[straightshooter]

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My Asahi SP II was purchased new (by me) in 1972 at the Air Force Exchange in Athens, Greece. My serial number is 5162636.

CW

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Last edited by straightshooter; 08-04-2008 at 12:24 PM.

[Asahiflex]

This is more consistent with the condition of the camera, which is pretty much as new. Otherwise, I was figuring I had a museum piece if it was 1964 vintage and in such great shape.

Spotmaniac? Well, I consider that flattering as I was the site owner of the (then) well-known Unofficial Asahi Pentax Spotmatic Home Page. I still have the site here, but it is not online anymore.

Having said that: it's not unusual to find a Spottie in a very nice condition. Many were made and sold. Still, I consider it (and I mean the original version without flash shoe, not the Spotmatic F or II) the most beautiful SLR ever made. That's also why I would like to own the 50th Anniversary K10D model, which closely resembles a Spotmatic too (too bad they did not omit the flash shoe on the anniversary model).

[germar]

That's also why I would like to own the 50th Anniversary K10D model, which closely resembles a Spotmatic too (too bad they did not omit the flash shoe on the anniversary model)[/img]

Wow! That 50 anniversary camera is fabulous! Was it a production model or a one off? It reminds me of the reintroduction of the American Ford Mustang coupe based on the 1964 original ... very high cool factor!

I found some more images of this camera, unfortunately I am not fluent in Japanese.... ƒyƒ“ƒ^ƒbƒNƒX�AƒNƒ‰ƒVƒbƒN’²ƒfƒWƒ^ƒ‹ˆêŠáƒŒƒt‚̃Rƒ“ƒZƒvƒgƒ‚ƒfƒ‹

[straightshooter]

Translation. No I don't speak Japanese so this is literal translation courtesy of Babelfish.

Title: Pen tax, to abbreviate the concept model ~ built-in Strobo of classic pitch digital single-lens reflex, consideration to the operativity of the focusing ring equipped lens

Text: Pen tax on the 1st, with Tokyo Shinjuku which is opened in the same day “pen tax square”, released concept model “AP 50th Anniv”. Commemorating the sale 50th anniversary of film single-lens reflex camera, “Asahi pen tax (AP type)” with the design study model which is produced, the base has used the framework of digital single-lens reflex camera “K10D”. But, you say that possible limit classical [teisuto] was adopted design. There is no sale schedule.

Picture caption: AP 50th Anniv. (Concept model) with single-lens reflex camera SP type of the same company (film camera)

Remainder of text: But as for the lens which is installed in the mount section DA 40mm F2.8 Limited, this to tell the truth with the concept model, the letter “of smc TAKUMAR-DA” and you could grasp the serial “of 0000001” in the lens point. 　Largest feature in regard to the design of AP 50, form of the finder section in order to make three tapered roofs which are similar to AP, removes the built-in Strobo, callous Toda. In addition, because the visor of the Strobo section (the projection) it is gone with this, you say that operation has become easy to do even with the lens of the focusing ring attachment where the same company is old. The logograph of AOCO of the bosom oak carves in the pentaprism section and is troubled, also the built-in Strobo non loading New design knurl. Installation has become horizontal different from K10D In lens point the letter “of smc TAKUMAR-DA” and serial “of 0000001” There is the letter of AP 50th Anniv. in the body left shoulder The logograph of AOCO of the bosom oak carves in the private metal lens cap and has been troubled You were ready AP50 in Maekawa of the product plan room 　As for this concept model, being something which is produced in order to investigate demand for classical [teisuto] which is in the market, while it is the exhibition model there is no schedule which produces. In addition, when in the future the camera of this [teisuto] is produced, it means probably becomes the shape which differs completely. 　You say that the latest plan is not something which development and business section raises, the product plan room to which Maekawa belongs devising, is something which was executed. In the future, with the same square, the raw voice from the user and the opinion by the questionnaire gathering, it means by all means gathering wanting in product development. AP50 and K10D The SP type of AP50 and film camera 　As for the exhibition of AP50 to July 31st. As for place pen tax square, as for address the Tokyo Shinjuku Ku west Shinjuku 1-25-1 underground 1 floor in Shinjuku center buildings. Furthermore, with the same square, member system club it is base “of focal” and the “pen tax family”, services are prepared. 　Furthermore, you can store to the glass case AP50, cannot take in the hand. In addition, because it is [motsuku] in order to announce design it does not operate. AP50 is displayed with the glass case entering The panel which explains the concept of AP50 Also back the easy to see way, installing the mirror in the rear of AP50 But exhibition first day, already already you looked and at rumor in the ear the scholar appeared The first coming out time, SP AP and AOCO AOG and, respectively there was erroneous description. Doing to apologize, we correct. * URL 　 Pen tax 　 PENTAX SITE ? ??? ? * “Pen tax square” of related article [pentatsukusu] and 18 day opening release (2007/04/17) [pentatsukusu], “pen tax square” establishment (2006/12/21)

