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kevinh · 07-29-2013, 10:30 AM

I just scored a black Spotmatic IIa that works (including meter). Is it rare? Thanks.

**boriscleto** · 07-29-2013, 11:10 AM

The IIa was a US only camera. It's just a Spotmatic II with a sensor for a Honeywell flash. In the US it is uncommon, outside of the US it's rare.

kevinh · 07-29-2013, 11:46 AM

My question was more about it being BLACK IIa. I do know there are usually a premium for the black Spots. I cannot find any black ones in the eBay "completed" listings.

**boriscleto** · 07-29-2013, 12:33 PM

It's hard enough to find a chrome IIa on eBay. I wouldn't think it is any more rare than a black Honeywell II. Asahi Spots are what collectors want anyway.

titrisol · 07-29-2013, 04:15 PM

The production numbers were quite limited, so I guess those are rare

stevebrot · 07-29-2013, 07:40 PM

Originally posted by titrisol

The production numbers were quite limited, so I guess those are rare

...and as we all know, rareness and value are two different things.

Steve

titrisol · 07-30-2013, 07:44 AM

which is to say that rare is not the same as rarified?

puderse · 08-06-2013, 02:04 PM

Can't be that rare! I've got a black one #5,2XX,XXX. Works perfectly but I can't/don't know how to test the auto flash thingy. It's there in my 'M42 at the library' shot.

**Baard-Einar** · 08-20-2013, 12:24 AM

Originally posted by puderse

It's there in my 'M42 at the library' shot.

My wife wants a new coffee table. Maybe I can steal the library idea and build a coffee table with my Pentax collection?

**Baard-Einar** · 08-20-2013, 12:25 AM

Originally posted by kevinh

My question was more about it being BLACK IIa. I do know there are usually a premium for the black Spots. I cannot find any black ones in the eBay "completed" listings.

Hey

Please post a photo of it.

kevinh · 10-12-2013, 08:25 AM

I haven't been back on for a while, so haven't read the last replies. Here is a picture.

**gordon_l34** · 01-17-2015, 02:26 PM

Hi,
I have both a black and a chrome Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic IIa!
Regards.

6BQ5 · 01-17-2015, 11:27 PM

I have a chrome unit that Eric H CLA'ed for me. Works like a champ! I hope you are enjoying yours.

noblepa · 01-23-2015, 01:41 PM

Originally posted by puderse

Can't be that rare! I've got a black one #5,2XX,XXX. Works perfectly but I can't/don't know how to test the auto flash thingy. It's there in my 'M42 at the library' shot.

You need a Honeywell Strobonar flash. There were two or three models, all of which are available on eBay for quite reasonable prices.

I believe that all the Strobonars whose model numbers end in 2 will work. For example, the Auto Strobonar 772 or 882. Those two are the "potato masher" configuration, that mounts to a bracket on the side of the camera.

I never understood quite why the IIa was never sold outside the US as an Asahi Pentax. The Strobonars were made by Rollei in Germany. I would have thought that Rollei would have produced them under their own brand.

07-29-2013, 10:30 AM	#1
kevinh Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 61	Black Spotmatic IIa, working. Is it rare? I just scored a black Spotmatic IIa that works (including meter). Is it rare? Thanks.

08-06-2013, 02:04 PM	#8
puderse Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: where the west begins Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 102	Spot IIa Can't be that rare! I've got a black one #5,2XX,XXX. Works perfectly but I can't/don't know how to test the auto flash thingy. It's there in my 'M42 at the library' shot.

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07-29-2013, 11:10 AM	#2
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	The IIa was a US only camera. It's just a Spotmatic II with a sensor for a Honeywell flash. In the US it is uncommon, outside of the US it's rare.

07-29-2013, 11:46 AM	#3
kevinh Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 61 Original Poster	My question was more about it being BLACK IIa. I do know there are usually a premium for the black Spots. I cannot find any black ones in the eBay "completed" listings.

07-29-2013, 12:33 PM	#4
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	It's hard enough to find a chrome IIa on eBay. I wouldn't think it is any more rare than a black Honeywell II. Asahi Spots are what collectors want anyway.

07-29-2013, 04:15 PM	#5
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,854	The production numbers were quite limited, so I guess those are rare

07-29-2013, 07:40 PM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by titrisol The production numbers were quite limited, so I guess those are rare ...and as we all know, rareness and value are two different things. Steve

07-30-2013, 07:44 AM	#7
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,854	which is to say that rare is not the same as rarified?

08-20-2013, 12:24 AM	#9
Baard-Einar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oslo Photos: Gallery Posts: 964	Originally posted by puderse It's there in my 'M42 at the library' shot. My wife wants a new coffee table. Maybe I can steal the library idea and build a coffee table with my Pentax collection?

08-20-2013, 12:25 AM	#10
Baard-Einar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oslo Photos: Gallery Posts: 964	Originally posted by kevinh My question was more about it being BLACK IIa. I do know there are usually a premium for the black Spots. I cannot find any black ones in the eBay "completed" listings. Hey Please post a photo of it.

01-17-2015, 02:26 PM	#12
gordon_l34 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 779	Hi, I have both a black and a chrome Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic IIa! Regards.

01-17-2015, 11:27 PM	#13
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	I have a chrome unit that Eric H CLA'ed for me. Works like a champ! I hope you are enjoying yours.

01-23-2015, 01:41 PM	#14
noblepa Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Village, Ohio USA Posts: 1,142	Originally posted by puderse Can't be that rare! I've got a black one #5,2XX,XXX. Works perfectly but I can't/don't know how to test the auto flash thingy. It's there in my 'M42 at the library' shot. You need a Honeywell Strobonar flash. There were two or three models, all of which are available on eBay for quite reasonable prices. I believe that all the Strobonars whose model numbers end in 2 will work. For example, the Auto Strobonar 772 or 882. Those two are the "potato masher" configuration, that mounts to a bracket on the side of the camera. I never understood quite why the IIa was never sold outside the US as an Asahi Pentax. The Strobonars were made by Rollei in Germany. I would have thought that Rollei would have produced them under their own brand.

Black Spotmatic IIa, working. Is it rare?

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