| Author: | | New Member Registered: February, 2019 Posts: 15 | | Review Date: August 26, 2023 | Not Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | The art and design of the thing | | Cons: | Old and getting older | |
For looks this gets a 10/10 but for regular use and reliability it gets 5/10 as it's so old and worn out by 2023.
Probably one of the smallest and most beautiful cameras ever made. They operate much like an SP500/SP1000 or Spotmatic but without the meter so you need a handheld meter. Sadly, these cameras are getting rather old and worn out and cannot handle regular use without regular servicing from somebody who can keep the shutter working or they just break down.
I would recommend them for the collector, but not for somebody who takes more than ten or so films each year and who wants their gear to work every time.
| | | | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: November, 2015 Posts: 4,215 | | Review Date: April 16, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $80.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Basically the definition of "modern" 35mm SLR ergonomics | | Cons: | None, for what it is | |
I got my US-Spec H1a years ago, so I've updated the price to account for inflation to 2022...
I grew up with a K1000 and a Super Program, and I am used to the basic configuration of the "modern" SLR: shutter speed on top, aperture on the lens next to the focusing ring. Winds on the right, rewinds on the left, and focus through the lens.
I have never found a better example of getting everything in the right place ergonomically.
It's more graceful than a Spotmatic or K body, more substantial than a MX. It is optimized for those few simple functions and nothing else. Size is hefty enough to be substantial but not massive. Of course, all this is perfectly suited to the Takumar lenses. I shoot it with lenses from 28mm - 300mm, and it works great with all of them (focusing the 300 f6.3 is a pain, but that's not the camera).
When I compare it to my Nikkormat or things like Minolta SRTs or Canon FTbs, the H1a is a nicer shooting experience. If I was shooting in a war zone, I'd prefer a Nikon F, but I don't do that, so the extra robustness of the F is wasted as ridiculousness for me. These days, if I want high frame rates and sturdy construction, I don't use film.
That doesn't make it perfect overall. The viewfinder is dark, though it works fine otherwise. I prefer the plastic advance lever on later cameras, and a hot shoe would have been nice since I rarely use the external meter, though I do have one. It looks better without it...
Mine's been serviced twice. Once in the 1970s and once five or so years ago. Last time I shot in cold weather, it got stuck a couple of times, so it may need to get a tune-up. Speeds all seem right about on, though I have no idea what speed 1/1000 really is. I don't care much. I rarely go that high on this anyway.
-Eric
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: January, 2011 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,060
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 27, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $28.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | A beautiful camera to hold, tactile sensations from yesteryear | | Cons: | none for me | |
Initially I had been on the hunt for its sibling the Pentax SV, the upscale version. For months I scoured ebay for one in the best possible condition. The sellers had no idea about the cameras and I didn’t feel confident in what the were selling and most were in poor condition. The other week I came across a Kijiji ad for a S1a body only for CAD $35.00 and the seller lived a 15 minute bike ride away. On my bike ride over I asked myself “when was the last time I used a self timer button - once in 15 years. How often do I have the need to shoot anything faster than 1/500? Even with my MX/LX I never use the 1000 or 2000 shutter speed. so it was a no brainer (perhaps Eric can tune the shutter to 1000 in that unmarked spot when I send it in for CLA). I tested it out using an old fujica m42 and everything felt right and I headed home with this little beauty. Then shopped the MarketPlace forum here and bought a lovely Takumar 35mm f3.5 from super nice guy seller Mighty Mike to go with my new/old camera.
Any possible anxiety focusing with just a micro prism (no additional split prism) was washed away immediately upon first focus. As others have mentioned, the image just “pops” when it comes into focus. With my test roll using my new/old Pentax S1a and this lens I did take extra time focusing before pressing the shutter, just to make sure a mm this way or a mm that way didn’t make a difference. (I really enjoyed the tactile motion of the focus ring!)
As it turned out every picture was in perfect focus, the colour was great (golden hour) and Sunny 16 or my hand held meter helped with exposure. (no meter no nothing in the viewfinder - no distraction)
I have the Super-Multi-Coated Takumar version and I am super pleased with it. It’s a perfect match for me on this grand old Pentax S1a. I will probably be looking for the 55mm version next as both the smc k versions of the 35 and 55 are my two favourite lenses for my LX/MX cameras.
I have to say that shooting this camera with just a micro prism and the 35mm is a dream and a pleasure to use. I had a smile on my face every time I brought it up to my eye!
