[ByTheLilyPad]

In the late 60's my father had a Pentax he loved but lost while stationed in Thailand. Mom would like to replace as a surprise. Not sure what model is the right one. We know that one feature he loved was that the mirror did not flip up blocking the viewfinder when the shutter was released. The date is 1968 or earlier. Thank you for any help in the right direction.

[Sliver-Surfer]

It was likely an Asahiflex or Asahiflex II

Asahiflex I - Pentax M37 Screwmount SLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications
asahiflex Cameras - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications

[yucatanPentax]

Do you recall if it was black and silver? All black? Anything about it that would help identify it more?

If you look through the photos found here (link below), maybe you'll see one like it. The most common during that era was likely a Spotmatic of one type or another.

Pentax M42 Screwmount Film SLRs - Pentax Pentax Film Cameras - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications

Edit: those at the link all have a mirror which would flip up, blocking the image momentarily while taking a photo. Sliver-surfer's link to the Asahi cameras from the 1950's may be what you're after, depending on how exactly the viewfinder worked.

[UncleVanya]

Pentax cameras - Wikipedia

Read the above. I think anything from the model IIB onward is what he used. I really think you will need to gently pretty some more information from him. Maybe share some photos with him, " hey Dad which one of these is the camera you used...".

---------- Post added 12-18-17 at 11:33 AM ----------

Also see if you can find out which lens or lenses he liked the most.

[Thagomizer]

Just a long shot, but could he have a photo in a photo album somewhere, taken of him (by some one else) with the camera in hand or on a strap?

[stevebrot]

If it was a PX purchase during the 1960s, it would likely have been a Spotmatic, SV (H3V). or S1a (H1a). If very early in the decade, the S1 (H1), S2 (H2), or S3 (H3) might also be in the mix.


Steve

[Sliver-Surfer]

If it was a PX purchase during the 1960s, it would likely have been a Spotmatic, SV (H3V). or S1a (H1a). If very early in the decade, the S1 (H1), S2 (H2), or S3 (H3) might also be in the mix.


Steve

No. The camera she is looking for has a viewfinder that functions without a mirror blocking it when the shutter is open
it is one of these

• Asahiflex I (1952–1953)
• Asahiflex IA (1953–1954)
• Asahiflex IIB (1954–1956)
• Asahiflex IIA (1955–1957)

[monochrome]

No. The camera she is looking for has a viewfinder that functions with mirror up.
it is one of these

• Asahiflex I (1952–1953)
• Asahiflex IA (1953–1954)
• Asahiflex IIB (1954–1956)
• Asahiflex IIA (1955–1957)

It could be any Pentax that had an instant return mirror, but probably from the Spotmatic back to the AP, since it has to have a (presumably) eye-level viewfinder. Probably not an Asahiflex.

[Sliver-Surfer]

It could be any Pentax that had an instant return mirror, but probably from the Spotmatic back to the AP, since it has to have a (presumably) eye-level viewfinder. Probably not an Asahiflex.

True, If he means the mirror would auto return it could be asahiflex ii or early spotmatics .

[Bosse]

To Sliver-Surfer:
Why do you insist on Asahiflex when the thread says Pentax earlier then '68? The Pentax name came with the Asahi Pentax in 1957. So, it is probably not the Asahiflex. Besides, the Asahiflex I and IA had a trigger related mirror, not an instant return mirror. So, with the information given, we are looking for something from AP to Spotmatic. Please read Frontpage - www.pentax-slr.com for more information.

[Sliver-Surfer]

To Sliver-Surfer:
Why do you insist on Asahiflex when the thread says Pentax earlier then '68? The Pentax name came with the Asahi Pentax in 1957. So, it is probably not the Asahiflex. Besides, the Asahiflex I and IA had a trigger related mirror, not an instant return mirror. So, with the information given, we are looking for something from AP to Spotmatic. Please read Frontpage - www.pentax-slr.com for more information.

Read my last post

[monochrome]

MUP is blacked out. Instant return is not blacked out, which is the feature he liked. Also, Steve correctly cited the high probability the camera was purchased at a US Forces PX, and he named the Pentax cameras that were sold at Post Exchanges.

But - whatever. Without more information we’re all shooting in the dark.

[Ehpem]

No. The camera she is looking for has a viewfinder that functions without a mirror blocking it when the shutter is open
it is one of these

• Asahiflex I (1952–1953)
• Asahiflex IA (1953–1954)
• Asahiflex IIB (1954–1956)
• Asahiflex IIA (1955–1957)

IF it is an Asahiflex, then it has to be either the IIa or IIb, since the I and Ia do not have an instant return mirror. The IIa has other features not found on the IIb (like slower shutter speeds), so if you have a choice, and if it is an Asahiflex, then go for the IIa.

However, I see nowhere in the post anything that suggests it was a waist-level viewfinder camera like the Asahiflex. Liking a camera where the mirror returns on taking the picture is probably a generational thing as 35mm mirrors did not return, with a few exceptions, until the mid-50s, and not generally until the late 50s and early 60s. The way I read it it could even be a mid 60's Pentax that he appreciated because an earlier camera of his did not have an instant return mirror, or because a salesman made a big deal of it when taking his money.

Also, keep in mind that the name Pentax did not come into use until models that followed the Asahiflex, so that should be considered as well - they may be in the same family, but were Asahiflex cameras called Pentax by users in the 60s?

[Sliver-Surfer]

The OP most likely meant that it was an auto return mirror but all branded"Pentax" 35mm slrs are. Here is why I originally suggested the Asahiflex
All Pentax pentaprism camera mirrors block the viewfinder when the shutter is pressed. The Asahiflex has a waist level finder and an optical viewfinder(like a rangefinder but rudimentary) that is never blocked by mirror. As well, all Pentax models with Pentaprisms have Auto return mirrors which would not make any of them special in that regard. I know Asahiflex was pre Pentax branding but most people consider them Pentax. pentax-m37-screwmount-slrs. My Father In-Law still asks me to Xerox photos for him..I know what he means.

[stevebrot]

No. The camera she is looking for has a viewfinder that functions without a mirror blocking it when the shutter is open
it is one of these

The date range was 1960's ending in 1968. Purchase was while in "the service" in Thailand.


Steve