Spotmatic Identification?

BATMON · 12-13-2017, 07:26 AM

How can i identify this?

timw4mail · 12-13-2017, 07:34 AM

An original Spotmatic.

There's not generally too much mystery to identifying Spotmatic models.

BATMON · 12-13-2017, 07:36 AM

When I go to the listings of Spots at this site , there's a whole page of them.

timw4mail · 12-13-2017, 07:41 AM

Originally posted by BATMON

When I go to the listings of Spots at this site , there's a whole page of them.

Correct, but the image is of a "Spotmatic" not a "Spotmatic II", "Spotmatic 500", "Spotmatic 1000", "Spotmatic ES", etc.

The specifics of the model are generally on the top plate, with 'SP' standing for Spotmatic.

This is the specific model in the image: Pentax Spotmatic - Pentax M42 Screwmount Film SLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications

BATMON · 12-13-2017, 07:43 AM

Thanx!!!

Tako Kichi · 12-13-2017, 08:41 AM

It looks like it has an aftermarket flash shoe on it too. My original SP was one without the shoe so to use flash you had to get an 'L' bracket and sync cable, I traded it in for a SPII a couple of years later.

**boriscleto** · 12-13-2017, 09:20 AM

Originally posted by Tako Kichi

It looks like it has an aftermarket flash shoe on it too. My original SP was one without the shoe so to use flash you had to get an 'L' bracket and sync cable, I traded it in for a SPII a couple of years later.

It looks just like the Asahi Pentax accessory shoe on my SP...

**microlight** · 12-13-2017, 10:27 AM

Version 2 of the original Spottie, in nice condition and sporting a very nice SuperTak 50mm/F1.4! Serial 259xxxx puts it around 1966-68 vintage. It should have an ASA range of 20-1600, with 23102 engraved on the base plate. Version 1 was 1964, serial 100xxxx to 150xxxx with an ASA range of 10-800 and 231 on the base plate.

BATMON · 12-13-2017, 10:55 AM

Alright!

pathdoc · 12-13-2017, 11:29 AM

Originally posted by microlight

Version 2 of the original Spottie, in nice condition and sporting a very nice SuperTak 50mm/F1.4! Serial 259xxxx puts it around 1966-68 vintage. It should have an ASA range of 20-1600, with 23102 engraved on the base plate. Version 1 was 1964, serial 100xxxx to 150xxxx with an ASA range of 10-800 and 231 on the base plate.

This is interesting, because it would demonstrate a shift in the sorts of films available at the time which these cameras could reasonably be expected to shoot. For the pre-Spotmatics it didn't matter, as the ASA setting was only a reminder anyway, but for the Spotmatics it was very pertinent due to their inbuilt meters. The breadth of sensitivities does not change, but the upper and lower bounds have both shifted upwards.

BATMON · 12-13-2017, 02:08 PM

Recommended film to use?

timw4mail · 12-13-2017, 02:23 PM

Originally posted by BATMON

Recommended film to use?

Color (negative), Black and White, or Slide?

stevebrot · 12-13-2017, 02:26 PM

Originally posted by boriscleto

It looks just like the Asahi Pentax accessory shoe on my SP...

Looks like the one I have on my SV

Steve

BATMON · 12-13-2017, 02:59 PM

Originally posted by timw4mail

Color (negative), Black and White, or Slide?

Black & White

stevebrot · 12-13-2017, 08:39 PM

Originally posted by microlight

Version 2 of the original Spottie, in nice condition and sporting a very nice SuperTak 50mm/F1.4! Serial 259xxxx puts it around 1966-68 vintage. It should have an ASA range of 20-1600, with 23102 engraved on the base plate. Version 1 was 1964, serial 100xxxx to 150xxxx with an ASA range of 10-800 and 231 on the base plate.

Interesting. I have in front of me an AOC SP

Serial 123xxxx
23102 on the right rear edge of the base
ASA 20-1600
Top attachment screw (slotted) at the side (3 o'clock) under wind lever
No film door roller
Meter switch with "red window"
Short frame counter

The model number pins the body as "late", while the serial number is "early". Apparently there is some overlap of the serial number ranges as well as the parts-mix. My camera...

I believe this photo lifted from an old eBay auction shows an early Spotmatic; note ~~top screw location and~~ tall frame counter...

Steve

12-13-2017, 07:26 AM	#1
BATMON Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 207	Spotmatic Identification? How can i identify this?

