ES vs. ES II

Stevopedia · 06-09-2009, 07:34 PM

Out of curiosity, how do the ES and ES II compare, especially in terms of reliability, ease of operation/usability, and all that? I don't imagine they're all that different, but you never know...

Last edited by Stevopedia; 06-09-2009 at 07:34 PM. Reason: word choice

jimby · 06-09-2009, 09:10 PM

Supposedly the ES and ESII have virtually the same electronics; the only significant differences between the two cameras are the battery locations and the self-timer on the ESII.

Their predecessor, the Electro Spotmatic, was an entirely different beast. The electronics in that camera are supposed to be quite unreliable as it was the first version, and the model was not sold outside of Japan.

Nesster · 06-10-2009, 06:27 AM

Asahi Pentax and Pentax SLR 35mm ... - Google Book Search

Blue · 06-10-2009, 07:21 AM

Originally posted by Nesster

Asahi Pentax and Pentax SLR 35mm ... - Google Book Search

That has some good information except it is cryptic and doesn't clearly distinguish the first Electo Spotmatics from the ES. I guessing that an actually Electro Spotty would have value to a collector!

The Electro Spotmatic was only sold in Japan and had electronic issues. the front looked like this.

and the top looked like this

When the updated ES was sold in the U.S. and Europe etc. it looked like this:

and the ESII

Here are the specs for the ESII released in 1973

Honeywell Pentax ES II

Go here for time line and sale dates for names and links to additional pics.

Screwmount

Rustyoldbug · 06-11-2009, 07:21 AM

Being an electronics guy I'm curious - what sort of "electronics issues"?

séamuis · 06-11-2009, 07:28 AM

Originally posted by Rustyoldbug

Being an electronics guy I'm curious - what sort of "electronics issues"?

I don't know specifically, but the electronics were known to simply fail and quit working.

Nesster · 06-11-2009, 07:49 AM

Consider the Electro Spottie was introduced in '71... there was quite a bit of minaturization, bending and stuffing required to get the electronics to fit within a traditional camera shape. I'd expect wiring failures and capacitor problems etc... IC's and flexible circuit boards were furiously being developed. Thus in this particular golden age of SLR, everything improved in reliability and function rapidly... until the price/performance equation tipped towards lower price... I love the earlier and middle era electronic cameras as the good ones provide genuine convenience, quality and feel. For instance, shutters and exposure systems that weren't limited in the long end...

jgredline · 06-11-2009, 06:39 PM

Boy, that black one id nice!

Vern · 06-15-2009, 08:35 PM

Originally posted by Rustyoldbug

Being an electronics guy I'm curious - what sort of "electronics issues"?

Not being an electronics guy, I can't give you any details. There are some custom electronics in the ES series that can fail over time or with damage to the body. The problem then is getting replacements. The only source is another ES body.

Vern

Stevopedia · 06-15-2009, 09:21 PM

I just got my ES in the mail today and I was both surprised and intrigued to find that the ES cannot mount the Super Takumar 50/1.4, but apparently the S-M-C and smc Taks are fine. Does anyone know why that is?

Mike Cash · 06-16-2009, 05:43 AM

The rear of the lens protrudes too far into the mirror box.

Rustyoldbug · 06-17-2009, 08:58 AM

I have been looking at getting another screw mount body. The SP1000 is great, but I want a timer. I thought a data back might be cool too. I read that they made some ES models with a Data Back but didn't see any pictures online (ES Data and the ES II Data) - I assume this means they are few and far between? Does it look like the MX data back? Any other Pentax screw mount bodies with a data back that I might actually be able to find and buy at a reasonable price?

Blue · 06-17-2009, 09:13 AM

Originally posted by Mike Cash

The rear of the lens protrudes too far into the mirror box.

I find this interesting. It was my understanding that it was the pre-Spotmatics that couldn't handle the 50mm f1.4 lenses. The exception is the later model SV.

Edit: On page 27 of the ES manual it says:

Quote:

The following 2 lenses will not properly fit the ES body due to the difference of mechanical design and function.

Super Tak 50mm f1.4

Super Tak 55mm f1.8 (with "1.8" engraved on the left of the diaphragm ring and "16" on the right

The same thing is stated for the ES II on page 29 of its manual. I wasn't able to find such a warning in the Spot F manual.

Blue · 06-17-2009, 10:47 AM

Originally posted by Rustyoldbug

I have been looking at getting another screw mount body. The SP1000 is great, but I want a timer. I thought a data back might be cool too. I read that they made some ES models with a Data Back but didn't see any pictures online (ES Data and the ES II Data) - I assume this means they are few and far between? Does it look like the MX data back? Any other Pentax screw mount bodies with a data back that I might actually be able to find and buy at a reasonable price?

There was an ESII Data II and a Spot F Data II but I have never seen either of them in person.

Edit: There was also a Spot II with a Data II back.

http://www.pentaximaging.com/files/manual/Data_II.pdf

Blue · 06-17-2009, 11:07 AM

I am wondering if the Data II will work on the Spot II, ES II, and Spot F.

