| Author: | | Junior Member Registered: July, 2020 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 33 | | Review Date: August 1, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $43.00
| Rating: 6 |
| Pros: | Relatively accurate meter, not stop down metering | | Cons: | Heavy, only 5 manual speeds, awful to fix | |
I bought this camera as a body only from a “this is a camera, no more no less” type of auction on eBay. It required some work to bring it back to full condition, but after re-adjusting the wiring under the bottom cover and oiling the mirror return cam, it was better. The circuitry in this camera is all hand soldered, so it has a propensity for coming loose, for an entirely electrical camera that is not ideal. It is a joy to use, just as satisfying as any other spotmatic and the open-iris metering makes it simpler for sure. The battery doesn’t seem to last more than a few months under regular use.
Of course unless your after aperture priority only, this body is a heavy duty paperweight with only 5 fast shutter speeds. Truly what must have been a great new technology at the time of release, I find to translate to needing a seperate body for aperture priority versus manual camera operations now. Of course if you don’t mind letting the camera do the work it’s a fantastic workhorse. A neat camera that is unfortunately complex to ensure that it works.
| | | | | | | Forum Member Registered: December, 2012 Location: Warsaw Posts: 83 | | Review Date: December 5, 2015 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Easy to use automatic exposure. Milestone CLASSIC by PENTAX. Still working great. | | Cons: | Nothing significant | |
It is so much fun to take over 40 years old S-M-C Takumar glass and shoot in aperture priority auto with bright viewfinder all the time!
This revolutionary classic camera still gives excellent results.
It has no self-timer and will meter only in auto-mode. If you choose the shutter speed on the dial yourself - the light meter will be shut off. May be considered as an inconvenience, but for me it is a part of the unique character of this masterpiece camera.
I got a black copy in very good condition.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,437 | | Review Date: October 26, 2015 | Not Recommended | Price: $14.00
| Rating: 6 |
| Pros: | Ergonomics, meter quality | | Cons: | Limited manual shutter speed selection, weight | |
The ES replaced the Electro Spotmatic, which was a Japan-only body. The ES has improved electronics which were mass-produced and are more reliable 40 years after release. The camera has the same body as the Electro, and for me that's a good thing. I'm rating this a six in keeping with my Electro review stating that the lack of manual shutter speeds slower than 1/60th is worth -4 points because it cripples creative ability. Other than that, the camera is very nice and enjoyable to use. It's heavy, and the compact body size it feels heavier around the neck than other similarly-sized cameras. As another potential detraction to these bodies, the prices on them have absolutely tanked in the last few years.
| | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2011 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 1
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 16, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $360.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Esay to use, automatic shutter, easy to focus, still works after 35+ years | | Cons: | heavy but solid, odd battery size | |
I have had this camera for many years and used it for all sorts of pictures. I have wide angle and zoom telephoto lenses for it as well as 50mm prime lens. Mine is black body model. As I migrated to digital photography and film processing is less available, I use it less, but it is still a reliable alternative when needed. | | | | | | | Moderator
Site Supporter Registered: June, 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Posts: 17,377
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 16, 2011 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | revolutionary | | Cons: | spare parts hard to find | |
This is the successor to the commercially marketed Electro-Spotmatic which had flakey one of a kind circuit boards in them. The ES had a "standard" board that can be repaired or replaced. Eric Hendrickson can fix the ES and ESII but not the Electro-Spotmatic. This camera features open aperture capability with the appropriate lenses. It also features a stepless electronic shutter, though a cloth one. It contains elements of the Metalica II prototype unveiled by Asahi at the 1966 Photokina.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: April, 2010 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 4,324 | | Review Date: October 12, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Nice solid camera to use and surprisingly accurate auto-exposure mode
| | Cons: | No metering in manual mode
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| Pros | Nice solid camera to use and surprisingly accurate auto-exposure mode | | Cons | No metering in manual mode | | Rating | 8 | | Price (U.S. Dollars) | c. $100 | | Years Owned | 2 |
I can recommend this camera: Yes
Value, Features, Performance & Size
Good value second hand, Av and manual exposure modes, exposure compensation dial. Quite large compared to the more common M series cameras but still not that big.
Camera Review
I tell myself that I ought not to like this camera. It has no metering in manual mode, and no self timer. Compared to my M series cameras it is heavy and large and the viewfinder is darker than the later models (although good compared to many of its contemporaries). But I love it and when I want to use a M42 camera this is the one I go for nine times out of ten. It has a good solid feel in the hand, the auto exposure is surprisingly accurate (I have no qualms about using slide film in it) and it does have an exposure compensation dial to allow you to adjust the exposure when needed. I rather like its looks too. Provided you can make sure the electronics are working OK, I would recommend this camera to anyone wanting to try M42 lenses on a contemporary body with just a touch of modern convenience.
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