but I just prefer shooting with my Pentax. I also think the SV, S3, Spotmatic, etc. are the best looking cameras ever made.
Just got mine today, im really happy getting this model. How it looks and the the sound is just beautiful. Your review definitely help me out in choosing this camera. Thank you! Hope you do more videos about film cameras :)
Thank you! I'm glad I could help. I most certainly will make more videos - I've got quite a few lined up, actually. Watch this space. :)
Ack!! Don't be telling people about the beauty of the m42 mount Pentaxes... they will drive up the prices on these awesome cameras!!
I have recently bought an SL
Has no meter but has a time release.
And 142 screw Mt with Tacomar lens
The dealers did the seals so I may put a roll through.
Great review of the camera. I own Praktica PLC3 with Pentacon 1.8/50 mm also fully manual. Reminds me this. I was seraching for some review before buying Pentax SV, so you made my day bright. Thank you.
Yay! Glad I could help!
Great photos young man really nice
Thank you very much!
I have a Spotmatic with the excellent 55mm Super Takumar f1. 8 lens. I have had it since the 1970s. It's my old faithfull.
I have a Nikkormat ft2 with a 50mm f1.4 ai s-c lens and a 105mm f2.5 ai lens.
Lovely! I really want to get a Spotmatic one day - it will fit nicely between my SV and my K1000. The Super Takumar lenses are so nice! I just love how they feel - especially the older M42 mount ones.
The FT2 looks awesome too. I'm definitely jealous of your 105mm lens.
I have the simpler S1a. Very beautiful cameras.
Just bought one and I agree it feels really professional
Great stuff! It really does.
I liked so much your review of this camera that I had to test it myself so I purchased one in ebay from Japan and got it a couple days ago. Shot a roll of 400Tmax today and it was a very nice and satisfying experience I must say. Now I have to wait for the film and see the results which is always kind of a pain because I almost shot entirely digital and when shot film I normally do color and the wait isn’t that long because I develop it myself, but wanted to savor this one a bit longer and wait.
I loved the size, shutter sound, ergonomics and ease of focusing of the SV. A total beauty.
Thanks for the advice!
Cheers.
Very cool! You made a good choice. I hope your pictures come out well!
Wow the photos are absolutely gorgeous. Oh and the video was extremely helpful.
Thank you! Glad I could help!
I got this camera yesterday because of you. Can’t wait to use it.
Glad I could help! Happy shooting!
Bro we have the same haha. Im glad i found this video and learned something❤
I am planning to buy a Pentax spotmatic. thanks for the info I just subscribed. hope you do more of these and give more ideas thanks, bro!
Thank you! The Spotmatic is awesome. I'd definitely love one for my collection. They just seem to be a bit more expensive than some of the other Pentax models - at least in South Africa. Happy shooting!
Second time watching this now :) Just bought the camera today. Thanks for the video ☺️
Hi Sah. Good! You made a good choice. I love watching reviews after I've bought a camera - just to make sure I made the right choice! Happy shooting!
Love the review. Got myself one. And looking for a review :) love this and the S2
Thanks so much! Yes, the S2 is awesome too. I basically love all the M42 screw-mount Pentaxes and I don't think you can really go wrong with any of them.
Interesting note about the S2 (H2) from Pentaxforums: "The camera was released as the S2 in other markets except South Africa where the camera was called 'Asahiflex H2' due to the name 'Pentax' being a trademark of another company.
"
I believe those South African Asahiflexes are quite collectable now. Maybe one day I'll get lucky and find one in an antique store!
@@positivelynegative7753 Thanks for the reply. It's really astonishing that for a 60 year old camera like the SV can be as fresh and usable as a modern SLR. It's retro yet sleek and hip.
@@julsitos2 So true. I think it just goes to show that SLR design was basically perfected back then already. Everything since has just been a variation on the theme - with more plastic and buttons instead of clockwork!
The SV is beautiful, it is my "dress up" camera.
A lot of people ask me if I carry it around as an ornament just because it looks so nice. Someone even asked me if it was a necklace.
👍👍
Super helpful! Thanks for sharing 😊
No problem, Louise. Thanks for watching. :)
Recently purchased one but the mirror won't come down. It's not stuck because I am able to move it down but it won't stay down. Any idea what this could be? Ty sir, hoping I can bring it to life and run film through it
Hi. My best guess would be that the camera just needs a service. These guys are really old now and sometimes the bits seize up. If you can find a camera technician, they'll do a CLA (Clean, lubricate and adjust) and that should get it going like new again.
Thanks for the review- what are the lenses you suggested for this camera? Thanks
I had an SV which came wtih the Super Takumar 55mm f1.8 which is outstanding.
I also had an S1a which came with a Super Takumar 50 f/2 which was nearly as good (I sold that camera on tho).
I bought three more lenses as a three-lens kit: ST 50mm f1.4 (which is legendary), ST 35mm f3.5, and ST 105/2.8 (both outstanding).
Honestly it's difficult to come by bad Asahi Takumar glass.
I think the comment below answers the question well!
Hi!! Do you have to set the ISO for the sv? I noticed it doesn’t have a knob to set iso
Hi. The SV doesn't have a built in light meter, so you don't have to set the ISO. There is an ISO reminder dial but that's just there to remind you what ISO film you have in the camera. You will have to use an external light meter or the Sunny 16 Rule.
The feeling, the touch or the sound of a camera have
nothing to do with the quality or the profesionality of it.
Really good review 👌
Thanks so much, Nipuna!
I have one I would like to sell that’s in pristine condition, do you have any tips as where I could get the best price for it, besides eBay? I also have the Pentax light meter with it.
That's a good question. I think the ideal would be a local store that specialises in either cameras or vintage things in general. I've tried to sell film cameras on Facebook Marketplace and I get buyers asking me where you put the memory card in!
Unless it's been recently CLA'd "best price for it" is incredibly variable and due to the (surprising) lack of popularity of the S series, they simply don't fetch prices that are commensurate with their quality. *All* of these, if their maintenance is unknown, *require* servicing to be reliable. They are entirely mechanical and those mechanics more than half a century old.
06:44 cute 😉
;)
It is pure B.S.; the B&W film needs a correct exposure.
I do know how to print a "bad" negative on six different
bromide paper grades, different paper developers at
different dilutions and temperatures, time and agitation,
exposed via single, double or triple condensor sytems
or by cold light box via a bad or a good clean optic in a
darkroom which is safe for the emulsion without white
light leak and the correct safe light.where smokig is not
allowed.
Still I am not getting irritated by the younger newbe
photo generations; I do not like their show off behaviour
which can also be found at professioal photoshops
exposed by the adolescent retailers wearing their caps,
drinking coffee and the blabla by amateurs being the
spokesmen at the three day camera shows.
Yes you reminded me. The exposure meter is so important, as is knowing how to rate film for flat or contrasty light, as is which developer at what dilution, as is the enlarger (whether it’s condenser or diffuser or cold cathode)., and myriad other variables. It can be depressing seeing over contrasty images with blocked highlights and shadows and giant clumps of grain being passed off as the best image quality that film can produce. Perhaps we can get out there again and teach people how to do it properly.
There two mount Pentax on top exposure meters for your SV.
Informatio can be found in the Pentax Book and in the manual
And of course at .......................me.