| Latest Review Posted | Pentax Spotmatic II
My all-time favourite SLR, topping even my original model Spotmatic.
The camera is just like an old friend, which it should be since I've owned it since about 1978-couldn't afford it before then, even secondhand. Works as well as it ever did, and takes thousands of m42 lenses besides the excellent Takumars of various ilks. Even the meter battery is relatively easy to get hold of compared with the one required for the first Spotmatic.
Yes, the screen is a little dim by modern standards, but compared with my original Zenit, bought back in 1966 it was/is still an improvement and I've never had an issue with it. Some users have listed stop-down metering as a downside, but I think as photographers we should welcome anything that encourages us to consider depth of field before taking a photo. Modern cameras rarely offer the option, which is a negative as far as I'm concerned.
Some users mention the mirror hanging at slower speeds, and suggest lubrication of a gear / sticky mirror as the answer. It isn't-the blinds need adjustment to allow the second blind to complete its travel and drop the mirror. And any adjustment to that blind will probably mean the first blind will require adjustment as well. Not a difficult task, and more effective than indiscriminate oiling!
A jewel of a camera that will still be working ,even if used regularly, in 100 years time. |
