Spotmatic F

Douglas Lunsford · 04-18-2015, 05:27 PM

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I am interested in purchasing mint condition only Ahasi Pentax Spotmatic F camera . Preferably with original box . Nicer still with mint condition Ahasi Takumar 50 mm f/1.4 lens .

Cuthbert · 04-18-2015, 06:20 PM

Ok that's the wrong forum: go to the market on ebay, even if it's difficult today to find an F with its original box.

LesDMess · 04-18-2015, 07:13 PM

Try the Wanted Items forum and good luck!

Douglas Lunsford · 04-18-2015, 10:22 PM

Thank you both . It's my first day on the Forum and I haven't learned my way around yet .

Cuthbert · 04-19-2015, 01:32 AM

The Spottie F is a great camera, one of my favourite Pentax, I prefer her to the K1000 and KM, good luck finding one, possibly black, with a last generation Tak 55mm f1.8 or 50 mm f1.4 and of course the leather case.

Edit: pretty (and not cheap) Fritz on ebay:

Asahi Pentax Spotmatic F 35 mm Film Camera Body Black w/ Strap from Japan | eBay

This is my pride and joy:

A black Spottie F with Tak 50 mm f1.4, with case, original Pentax filter, hood and hood case for the leather strap.

6BQ5 · 04-19-2015, 08:22 AM

I bought a working Spotmatic F off of eBay and had Eric perform a CLA on it. You will end up with a camera that's better than mint!

**ChrisPlatt** · 04-19-2015, 11:27 AM

Originally posted by 6BQ5

I bought a working Spotmatic F off of eBay and had Eric perform a CLA on it. You will end up with a camera that's better than mint!

There are plenty of nice Pentax Spotmatic F cameras around at good prices; Asahi or Honeywell, it's the same camera.
But you may look a long time before you find one in the original box, and you will pay a steep premium.

Unused (very unlikely BTW) or used, any mechanical camera of this age requires CLA i.e. cleaning, lubrication and adjustment.
Instead of buying a cardboard box suggest you spend the extra money on having your camera serviced.

In USA Eric Hendrickson is *THE* Pentax repair specialist: LINK: pentaxs.com

Chris

LesDMess · 04-19-2015, 11:59 AM - **1 Like**

+1 for Eric being the Pentax guy.

My "AS IS" Spotmatic F and lens is fully functional and very good cosmetic shape.

**Jacquot** · 04-19-2015, 05:09 PM

The last Spottie I owned new was an F, stolen long ago with lenses unfortunately. I bought an SP II last year on the Marketplace after reading the reviews, and also have an MX and ZX-5n. You can always get great film bodies and have Eric make them like new. I may need to find an F one day myself, but if you want to shoot film with Takumar lenses there are options, including now on the Marketplace.

dclauria · 04-20-2015, 05:46 PM

Don't know if you're still looking - but this one looks pretty mint. - Ends Wed. 4:19 somewhere
Vintage Asahi Pentax Spotmatic F SMC Takumar 55mm 1 8 Lens Meter Works EXC | eBay

6BQ5 · 04-20-2015, 05:52 PM

That does look really clean. The battery cover is in excellent shape!

cameraniac · 04-20-2015, 07:38 PM

I found my minty, chrome, Honeywell Spotmatic F on eBay.

Took a chance on an auction that pictured the body in it's original half-case, only. The pictures were not great but by zooming in on the them, I was able to determine that both the case and what little of the camera was showing, looked really good. The seller had also written in the description that the camera had been in the family for quite awhile and worked when last used.

I also checked both the sellers other items for sale and their feedback to determine whether or not they sold camera equipment on a regular basis. I determined that they did not which I think is a plus when gem hunting. Anyways, I bought the camera.

When it arrived, I was very pleased to find out that it had nary a blemish on it, was nestled securely in it's original case and included all of the original covers. Even the hot-shoe cover!

I've since sent the camera to Eric and he did an awesome job getting it back to functioning like new.

Not sure how many mint-in-box examples there are out there but my guess is that it's not too many. I wish you best of luck finding what you want though. - Cameraniac

Douglas Lunsford · 04-20-2015, 11:13 PM

Originally posted by dclauria

Don't know if you're still looking - but this one looks pretty mint. - Ends Wed. 4:19 somewhere
Vintage Asahi Pentax Spotmatic F SMC Takumar 55mm 1 8 Lens Meter Works EXC | eBay

Thank you . This gets me off to a good start looking , and I agree with your assessment . I need to look for a while in order to get a feel , or a comparison for what is really excellent and what is average . For me this camera I am interested in purchasing will be as much a collector's item as it will a camera I use . Thanks , Doug

04-18-2015, 05:27 PM	#1
Douglas Lunsford New Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 4	Spotmatic F Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. I am interested in purchasing mint condition only Ahasi Pentax Spotmatic F camera . Preferably with original box . Nicer still with mint condition Ahasi Takumar 50 mm f/1.4 lens .

