My First Pentax: The Spotmatic

By PF Staff in Influential Photo Gear on Jan 2, 2013

In the middle of the 1960ies I was a quite normal photo amateur, taking snapshots of my family with whatever camera available. One day a friend of mine introduced me to a Pentax Spotmatic camera, and suddenly I understood the difference between taking a snapshot and taking a photo.

In those days a Spotmatic was an expensive piece of equipment, but a year later I could buy one, equipped with a TAKUMAR 1:1.8/55 lens. I began taking photos of buildings, industry products, the sky and stars, and of course, of my family. The “through-the lens” exposure meter system made me a better photographer, and the exchangeable lenses gave me possibilities that I had not experienced before. In the years to come I bought lenses from 28 to 300 mm, until my photo bag became quite heavy to carry. 

One day my boss asked if I could take some photos of the products that the company manufactured. With my Pentax Spotmatic I took a series of slides for a slide-show, which was well received. For many years, every time that I was expected to make a presentation, I took new slides to accompany my speech; today I would have used a PowerPoint presentation of course.

After more than thirty years of use, my good old and reliable Pentax Spotmatic got jammed, and no camera repair shop could fix it. But, as I had my collection of Pentax lenses, I advertised for a used Spotmatic in good condition. I was also happy to find one, and I am using it now and then, especially together with the 1:3.5/28 wide angle lens, which is perfect for architecture photos.

Today I have many cameras, digital as well as analogue, but my Pentax Spotmatic has a special place in my heart, because it has taught me most of what I know about photography.

- Bo (helibosse)