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lesmore49 · 02-18-2009, 11:29 AM

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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 ?

VF-19 · 02-18-2009, 02:43 PM

My oldest is a spotmatic II. My Dad bought it new in Montreal (some camera store, it's label is on the inside of the film chamber), sometime in the 1970s, and had it modified with a split-image focusing screen. It still works (for the most part, I have a short on the hot shoe that's causing problems), and I even have a couple of mercury batteries to power the meter. The supplied lens, 55 1.8 is suffering from aperature fatigue. One of these days I'm going to send the body and lens to Eric for some TLC.

AndrewShirley · 02-18-2009, 02:47 PM

Lessee... recently purchased a Pentax SV, which I understand was circa 1963? Recently ran a roll of film through it and it worked perfectly!

I found it in a local pawn-shop with a Super Takumar 55/1.8. I actually purchased it for the lens but afterwards became quite interested in operating the camera. Low and behold the camera works flawlessly!

$50 CDN for lens + camera.

- Andrew

straightshooter · 02-18-2009, 03:27 PM

I have a H2, H3, H3v (same as the SV), H1a and S1a as my oldest cameras. None of them were purchased new by me...they are all fairly recent acquisitions. My H2 is one of the early models without the meter coupling in the shutter speed dial which puts it between 1959 and 1961. Unfortunately I don't have the correct Auto-Takumar lens for this camera, just the Super Takumar 1.8/55. This would be the fourth production model behind the AP, K and S.

I would imagine Seaain (Woof) is one of the people with the oldest SLRs.

CW

séamuis · 02-18-2009, 03:34 PM

Originally posted by AndrewShirley

Lessee... recently purchased a Pentax SV, which I understand was circa 1963? Recently ran a roll of film through it and it worked perfectly!

I found it in a local pawn-shop with a Super Takumar 55/1.8. I actually purchased it for the lens but afterwards became quite interested in operating the camera. Low and behold the camera works flawlessly!

$50 CDN for lens + camera.

- Andrew

it was released in 1962, if that's what you are referring to, not 1963. however, I don't know how long the production run was or any way of knowing manufacture date by serial numbers (those seem to be an enigma in the world of Pentax.)

I believe fellow forum member Woof likely has the oldest Pentax prism SLR. I don't know anyone who has an Asahiflex. I am waiting on an SV myself (shipping from Japan) but so far my oldest is a Spotmatic (SP) 1964.

if you would like some good info on early bodies and lenses I know of no better sites on the net than these two:

Early Asahi Pentax Cameras and Takumar lenses: Main Page
http://www.aohc.it/index.htm

wlank · 02-18-2009, 05:30 PM

Originally posted by séamuis

I believe fellow forum member Woof likely has the oldest Pentax prism SLR.

Go here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-film-slr-discussion/30424-vintage-...pentax-ap.html

stevebrot · 02-18-2009, 06:46 PM

Originally posted by wlank

Go here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-film-slr-discussion/30424-vintage-...pentax-ap.html

Yep, ya can't go back much further than that and still call it Pentax.

Steve

CSSLDR · 02-18-2009, 06:53 PM

Hi everybody,

I have a Tower 23 (Asahiflex IIB) and an Asahi Pentax K - those are my two oldest cameras.

Ole · 02-18-2009, 07:30 PM

My oldest Pentax is the K so I can't beat Woof's AP!

It still works and I bought it about two years ago on the bay. I had the H2 already but I couldn't pass up the chance of getting something even older and still in working condition!

My oldest Pentax bought new is a Pentax ME.

My first Pentax bought new was a Spotmatic which I regrettably traded in for a K1000 some 10 years later.

woof · 02-18-2009, 07:57 PM

Originally posted by lesmore49

Who has the oldest Pentax SLR ?

I have some Asahi AP Originals. They are the oldest, except that perhaps someone has a serial number older than one of mine. I don't know what it is about these things. They seem to stick to my fingers. Heh.

-Does it still work ?

I have one my father gave me, and it works very well. I have two in minty condition, and they work great. Those will go to my sons eventually, after I get some use out of them. I have a parts camera, and it works, save for that the shutter is a bit slow on slow speeds. Thinking about selling this one rather than cannibalizing.

-When did you Buy it ?

