Features and how to use the Pentax Spotmatic
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ก.ค. 2024
- I go over all the features and controls on the Pentax Spotmatic 35mm Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera and show you how it works.
My email: jlvphoto@yahoo.com
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Thank you for such a thorough and easy-to-understand tutorial! I just thrifted one and this was so helpful :)
Glad to be of help. Thanks for watching.
I´ve got to take mine out for a shoot. Wonderful camera!
This was my first SLR camera. Had alot of good memories and travel with it. Very good video which goes over everything.
Thank you
just picked one of these today and looking forward to shooting a test roll tomorrow! Great video thank you!
I found the same camera in my grandma’s attic and I’m so excited to use it. I’m having a hard time finding the right film though. The video helped so much to understand my camera!! I’ll probably end up watching a couple more times because there is so much to learn!
Thank you for a very complete review.
The camera strap lugs were the only feature you did not discuss.
A mate gave me an old suitcase from a house clearance he did it contained 2 Spotmatics and a few lenses, what a kit, love it to bits I've since added an SPII and a spotmatic F. Liked and subbed cheers.
I owned one SP for one year but I still learned something in this video!thank you
Great stuff, thanks. I've had a Pentax SPII for years, and have to say I never knew what the auto-man switch was for, so thanks. Also, like you, I use a handheld light meter so I've never really touched the SW switch either!
Thanks Jules for the interesting review. In the mid 70s I looked at buying a used Pentax for my high-school photo class. I also looked at Nikon and Minolta, but my heart was with Nikon and I used all my savings to get a new Nikkormat FTN with 50mm f2 lens. Turned out to be a great little camera to start with.
This was incredibly useful. Thank you!
Thank you very much sir, this was incredibly helpful
I want a spotmatic now. I have a MIR-24m 35mm f2 waiting for to be used with one.
Thanks for the video!
Thank you so much! It was my dad go to camera and I just recently decided to pick it up and use it again. All the noises brought back so many memories but I hope I can create new ones now. Thanks again 😁
Enjoy. It’s a great camera.
I think I have one Spottie (F) with a working meter, but I added a Gossen Luna Pro F to the bag. Given that it does incident and flash metering, it's a much happier solution.
One nifty trick you didn't mention is on many of the mechanical Pentax cameras you can partially fire the camera with a quick flick of the shutter button or cable release. This locks up the mirror, but doesn't fire the shutter. A subsequent normal press of the button via the timer, cable, or release button completes the exposure. This is nice way to get rid of mirror generated camera shake on longer exposures. Not all of my Spotties do this, but most do, and all Pentax cameras with the same shutter mechanism (e.g. K1000) have the potential.
Thank you for such important information.
Thanks Jules! I just picked up a Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic SP II and your video was very helpful!
Glad to be of help.
Thanks for the very clear and thorough video. I recently got a Spotmatic in great condition but it hasn’t been used in years. The metering switch on the side has no light indicator and I also need to replace the battery…not sophisticated enough yet to use my own light meter! 😅
They are a lovely camera, beautifully designed, functional and quality. I bought a Spotmatic II new is the early 70s and still have it along with a used earlier Spotmatic. They feel good in the hand with a nice big viewfinder and easily read light meter scale. Just the right weight too.
I agree.
I have to correct one button usage in the video. You never push the light meter down. never ever! pressing the light meter down is the reason for the light meter breaking. It can be found in the manual. Once you switch it on the meter your light take the shot, meter switch goes down by itself. 99% of the light meter breakage occurs by pressing it back down after the light metering. I hope it helps
Thank you for this.
Thank you
thank you for the clear, concise video. Looking forward to shooting some film tomorrow!
Thank you Jay. I always loved the Spotmatic.
I just inherited my grandfather's SP500 from the early 70's. Stoked to start using it. Thanks for the video, very informative and straightforward. :)
Good luck with it. You can email me questions at jlvphoto@yahoo.com
Thank you! Very helpful :)
Great video ! Thanks for uploading
Thank you.
