Spotmatic IIa- The Seldom Seen Spotmatic

**steamloco76** · 01-06-2020, 11:46 AM - **4 Likes**

The Spotmatic IIa seems to be the seldom seen Spotmatic. Only a single review in the PF Camera Reviews, very little information on the web and just a passing mention in most Pentax collectors books, The SPIIa just isn't all that popular. A North American Market only body with just a single new trick to distinguish itself from the SPII- a built in flash control photocell which allowed auto flash controlled by the camera with certain Honneywell Auto Stobonar flash units. A novel Idea, but apparently not one the camera buyers of the day paid much attention to, or purchased. The Spotmatic F with open aperture metering and other refinements came soon after.

My rather clean Spotmatic IIa was miss-listed as a Spotmatic F on eBay. I bought it for the lenses which came with the lot(S-M-C 50/1/4 & 135/3.5 $52 total including shipping and tax!!) and was pleasantly surprised at the very fine condition of the camera. The shutter and mirror function as they should, though the slowest speeds sound a bit too slow. The viewfinder is extremely clean. Also, the light meter works just fine with a Wein Cell 400 zinc-air cell installed. I've got to put a roll or two of film through this one in the spring to check everything out.

Being that the sole reason for the SPIIa is the flash metering capability, I decided to purchase a period correct flash unit for the camera. The Honeywell Strobonar 462 with Strobo-Eye System. The flash came in its original box with the charger and instructions. The unit does not work because the built in, fifty year old NiCad batteries have expired long ago.

One note- the 35/ f3.5 Super-Multi-Coated Takumar pictured is not the lens which came with this body. The SPIIa came with a Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 50.1.4 which I use with my screw mount adapter equipped K5 body.

Attached Images

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Last edited by steamloco76; 01-14-2020 at 05:33 PM. Reason: Added photo of flash control dial

**ismaelg** · 01-06-2020, 11:58 AM - **2 Likes**

Lovely! The SP IIa is rare indeed.
This one looks great!

Thanks,

titrisol · 01-06-2020, 12:44 PM - **2 Likes**

I had one of those in black for a few weeks... sent it out to a collector who would hae a better use than mine

Honeywell-Pentax Spotmatic SPIIa

stevebrot · 01-06-2020, 01:53 PM

In case anyone is interested, the SP IIa manual is available on the Pentax Manuals site and includes detailed instructions on how to use the flash quench circuit.

Pentax Manuals | M42 Bodies

Note: Apparently all supported flash have the same guide number.

Steve

Last edited by stevebrot; 01-06-2020 at 02:07 PM.

**steamloco76** · 01-06-2020, 03:55 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

In case anyone is interested, the SP IIa manual is available on the Pentax Manuals site and includes detailed instructions on how to use the flash quench circuit.

Pentax Manuals | M42 Bodies

Note: Apparently all supported flash have the same guide number.

Steve

Well, it looks like I’d need a Strobonar 772 “potato masher” to be correct. If I find on for the same $22 the 360A cost, maybe. I do wonder why Honeywell Pentax showed the 360A on the SPIIa in an advertisement when that flash would not be dedicated to the camera, I guess.

**gofour3** · 01-07-2020, 11:34 AM

Originally posted by steamloco76

The SPIIa just isn't all that popular. A North American Market only body

Originally posted by steamloco76

Being that the sole reason for the SPIIa is the flash metering capability, I decided to purchase a period correct flash unit for the camera. The unit pictured is a Honeywell 360 Auto/Strobonar.

Interesting camera/flash.

Honeywell blocked the sale of Pentax flashes available in the early 1970's, as they had their own line of flashes. Example the Pentax "Autorobo" which was released for the Pentax ES, was not available in North America.

Phil.

**Baard-Einar** · 01-07-2020, 04:30 PM

Originally posted by steamloco76

Well, it looks like I’d need a Strobonar 772 “potato masher” to be correct. If I find on for the same $22 the 360A cost, maybe. I do wonder why Honeywell Pentax showed the 360A on the SPIIa in an advertisement when that flash would not be dedicated to the camera, I guess.

I also think the Auto Strobonar 462 is correct for the IIa

**steamloco76** · 01-07-2020, 06:23 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Baard-Einar

I also think the Auto Strobonar 462 is correct for the IIa

You are correct and I actually found one with the PC cord and charger on eBay. Of course the NiCads are toast, but I’d never take flash photos with a 50 year old electronic flash. Yikes. I’ll put the 360 I have on my SP or SPII.

