Pre Spotmatic models- you favorite bodies and lenses?

GarageBoy · 05-02-2014, 10:39 AM

So, I want to play with some early Pentax goodness
I picked up an SV and a slightly too early 55 1.8 (S/N is on the low side)
Any other lenses from that era I should pick up?
Were there any internal improvements between the S2/S3/SV models?

Thanks

**Moe49** · 05-02-2014, 11:56 AM

SV +1, my favorite pre-spotmatic camera.
Excellent 'shooter' camera from that era (S1a too, which is nearly the same camera).

> Any other lenses from that era I should pick up? <
Super-Takumar 35/2.0
Super-Takumar 24/3.5
Super-Takumar 85/1.9
Super-Takumar 135/2.5
Use hoods with all of these.

If your SV is a green 'R' camera, DO NOT mount any Takumar 50mm/1.4 on it. Carnage will ensue

If your SV is a red-orange 'R' camera, then no worries about using any Takumar m42 lens.

My favorite, most often used, lenses that I shoot on my SV (not exactly that era, early 1970s vintage):
S-M-C Takumar 28/3.5
S-M-C Takumar 35/3.5
SMC Takumar 55/1.8
Vivitar Series 1 35-85/2.8 [Kiron made] [f/4-f/11 range, too soft wide open]
Vivitar Auto 200/3.5 [Tokina made]

Hours of reading about these cameras, lenses and their improvements model by model on Pentax Forums here:
Pentax M42 Screwmount Film SLRs - Pentax Pentax Film Cameras - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications
Pentax Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

GarageBoy · 05-06-2014, 08:10 AM

Thanks
Are late - non 8 element 50 1.4s okay on the green SV?

**arnold** · 05-07-2014, 05:12 AM

Originally posted by GarageBoy

Thanks
Are late - non 8 element 50 1.4s okay on the green SV?

I have been using a 7 element 50 / 1.4 on a "green" with no problems.

Swift1 · 05-07-2014, 10:19 AM

I believe that the SV was the top of the S1/S2/S3 line.
The SV and S1a were improved from the slightly older S1, S2, and S3. Both feature a automatic frame counter as well as a new door latch, and the SV was the first Pentax with a built in self timer.
As for lenses? Is there such thing as a bad (M42) Takumar?
I've always wanted an Auto Takumar 35/2.4 to put on my SV.
All the Takumar 55/1.8s are really good lenses.
If I had to pick a single favorite, I'd likely choose the S-M-C Takumar 50/1.4

AKJeeper · 06-05-2014, 03:17 PM

I've got an SV with the red/orange 'R'. It is one of my favorite 35mm SLRs to use when I want to take a step away from DSLRs and go back to the basics. I usually have a 55mm/1.8 Takumar on mine, though sometimes I'll use a 35mm/3.5 with it too.

**TomB_tx** · 06-05-2014, 05:12 PM

I have AP, S2, SV, and H1a. I shoot the H1a most often, as that model was my first SLR in 1965. The 55 f2.0 ST that was standard on the 1a seems identical to the f1.8, but masked slightly to differentiate price. It is still very sharp and feels and handles great. The focusing screen is the main practical difference from the SV, but I find it equally effective.

**monochrome** · 06-05-2014, 07:21 PM

I've been in and out of screwmount bodies several times in my buy / try / sell cycles but my SV and a S-M-C 50/1.4 always stays. To my mind the SV is the ultimate mechanical Pentax body.

Just recently I came into a group of late black M42's (SP, ES, ESII, SP-F) and a box of lenses, so I now also have the standard Super Takumar kit and a gorgeous ST35/2, as well as three SMC 55/1.8's (and three Vivitars and a Soligor 180). It is a surfeit of riches!

In addition to Moe49's list I'd add the ST105/2.8, but you can't go wrong with the more commonly available and affordable 35/3.5, 55/1.8, 135/3.5 at the prices.

gma · 06-06-2014, 01:19 AM

Of the pre Spotmatic bodies I've only got the SV, but when heading out to enjoy some photography (i.e. without a specific goal in mind) I normally plump for it with the 55mm 1.8 on it.

