Pentax SV competition at the time

**dms** · 11-09-2018, 08:05 PM

I think the most telling experience is to pick up a cameras from say the early 1960's and see if you would feel comfortable/want to use it now. If I pick up one of my Spotmatics now, it's great, as are the lenses! On the other hand if I were to try and use my Alpa (9D) now--it feels terrible (nor does the famed macro Kern Switar lens handle well). Slow, clunky, ... Granted the Alpa (and that lens) probably was more for scientific/slow work (e.g., Eliot Porter, when he used 35mm), but still! Although I never used a Leica, my guess would be the Leica and the Pentax are similar in this regard.

noblepa · 11-09-2018, 08:57 PM

Originally posted by dms

I think the most telling experience is to pick up a cameras from say the early 1960's and see if you would feel comfortable/want to use it now. If I pick up one of my Spotmatics now, it's great, as are the lenses! On the other hand if I were to try and use my Alpa (9D) now--it feels terrible (nor does the famed macro Kern Switar lens handle well). Slow, clunky, ... Granted the Alpa (and that lens) probably was more for scientific/slow work (e.g., Eliot Porter, when he used 35mm), but still! Although I never used a Leica, my guess would be the Leica and the Pentax are similar in this regard.

I agree completely about the Spotmatic. I have two and I still think that they are the most ergonomically perfect cameras I've ever held. It fits my hand like a glove.

I learned to cradle an slr in my left hand, with the camera resting in the palm and my thumb and forefinger around the focus/aperture rings on the lens. My right hand did not support the weight of the camera, but stabilized it and the thumb/forefinger of that hand fall naturally to the shutter speed dial on the Spotmatic.

As much as I like the new Pentax dslrs, nothing feels as "right" as a Spotmatic.

Its also a damn nice looking camera.

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11-09-2018, 08:05 PM	#16
dms Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New York, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,192	I think the most telling experience is to pick up a cameras from say the early 1960's and see if you would feel comfortable/want to use it now. If I pick up one of my Spotmatics now, it's great, as are the lenses! On the other hand if I were to try and use my Alpa (9D) now--it feels terrible (nor does the famed macro Kern Switar lens handle well). Slow, clunky, ... Granted the Alpa (and that lens) probably was more for scientific/slow work (e.g., Eliot Porter, when he used 35mm), but still! Although I never used a Leica, my guess would be the Leica and the Pentax are similar in this regard.

11-09-2018, 08:57 PM	#17
noblepa Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Village, Ohio USA Posts: 1,142	Originally posted by dms I think the most telling experience is to pick up a cameras from say the early 1960's and see if you would feel comfortable/want to use it now. If I pick up one of my Spotmatics now, it's great, as are the lenses! On the other hand if I were to try and use my Alpa (9D) now--it feels terrible (nor does the famed macro Kern Switar lens handle well). Slow, clunky, ... Granted the Alpa (and that lens) probably was more for scientific/slow work (e.g., Eliot Porter, when he used 35mm), but still! Although I never used a Leica, my guess would be the Leica and the Pentax are similar in this regard. I agree completely about the Spotmatic. I have two and I still think that they are the most ergonomically perfect cameras I've ever held. It fits my hand like a glove. I learned to cradle an slr in my left hand, with the camera resting in the palm and my thumb and forefinger around the focus/aperture rings on the lens. My right hand did not support the weight of the camera, but stabilized it and the thumb/forefinger of that hand fall naturally to the shutter speed dial on the Spotmatic. As much as I like the new Pentax dslrs, nothing feels as "right" as a Spotmatic. Its also a damn nice looking camera.