**steamloco76** · 01-10-2020, 03:15 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by steamloco76

You are correct and I actually found one with the PC cord and charger on eBay. Of course the NiCads are toast, but I’d never take flash photos with a 50 year old electronic flash. Yikes. I’ll put the 360 I have on my SP or SPII.

Ive replaced the original photos of the SPIIa. The current photos show the camera with a correct Honeywell Strobonar Strobe-Eye 462 flash unit.

stevebrot · 01-10-2020, 06:44 PM

Originally posted by steamloco76

Ive replaced the original photos of the SPIIa. The current photos show the camera with a correct Honeywell Strobonar Strobe-Eye 462 flash unit.

Wow! That was fast!

Steve

**steamloco76** · 01-16-2024, 06:11 AM - **1 Like**

Here is the official Honeywell Pentax catalog page for the Spotmatic SPiia with StroboEye

Lord Lucan · 01-16-2024, 10:05 AM

As the flash is controlled from the camera, how does the controlling signal get to the flash unit? Is there an additional contact in the hot-shoe to quench the flash, as appeared much later in the LX and subsequent cameras?

It must have been a lot better than Canon's Auto Tuning [CAT] flash system of around the same time, which was quite a contraption with a rotary potentiometer surrounding a special lens that transmitted the aperture via a cable to the flash unit, of which only one model (the low power Speedlite 133D) was ever produced. Both the Pentax Strobo-Eye and Canon CAT systems died rapid deaths with the advent of flash units with photocells in them, called "Auto" flash at the time.

builttospill · 01-21-2024, 10:52 AM

Originally posted by steamloco76

You are correct and I actually found one with the PC cord and charger on eBay. Of course the NiCads are toast, but I’d never take flash photos with a 50 year old electronic flash. Yikes. I’ll put the 360 I have on my SP or SPII.

Several people have replaced the NiCad batteries in their winders and motor drives with modern batteries. You should consider updating the batteries so you have a fully-working set.

Originally posted by Lord Lucan

As the flash is controlled from the camera, how does the controlling signal get to the flash unit? Is there an additional contact in the hot-shoe to quench the flash, as appeared much later in the LX and subsequent cameras?

It must have been a lot better than Canon's Auto Tuning [CAT] flash system of around the same time, which was quite a contraption with a rotary potentiometer surrounding a special lens that transmitted the aperture via a cable to the flash unit, of which only one model (the low power Speedlite 133D) was ever produced. Both the Pentax Strobo-Eye and Canon CAT systems died rapid deaths with the advent of flash units with photocells in them, called "Auto" flash at the time.

From the photos above it looks like you manually set the aperture on the flash control dial so the flash knows the aperture without the use of additional clunky cables.

**TwoUptons** · 01-21-2024, 01:24 PM

Man, $130 for a flash in 1973... like it was a brand new technology

I think I paid $100 for my new AF200T in ~1986... more power, TTL...

-Eric

reh321 · 01-21-2024, 02:16 PM - **1 Like**

Around 1975, I had one of those Honeywell flash units with built-in batteries. I used it with the Canon rangefinder camera I had at the time. One night I was awaken by an acrid smell - there a problem with the built-in batteries. This must have been a common problem - a few months later when I got around to looking for a new flash unit, all the ones I could find used replaceable batteries.

01-10-2020, 03:15 PM - 1 Like	#9
steamloco76 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,710 Original Poster	Thread photos updated Originally posted by steamloco76 You are correct and I actually found one with the PC cord and charger on eBay. Of course the NiCads are toast, but I’d never take flash photos with a 50 year old electronic flash. Yikes. I’ll put the 360 I have on my SP or SPII. Ive replaced the original photos of the SPIIa. The current photos show the camera with a correct Honeywell Strobonar Strobe-Eye 462 flash unit.

01-16-2024, 06:11 AM - 1 Like	#11
steamloco76 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,710 Original Poster	1973 Pentax Catalog Page SPiia Here is the official Honeywell Pentax catalog page for the Spotmatic SPiia with StroboEye Attached Images

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ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681	Lovely! The SP IIa is rare indeed. This one looks great! Thanks,

01-06-2020, 12:44 PM - 2 Likes	#3
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,852	I had one of those in black for a few weeks... sent it out to a collector who would hae a better use than mine Honeywell-Pentax Spotmatic SPIIa

01-06-2020, 01:53 PM	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	In case anyone is interested, the SP IIa manual is available on the Pentax Manuals site and includes detailed instructions on how to use the flash quench circuit. Pentax Manuals \| M42 Bodies Note: Apparently all supported flash have the same guide number. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 01-06-2020 at 02:07 PM.