06-09-2009, 07:34 PM	#1
Stevopedia Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Posts: 273	ES vs. ES II Out of curiosity, how do the ES and ES II compare, especially in terms of reliability, ease of operation/usability, and all that? I don't imagine they're all that different, but you never know... Last edited by Stevopedia; 06-09-2009 at 07:34 PM. Reason: word choice

06-17-2009, 08:58 AM	#12
Rustyoldbug Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North San Diego, California Photos: Gallery Posts: 137	I have been looking at getting another screw mount body. The SP1000 is great, but I want a timer. I thought a data back might be cool too. I read that they made some ES models with a Data Back but didn't see any pictures online (ES Data and the ES II Data) - I assume this means they are few and far between? Does it look like the MX data back? Any other Pentax screw mount bodies with a data back that I might actually be able to find and buy at a reasonable price? Last edited by Rustyoldbug; 06-17-2009 at 09:00 AM. Reason: typo, typo, typo

06-17-2009, 09:13 AM	#13
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Mike Cash The rear of the lens protrudes too far into the mirror box. I find this interesting. It was my understanding that it was the pre-Spotmatics that couldn't handle the 50mm f1.4 lenses. The exception is the later model SV. Edit: On page 27 of the ES manual it says: Quote: The following 2 lenses will not properly fit the ES body due to the difference of mechanical design and function. Super Tak 50mm f1.4 Super Tak 55mm f1.8 (with "1.8" engraved on the left of the diaphragm ring and "16" on the right The same thing is stated for the ES II on page 29 of its manual. I wasn't able to find such a warning in the Spot F manual. Last edited by Blue; 06-17-2009 at 10:31 AM.

06-17-2009, 10:47 AM	#14
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Rustyoldbug I have been looking at getting another screw mount body. The SP1000 is great, but I want a timer. I thought a data back might be cool too. I read that they made some ES models with a Data Back but didn't see any pictures online (ES Data and the ES II Data) - I assume this means they are few and far between? Does it look like the MX data back? Any other Pentax screw mount bodies with a data back that I might actually be able to find and buy at a reasonable price? There was an ESII Data II and a Spot F Data II but I have never seen either of them in person. Edit: There was also a Spot II with a Data II back. http://www.pentaximaging.com/files/manual/Data_II.pdf Last edited by Blue; 06-17-2009 at 10:52 AM.

06-09-2009, 09:10 PM	#2
jimby Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 77	Supposedly the ES and ESII have virtually the same electronics; the only significant differences between the two cameras are the battery locations and the self-timer on the ESII. Their predecessor, the Electro Spotmatic, was an entirely different beast. The electronics in that camera are supposed to be quite unreliable as it was the first version, and the model was not sold outside of Japan.

06-10-2009, 06:27 AM	#3
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	Asahi Pentax and Pentax SLR 35mm ... - Google Book Search

06-10-2009, 07:21 AM	#4
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Nesster Asahi Pentax and Pentax SLR 35mm ... - Google Book Search That has some good information except it is cryptic and doesn't clearly distinguish the first Electo Spotmatics from the ES. I guessing that an actually Electro Spotty would have value to a collector! The Electro Spotmatic was only sold in Japan and had electronic issues. the front looked like this. and the top looked like this When the updated ES was sold in the U.S. and Europe etc. it looked like this: and the ESII Here are the specs for the ESII released in 1973 Honeywell Pentax ES II Go here for time line and sale dates for names and links to additional pics. Screwmount

06-11-2009, 07:21 AM	#5
Rustyoldbug Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North San Diego, California Photos: Gallery Posts: 137	Being an electronics guy I'm curious - what sort of "electronics issues"?

06-11-2009, 07:28 AM	#6
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	Originally posted by Rustyoldbug Being an electronics guy I'm curious - what sort of "electronics issues"? I don't know specifically, but the electronics were known to simply fail and quit working.

06-11-2009, 07:49 AM	#7
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	Consider the Electro Spottie was introduced in '71... there was quite a bit of minaturization, bending and stuffing required to get the electronics to fit within a traditional camera shape. I'd expect wiring failures and capacitor problems etc... IC's and flexible circuit boards were furiously being developed. Thus in this particular golden age of SLR, everything improved in reliability and function rapidly... until the price/performance equation tipped towards lower price... I love the earlier and middle era electronic cameras as the good ones provide genuine convenience, quality and feel. For instance, shutters and exposure systems that weren't limited in the long end...

06-11-2009, 06:39 PM	#8
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	Boy, that black one id nice!

06-15-2009, 08:35 PM	#9
Vern Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 35	Originally posted by Rustyoldbug Being an electronics guy I'm curious - what sort of "electronics issues"? Not being an electronics guy, I can't give you any details. There are some custom electronics in the ES series that can fail over time or with damage to the body. The problem then is getting replacements. The only source is another ES body. Vern

06-15-2009, 09:21 PM	#10
Stevopedia Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Posts: 273 Original Poster	I just got my ES in the mail today and I was both surprised and intrigued to find that the ES cannot mount the Super Takumar 50/1.4, but apparently the S-M-C and smc Taks are fine. Does anyone know why that is?

06-16-2009, 05:43 AM	#11
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	The rear of the lens protrudes too far into the mirror box.

06-17-2009, 11:07 AM	#15
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	I am wondering if the Data II will work on the Spot II, ES II, and Spot F.