[ismaelg]

Hello,

As you know I'm a big fan of the S(H) series of cameras. I have posted about their history in countless other posts. The SV (H3v) and the S1a (H1a) were the longest production of the series as they co-existed with the Spotmatic (launched in 1964) for a few years. They were both made until 1968. Not surprisingly, there were some rolling changes thru the years. But there was a major update that distinguish what we now call "Early" vs "Late" models.
The new King of the hill / Zeiss Planar-killer / we'll make the world's best or bust / everybody is doing 6 or 7 so we'll make 8 elements / Super Takumar 50 f1.4 lens was released in 1964 (along with the Spotmatic). This lens protruded a bit more into the camera and could interfere with earlier M42 cameras auto pin pushbar. This prompted a redesign of the pushbar in the current cameras in production: the SV (H3v) and the S1a (H1a). In order to differentiate these, the color on the "R" in the rewind knob was changed. Bu there are other subtle and no so subtle variations. Many of these changes were most likely rolling production changes so I wouldn't be surprised if you could find cameras with some combination of them. Not to mention that in their almost 60 years history, servicing could have happened with non-identical parts.
I just restored a late version and had a chance to compare with an earlier version restored a little while ago. Here are some of the external visually noticeable changes.

Can you spot the differences?



Some of those changes are:









I hope you like this. Let me know if I missed anything or if there is any error. I'm not an expert. Just an enthusiast.

Thanks,

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Last edited by ismaelg; 11-26-2020 at 09:36 AM.

[UncleVanya]

Very informative. I thinking what fascinated me was thinking about how the rolling design changes must have been complicated to repair. The level of expertise required by camera technicians in those dates was different than today's swap and toss parts model.

[aslyfox]

very nicely done

you might consider posting a review with that data about the differences in the owners' review:

Pentax S1a (H1a)

Description:
The S1a was released in 1962, and was intended to be a budget model of the SV. The S1a was nearly identical to the SV, lacking the timer and being equipped with a slower 55/2 Super Takumar lens. The S1a was 'marketed' as being limited to 1/500s, and does not list the 1/1000 marking for the shutter speed. The camera can however be set to the unmarked area and will function at 1/1000s. The camera could be fitted with a light meter, which coupled to the shutter speed dial.

Read more at: Pentax S1a (H1a) - Pentax M42 Screwmount Film SLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications

[pathdoc]

Always, if you can, get the late model for the best lens flexibility.

[titrisol]

Yes I rememeber reading about the Orange vs Green R is some takumar lens brochure.
It recommended not using the 8 element (not blades) 50/1.4 in the older versions

[ramseybuckeye]

Great article! I wonder how many latches were broken when someone tried to open like the other, or just the frustration.

[stevebrot]

Always, if you can, get the late model for the best lens flexibility.

This...The 8-element ST 50/1.4 is not the only lens that may come to grief on the old-style flipper. Non-Pentax lenses with fat/deep rears may also be incompatible.


Steve

[Breakfastographer]

Thanks for this, Ismael! Very interesting to see it so well-illustrated.

[ismaelg]

Yes I rememeber reading about the Orange vs Green R is some takumar lens brochure.
It recommended not using the 8 element (not blades) 50/1.4 in the older versions

Thanks! Yes, elements not blades. I fixed it. It was too early in the morning for my fat fingers 😆

[nickthetasmaniac]

In order to differentiate these, the color on the "R" in the rewind knob was changed.

The colour of the 'R' is not always a reliable indicator. I have three SV's, all with a red 'R'. Two have the later, curved aperture plate, while the other has the earlier flat plate.

[Jonathan Mac]

Interesting to see the differences, both look very nice though.

[ismaelg]

The colour of the 'R' is not always a reliable indicator. I have three SV's, all with a red 'R'. Two have the later, curved aperture plate, while the other has the earlier flat plate.

Yes. While it was a factory change, the rewind knob is the easiest part to remove/replace. It is very likely many of these cameras have been serviced at one point or another as they are already pushing over 55 years old. I can visualize a small service/repair tech desk with a little bin full of those mixed up. I can also see somebody trying to pass older stock for a later model.

Thanks,

[DBiancosino]

Hello,

As you know I'm a big fan of the S(H) series of cameras. I have posted about their history in countless other posts. The SV (H3v) and the S1a (H1a) were the longest production of the series as they co-existed with the Spotmatic (launched in 1964) for a few years. They were both made until 1968. Not surprisingly, there were some rolling changes thru the years. But there was a major update that distinguish what we now call "Early" vs "Late" models.
The new King of the hill / Zeiss Planar-killer / we'll make the world's best or bust / everybody is doing 6 or 7 so we'll make 8 elements / Super Takumar 50 f1.4 lens was released in 1964 (along with the Spotmatic). This lens protruded a bit more into the camera and could interfere with earlier M42 cameras auto pin pushbar. This prompted a redesign of the pushbar in the current cameras in production: the SV (H3v) and the S1a (H1a). In order to differentiate these, the color on the "R" in the rewind knob was changed. Bu there are other subtle and no so subtle variations. Many of these changes were most likely rolling production changes so I wouldn't be surprised if you could find cameras with some combination of them. Not to mention that in their almost 60 years history, servicing could have happened with non-identical parts.
I just restored a late version and had a chance to compare with an earlier version restored a little while ago. Here are some of the external visually noticeable changes.

Can you spot the differences?



Some of those changes are:









I hope you like this. Let me know if I missed anything or if there is any error. I'm not an expert. Just an enthusiast.

Thanks,

Thanks, never realized, I’ll go check. I think based on this I have an early model. Was my Dad’s, but is the one I learned on.have the clip on meter too.

[Markf044]

Another difference is that later models of the S1A don’t have the two screws either side of the the viewfinder window. Also take-up spools and sprockets vary in material.

[lesmore49]

My first camer, was an S1a, which I bought new, in 1968. I used it for work and pleasure during it's first three years. I still have it, use it on occasion. Never had it serviced. Only issue was back in 1970, when I was using it for about two hours, outside, in a minus 32 F day, on the Saskatchewan prairie, the shutter froze up.

I took it too my hotel room, let it sit in room temp for a couple of hours...it was working again.

Never, ever another issue...and that is over 54 years, since I first acquired it. They are good, solid cameras.