[Ole]

The SP 500 was released in 1971 as a budget model of the Spotmatic II. The camera is nearly identical to the Spotmatic II but is lacking a self timer, flash shoe and has the 1/1000s shutter speed marking removed from the shutter dial. The shutter speed limitation of 1/500s was cosmetic only as the camera can operate at 1/1000s.

Asahi Pentax SP500
Also marketed as Honeywell Pentax SP500	Year introduced 1971	Year discontinued 1974	Mount M42
Automatic aperture stop down Yes	Metering Stop down, centerweight	Meter range EV 1 to 18	ISO range 20 to 1600
DX ISO range No DX coding	Exposure modes Manual, B	Exposure compensation Not applicable	Exposure memory lock No
Shutter speeds (auto) Not applicable	Shutter speeds (manual) B, 1 - 1/500s	Shutter speeds (mechanical) B, 1 - 1/500s	Self timer No
Mirror lock-up No	Auto bracketing Not applicable	Multiple exposures Yes	Winder Ratchet type rapid wind lever. 10° pre-advance and 160° advance angle
Flash hot shoe No	Built-in flash No	TTL/P-TTL flash No	Flash sync speed FP and X terminals - 1/60s
Flash exposure comp Not applicable	Viewfinder 0.88x (with 50mm lens)	Viewfinder type Pentaprism finder with Fresnel lens + microprism	Diopter correction No
Exchangeable screen No	Depth of field preview Yes	Image size 24 x 36 mm	Battery 1.3V mercury PX-400
Battery grip/pack No	Size (W x H x D) 143 x 93 x 88mm (with standard lens)	Weight 610g

Attached Images

 

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Last edited by Ole; 10-10-2010 at 04:27 PM.

[grog85361]

Pros	Rugged Construction, simple operation
Cons	mercury batteries
Rating	10
Price (U.S. Dollars)	$179
Years Owned	38 years

I can recommend this camera: Yes

Value, Features, Performance & Size
Strong, simple, honest. You make all the exposure and focus decisions.

Camera Review
My first new SLR, I bought it when I was in high school. It was the cheapest Pentax I could get. The salesman told me it was a Spotmatic without the self timer and top shutter speed of 1/500. There is a detent beyond 500, and the shutter fires, it is just uncalibrated. It went everywhere with me, must have made well over 10000 images with it. It had to go to the shop once in 38 years. I don't abuse my gear, but I don't baby it either. It has taken a beating over the years, and it simply works!