[FozzFoster]

Hi all,

I'm working along in my history video and I am curious if there is any imagery of the original Spotmatic, that is, the one prototype released at the 1960 Photokina?
The one with true spot metering.

Is that model visually identical to the finally released Spotmatic in 1964 (with the center weighted metering?)

Would love to include an image of the original Spotmatic, if one exists.

Thanks to anyone who can point me in the right direction!

Cheers,
Stephen

---------- Post added 12-23-21 at 03:41 PM ----------

I've seen reference that no photography was allowed at Photokina, is that true?
Do no images exist of the original spot-metered Spotmatic?

[c.a.m]

o no images exist of the original spot-metered Spotmatic?

I found the following references and an image. I don't know whether the image is an authentic picture of the Spot-Matic prototype.


Asahi Optical Historical Club (Italy): (click on the image to enlarge) http://www.aohc.it/catalogo.php?catalogo=oggetti&id_catalogo=24&filtro[tipologia]=13

Reference to a "Spotmatic" preview in the January 1961 issue of Popular Photography: Classic Cameras - Asahi Pentax Spotmatic - 1964

- Craig

[FozzFoster]

I found the following references and an image.

Gosh darn dang.
You'd think for a photo convention there'd be readily available pictures of a darn camera!
Thanks for the link! It might be what makes it!

[FozzFoster]

Classic Cameras - Asahi Pentax Spotmatic - 1964

This link is exceptional.

There are pictures claiming the Spotmatic is featured with a bayonet mount..

Is this true? Am I seeing this right?

The images on the site are hard to read due to poor resolution :P

Attached Images

 

[c.a.m]

A few more references... How much spare time do you have?


P-Q-R-S-T – A Look Back

See:

Pentax
Behind the Scenes -- Prototype CdS cell SLR (Modern Photography, date ?)

Keppler on the SLR

And


Photokina 1960, Modern Photography's report:


https://www.flickr.com/photos/38552878@N02/40635260324/in/album-72157663544264696/lightbox/

At each link, you can click right for more images

- Craig

[FozzFoster]

Craig

absolutely excellent!
Thank-you!

[deus ursus]

Soo ... The correct name for the Spotmatic would actually be Centerweightedmatic? Not as catchy as Spotmatic, but ...

[c.a.m]

There are pictures claiming the Spotmatic is featured with a bayonet mount..Is this true? Am I seeing this right?

In their report on Photokina 1960 (linked above), Modern Photography reported that the prototype had a bayonet mount.

[c.a.m]

More Pentax prototypes:

Prototypes 1

[FozzFoster]

More Pentax prototypes:

Prototypes 1

These are perfect! Thank you so much!

---------- Post added 12-23-21 at 09:07 PM ----------

I knew the S3 was debuted with the Spotmatic... but the Metalica too?
Never even heard of it! Outstanding research and learning!

[FozzFoster]

^ ^ ^ ^ ^

[RobA_Oz]

A few more references... How much spare time do you have?


P-Q-R-S-T – A Look Back

See:

Pentax
Behind the Scenes -- Prototype CdS cell SLR (Modern Photography, date ?)

Keppler on the SLR

And


Photokina 1960, Modern Photography's report:


PK 1 sm 3 | alookback.net | Flickr

At each link, you can click right for more images

- Craig

More Pentax prototypes:

Prototypes 1

The Metalica (and Metalica II) are new ones to me. Fascinating stuff. They kept up the momentum with the early K-series and then the LX and MZ-S, but they had a long way to fall after those early days.

[FozzFoster]

Metalica

Fascinating

I entirely agree - never hear about this model before today!

[Cerebum]

I entirely agree - never hear about this model before today!

This is just fascinating. The one with the light panel isn't pretty though. And, spotmatic had a hyphen! Sorry, I am a sucker for little details. This video of yours is going to be fascinating.

---------- Post added 24-12-21 at 12:42 AM ----------

@c.a.m cracking links. Thank you

[wkraus]

Metalica: link