To put that in context, I've got three SPII's, a K1000 and two MX's, all in tip top condition, and plenty of lenses for both mounts.

The SV is lovely to hold, great to look through (a bright finder), and fun to shoot.

LesDMess · 06-08-2014, 07:45 AM

Well now I have two favorite pre spotmatic models - the original AP and the K . . .

Excuse the cross post from Introduce your Pentax thread.

**arnold** · 06-08-2014, 04:51 PM

Originally posted by LesDMess

Well now I have two favorite pre spotmatic models - the original AP and the K . . .

You are fortunate to have both these lovely cameras. I have the K, which I paid top dollar for, but not the AP. While the AP is less advanced, it is a desirable historic model.

LesDMess · 06-08-2014, 05:16 PM

That AP was a most fortuitous find - craigslist across country, belonged to a relative and don't know if it works scenario. Is in great cosmetic condition and I figure Eric can cure whatever ails it and he did! Historic for me as it shares the same year of introduction as me . . .

**Baard-Einar** · 07-06-2014, 04:18 AM

Originally posted by LesDMess

Well now I have two favorite pre spotmatic models - the original AP and the K . . .

Excuse the cross post from Introduce your Pentax thread.

Really Nice set you have there. You should add the zebra lens to your K to make it complete.

PedroT · 07-06-2014, 11:02 AM

I would love to own a Pentax SV.

Can you guys tell me about the SV viewfinder when compared to the Spotmatic SPII that I own ?

stevebrot · 07-06-2014, 12:18 PM

Originally posted by PedroT

I would love to own a Pentax SV.

Can you guys tell me about the SV viewfinder when compared to the Spotmatic SPII that I own ?

They are comparable* and may actually be the same part number. The SV was made at the same time as the original SP and was only phased out of production in the late 1960s.

Steve

* I just checked my SPII against the SV to be sure.

05-02-2014, 10:39 AM	#1
GarageBoy New Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 14	Pre Spotmatic models- you favorite bodies and lenses? So, I want to play with some early Pentax goodness I picked up an SV and a slightly too early 55 1.8 (S/N is on the low side) Any other lenses from that era I should pick up? Were there any internal improvements between the S2/S3/SV models? Thanks

05-02-2014, 11:56 AM	#2
Moe49 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz Mtns. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 874	SV +1, my favorite pre-spotmatic camera. Excellent 'shooter' camera from that era (S1a too, which is nearly the same camera). > Any other lenses from that era I should pick up? < Super-Takumar 35/2.0 Super-Takumar 24/3.5 Super-Takumar 85/1.9 Super-Takumar 135/2.5 Use hoods with all of these. If your SV is a green 'R' camera, DO NOT mount any Takumar 50mm/1.4 on it. Carnage will ensue If your SV is a red-orange 'R' camera, then no worries about using any Takumar m42 lens. My favorite, most often used, lenses that I shoot on my SV (not exactly that era, early 1970s vintage): S-M-C Takumar 28/3.5 S-M-C Takumar 35/3.5 SMC Takumar 55/1.8 Vivitar Series 1 35-85/2.8 [Kiron made] [f/4-f/11 range, too soft wide open] Vivitar Auto 200/3.5 [Tokina made] Hours of reading about these cameras, lenses and their improvements model by model on Pentax Forums here: Pentax M42 Screwmount Film SLRs - Pentax Pentax Film Cameras - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications Pentax Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Last edited by Moe49; 05-05-2014 at 02:52 PM.

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05-06-2014, 08:10 AM	#3
GarageBoy New Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 14 Original Poster	Thanks Are late - non 8 element 50 1.4s okay on the green SV?

05-07-2014, 05:12 AM	#4
arnold Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,295	Originally posted by GarageBoy Thanks Are late - non 8 element 50 1.4s okay on the green SV? I have been using a 7 element 50 / 1.4 on a "green" with no problems.