01-06-2020, 03:55 PM	#5
steamloco76 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,710 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot In case anyone is interested, the SP IIa manual is available on the Pentax Manuals site and includes detailed instructions on how to use the flash quench circuit. Pentax Manuals \| M42 Bodies Note: Apparently all supported flash have the same guide number. Steve Well, it looks like I’d need a Strobonar 772 “potato masher” to be correct. If I find on for the same $22 the 360A cost, maybe. I do wonder why Honeywell Pentax showed the 360A on the SPIIa in an advertisement when that flash would not be dedicated to the camera, I guess.

01-07-2020, 11:34 AM	#6
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	Originally posted by steamloco76 The SPIIa just isn't all that popular. A North American Market only body Originally posted by steamloco76 Being that the sole reason for the SPIIa is the flash metering capability, I decided to purchase a period correct flash unit for the camera. The unit pictured is a Honeywell 360 Auto/Strobonar. Interesting camera/flash. Honeywell blocked the sale of Pentax flashes available in the early 1970's, as they had their own line of flashes. Example the Pentax "Autorobo" which was released for the Pentax ES, was not available in North America. Phil.

01-07-2020, 04:30 PM	#7
Baard-Einar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oslo Photos: Gallery Posts: 964	Originally posted by steamloco76 Well, it looks like I’d need a Strobonar 772 “potato masher” to be correct. If I find on for the same $22 the 360A cost, maybe. I do wonder why Honeywell Pentax showed the 360A on the SPIIa in an advertisement when that flash would not be dedicated to the camera, I guess. I also think the Auto Strobonar 462 is correct for the IIa

01-07-2020, 06:23 PM - 1 Like	#8
steamloco76 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,710 Original Poster	Originally posted by Baard-Einar I also think the Auto Strobonar 462 is correct for the IIa You are correct and I actually found one with the PC cord and charger on eBay. Of course the NiCads are toast, but I’d never take flash photos with a 50 year old electronic flash. Yikes. I’ll put the 360 I have on my SP or SPII.

01-10-2020, 06:44 PM	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by steamloco76 Ive replaced the original photos of the SPIIa. The current photos show the camera with a correct Honeywell Strobonar Strobe-Eye 462 flash unit. Wow! That was fast! Steve

01-16-2024, 10:05 AM	#12
Lord Lucan Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: South Wales Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,963	As the flash is controlled from the camera, how does the controlling signal get to the flash unit? Is there an additional contact in the hot-shoe to quench the flash, as appeared much later in the LX and subsequent cameras? It must have been a lot better than Canon's Auto Tuning [CAT] flash system of around the same time, which was quite a contraption with a rotary potentiometer surrounding a special lens that transmitted the aperture via a cable to the flash unit, of which only one model (the low power Speedlite 133D) was ever produced. Both the Pentax Strobo-Eye and Canon CAT systems died rapid deaths with the advent of flash units with photocells in them, called "Auto" flash at the time.

01-21-2024, 10:52 AM	#13
builttospill Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,398	Originally posted by steamloco76 You are correct and I actually found one with the PC cord and charger on eBay. Of course the NiCads are toast, but I’d never take flash photos with a 50 year old electronic flash. Yikes. I’ll put the 360 I have on my SP or SPII. Several people have replaced the NiCad batteries in their winders and motor drives with modern batteries. You should consider updating the batteries so you have a fully-working set. Originally posted by Lord Lucan As the flash is controlled from the camera, how does the controlling signal get to the flash unit? Is there an additional contact in the hot-shoe to quench the flash, as appeared much later in the LX and subsequent cameras? It must have been a lot better than Canon's Auto Tuning [CAT] flash system of around the same time, which was quite a contraption with a rotary potentiometer surrounding a special lens that transmitted the aperture via a cable to the flash unit, of which only one model (the low power Speedlite 133D) was ever produced. Both the Pentax Strobo-Eye and Canon CAT systems died rapid deaths with the advent of flash units with photocells in them, called "Auto" flash at the time. From the photos above it looks like you manually set the aperture on the flash control dial so the flash knows the aperture without the use of additional clunky cables.

01-21-2024, 01:24 PM	#14
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,215	Man, $130 for a flash in 1973... like it was a brand new technology I think I paid $100 for my new AF200T in ~1986... more power, TTL... -Eric

01-21-2024, 02:16 PM - 1 Like	#15
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,180	Around 1975, I had one of those Honeywell flash units with built-in batteries. I used it with the Canon rangefinder camera I had at the time. One night I was awaken by an acrid smell - there a problem with the built-in batteries. This must have been a common problem - a few months later when I got around to looking for a new flash unit, all the ones I could find used replaceable batteries.