Dad bought the one he gave me, so I actually do not know. Probably 1958. Likely New York. He was a photojournalist working out of New York and Newark in those days. I picked up one from a collector many years ago and use that one quite a lot. I sold another one I had this past year because I had too many... just then another minty example found it's way into my hands from an auction on eBay that was poorly described. It cost $150.00 and it had a 1957 58mm lens. Dumb luck... sort of a mixed blessing really. The "parts" camera was a fluke... I found that in a pawn shop recently.

- Are you the original owner ?

No, though the one Dad gave me has been with me for 36 years.

-Was it new or used when you bought it ?

When Dad gave me his, he was out of photojournalism. It was well used at that time. Still ticking.

woof · 02-18-2009, 08:00 PM

Ole... nice K! Congrats! The Zebra lens is the key. That is a TREASURE! I have one in about that condition. I use it too. Just not quite as much as my APs.

woof

séamuis · 02-19-2009, 06:29 AM

man I would really love to get my hands on one of those zebra striped Takumars....

Blue · 02-19-2009, 09:41 AM

There was an Asahiflex on fleabay recently that didn't sell. They were asking just under $400 for it and it was in very good shape. Had to wear a straight-jacket until the listing ended.

Edit: Here was the listing: http://cgi.ebay.com/Asahiflex-w-3-5-Takumar-Beautiful-1952-SLR-camera-Rare_W0QQitemZ220358069673QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFilm_Cameras?hash=item220358069673&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A13|39%3A1|240%3A1318

woof · 02-19-2009, 12:15 PM

Originally posted by Ole

My oldest Pentax is the K so I can't beat Woof's AP!

BTW, here is my "K"

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-film-slr-discussion/30421-vintage-...-pentax-k.html

woof!

woof · 02-20-2009, 08:44 AM

Originally posted by Blue

There was an Asahiflex on fleabay recently that didn't sell. They were asking just under $400 for it and it was in very good shape. Had to wear a straight-jacket until the listing ended.

Me too. Frankly, at one time that would have been a very nice price. I'd have jumped on that this summer. I have just 300.00 into one of my Asahi AP's after a comprehensive CLA/repair. The one I sold went for $280.00. Had 300.00 into that one too. Times have changed.

Seaain

02-18-2009, 11:29 AM	#1
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,350	Who has the oldest Pentax SLR ? Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. 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 ?

02-18-2009, 06:53 PM	#8
CSSLDR New Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 19	oldest Camera Hi everybody, I have a Tower 23 (Asahiflex IIB) and an Asahi Pentax K - those are my two oldest cameras.

02-18-2009, 07:57 PM	#10
woof Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In the present Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,870	Originally posted by lesmore49 Who has the oldest Pentax SLR ? I have some Asahi AP Originals. They are the oldest, except that perhaps someone has a serial number older than one of mine. I don't know what it is about these things. They seem to stick to my fingers. Heh. -Does it still work ? I have one my father gave me, and it works very well. I have two in minty condition, and they work great. Those will go to my sons eventually, after I get some use out of them. I have a parts camera, and it works, save for that the shutter is a bit slow on slow speeds. Thinking about selling this one rather than cannibalizing. -When did you Buy it ? Dad bought the one he gave me, so I actually do not know. Probably 1958. Likely New York. He was a photojournalist working out of New York and Newark in those days. I picked up one from a collector many years ago and use that one quite a lot. I sold another one I had this past year because I had too many... just then another minty example found it's way into my hands from an auction on eBay that was poorly described. It cost $150.00 and it had a 1957 58mm lens. Dumb luck... sort of a mixed blessing really. The "parts" camera was a fluke... I found that in a pawn shop recently. - Are you the original owner ? No, though the one Dad gave me has been with me for 36 years. -Was it new or used when you bought it ? When Dad gave me his, he was out of photojournalism. It was well used at that time. Still ticking. Last edited by woof; 02-18-2009 at 08:37 PM.

02-19-2009, 09:41 AM	#13
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	There was an Asahiflex on fleabay recently that didn't sell. They were asking just under $400 for it and it was in very good shape. Had to wear a straight-jacket until the listing ended. Edit: Here was the listing: http://cgi.ebay.com/Asahiflex-w-3-5-Takumar-Beautiful-1952-SLR-camera-Rare_W0QQitemZ220358069673QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFilm_Cameras?hash=item220358069673&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2\|65%3A13\|39%3A1\|240%3A1318 Last edited by Blue; 02-19-2009 at 09:51 AM.