05-07-2014, 10:19 AM	#5
Swift1 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oregon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,079	I believe that the SV was the top of the S1/S2/S3 line. The SV and S1a were improved from the slightly older S1, S2, and S3. Both feature a automatic frame counter as well as a new door latch, and the SV was the first Pentax with a built in self timer. As for lenses? Is there such thing as a bad (M42) Takumar? I've always wanted an Auto Takumar 35/2.4 to put on my SV. All the Takumar 55/1.8s are really good lenses. If I had to pick a single favorite, I'd likely choose the S-M-C Takumar 50/1.4

06-05-2014, 03:17 PM	#6
AKJeeper New Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Kodiak, AK Posts: 12	I've got an SV with the red/orange 'R'. It is one of my favorite 35mm SLRs to use when I want to take a step away from DSLRs and go back to the basics. I usually have a 55mm/1.8 Takumar on mine, though sometimes I'll use a 35mm/3.5 with it too.

06-05-2014, 05:12 PM	#7
TomB_tx Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,446	I have AP, S2, SV, and H1a. I shoot the H1a most often, as that model was my first SLR in 1965. The 55 f2.0 ST that was standard on the 1a seems identical to the f1.8, but masked slightly to differentiate price. It is still very sharp and feels and handles great. The focusing screen is the main practical difference from the SV, but I find it equally effective.

06-05-2014, 07:21 PM	#8
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	I've been in and out of screwmount bodies several times in my buy / try / sell cycles but my SV and a S-M-C 50/1.4 always stays. To my mind the SV is the ultimate mechanical Pentax body. Just recently I came into a group of late black M42's (SP, ES, ESII, SP-F) and a box of lenses, so I now also have the standard Super Takumar kit and a gorgeous ST35/2, as well as three SMC 55/1.8's (and three Vivitars and a Soligor 180). It is a surfeit of riches! In addition to Moe49's list I'd add the ST105/2.8, but you can't go wrong with the more commonly available and affordable 35/3.5, 55/1.8, 135/3.5 at the prices.

06-06-2014, 01:19 AM	#9
gma Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 35	Of the pre Spotmatic bodies I've only got the SV, but when heading out to enjoy some photography (i.e. without a specific goal in mind) I normally plump for it with the 55mm 1.8 on it. To put that in context, I've got three SPII's, a K1000 and two MX's, all in tip top condition, and plenty of lenses for both mounts. The SV is lovely to hold, great to look through (a bright finder), and fun to shoot.

06-08-2014, 07:45 AM	#10
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Well now I have two favorite pre spotmatic models - the original AP and the K . . . Excuse the cross post from Introduce your Pentax thread.

06-08-2014, 04:51 PM	#11
arnold Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,295	Originally posted by LesDMess Well now I have two favorite pre spotmatic models - the original AP and the K . . . You are fortunate to have both these lovely cameras. I have the K, which I paid top dollar for, but not the AP. While the AP is less advanced, it is a desirable historic model.

06-08-2014, 05:16 PM	#12
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	That AP was a most fortuitous find - craigslist across country, belonged to a relative and don't know if it works scenario. Is in great cosmetic condition and I figure Eric can cure whatever ails it and he did! Historic for me as it shares the same year of introduction as me . . .

07-06-2014, 04:18 AM	#13
Baard-Einar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oslo Photos: Gallery Posts: 964	Originally posted by LesDMess Well now I have two favorite pre spotmatic models - the original AP and the K . . . Excuse the cross post from Introduce your Pentax thread. Really Nice set you have there. You should add the zebra lens to your K to make it complete.

07-06-2014, 11:02 AM	#14
PedroT Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 28	I would love to own a Pentax SV. Can you guys tell me about the SV viewfinder when compared to the Spotmatic SPII that I own ?

07-06-2014, 12:18 PM	#15
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by PedroT I would love to own a Pentax SV. Can you guys tell me about the SV viewfinder when compared to the Spotmatic SPII that I own ? They are comparable* and may actually be the same part number. The SV was made at the same time as the original SP and was only phased out of production in the late 1960s. Steve * I just checked my SPII against the SV to be sure.