04-19-2015, 01:32 AM	#5
Cuthbert Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,740	The Spottie F is a great camera, one of my favourite Pentax, I prefer her to the K1000 and KM, good luck finding one, possibly black, with a last generation Tak 55mm f1.8 or 50 mm f1.4 and of course the leather case. Edit: pretty (and not cheap) Fritz on ebay: Asahi Pentax Spotmatic F 35 mm Film Camera Body Black w/ Strap from Japan \| eBay This is my pride and joy: A black Spottie F with Tak 50 mm f1.4, with case, original Pentax filter, hood and hood case for the leather strap. Last edited by Cuthbert; 04-19-2015 at 03:19 AM.

04-20-2015, 07:38 PM	#12
cameraniac Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Indiana Posts: 104	I found my minty, chrome, Honeywell Spotmatic F on eBay. Took a chance on an auction that pictured the body in it's original half-case, only. The pictures were not great but by zooming in on the them, I was able to determine that both the case and what little of the camera was showing, looked really good. The seller had also written in the description that the camera had been in the family for quite awhile and worked when last used. I also checked both the sellers other items for sale and their feedback to determine whether or not they sold camera equipment on a regular basis. I determined that they did not which I think is a plus when gem hunting. Anyways, I bought the camera. When it arrived, I was very pleased to find out that it had nary a blemish on it, was nestled securely in it's original case and included all of the original covers. Even the hot-shoe cover! I've since sent the camera to Eric and he did an awesome job getting it back to functioning like new. Not sure how many mint-in-box examples there are out there but my guess is that it's not too many. I wish you best of luck finding what you want though. - Cameraniac Last edited by cameraniac; 04-26-2015 at 04:50 PM.

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04-18-2015, 06:20 PM	#2
Cuthbert Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,740	Ok that's the wrong forum: go to the market on ebay, even if it's difficult today to find an F with its original box.

04-18-2015, 07:13 PM	#3
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Try the Wanted Items forum and good luck!

04-18-2015, 10:22 PM	#4
Douglas Lunsford New Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 4 Original Poster	Thank you both . It's my first day on the Forum and I haven't learned my way around yet .

04-19-2015, 08:22 AM	#6
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	I bought a working Spotmatic F off of eBay and had Eric perform a CLA on it. You will end up with a camera that's better than mint!

04-19-2015, 11:27 AM	#7
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694	Originally posted by 6BQ5 I bought a working Spotmatic F off of eBay and had Eric perform a CLA on it. You will end up with a camera that's better than mint! There are plenty of nice Pentax Spotmatic F cameras around at good prices; Asahi or Honeywell, it's the same camera. But you may look a long time before you find one in the original box, and you will pay a steep premium. Unused (very unlikely BTW) or used, any mechanical camera of this age requires CLA i.e. cleaning, lubrication and adjustment. Instead of buying a cardboard box suggest you spend the extra money on having your camera serviced. In USA Eric Hendrickson is THE Pentax repair specialist: LINK: pentaxs.com Chris

04-19-2015, 11:59 AM - 1 Like	#8
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	+1 for Eric being the Pentax guy. My "AS IS" Spotmatic F and lens is fully functional and very good cosmetic shape.

04-19-2015, 05:09 PM	#9
Jacquot Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sun City Center, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,544	The last Spottie I owned new was an F, stolen long ago with lenses unfortunately. I bought an SP II last year on the Marketplace after reading the reviews, and also have an MX and ZX-5n. You can always get great film bodies and have Eric make them like new. I may need to find an F one day myself, but if you want to shoot film with Takumar lenses there are options, including now on the Marketplace.

04-20-2015, 05:46 PM	#10
dclauria Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 56	Don't know if you're still looking - but this one looks pretty mint. - Ends Wed. 4:19 somewhere Vintage Asahi Pentax Spotmatic F SMC Takumar 55mm 1 8 Lens Meter Works EXC \| eBay

04-20-2015, 05:52 PM	#11
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	That does look really clean. The battery cover is in excellent shape!

04-20-2015, 11:13 PM	#13
Douglas Lunsford New Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 4 Original Poster	Originally posted by dclauria Don't know if you're still looking - but this one looks pretty mint. - Ends Wed. 4:19 somewhere Vintage Asahi Pentax Spotmatic F SMC Takumar 55mm 1 8 Lens Meter Works EXC \| eBay Thank you . This gets me off to a good start looking , and I agree with your assessment . I need to look for a while in order to get a feel , or a comparison for what is really excellent and what is average . For me this camera I am interested in purchasing will be as much a collector's item as it will a camera I use . Thanks , Doug