Pentax Dual Meter Spotmatic Camera

alwaysjerricky · 05-27-2015, 07:27 AM

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HI all,

I saw this on eBay a while ago but could not find much information. I only can find out that there are only 2 of this camera in the world. Are there any other differences between this dual meter spotmatic and other spotmatics? Thanks!

6BQ5 · 05-27-2015, 09:11 AM

I'm a little confused by what you mean when you say dual meter. There was a Spotmatic IIa that had an extra sensor for a custom flash.

Swift1 · 05-27-2015, 10:03 AM

IIRC, that particular camera was a one off prototype that was made by Honeywell. Essentially a modified Spotmatic.

Dartmoor Dave · 05-27-2015, 11:15 AM

Yes, it was a prototype that could be switched between averaged metering and spot metering -- quite a technical feat at the time. It's a shame it never went into production.

LesDMess · 05-27-2015, 11:36 AM

If that prototype made it to the auction site I can only imagine what it could have fetched!

**sergysergy** · 05-27-2015, 02:08 PM

it sold for around $400...not that much, but a lot at the same time

g026r · 05-27-2015, 02:34 PM

$405, to list the exact selling price.

**monochrome** · 05-27-2015, 02:54 PM

Man - the market is really soft. I paid more than that for a very nice but pedestrian 'K' and Zebra normal. I paid $425 for a perfect K2DMD.

LesDMess · 05-27-2015, 04:21 PM

It is all about the timing - who sees it, and on a no reserve start from $0.99 auction you only get one chance.

**ChrisPlatt** · 05-27-2015, 05:07 PM

I'm surprised and saddened that Pentax sold off their sole copy.

Chris

6BQ5 · 05-28-2015, 06:29 AM

Neat thread! I learned something new here.

Swift1 · 05-28-2015, 05:20 PM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

I'm surprised and saddened that Pentax sold off their sole copy.

Chris

I'm pretty sure Pentax had nothing to do with that camera.
IIRC, Honeywell just took an of the shelf Spotmatic, and modified it.
I could be very wrong though.

cameraniac · 05-28-2015, 08:52 PM

I tried to rescue it for us ... well ... myself. lol!!.

Maybe he'll sell the second copy?

**Baard-Einar** · 05-29-2015, 03:58 PM

Originally posted by Swift1

I'm pretty sure Pentax had nothing to do with that camera.
IIRC, Honeywell just took an of the shelf Spotmatic, and modified it.
I could be very wrong though.

From what I have found out, this was exactly what they did. And Asahi I guess, said no thanks, this is to complicated to make and use. cool item but just for nerdy collectors, and nobody here on PF falls in that category.

LesDMess · 06-03-2015, 11:58 AM

Honeywell even provides mirror lockup as an option, "The mirror lockup switch was a cataloged option throughout almost the entire production period of the Spotmatic camera series." See story -> Spotmatics with two switches

05-27-2015, 07:27 AM	#1
alwaysjerricky Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 109	Pentax Dual Meter Spotmatic Camera 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. HI all, I saw this on eBay a while ago but could not find much information. I only can find out that there are only 2 of this camera in the world. Are there any other differences between this dual meter spotmatic and other spotmatics? Thanks!

05-27-2015, 10:03 AM	#3
Swift1 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oregon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,079	IIRC, that particular camera was a one off prototype that was made by Honeywell. Essentially a modified Spotmatic. Last edited by Swift1; 05-27-2015 at 10:46 AM.

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05-27-2015, 09:11 AM	#2
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	I'm a little confused by what you mean when you say dual meter. There was a Spotmatic IIa that had an extra sensor for a custom flash.

05-27-2015, 11:15 AM	#4
Dartmoor Dave Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Dartmoor, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,882	Yes, it was a prototype that could be switched between averaged metering and spot metering -- quite a technical feat at the time. It's a shame it never went into production.

05-27-2015, 11:36 AM	#5
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	If that prototype made it to the auction site I can only imagine what it could have fetched!

05-27-2015, 02:08 PM	#6
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,171	it sold for around $400...not that much, but a lot at the same time

05-27-2015, 02:34 PM	#7
g026r Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,074	$405, to list the exact selling price.

05-27-2015, 02:54 PM	#8
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Man - the market is really soft. I paid more than that for a very nice but pedestrian 'K' and Zebra normal. I paid $425 for a perfect K2DMD.

05-27-2015, 04:21 PM	#9
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	It is all about the timing - who sees it, and on a no reserve start from $0.99 auction you only get one chance.

05-27-2015, 05:07 PM	#10
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694	I'm surprised and saddened that Pentax sold off their sole copy. Chris

05-28-2015, 06:29 AM	#11
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	Neat thread! I learned something new here.

05-28-2015, 05:20 PM	#12
Swift1 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oregon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,079	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt I'm surprised and saddened that Pentax sold off their sole copy. Chris I'm pretty sure Pentax had nothing to do with that camera. IIRC, Honeywell just took an of the shelf Spotmatic, and modified it. I could be very wrong though.

05-28-2015, 08:52 PM	#13
cameraniac Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Indiana Posts: 104	I tried to rescue it for us ... well ... myself. lol!!. Maybe he'll sell the second copy?

05-29-2015, 03:58 PM	#14
Baard-Einar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oslo Photos: Gallery Posts: 964	Originally posted by Swift1 I'm pretty sure Pentax had nothing to do with that camera. IIRC, Honeywell just took an of the shelf Spotmatic, and modified it. I could be very wrong though. From what I have found out, this was exactly what they did. And Asahi I guess, said no thanks, this is to complicated to make and use. cool item but just for nerdy collectors, and nobody here on PF falls in that category.

06-03-2015, 11:58 AM	#15
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Honeywell even provides mirror lockup as an option, "The mirror lockup switch was a cataloged option throughout almost the entire production period of the Spotmatic camera series." See story -> Spotmatics with two switches