| Latest Review Posted | Pentax Spotmatic IIa
The Spotmatic IIa has a special sensor for controlling exposure when using a flash and if you take a lot of flash pictures it helps. I had a light leak which ultimately turned out to be from that flash sensor on the front of the camera. I had it blocked from the inside and problem solved. I don't use flash anyway... it's a long story why I ended up with an SPIIa instead of an SPII.
I bought my SPIIa new in 1973 and it's still the camera I shoot 95% of the time. I've used it for so long that I may be biased here. It has classic Spotmatic ergonomics which to me are so close to perfect. After 38 years of using it, it's part of my hands... it's not even like I'm holding a camera at all. I can't imagine ever using any camera other than a Spotmatic since the ergonomics are so good and every other camera seems clunky, distracting and intrusive into the creative process. I'm even left-handed, and the right-handed orientation of the Spotmatic body is a zero issue for me.
I am totally comfortable with the "dumb" averaging light meter. I know it so well I never ever need to bracket a shot - even with tricky back lighting, shadows, etc. I don't have a problem with the stop-down metering since you compose the shot with the lens in auto mode... it's wide open... and then it stops down very briefly when you use the light meter.
Haven't changed the mercury battery in 10+ years. It hasn't leaked and it still works.
The reasons I wouldn't recommend this camera b... |