I inherited one of these from my grandfather and I used it a lot in the 1970's and 1980's. An excellent camera. I still have it today with its lenses etc. My flash is mounted on an arm that attaches underneath the camera using the tripod mount socket. I always pulled the film through a bit further by 1cm, and creased/folded it back a bit to prevent slippage.
Thanks for watching. Does the meter still work?
@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696 not sure about recently as I've not actually used it in the last decade.
Thank you so much for this great and very simple manual ^_^
Thank you Ellen.
Very well done tutorial! Thank you. I'm used to using the Pentax ME Super that has Aperture Priority mode, so I wasn't sure how to meter with my new (old) Spotmatic. But in your video it isvery clear. Although in my Asahi Pentax Spotmatic the SW doesn't have an LED.
Thank you
Just found this camera in one of my grandpa's old boxes! Thanks for giving a tutorial on how to use it!
Thank you. Glad to be of help.
Thanks for the review!! It helped me a lot! One more subscriber from Chile for u! Hehe
Thank you. I’m glad it was helpful.
Thank you!
so helpful!!!
Thank you
Hi! I have this camera… bought it for 5 bucks about 4 years ago at a yard sale, and it’s been a magnificent paperweight. Reason is, the shutter curtain jams and I can’t move the advance trigger. Everything else seems to work fine, I’m just trying to avoid spending a fortune at a camera shop. There is a loose white sheet against the curtain on the inside the camera when I take the lens off. Any ideas what it may be?
Thank you for this video. My Grandma gave me her asahi pentax sp500 and I'm still trying to figure some things out. I have an electric flash unit that I still don't know how to use properly with the cables and ports. Eventually, I'll get there. Great video!!!!
I would be happy to answer any questions you have on using flash.
@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696 I have a Rollei flash unit that I think plugs into the "X" port. Looking at the user manual for the Rollei unit and the Camera I was able to deduce that. However I am unable to get the flash to turn on when I take a picture. The flash would be on the camera and would flash randomly without anything happening. I am trying to understand what is wrong but I don't know what exactly. I am going to keep messing with it, trying not to waste too much film! XD
Excellent video. You must be from Philly.
This was my late grandfather’s Camera that my grandma gifted me. I cant wait to learn how to use it
It’s one of my favorite film cameras. Best of luck with it.
@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696 I’m a legally blind photographer. Does this only do video or can it do photos as well?
@@bryttanigore it’s a film camera, that was introduced in 1964. It cannot do video.
@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696 thx, sorry bout that. I had two different thoughts running through my head when I was typing this.
Bought one at a tag sale for 5 dollars. Excited!
Great. What lens?
@Jules Vuotto's Photo Focus super takumar 1:1.4/50. I am new to photography, I am currently learning what it means.😀
@@swiley82 great lens. You got an amazing deal.
Perfect.
Please green color is transparent and red color is negative ?
I love photography I am an expert amateur lol. This camera was gifted by the universe and I can’t wait to use it.
My question is… the battery is for the light meter, can I still take photos without having to worry about the battery being replaced? Just load with film and shoot? Thank you and happy holidays 🎄✨ merry Christmas 🎄
The battery is only needed for the meter. Everything else will work perfectly without a battery. Merry Christmas to you as well. It’s a great camera. Enjoy it.
🎄🕊️🙏🏽✨✨✨thank you!!!!!!!!!!
The film reminder color section has a sun and a light bulb. It's about slide film color balance not slide vs print. Of course you can use it however you choose as the reminder doesn't control anything in the camera.
Thank you Christopher for the clarification.
Thanks for this tutorial! My mom just gave me hers and I'm excited to test it out. I don't have any film on hand yet, so wondering if that's why it's black when I look through the viewfinder? I do have the lens cap off and it's still black, so hoping it's just because I don't have film in it.
