[Blue]

Question would be... what is the color of the "R" on the rewind knob. If it is Green, the camera is an early S1a and was built between 1962-1964. If Orange, it is 1964-1968.

Please see: Screwmount

This is something you will want to know because the later model had a modified mirror box to accept the f/1.4 50mm lens, whereas this is NOT a lens you will want to fit to the earlier model.

Seaain

That is an interesting chart! My SV is apparently a later one. I also see the chart lists the end of production for the S1a as 1968 rather than 1971 as this
article does: http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?AsahiPentaxS1a.html~mainFrame

I find 1968 more believable than 1971 because of the SL being produced from 1968 -1971.

[lesmore49]

That is an interesting chart! My SV is apparently a later one. I also see the chart lists the end of production for the S1a as 1968 rather than 1971 as this
article does: http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?AsahiPentaxS1a.html~mainFrame

I find 1968 more believable than 1971 because of the SL being produced from 1968 -1971.

If the S1a ended production in 1968 and I bought mine in '68..... I may have one of the last production S1a's . Heh...that gives me an idea for a new contest !

[straightshooter]

Whereas my S1a has the green R and is an early production model. I have to remember never to put the SMC 50/1.4 on it so that particular lens stays with my SP II. But isn't it a fun camera to shoot? Only difference between it and the SV is the self-timer on the SV.

CW

[drewdlephone]

My oldest (and currently only) camera is my Spotmatic F, which is circa late 1973/early 1974. Purchased new by my father around that time, was used as a gig camera at rock concerts in and around Vancouver for six or seven years, until he met my mum and started shift work with the CCG. My mum bought them Kodak Disc Cameras, and from 1982 onwards, the Spotmatic sat in it's hard leather case until it was given to me twenty five years later. I didn't take an interest in it at first, as I hadn't taken an interest in photography yet, but decided to take a closer look at it earlier last year, and since then have not looked back. It needed some cleaning and adjustments, so it went to Eric for that, and now it works (and looks) like new.

If we're allowed to mention lenses, I have two SMC Takumars circa 1970 or so (50/1.8 and 135/2.5) and a Super Takumar 28/3.5 that dates to somewhere between 1962-1964. The wide angle might need to visit Eric soon, however.

[Herkin]

Who has the oldest Pentax SLR ?

-Does it still work ?

-When did you Buy it ?

- Are you the original owner ?

-Was it new or used when you bought it ?

-Where did you buy it ?

In my case I bought my oldest Pentax SLR, an S1a, new in Feb., 1968 from Gambles Dept. Store in Canada. It cost $ 129 and I put $ 11 down on it and paid about $ 9 a month till it was paid off. I had to get it for work.

I'm the original owner. I still have it, it still works. It has a top shutter speed of 1/500th of a second and it didn't come with a meter. I bought a hand held Sekonic light meter for about $ 10 and it still works, just like my old Pentax.

The camera came with a Takumar 50 mm f2 lens.

I know I will not have either the oldest Pentax SLR, nor will I have had my trusty old Pentax for the longest ownership either.

Well...what's your story ?

Early 50's Asahiflex which belonged to an elderly relative. With absolutely tiny chrome finished f3.5 50mm and 135 lenses. Lovely but the film advance knob doesn't want to move and the shutter release doesn't work - the mirror is in the down position (it went up and stayed up until cocked with these early ones so I'm unsure mechanically what is going on with this dear old thing.

[pomozwi]

My first Pentax, acquired last October is a Pentax S2, (H2 in the USA), which has had a comprehensive overhaul including new shutter curtains and remanufactured sync bar. It has an Auto-Takumar 55mm f/2 lens with original Pentax metal lens hood. It's a gem and a joy to hold and use.

While I was transiting through Tokyo railway station I stumbled across the Komura Camera shop, an Aladdins's Cave of 2nd hand gear. Bought a 28mm f/3.5 SMC Takumar and a 135mm f/3.5 Super Takumar complete with Asahi metal hoods, original caps and Asahi branded UV/Skylight filters. I've since bought a Spotmatic SP to keep the S2 company, (and to do the TTL metering duties when they are both out on a shoot).

[woof]

My first Pentax, acquired last October is a Pentax S2, (H2 in the USA), which has had a comprehensive overhaul including new shutter curtains and remanufactured sync bar. It has an Auto-Takumar 55mm f/2 lens with original Pentax metal lens hood. It's a gem and a joy to hold and use.

1959. S2 is a beauty. Mine is my current second favorite after my S3 and that only has really to do with the top shutter speed. Care to share with us where you had the overhaul done? Was it Eric H?

woof!

[amicah22]

Not the oldest here but I have a very nice spot. spII in near mint with a good meter. I bought it off eBay years ago (like 30 dollars I think) with a mamiya 55 f1.4. beautiful camera, decent lens.

[pomozwi]

1959. S2 is a beauty. Mine is my current second favorite after my S3 and that only has really to do with the top shutter speed. Care to share with us where you had the overhaul done? Was it Eric H?

woof!

Hi woof, the S2 was serviced at Camera Repair Since 1981. They are in Dubbo, (outback NSW, Australia). I wouldn't have bought the camera back from Japan except I found this company via Google. Their website gives service prices for a range of cameras and when I saw that they could replace shutter curtains I decided to become a Pentaxian after 30 years as an FD Canonian.

The job wasn't cheap but the camera has sentimental value. ( I also brought back a 'low-mileage' Yashicamat 124G which has also had a thorough overhaul by cameracheckpoint - mould on view screen, hazy film on rear of taking lens, new light seals and, I think, circuit mods to use alkaline 625 battery instead of mercury. (Service doc says that meter calibration checked as OK with alkaline battery).

[wlachan]

My father has a Pentax which is so old and fragile it will vaporize if exposed to light. I wonder how it looks.

[Davep]

New member, first post.

I have been lurking this forum for some time, and have finally decided to post. I have been tossing between buying digital, or resuming film. After lots of to'n'fro, I have decided to resume my film photography. I used to shoot transparency, and I have a real soft spot for it. Negative is O'K, but Digital won't cut it, I don't think.

So after that preamble, my pride and joy, is a lowly Pentax SP 500 with a 55 MM F2 Super Takumar (I think, but it may be just a Takumar,) lens I purchased brand new in 1973? (maybe 1972). I still have that camera, and it is is perfect condition. I do not know how camera wear ratings are generated, but my SP500 is in absolutely, pristine condition. I have stored it totally sealed when not used, since I bought it. There are vitually no marks on it outside of the usual marks on the battery enclosure.

I have a few other Spotmatics I have purchased on ebay, but my heart belongs to this SP 500. I have lots of very memorable shots taken with this camera, lens combination. Back then, accessory lenses were prohibitively expensive. Hense, my award winning shots. (Well, at least in my opinion. )

I look forward to resuming my photographic hobby, and posting constructively on this site.

Look forward to conversing with you,
Dave P