[woof]

>> Was it a production model or a one off?

I understood it to be a one off concept camera.

Actually, strictly speaking it is modeled on the 1957 Asahi Pentax AP which, though it resembles a Spotmatic, is much more elemental. That was the camera that ushered in the pentaprism, and in fact the "peak" of the pentaprism on the concept camera is nice and narrow like the Original "AP." Indeed, the model name of the original "AP" was "Pentax." It was so bloody successful in the year/~20,000 units that it was produced that the company ended up taking Pentax as their name and the camera became known in collecting circles as the Asahi Pentax or "AP."

Look at the Model designation on the right side of the concept camera... "AP." I agree that the hot shoe should be deleted (and a sync port added )

The family resemblance between the Spotmatic and the AP is certainly there, though the form factor on the Spotmatic is noticeably bigger. Think of this as the *istD of the original SLR line... the first and perhaps smallest of the SLRs. This basic model gave rise to everything up to the Spotmatic which really was a redesign. So that's AP, S, K, H2 (S2), H3 (S3), H1 (S1), H1a (S1a), SV (S3v) ... what did I forget??? Oh yes, some odd ones like the Store Demonstrator variant and a couple of other far out ones... Asahiflex?

Anyway, here's a 1957 AP. I shoot this one regularly.



For 2008 they should actually place the concept in production, call it a "K" (1958) and also produce a matching "Zebra" prime in say 55mm. At that point price would not be an object for me. Heh...

woof!

[Mike Cash]

Translation. No I don't speak Japanese so this is literal translation courtesy of Babelfish.

I had less trouble learning to read Japanese than I did trying to wade through that Babelfish translation. Goodness gracious.

[titrisol]

It seems like the m-fortytwo site is dead....
anyone knows if it migrated elsewhere?

[filmamigo]

Stevopedia, I have a black Spotmatic F that I love. It feels great, and works great, and is my own personal baseline for what a camera should look like.

The only trick is that it really needs the 1.3 volt 625 batteries. Unlike the other Spotmatics, it doesn't handle 1.5 volt cells and will meter incorrectly with them.

The other drawback is a slightly dim viewfinder (at least compared to the beautiful finders in the later M and A k-mount cameras.)

[ChrisPlatt]

Feature-wise the SP-F is indeed the best of the Spotmatic line.
The meter has a bridge circuit and should be accurate using a modern 1.5V battery.
Mine works fine with a 625 silver cell.

Chris

[Stevopedia]

So many hobbies and interests... so many cameras (and lenses too)... so little money and so little time!

Ah, the joys, vagaries and pains of collecting...!

[Mechan1k]

My God ... I didn't realise there were that many versions/ variations ... I need to do a bit more reading up on these.

[titrisol]

Can someone explain the differences between Spotmatic early and late?
I can not see any differences and the specs look the same

[ChrisPlatt]

The camerapedia.org Spotmatic page:

http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Spotmatic

Chris

[titrisol]

That was my SPIIa

it was not until I looked in the wayback machine of m-fortytwo that I relaized therewas a early and late SPotmatic I saw pictures of both and can not see differences.... thus my question

The camerapedia.org Spotmatic page:

Pentax Spotmatic - Camerapedia.org

Chris

PS: FOUND IT in paul provencher's page!!!
The old SP does not have a back-door-film-roller and the late Sp does

[filmamigo]

Thanks to ChrisPlatt, I tried a roll in my Spotmatic F with a regular 1.5v 625. All the exposures were good! (Maybe a tiny bit overexposed, but at least consistent.) So I stand corrected.