Moral of the story was that I wanted the SV, and as it turned out the S1a suited my needs just as well in basically the same camera body.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2016 Posts: 444
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 27, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $30.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Great build quality, ruggedness, simplicity | | Cons: | shutter speed only goes to 1/500sec, no self timer | |
If you see my review of the SV, you'll see that I co nsider it the single batteryless camera by which all others should be judged. Because the S1a is essentially the same camera with just 2 minor exceptions, much of the reason I love the SV also applies here. I'll start by echoing some of that review. Some would give it a ding for not having an internal meter but for me, a big part of why I purchased a camera of this vintage wat so get back to the roots of photography and to slow myself down a bit as I make each photo. Using a handheld meter or the cool, retro, Pentax clip-on meter is a part of the allure of using this camera as far as I'm concerned.
Now for the reasons that I give this camera a 9. First, the only cameras that I have to compare it to that are from the same era are the AP, the K, and the S1a. I rated the K a 10 because of its magical build quality and added cool factor of the slow speed dial on the front of the camera. Since the S1a falls just short of the same magical mechanical feel and is missing the cool front dial, it needed to shine in some other area. It doesn't. It also falls short of the 10 that I gave to the SV because it's missing the 1/1000 sec shutter speed and a self timer. I consider both of these features valuable for my shooting style and for a camera of this era, I would insist that these be included. I graded the K on a slight curve here because it is in a different class in my mind than the SV and the S1a.
I gave the S1a a 9 because it falls just short in features of its better equipped sibling, the SV. I understand that Asahi was trying to offer an option to those who didn't need or want to pay for the best. The S1a like the SV fits the hand perfectly with its very nice size. It's just heavy enough while not overweight to let you know that it is very solidly built and can sustain heavy use. It has enough to make most photographers happy.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2017 Location: Frome, Somerset Posts: 1
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 14, 2017 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Handling, looks, simplicity | | Cons: | Reliability (see review) | |
A bit of background; my excellent condition S1a body was very kindly given to me by a neighbour, so while the camera itself cost me nothing to obtain, that isn't the whole story.
After running a roll of film through it just to see if it worked in the most basic sense (it did!) I sent it off for new seals and CLA. This, including strip-down, cleaning of internal elements etc of the accompanying 55mm f/1.8, cost me just under £140.00.
Having run a couple of rolls through it since, I think it's safe to say that the 'hidden' 1/1000th sec shutter speed isn't to be relied upon. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. My suspicion is that it doesn't like cold weather because that's when it's failed. I get either blank frames or half-exposed frames. It could be a mirror issue I suppose? I'm not sure, but for now I'll stick to top speed 1/500th or lower. Heck, Jane Bown built an entire career on 1/60th second so I shouldn't complain if I can't use 1/1000th!
Apart from that, this is a really sweet camera. Lovely shutter sound, feels great in the hand and I actually find the focusing screen to be really good if you take the time to understand it. Unlike modern focusing screens, which really are only viewing screens since they're way too bright and smooth for easy manual focus, I find this one quite easy to snap to focus even in poor light.
I've recently been getting into street portraits and I have to say, walking up to strangers with a camera they instantly recognise as non-digital really helps the introduction and gives us a point of conversation!
If I get a chance I'll post a few sample pics here.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: March, 2015 Posts: 6,381
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 4, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $75.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Ergonomically good, power-independent | | Cons: | Split prism would be nice. | |
The overall dimensions in the table do not tell the entire tale; this camera is slightly less bulky than the Spotmatic. The distance from base plate to top of pentaprism is identical, but the distance from base to top plate is 5mm less and this makes an ever so slight ergonomic difference that makes the camera more comfortable to me than its Spotmatic successor.
As with the Spotmatic, I bought it because curiosity overcame me and I wanted to see what shooting with a completely meter-less camera was like (as opposed to one where I could cheat and put the batteries back in). I had already decided to buy a selenium-powered light meter, and indeed that was in hand before the camera was.
Shooting is a delight. Unlike the Spotmatic, one does not have to insert a stopping down into the workflow, but since the camera will stop the lens down for the shot, actually taking the pictures is no different from using a K-mount camera except for the need to get your aperture and shutter speed data from somewhere else (external meter, Sunny 16 rule).
About the only thing it doesn't have that it could do with is a split-prism focusing screen, but in fact I have found that the one it has works perfectly well in good light outdoors, and perhaps even better since there is the sense of things snapping into focus rather than having to angst over whether you have or have not got the split prism "cut" right.
