Estate Sale Find Lot of Pentax Equipment

MIkeDC · 12-22-2017, 02:21 PM

Hi, FIrst time posting here. Thought I'd share my recent find that brought me to your forums. I mainly shoot digital, but I like collecting older cameras and have a variety already, from Canon, Olympus, Kodak and Nikon, but came across a lot of Pentax equipment at a recent estate sale. Two cameras, an early Asahi Spotmatic and an Honeywell Pentax H1a. The lenses were mostly in pristine condition, having been kept in their original cases, but unfortunately both cameras are in need of quite a bit of TLC. I quickly picked up a M42 mount to Sony adapter so that I can use the lenses with my A7 and am pleased with the early results. Batch included Asahi 50mm f/1.4, 105mm f/2.8, 200mm f/4, 300mm f/6.3, 70-150mm f/4.5, a Vivitar 100mm 2.8, Tamron 300mm f/5.6 "Adapt-a-Matic", and a Soligor 200mm f/3.5.

The Spotmatic is interesting as it doesn't have the Pentax label like the pictures I'm finding on the Web. I've attached a image of the Spotmatic. Be interested in hearing any information about why it doesn't have the Pentax moniker on it. Main problem with the Spotmatic is an incredible amount of mold damage to the Prism, and the shutter seems to stick occasionally. The Honeywell is in decent condition, but has a sticking mirror. I took it apart and lubed it, and it is better, but randomly sticks up now. Will probably let them both go on eBay for parts. Some of the lenses will end up that way as well once I've decided which are worth keeping.

Thanks for all the information.

Mike
Washington, DC

**microlight** · 12-22-2017, 03:41 PM

Hi Mike, welcome. The picture of the Spotty didn't show up!

MIkeDC · 12-22-2017, 05:36 PM

Here is the picture. I must have done something wrong the first time.

**Kerrowdown** · 12-23-2017, 07:18 AM

Welcome to the forum, certainly an interesting find.

**Nakedgun** · 12-23-2017, 11:05 AM

Looks like someone ground off the Pentax name.

Steve Beswick · 12-23-2017, 03:41 PM

Originally posted by Nakedgun

Looks like someone ground off the Pentax name.

It was probably brought back by a soldier from Vietnam. Some weird law and/or regulation required then to do that.

MIkeDC · 12-25-2017, 09:09 AM

Originally posted by Nakedgun

Looks like someone ground off the Pentax name.

That did occur to me, but I couldn't think of a possible reason someone would do that. Looking at it more closely, I believe you must be right. The right edge of the mark appears to have a trailing mark when the tool may have been lifted away. The paint they used in the groove was high quality, it doesn't scrape off.

MIkeDC · 12-25-2017, 09:13 AM

Originally posted by Steve Beswick

It was probably brought back by a soldier from Vietnam. Some weird law and/or regulation required then to do that.

Did they really do that with some cameras? That makes as much sense as anything else I can think of. Have you seen an example like this before? That would make an interesting collectors item. I wasn't able to find examples of cameras done this way, but I'll keep digging. Thanks for the input.
'

12-22-2017, 02:21 PM	#1
MIkeDC New Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 4	Estate Sale Find Lot of Pentax Equipment Hi, FIrst time posting here. Thought I'd share my recent find that brought me to your forums. I mainly shoot digital, but I like collecting older cameras and have a variety already, from Canon, Olympus, Kodak and Nikon, but came across a lot of Pentax equipment at a recent estate sale. Two cameras, an early Asahi Spotmatic and an Honeywell Pentax H1a. The lenses were mostly in pristine condition, having been kept in their original cases, but unfortunately both cameras are in need of quite a bit of TLC. I quickly picked up a M42 mount to Sony adapter so that I can use the lenses with my A7 and am pleased with the early results. Batch included Asahi 50mm f/1.4, 105mm f/2.8, 200mm f/4, 300mm f/6.3, 70-150mm f/4.5, a Vivitar 100mm 2.8, Tamron 300mm f/5.6 "Adapt-a-Matic", and a Soligor 200mm f/3.5. The Spotmatic is interesting as it doesn't have the Pentax label like the pictures I'm finding on the Web. I've attached a image of the Spotmatic. Be interested in hearing any information about why it doesn't have the Pentax moniker on it. Main problem with the Spotmatic is an incredible amount of mold damage to the Prism, and the shutter seems to stick occasionally. The Honeywell is in decent condition, but has a sticking mirror. I took it apart and lubed it, and it is better, but randomly sticks up now. Will probably let them both go on eBay for parts. Some of the lenses will end up that way as well once I've decided which are worth keeping. Thanks for all the information. Mike Washington, DC

12-22-2017, 05:36 PM	#3
MIkeDC New Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 4 Original Poster	Here is the picture. I must have done something wrong the first time. Attached Images

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12-22-2017, 03:41 PM	#2
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	Hi Mike, welcome. The picture of the Spotty didn't show up!

12-23-2017, 07:18 AM	#4
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,821	Welcome to the forum, certainly an interesting find.

12-23-2017, 11:05 AM	#5
Nakedgun Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Southwest Posts: 1,365	Looks like someone ground off the Pentax name.

12-23-2017, 03:41 PM	#6
Steve Beswick Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ontario, California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,736	Originally posted by Nakedgun Looks like someone ground off the Pentax name. It was probably brought back by a soldier from Vietnam. Some weird law and/or regulation required then to do that.

12-25-2017, 09:09 AM	#7
MIkeDC New Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 4 Original Poster	Originally posted by Nakedgun Looks like someone ground off the Pentax name. That did occur to me, but I couldn't think of a possible reason someone would do that. Looking at it more closely, I believe you must be right. The right edge of the mark appears to have a trailing mark when the tool may have been lifted away. The paint they used in the groove was high quality, it doesn't scrape off.

12-25-2017, 09:13 AM	#8
MIkeDC New Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 4 Original Poster	Originally posted by Steve Beswick It was probably brought back by a soldier from Vietnam. Some weird law and/or regulation required then to do that. Did they really do that with some cameras? That makes as much sense as anything else I can think of. Have you seen an example like this before? That would make an interesting collectors item. I wasn't able to find examples of cameras done this way, but I'll keep digging. Thanks for the input. '