SP F or SP II?

leoyblam · 05-24-2011, 03:37 AM

SP II doesn't support wide open metering but seems the meter is more sensitive, so should I try SP II also?

Kim C · 05-24-2011, 04:39 AM

The meter circuits in both the SPII and SPF are basically the same. The SPF has an extra photo diode which activates the meter when the lens cap is removed. With the SPII, the meter will be completely "off" when the switch is off but there will be a very, very smal residual current drain on the SPF with the lens cap on. For long term storage , it is best to remove the battery in any case but even more so in the case of the SPF.

Within the limits of an inbuilt reflected light metering system, I doubt you would note much difference between the two.

Kim

titrisol · 05-24-2011, 12:42 PM

SPII and SPF are basically the same; however, the SPF allows for open metering but it keeps the meter running all the time. [ I think there is an on-off switch at the top]

I have used the SPII and was very happy with it with the hot shoe.

leoyblam · 05-25-2011, 12:56 AM

Originally posted by titrisol

SPII and SPF are basically the same; however, the SPF allows for open metering but it keeps the meter running all the time. [ I think there is an on-off switch at the top]

I have used the SPII and was very happy with it with the hot shoe.

No there is no on/off switch.

The only switch is (thanks Kim for information) the lens cap. The meter will go off after the lens cap is on.

Blue · 05-27-2011, 06:54 AM

If you have supported lenses, the open aperture metering is a nice improvement. There are 2 or 3 late super taks that work, most S-M-C and SMC Taks and there are some of the Tamron Adaptamatics that will if they have the correct adapamatic m2 mount.

The Meter will cut-off but you have to remember to put the lens cap on!.

pickles · 05-28-2011, 04:04 AM

What about an ES11?
Cheers, Pickles.

Kim C · 05-28-2011, 12:20 PM

ESII only has manual speeds from 1/60 to 1/1000. The meter only works in Auto mode. Unless you want a camera for aperture priority shooting the SPF is a far better bet

Kim

Originally posted by pickles

What about an ES11?
Cheers, Pickles.

leoyblam · 05-29-2011, 10:05 AM

I heard from expert in Pentax that most ES and ES II have their Av mode died by the way...

Kim C · 05-29-2011, 02:09 PM

Almost all of the rare Electro Spotties have their pcb fried. Same as the early ES's (same board). The later ES's and ESII's are not too bad. My Electro is gone but the rest work well still.

Kim

Originally posted by leoyblam

I heard from expert in Pentax that most ES and ES II have their Av mode died by the way...

Blue · 05-30-2011, 05:33 PM

Originally posted by Kim C

Almost all of the rare Electro Spotties have their pcb fried. Same as the early ES's (same board). The later ES's and ESII's are not too bad. My Electro is gone but the rest work well still.

Kim

Actually, the Electro Spotmatic and ES do not have the same board. The Electro Spotmatics were basically prototypes sold to the public mostly in Japan each one of them had a "one-off" circuit board. That is why Eric Hendrickson can't fix them. However, he does repair the ES.

Blue · 05-30-2011, 05:34 PM

Originally posted by Kim C

ESII only has manual speeds from 1/60 to 1/1000. The meter only works in Auto mode. Unless you want a camera for aperture priority shooting the SPF is a far better bet

Kim

The ES and ES II have stepless cloth shutters in the Auto mode.

tibbitts · 06-11-2011, 05:26 PM

The SPF meter does shut off when the lens cap is put on, but also shuts off at light levels where you'd still want to take a picture. As I recall the meter needle remains centered when off, so you think you have the correct exposure, when in fact the exposure may be completely off.

Paul

Blue · 06-11-2011, 05:33 PM

Originally posted by tibbitts

The SPF meter does shut off when the lens cap is put on, but also shuts off at light levels where you'd still want to take a picture. As I recall the meter needle remains centered when off, so you think you have the correct exposure, when in fact the exposure may be completely off.

Paul

I have never really had that problem. It has been my experience that these meters (including the ones in the k1000) aren't the greatest in very low light anyway.