Like many cameras of its day it does also not have an external shoe, either hot or cold. Though it therefore suffers by comparison with more recent M42 cameras I have (notably the Spotmatic F, with its full aperture metering and the Fujica ST705, with its split prism screen), it was never in direct competition with either of them, and flash was done so differently back in the day that to judge it by these standards seems petty.
At the end of the day, it does well at what I bought it for, providing a truly battery-free platform for daytime hand held shooting. Any film shooter who REALLY wants to stretch their photography skills should consider getting one of these (or the slightly better equipped SV) and giving it a whirl. Yes, you are doing the photographic equivalent of tightrope walking without a net, but unlike that activity, the worst that can happen is that it's your pictures rather than you which get wrecked.
One interesting practical observation that is no reflection on the camera: Given the tendency for the lenses of the day (especially the OEM wide to normal Takumars) to be no tighter than f/16 and the maximum reliably rated shutter speed to be only 1/500, slower speed films are definitely recommended in bright sunlight. I haven't given the unmarked 1/1000 much use yet, and as of time of writing I have no proof-of-the-pudding shots to show how reliable or consistent my S1a is at that speed.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: August, 2009 Location: Wandering the Streets Posts: 1,411
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 22, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Very solid and reliable camera. Superb Build Quality and wonderful shutter sound. | | Cons: | No self timer. Viewfinder is slightly darker than the SV viewfinder | |
For what Asahi Pentax intended, this camera fulfills its role perfectly. With the 55/1.8 lens this camera is not noticeably larger or heavier than my Leica M3 with the Summicron 50/2. Actual weights with lens included and film loaded is 2 pounds 12.75 ounces for the H1a and 2 pounds 14.5 ounces for the Leica M3.
This camera is very easy and very comfortable to use. Ergonomically and stylistically Pentax certainly got it right with this camera and the SV. From loading film, to advancing film, adjusting shutter speed and aperture through to focusing and pressing the shutter; everything is very intuitive. Though this is one of Asahi's earlier camera designs it is the obvious predecessor of all the ensuing Pentax cameras through the MX. In fact, a close look at today's Pentax DSLRs reveals many of these same design cues.
Image quality is a very important part of a camera and it is in this category where the Pentax H1a brings home the bacon. The Takumar lenses are very high quality. In fact I really feel they are easily the equivalent to many of Leica's lens designs from this same period in history. You are definitely not under-gunned in the lens category. Remember, the m42 lens mount was really a Universal mount in its time and was used by many camera manufacturers and even more lens manufacturers. So if you just cannot make the Takumar work for you, or there is a gap in the Takumar line-up, there is almost certainly a high quality lens out there for you that can be found in the m42 lens mount.
When you are working with cameras that are 50 years or more old, reliability can be a concern. While no Pentax camera is built to the tank-like level of the industrial designed Nikon F, I feel that the Pentax SV and H1a are extremely reliable. While they may be marginally less tough than the Spotmatic (I kind of question this) they are smoother to work and nicer to hold in my opinion. I really don't think there are any clear repair records available but I have found my H1a to be very reliable in day to day use. I do own a couple Pentax SVs that are a tad touchy when the temperature drops below 20 degrees F, my H1a has never had a problem in freezing weather.
Nothing is ever perfect, though this camera is pretty close. For one, the H1a has no self timer so you can't set the camera on a tripod, set the timer and put yourself in the picture. Though it is obviously not a deal breaker it is still handy. The SV does have this feature and it can be quite handy. Next, the viewfinder in this camera is a bit darker than other Pentax cameras of this same period. If you look through this viewfinder then change quickly to the SV you will definitely see a difference. Obviously, if you use a lens with a wider aperture it won't be quite as obvious an issue. The only time I find it limiting is when I am using the 200mm f/4 in lower light. If you want to use this camera indoors a lot then I think f/2.8 is the limit you should consider. Finally, though it is listed by others, the last disadvantage really is not a disadvantage at all. Though the shutter dial does not have a marked setting for 1/1000 (the dial stops at 1/500) there is a 1/1000 speed following the 1/500 setting.