It doesn’t matter if you have film in it or not. You should still be able to see through the viewfinder. Unscrew the lens and see if the mirror is down. Most likely it’s not. Use the film advance lever then press the shutter button all with the lens off. Another thing to check with the lens mounted,
is if the lens is set to m. It should be set to A. One last thing is the meter switch on the left side of the camera near the lens mount when holding the camera. It’s marked SW push it down.
Let me know if this works. You can email me at jlvphoto@yahoo.com
great tutorial!! i just bought one from an antique shop and it came with a 3x teleconverter lens! one problem i noticed upon buying was that the rewind knob is stuck and i cannot get the back opened. could this be dirt? (it wasn’t very well maintained, which is notable. but told that it works) only problem is, have to get the back open to find out lol. thanks in advance!
Hi Trinity,
It could be dirt. Pull up on the rewind knob and at the same time try to pull open the back. Let me know if that works.
got it!! i took the risk and had to force it. i mean it was STUCK. dirt being the culprit. clean it up, still a little stuck but not a huge problem. next big problem is.. shutter curtain has been damaged. :( considering sending it to have it serviced if seems necessary.
Hello I have two questions
1. how do I switch it from manual to auto on the lens
and
2. my shutter has been shut how do I open it when lens is on camera?
thank you great video
There is a switch near the back of the lens it is marked A and M or Auto and manual. Just slide it to auto. The shutter is always closed until you press the shutter release. Set the shutter speed dial to B and press and hold the release if you want to keep the shutter open. Hope I answered your questions.
How do I know what setting it should be on if I use colour film? What is the difference between transparant and negative? I just found a lot of old camera's in my grandpa's house and I want to start using them...
Hi Sara, I assume you’re talking about the ISO of the film. It is listed on the film box and cartridge. If shooting outdoors the settings for color and black and white would be the same if the film speed is the same. Negative film when processed gives you a negative that you need to have prints made from. Transparency film produces a positive image usually a slide which you can project with a slide projector. I hope this answers your questions.
For the stop down lever, since it closes the aperture, does it need to be up when taking off the lens?
No.
Such a beautiful camera. I have a lens for one just don't have the camera :)
It is a beautiful camera. You can find them on eBay fairly cheap.
LOVED YOUR VIDEO.....but I have problem with the light meter needle.....I changed the battery but the needle doesn't move....I don't know if I am doing everything correctly...I move the SW up....the image does get dark but the needle moves only a little bit.....
Point the camera at a bright light indoors or at the sky, if the needle still doesn’t move it most likely is a problem with the meter. The Spotmatic is a very old camera and it’s not unusual for the meter not to work. Thanks for watching my video.
thank you for your reply....I did change the battery but still the lightmeter wont work..well....I guess I tran still take photos as usual..right ???....which film do you suggest for black and white photos ????
@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696
Hi Jules,
I just found a Spotmatic while cleaning out my cousin's closet. There is no rewind knob on the camera. I have a Pentax K1000. Could I remove the rewind knob on it to use on the Spotmatic?
Hi Kristen,
It may be possible. Look for a TH-cam on removing the K1000 knob, then see if it fits.
Let me know how you make out
thats unfortunate that the battery is no longer made and that you have to take an extra step to get someone to modify the available batteries. guess ill just look for the k1000. Thanks
I found an old Pentax but the back wont spring open and is stuck!! Please help? Battery compartment also wont open.
Hi Andrew, As far as the back, it's possible that the light seals are bad causing the back to stick especially possible if the camera was stored in humid conditions, it's also possible that the latch is bent. Pull up on the rewind knob while trying to pull the back open. There could be corrosion from a leaking battery causing the battery compartment to be stuck. Try a few drops of isopropyl alcohol on the edges of the battery compartment. Is the slot on the compartment where you use a coin damaged? If so try a larger coin. A Canadian nickel is usually good.
Let me know how you make out.
