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01-01-2012, 09:19 AM   #1
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Spotmatic II viewfinder

I recently inherited my grandfather's Pentax Spotmatic II. My dad had been using it but not in the last 3 years or so. I currently use a Canon 60D but am familiar with the older film cameras from using a Kodak Retina that my dad gave me a long time ago. I read thru the manual for the Spotmatic and picked it up to take a oeek thru the viewfinder and nothing..... all black. Was guessing that the shutter was stuck but it's open and after changing settings and releasing the shutter, it seems to be adjusting from what I can see from the front of the lens. So why is the viewfinder dark...? Changed the battery so the light meter would be ready to roll and can't see anything, including the meter needle. Also, the switch for the light meter - should it click in to the on position and stay there? I can push the switch upward but it doesn't remain there, just returns to the lower position. I appreciate any advice/help, would really like to get this camera operational and check out the lenses.

01-01-2012, 09:55 AM   #2
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Sounds like your mirror is stuck.
Jake
01-01-2012, 09:58 AM   #3
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It sounds like the camera is jammed with the mirror stuck up, that would be a common fault and relatively easy to repair. Are you sure you know how to check that the shutter has completed cycle? The mirror should be resting at 45 degrees, and that should assure view through the viewfinder. If it is still black, it means something like the pentaprism or eyepiece glass is broken, but that is highly unlikely.
01-01-2012, 10:01 AM   #4
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if the mirror is stuck then just unscrew the lens, if the mirror is in the down position you'll see it. if its up you will just see the back of it (matte black painted) up against where the focusing screen would be. it sounds to me like the mirror is stuck in the up position. that's the only reason the viewfinder would be completely black. could be an easy fix with a replacement of the seals (something I would recommend regardless) or could require more work like that of a basic CLA. when the meter switch is working properly it will stay in the 'up' position until the shutter is depressed, (make sure you press it all the way up so that it 'clicks' into place) but if the mirror is stuck in the up position for any reason, then the switch will not stay in the up position because the meter is connected to the mirror mechanism. you said the shutter fires and advances normally? open the back of the camera, and watch the shutter. does it advance properly? does the advance lever advance after each depress of the shutter? my questioning is to determine wether the stuck mirror is due to just being stuck to the bumper or due to a failed shutter, as this can cause the mirror to not drop down, if the shutter doesn't go through a complete cycle.

would you mind removing the lens and taking a photo of the front of the camera for us to see? it would help to diagnose the problem.


Last edited by séamuis; 01-01-2012 at 10:30 AM.
01-01-2012, 12:26 PM   #5
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Thank you all, diagnosis appears correct. Removed lens and mirror is up against top of the camera and does not release despite a light prodding. Next is finding someone I can trust to hand it over to for repairs......
01-01-2012, 12:29 PM   #6
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If your lens switch is set to "M" or Manual, and the aperture is set to f/16 or f/22, the viewfinder could seem nearly or all black depending on lighting conditions.

Edit: Just saw last reply after I was done typing.

If you are in North America, Eric Hendrickson @ www.pentaxs.com is the guy you need.
01-01-2012, 04:21 PM   #7
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Thanks for the info, sounds like he fits the bill for sure!

01-01-2012, 05:32 PM   #8
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Spotmatic may not be worth the price of repair,might be cheaper to buy one.
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01-01-2012, 05:36 PM   #9
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Don't think anything more than the stuck mirror is going on. Eric H has free estimates on repairs and avg spotmatic goes about 63.00. And the camera was my grandfather's so I'd like to have it working
01-01-2012, 09:56 PM   #10
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A Spotmatic is definitely worth the cost of a CLA. Especially if it was your grandfathers. After a CLA it should be good for another $20+ years. That's about $3 a year.
01-01-2012, 10:44 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by Swift1 Quote
A Spotmatic is definitely worth the cost of a CLA. Especially if it was your grandfathers. After a CLA it should be good for another $20+ years. That's about $3 a year.
I agree with this. Especially if it has sentimental value. While you could likely get another spotmatic cheaper, you run the risk of that body having problems as well. The only sure way of getting an older camera like this in excellent condition, is to buy one that has already been CLA'd. But that will likely demand a premium that is more than it would cost you to get yours fixed. If you really plan on using the camera then the cost is worth it. And it's cheaper than the cost of film and development. But if you don't plan on actually using it, then it may not be worth the cost. You have to weigh your options, but the rule that most of us here ( and I'm sure Eric, our favorite technician is happy about) live by, is that a CLA should always be figured into the cost of acquiring an older film camera if you plan on using it. Even if it works now, that's no guarantee that your 30-40-50 year old camera will work tomorrow. A CLA is cheap in the long run and will virtually guarantee it will work likely longer than you ever plan on using it.

Last edited by séamuis; 01-02-2012 at 03:23 AM.
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