[chris667]

Hello everyone.

I have a hankering for a new Spotmatic series SLR. My old SP1000 was the best camera I ever owned. I currently have a Practica, bought from a well known auction site, but I really want a Pentax.

What I need now is advice on whether or not there are still good ones suitable for everyday use, or if they are just too old. I don't mind paying good money, but not for something that comes with a vague guarantee that it seemed to work ok when it was last used in 1998.

I was thinking of buying one from eBay and having it serviced. But where? And how much? I have seen the website for Harrow Photographic, which looks good. How much would I expect to pay to have everything adjusted and set up?

[Wild Mark]

Talk to Eric Hendrickson. If you carefully select from eBay and have it sent to him direct (as per Eric's directions), will will get a good working copy I am fairly sure of that. His CLA fee is quite acceptable.

Give it a go

[chris667]

Thanks!

Is there anyone in the UK?

[Wild Mark]

Do not know. Surely mail to the USA is not that dear? unless VAT gets you on the return???

[microlight]

Robin at Harrow Technical is good IMO; he CLA'd my 1957 original AP a few years ago. As I remember it, this was the technical centre when Pentax had their own UK operation back in the film camera days.

[Baard-Einar]

Hi

Use Pentax Camera Repair Specialists - Harrow Technical for repairs in the UK.

If you have older stuff, I would recommend to send it to Eric in the US.

Cheers, Baard-Einar

[Xmas]

As long as the mirror silvering is intact, the shutter advances and fires, the shutter curtain has no holes, and the battery compartment is not full of corrosion, generally any body can be rehabbed quite easily and affordably into a fully working unit. Even the meter is pretty easily replaced, so that need not be a show-stopper, even if totally shot. The other defects mentioned are the more difficult ones to repair and can add to cost.

Pentax Camera Repair Specialists - Repair Prices - Harrow Technical Get a reasonable one at Portabello Rd Sat street market may go on for years or 76£ when it fails... how much would a DSLR take?

[tvdtvdtvd]

I've acquired several 'good' Spotmatics in various camera lots I've purchased over the years. Typically I'm after the
lenses in these lots and the Spotmatic was simply in the bag. True to the nature of how these cameras were made,
most all of them are in really good shape, though it is also true that any one of them would need a servicing to use
them to their best potential, (new light seals, etc). However, even without servicing, I've been amazed at how many
of these 'free' Spotmatics are in good working order, ie, shutter speeds and light meter in good working order.

Keep your eye out for a clean body, cheap, and get it serviced. Even better, buy an old Tak with camera attached,
and then get that body serviced if it's in good shape.

[gabriel_bc]

Buy one from eBay from a USA seller, but ask beforehand if it's ok that the seller ship to Eric. Eric can then do the CLA and ship it to you.

[PGillin]

Buy mine. .

[Topsy]

I picked a Spotmatic up the other day - my mate wanted the Takumar 50/1.4 that was on it but didn't want the camera. I went to the shop (as my mate was working) and bought it and got a bag of stuff: very rough Cosinon Auto Telephoto 2.8/135mm lens, silver ringed B&W #23 filter, a film, probably ~'95 (that'll be a laugh), a latent film in the camera, a tag featuring some house in Berlin and a name and a pair of tiny keys. I like to think that the latter three will lead to a treasure hunt

I was pretty anxious after reading about the battery compartment and finding an old battery that leaked all over the small pocket in the leather pouch. (Any ideas on cleaning that?? Otherwise I might just bin it)
Bu the battery compartment is totally clean, camera fires well, shutter speeds seem to be correct too.

Just need to get the brass corrosion (?) off under the flash mount and find a light seal/mirror damper kit (preferably from somewhere that also carries kits for other cameras, I've got a Nikon F2 needing the same treatment) and it's ready to go.

[Xmas]

Favorite Classics / Jon Goodman's Seal Replacement Instructions

Jon still sells good guality kits.

I use mouse mat scissors and double sided pressure sensitive tape.

F2 only needs mirror foam.

[stevebrot]

Favorite Classics / Jon Goodman's Seal Replacement Instructions

Jon still sells good guality kits.

...and I believe he has an agent in the UK who sells his kits and materials.


Steve

[Johnny Rod]

Robin at Harrow Technical is going to retire, but there are others, see the repairs forum.

[Helios 1984]

Favorite Classics / Jon Goodman's Seal Replacement Instructions

Jon still sells good guality kits.

I use mouse mat scissors and double sided pressure sensitive tape.

F2 only needs mirror foam.

Jon's material is top notch, I really appreciate his non-adhesive foam for the doors as you can't possibly ruin the stripes.