As time goes on I find myself using and enjoying this camera more and more often. Now all I need is to find one of the old Honeywell Pentax clip on meters that work.
| | | | | Inactive Account Registered: April, 2014 Posts: 2
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 4, 2014 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Reliable, handles well, handsome, well made, cost a lot less than a Spotmatic! | | Cons: | None I can remember, unless you insist on a meter. I take it back. I never cared for the M42 screw mount because it was hard to get the threads started while running. Sometimes even while standing still. I spent all my lens money on the 135 mm so the | |
I bought Asahi Pentax H1a s/n 1530747 in Annapolis, Maryland in 1968 and loved it until it was burgled in 1979. I haven't thought of that serial number in decades, but it popped right up when I started remembering the camera. But I can't remember what color the
It came with the 55 mm f/2 lens but I was in love with the 135 mm f/2.5 Takumar lens and took many photos of sailing boats with it. My first experience of glass you could fall into and swim. That lens cost a fortune in terms of what I was earning then but I never regretted it. That was in the fairly early days of multi-coated lenses, I think.
Another reviewer mentioned the T setting for the shutter. T stood for Time, and it was a fairly usual feature on cameras of the time. Saved you having to keep squeezing the bulb on the remote release. Not all cameras had it, though, and cable releases I bought then had a little screw on the side to hold the button in for a time exposure.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,437
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 2, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $15.28
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Unobstructed viewfinder, simple and great interface, easy to learn | | Cons: | 1/500th maximum shutter speed, viewfinder magnification | |
My only real complaint with my H1A is that the maximum shutter speed is only 1/500th. That truly limits the films you can use during the day to slower-speed films. And in 2014 that means pulling film, which is fine and yields nice results, but an added step. At night, the absent 1/1,000th shutter speed is of course a non-issue. So the top shutter speed is either an issue or not based on your shooting style and habits.
This camera's interface is nice, clean, representative of the best of 1960s design principles. This is a fun camera to use and still reliable today. If you have one, it's definitely worth a CLA.
Here are two videos I made showing the layout, features, and operation of the H1a:
http://youtu.be/I999wWUQtvY?list=UUrZlzcRfCKLngZnqNTmTQjw
http://youtu.be/Tkxl2LaGVlc?list=UUrZlzcRfCKLngZnqNTmTQjw | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: August, 2012 Location: Queensland Posts: 4,294
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 17, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $55.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Delightful feel and very usable | | Cons: | None, unless you miss a built in light meter | |
I loaded a picture of this model with it's light meter attached. I think the quality is very good on these early models. I have run a film through this example with it's Super Tacumar f2.0.
 
My model has the green rewind arrow, which means it will have clearance problems with the 1.4 Tacumar lens. This came with a 55mm f2.0 lens that rotates the opposite way from normal. Also, the rotating ring shows opening to 1.8 although the front face says 2.0. Clearly some mix and matching took place to make this the "cheaper" SV because they also removed the self timer from under the rewind lever.
The light meter is different from an earlier rounder version, and this one works well with a 1.5 volt battery I managed to fit into it.
If you see one of these, and you love Spotmatics, you will also love this series of earlier models - maybe even more so.
There is an interesting feature on the speed dial - a "T" mark. If you select it you will find that the mirror locks up and the shutter opens when you release, but unlike Bulb, will remain open until you rotate the speed dial to B. I tried this on three different models I have, and am amazed this feature disappeared with the Spotmatics. It makes a 30 minute time exposure easy work. This feature is also on the SV
| | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: June, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 1,446
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 29, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $149.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Feel, Finder, Finish, Results! | | Cons: | | |
My first SLR bought new in 1965 or 66. Wonderful feel in the hands when using it - just fits perfectly. Clean, clear finder may not be as bright as later cameras, but very precise focus. When I bought it most cameras didn't have meters, so you trained your eyes to meter. Used it a lot for sports and campus photography, portraits, etc. Then moved on to Leica and others.
Found another a couple years ago, and after Eric serviced it, it was a revelation. I get better shots than with my later, TTL metered cameras since I don't spend time worrying about exposure and other details. Even the 55 f2.0 lens gives amazing results.
Sure wish there was digital "film" for it!
| | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2010 Location: west berks, GB. Posts: 3
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 4, 2011 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Still works fully after 50 years! Build quality, Handling quality. | | Cons: | None. | |
Lots of these were sold, so there are lots available second hand and at reasonable prices.
The build quality and handling are great, must be to be still working fine after 50 years. There is no meter in the camera but the accessory meter can be picked up quite cheap and links to the speed dial.
Definitely worth considering if you want a film camera without the inflated costs of some of the other 'classics'.
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