Date of manufacture

DGHawkes · 12-18-2015, 08:35 AM

I've just taken delivery of my first Pentax since the MX I had around two decades ago - a Spotmatic, my favourite camera as a kid gazing longingly at brochures for gear i couldn't afford (and with a Zorki 4 as my 1st real camera), so a real trip down memory lane. I wonder if anyone knew when it might have been made or sold - I've searched everywhere (I think!) but can't find any help so far. The serial number is 1230502.

I'd be grateful for any help, thanks in advance...

pathdoc · 12-18-2015, 08:45 AM

This may help narrow down the dates.

However, remember that 'made' and 'sold' can sometimes be separated by large gaps in time - if a camera happened by chance to not have been bought yet before updated models arrived, it might have stewed on the back shelves as "new old stock" for some time.

BTW here is the account of getting my first Spotmatic (bought this year) up and running.

DGHawkes · 12-18-2015, 12:52 PM

Originally posted by pathdoc

This may help narrow down the dates.

However, remember that 'made' and 'sold' can sometimes be separated by large gaps in time - if a camera happened by chance to not have been bought yet before updated models arrived, it might have stewed on the back shelves as "new old stock" for some time.

BTW here is the account of getting my first Spotmatic (bought this year) up and running.

Thank you! Much appreciated.

David

Ray-uk · 12-18-2015, 02:05 PM

Looking here
Pentax Spotmatic Serial Numbers - Pentax Serial Number Database - PentaxForums.com
may give you more idea, it suggests that yours is quite a late model.

DGHawkes · 12-18-2015, 05:28 PM

Originally posted by Ray-uk

Looking here
Pentax Spotmatic Serial Numbers - Pentax Serial Number Database - PentaxForums.com
may give you more idea, it suggests that yours is quite a late model.

Again, thank you. Looking through the list and checking that earlier link makes me suspect that, as long as Pentax issued serial numbers sequentially, mine would be a 'late' model, but made sometime between 1966 and '67.

The difficulty is the purchase dates are often quoted by newer owners well after the original sale. But there are two listed that mine appears to lie between -

1211890 bought in July 1966

and

1282256 bought in December 1967,

so probably closer to late '66 and early '67.

It's amazing to me that I was a small child not even aware of photography when it was made, yet nearly half a century later it looks almost new and works fine. I wonder how many regularly used new digital cameras will work in 2065?

**gofour3** · 12-19-2015, 04:58 PM

Originally posted by DGHawkes

I wonder how many regularly used new digital cameras will work in 2065?

Zero!

Phil.

12-18-2015, 08:35 AM	#1
DGHawkes New Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 4	Date of manufacture I've just taken delivery of my first Pentax since the MX I had around two decades ago - a Spotmatic, my favourite camera as a kid gazing longingly at brochures for gear i couldn't afford (and with a Zorki 4 as my 1st real camera), so a real trip down memory lane. I wonder if anyone knew when it might have been made or sold - I've searched everywhere (I think!) but can't find any help so far. The serial number is 1230502. I'd be grateful for any help, thanks in advance...

12-18-2015, 08:45 AM	#2
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	This may help narrow down the dates. However, remember that 'made' and 'sold' can sometimes be separated by large gaps in time - if a camera happened by chance to not have been bought yet before updated models arrived, it might have stewed on the back shelves as "new old stock" for some time. BTW here is the account of getting my first Spotmatic (bought this year) up and running. Last edited by pathdoc; 12-18-2015 at 08:55 AM.

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12-18-2015, 12:52 PM	#3
DGHawkes New Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 4 Original Poster	Originally posted by pathdoc This may help narrow down the dates. However, remember that 'made' and 'sold' can sometimes be separated by large gaps in time - if a camera happened by chance to not have been bought yet before updated models arrived, it might have stewed on the back shelves as "new old stock" for some time. BTW here is the account of getting my first Spotmatic (bought this year) up and running. Thank you! Much appreciated. David

12-18-2015, 02:05 PM	#4
Ray-uk Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Kent Photos: Gallery Posts: 159	Looking here Pentax Spotmatic Serial Numbers - Pentax Serial Number Database - PentaxForums.com may give you more idea, it suggests that yours is quite a late model.

12-18-2015, 05:28 PM	#5
DGHawkes New Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 4 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ray-uk Looking here Pentax Spotmatic Serial Numbers - Pentax Serial Number Database - PentaxForums.com may give you more idea, it suggests that yours is quite a late model. Again, thank you. Looking through the list and checking that earlier link makes me suspect that, as long as Pentax issued serial numbers sequentially, mine would be a 'late' model, but made sometime between 1966 and '67. The difficulty is the purchase dates are often quoted by newer owners well after the original sale. But there are two listed that mine appears to lie between - 1211890 bought in July 1966 and 1282256 bought in December 1967, so probably closer to late '66 and early '67. It's amazing to me that I was a small child not even aware of photography when it was made, yet nearly half a century later it looks almost new and works fine. I wonder how many regularly used new digital cameras will work in 2065?

12-19-2015, 04:58 PM	#6
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,090	Originally posted by DGHawkes I wonder how many regularly used new digital cameras will work in 2065? Zero! Phil.