I had this hanging on my wall and decided to take it camping to try out. Any tips on giving it a good clean beforehand? It’s pretty dusty…
Thank you for your question. First use a bulb air blower to remove any loose dust on the entire camera including the mirror and eyepiece. Then use cotton swabs moistened with isopropyl alcohol on all the non optical parts of the camera including the pressure plate. Don’t touch the shutter curtains. You can clean the mirror with a micro fiber cloth moistened with lens cleaning solution.
Thank you and where can I buy this camera battery? How can I contact you if I have a question?
Hi, I’m not sure where you can get a replacement battery. The original batteries for the Spotmatic contained mercury and are no longer made. Many of the meters on those cameras no longer work and the battery is only needed for the meter. You can email questions to jlvphoto@yahoo.com
What type of flash do you recommend for this camera?
Vivitar 283. Long ago discontinued, but there should be plenty on the used market.
I still have my dad's Spotmatic, but the light meter stopped working.
It’s not unusual for the meters on these old cameras not to work. It’s usually the cameras that use CDS cells. Most cameras from the 60’s into the mid 70’s used CDS cells. That includes Canon’s, Minolta’s, Nikon’s, Pentaxes and others.
I just bought one today at a yard sale and am trying to learn how it works can u help me
What do you want to know?
@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696 everything and how can I look at the battery bc I've tried unscrewing it and it won't turn and I think it's is messing up
What does it mean if the shutter is out of range
It just means that the particular shutter speed and film speed are out of the meters range. In other words the meter will not meter in light so low as to require that shutter speed in combination with that film speed. I hope this explains it for you.
@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696 the light meter does not move up or down on the inside of the display could that be because of a dead battery?
It could be the battery or a dead meter.
I think that you must put lens cover back on the lens once done taking pictures, otherwise the battery for the meter will be drained faster. I think that’s how you turn off the metering since there’s no on/off position. Am I right?
The switch on the left side of the lens mount turns the meter on and off.
@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696 ok thanks 😊
@@letsgobrandon33 That's the Spotmatic F you're talking about, in which case you're correct about keeping the cap on.
i thought tht pentax spomatic was asahi's camera
It was. The camera was imported in the United States by Honeywell. So Asahi put the Honeywell name on it. Other than the name they are the same. Thanks for watching.
@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696 thnks u for the explaination
are you gonna respond to my comment below? Apparently, you gave the wrong advice for the camera users that can cause the camera breakage would be nice if you correct it officially
Dont like the "made for" Honeywell version. I would avoid these they dont look right.
What? ... A Honeywell Pentax? ... what's that? ....Asahi Pentax is the one, no? ...
Honeywell was the US importer of Pentax. That’s where the “Honeywell” came from.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!❤️❤️ this was amazingly explained and I know how to use it now!! How would you recommend it clean my camera?
Hi Regina, thank you for your comments. Because of your question I think I will be making a video on cleaning a film camera. In the meantime if you have a blower brush, use that first to remove any loose e dirt. Do the outside as well as the the film chamber, but stay away from the shutter curtains. Remove the lens and blow out the mirror box. Next take a microfiber close moistened with some isopropyl alcohol and clean the outside and the pressure plate and film rails. to get in the tight paces you can use a cotton swap with the alcohol . Don't over do it with the alcohol. Be very carful with the mirror. Blow off any loose dust then very gently using a microfiber cloth moistened with a little lens cleaner tip it off. A dirty mirror will not effect image quality, so its better to not clean it then to scratch it by cleaning. Clean the viewfinder with a cotton swab and some lens cleaner. Never put lens cleaner or any cleaning solution directly on any parts of the camera, put it on a cotton swab or microfiber cloth. Less is better than more. I hope this helps. Let me know how you make out. Feel free to email me any other questions. jlvphoto@yahoo.com. Jules
i did a quick google search for single use bulbs meggaflash
Thank you for such important information.
Thank you for watching.