05-24-2011, 03:37 AM	#1
leoyblam Inactive Account Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 19	SP F or SP II? SP II doesn't support wide open metering but seems the meter is more sensitive, so should I try SP II also?

05-24-2011, 04:39 AM	#2
Kim C Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lincoln, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 229	The meter circuits in both the SPII and SPF are basically the same. The SPF has an extra photo diode which activates the meter when the lens cap is removed. With the SPII, the meter will be completely "off" when the switch is off but there will be a very, very smal residual current drain on the SPF with the lens cap on. For long term storage , it is best to remove the battery in any case but even more so in the case of the SPF. Within the limits of an inbuilt reflected light metering system, I doubt you would note much difference between the two. Kim

05-24-2011, 12:42 PM	#3
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,852	SPII and SPF are basically the same; however, the SPF allows for open metering but it keeps the meter running all the time. [ I think there is an on-off switch at the top] I have used the SPII and was very happy with it with the hot shoe.

05-25-2011, 12:56 AM	#4
leoyblam Inactive Account Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 19 Original Poster	Originally posted by titrisol SPII and SPF are basically the same; however, the SPF allows for open metering but it keeps the meter running all the time. [ I think there is an on-off switch at the top] I have used the SPII and was very happy with it with the hot shoe. No there is no on/off switch. The only switch is (thanks Kim for information) the lens cap. The meter will go off after the lens cap is on.

05-27-2011, 06:54 AM	#5
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	If you have supported lenses, the open aperture metering is a nice improvement. There are 2 or 3 late super taks that work, most S-M-C and SMC Taks and there are some of the Tamron Adaptamatics that will if they have the correct adapamatic m2 mount. The Meter will cut-off but you have to remember to put the lens cap on!.

05-28-2011, 04:04 AM	#6
pickles Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: melbourne Posts: 937	What about an ES11? Cheers, Pickles.

05-28-2011, 12:20 PM	#7
Kim C Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lincoln, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 229	ESII only has manual speeds from 1/60 to 1/1000. The meter only works in Auto mode. Unless you want a camera for aperture priority shooting the SPF is a far better bet Kim Originally posted by pickles What about an ES11? Cheers, Pickles.

05-29-2011, 10:05 AM	#8
leoyblam Inactive Account Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 19 Original Poster	I heard from expert in Pentax that most ES and ES II have their Av mode died by the way...

05-29-2011, 02:09 PM	#9
Kim C Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lincoln, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 229	Almost all of the rare Electro Spotties have their pcb fried. Same as the early ES's (same board). The later ES's and ESII's are not too bad. My Electro is gone but the rest work well still. Kim Originally posted by leoyblam I heard from expert in Pentax that most ES and ES II have their Av mode died by the way...

05-30-2011, 05:33 PM	#10
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Kim C Almost all of the rare Electro Spotties have their pcb fried. Same as the early ES's (same board). The later ES's and ESII's are not too bad. My Electro is gone but the rest work well still. Kim Actually, the Electro Spotmatic and ES do not have the same board. The Electro Spotmatics were basically prototypes sold to the public mostly in Japan each one of them had a "one-off" circuit board. That is why Eric Hendrickson can't fix them. However, he does repair the ES.

05-30-2011, 05:34 PM	#11
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Kim C ESII only has manual speeds from 1/60 to 1/1000. The meter only works in Auto mode. Unless you want a camera for aperture priority shooting the SPF is a far better bet Kim The ES and ES II have stepless cloth shutters in the Auto mode.

06-11-2011, 05:26 PM	#12
tibbitts Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Oklahoma USA Posts: 2,193	The SPF meter does shut off when the lens cap is put on, but also shuts off at light levels where you'd still want to take a picture. As I recall the meter needle remains centered when off, so you think you have the correct exposure, when in fact the exposure may be completely off. Paul

06-11-2011, 05:33 PM	#13
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by tibbitts The SPF meter does shut off when the lens cap is put on, but also shuts off at light levels where you'd still want to take a picture. As I recall the meter needle remains centered when off, so you think you have the correct exposure, when in fact the exposure may be completely off. Paul I have never really had that problem. It has been my experience that these meters (including the ones in the k1000) aren't the greatest in very low light anyway.