12-13-2017, 08:39 PM	#15
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by microlight Version 2 of the original Spottie, in nice condition and sporting a very nice SuperTak 50mm/F1.4! Serial 259xxxx puts it around 1966-68 vintage. It should have an ASA range of 20-1600, with 23102 engraved on the base plate. Version 1 was 1964, serial 100xxxx to 150xxxx with an ASA range of 10-800 and 231 on the base plate. Interesting. I have in front of me an AOC SP Serial 123xxxx 23102 on the right rear edge of the base ASA 20-1600 Top attachment screw (slotted) at the side (3 o'clock) under wind lever No film door roller Meter switch with "red window" Short frame counter The model number pins the body as "late", while the serial number is "early". Apparently there is some overlap of the serial number ranges as well as the parts-mix. My camera... I believe this photo lifted from an old eBay auction shows an early Spotmatic; note ~~top screw location and~~ tall frame counter... Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 12-14-2017 at 02:02 PM.

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12-13-2017, 07:34 AM	#2
timw4mail Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Driving a Mirage Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,670	An original Spotmatic. There's not generally too much mystery to identifying Spotmatic models.

12-13-2017, 07:36 AM	#3
BATMON Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 207 Original Poster	When I go to the listings of Spots at this site , there's a whole page of them.

12-13-2017, 07:41 AM	#4
timw4mail Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Driving a Mirage Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,670	Originally posted by BATMON When I go to the listings of Spots at this site , there's a whole page of them. Correct, but the image is of a "Spotmatic" not a "Spotmatic II", "Spotmatic 500", "Spotmatic 1000", "Spotmatic ES", etc. The specifics of the model are generally on the top plate, with 'SP' standing for Spotmatic. This is the specific model in the image: Pentax Spotmatic - Pentax M42 Screwmount Film SLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications

12-13-2017, 07:43 AM	#5
BATMON Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 207 Original Poster	Thanx!!!

12-13-2017, 08:41 AM	#6
Tako Kichi Veteran Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: SW Ontario, Canada (ex-pat Brit) Posts: 1,296	It looks like it has an aftermarket flash shoe on it too. My original SP was one without the shoe so to use flash you had to get an 'L' bracket and sync cable, I traded it in for a SPII a couple of years later.

12-13-2017, 09:20 AM	#7
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by Tako Kichi It looks like it has an aftermarket flash shoe on it too. My original SP was one without the shoe so to use flash you had to get an 'L' bracket and sync cable, I traded it in for a SPII a couple of years later. It looks just like the Asahi Pentax accessory shoe on my SP...

12-13-2017, 10:27 AM	#8
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	Version 2 of the original Spottie, in nice condition and sporting a very nice SuperTak 50mm/F1.4! Serial 259xxxx puts it around 1966-68 vintage. It should have an ASA range of 20-1600, with 23102 engraved on the base plate. Version 1 was 1964, serial 100xxxx to 150xxxx with an ASA range of 10-800 and 231 on the base plate.

12-13-2017, 10:55 AM	#9
BATMON Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 207 Original Poster	Alright!

12-13-2017, 11:29 AM	#10
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Originally posted by microlight Version 2 of the original Spottie, in nice condition and sporting a very nice SuperTak 50mm/F1.4! Serial 259xxxx puts it around 1966-68 vintage. It should have an ASA range of 20-1600, with 23102 engraved on the base plate. Version 1 was 1964, serial 100xxxx to 150xxxx with an ASA range of 10-800 and 231 on the base plate. This is interesting, because it would demonstrate a shift in the sorts of films available at the time which these cameras could reasonably be expected to shoot. For the pre-Spotmatics it didn't matter, as the ASA setting was only a reminder anyway, but for the Spotmatics it was very pertinent due to their inbuilt meters. The breadth of sensitivities does not change, but the upper and lower bounds have both shifted upwards.

12-13-2017, 02:08 PM	#11
BATMON Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 207 Original Poster	Recommended film to use?

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12-13-2017, 02:23 PM	#12
timw4mail Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Driving a Mirage Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,670	Originally posted by BATMON Recommended film to use? Color (negative), Black and White, or Slide?

12-13-2017, 02:26 PM	#13
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by boriscleto It looks just like the Asahi Pentax accessory shoe on my SP... Looks like the one I have on my SV Steve

12-13-2017, 02:59 PM	#14
BATMON Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 207 Original Poster	Originally posted by timw4mail Color (negative), Black and White, or Slide? Black & White