Moderator Registered: July, 2011 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,759 | | Review Date: May 10, 2017 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | classic lines and true system heritage | | Cons: | rarity | |
I was lucky enough to obtain one of these cameras in a set 250. This included a fitted Pentax briefcase with cutouts for the camera, pistol grip, cables, 250 exposure back, charger for the NiCd Battery stack, electrical relay/remote switch and space for several Takumar lenses. The camera is still operational and the sound of it going at 3 fps is an aural joy. Compared to later K, MX and LX motor drive bodies it does show it's age. However the basic design for the 250 exposure backs is unchanged right through to the LX. With the classic Spotmatic at it's heart, this is a truly charming piece of Asahi Pentax engineering history.
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Forum Member Registered: December, 2012 Location: Warsaw Posts: 83 | | Review Date: December 5, 2015 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Asahi Pentax Mechanical Jewel - still operational. | | Cons: | None - considering its historical value. | |
Asahi Pentax mechanical jewel - looks like new after 46 years. Adds a 2 FPS continues mode (plus winder) to classic Asahi Spotmatic camera. Amazing experience to see it all operating .
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Site Supporter Registered: January, 2011 Location: Central Washington Posts: 293 | | Review Date: January 27, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $500.00
| Rating: 5 |
| Pros: | Motor drive included | | Cons: | Rare; available short time after 1969 introduction. | |
| Pros | Motor | | Cons | Rare | | Rating | 5 | | Price (U.S. Dollars) | $500 | | Years Owned | 40 years |
I can recommend this camera: Yes
Value, Features, Performance & Size
Introduced in 1969, the Spotmatic Motor Drive was similar to the Spotmatic, but featured a motor drive and pistol grip. The motor drive runs at three frames per second, and the film transport and mirror mechanism were modified to cope with the extra work. The camera back could be removed and a 250-exposure magazine fitted. The motor drive fits to the camera baseplate and the detachable pistol grip holds eight AA batteries. An extension cable was supplied to allow the pistol grip to function as a remote release, and, with additional power packs, Asahi claimed that the camera could be operated up to 20,000 feet away. When the film counter reaches zero, the motor stops, to prevent the film from being pulled out of the cassette.
The basic motor drive unit consisted of a camera, motor drive, pistol grip, battery loader, battery checker, and 1 meter power cord.
Camera Review
jpeg of Spotmatic Motor Drive camera assembly
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