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02-18-2009, 02:43 PM	#2
VF-19 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ottawa Posts: 364	My oldest is a spotmatic II. My Dad bought it new in Montreal (some camera store, it's label is on the inside of the film chamber), sometime in the 1970s, and had it modified with a split-image focusing screen. It still works (for the most part, I have a short on the hot shoe that's causing problems), and I even have a couple of mercury batteries to power the meter. The supplied lens, 55 1.8 is suffering from aperature fatigue. One of these days I'm going to send the body and lens to Eric for some TLC.

02-18-2009, 02:47 PM	#3
AndrewShirley Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 421	Lessee... recently purchased a Pentax SV, which I understand was circa 1963? Recently ran a roll of film through it and it worked perfectly! I found it in a local pawn-shop with a Super Takumar 55/1.8. I actually purchased it for the lens but afterwards became quite interested in operating the camera. Low and behold the camera works flawlessly! $50 CDN for lens + camera. - Andrew

02-18-2009, 03:27 PM	#4
straightshooter Inactive Account Join Date: May 2008 Location: Forest Park, Georgia/Jacksonville, Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 633	I have a H2, H3, H3v (same as the SV), H1a and S1a as my oldest cameras. None of them were purchased new by me...they are all fairly recent acquisitions. My H2 is one of the early models without the meter coupling in the shutter speed dial which puts it between 1959 and 1961. Unfortunately I don't have the correct Auto-Takumar lens for this camera, just the Super Takumar 1.8/55. This would be the fourth production model behind the AP, K and S. I would imagine Seaain (Woof) is one of the people with the oldest SLRs. CW

02-18-2009, 03:34 PM	#5
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	Originally posted by AndrewShirley Lessee... recently purchased a Pentax SV, which I understand was circa 1963? Recently ran a roll of film through it and it worked perfectly! I found it in a local pawn-shop with a Super Takumar 55/1.8. I actually purchased it for the lens but afterwards became quite interested in operating the camera. Low and behold the camera works flawlessly! $50 CDN for lens + camera. - Andrew it was released in 1962, if that's what you are referring to, not 1963. however, I don't know how long the production run was or any way of knowing manufacture date by serial numbers (those seem to be an enigma in the world of Pentax.) I believe fellow forum member Woof likely has the oldest Pentax prism SLR. I don't know anyone who has an Asahiflex. I am waiting on an SV myself (shipping from Japan) but so far my oldest is a Spotmatic (SP) 1964. if you would like some good info on early bodies and lenses I know of no better sites on the net than these two: Early Asahi Pentax Cameras and Takumar lenses: Main Page http://www.aohc.it/index.htm

02-18-2009, 05:30 PM	#6
wlank Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Santa Teresa, New Mexico Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,130	Originally posted by séamuis I believe fellow forum member Woof likely has the oldest Pentax prism SLR. Go here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-film-slr-discussion/30424-vintage-...pentax-ap.html

02-18-2009, 06:46 PM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by wlank Go here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-film-slr-discussion/30424-vintage-...pentax-ap.html Yep, ya can't go back much further than that and still call it Pentax. Steve

02-18-2009, 08:00 PM	#11
woof Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In the present Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,870	Ole... nice K! Congrats! The Zebra lens is the key. That is a TREASURE! I have one in about that condition. I use it too. Just not quite as much as my APs. woof

02-19-2009, 06:29 AM	#12
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	man I would really love to get my hands on one of those zebra striped Takumars....

02-19-2009, 12:15 PM	#14
woof Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In the present Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,870	Originally posted by Ole My oldest Pentax is the K so I can't beat Woof's AP! BTW, here is my "K" https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-film-slr-discussion/30421-vintage-...-pentax-k.html woof!

02-20-2009, 08:44 AM	#15
woof Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In the present Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,870	Originally posted by Blue There was an Asahiflex on fleabay recently that didn't sell. They were asking just under $400 for it and it was in very good shape. Had to wear a straight-jacket until the listing ended. Me too. Frankly, at one time that would have been a very nice price. I'd have jumped on that this summer. I have just 300.00 into one of my Asahi AP's after a comprehensive CLA/repair. The one I sold went for $280.00. Had 300.00 into that one too. Times have changed. Seaain