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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 07-26-2021, 01:49 PM  
Got my first Spotmatic-
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 8
Views: 835
The Takumar (Super, S-M-C or SMC) 35mm f3.5 is a sweetheart of a lens... really compact. The f2 version is often quite a bit more expensive and much larger/heavier, though you do of course gain a little speed. Otherwise, as mentioned above, the 28mm f3.5 is a good one to try... very common lens and very affordable. That's about it for run-of-the-mill, non-exotic wide angle lenses in the Pentax M42 world. Good luck with your SP F!
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 01-17-2021, 04:08 PM  
Asahi Pentax SL
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 19
Views: 2,892
Love the advertisement (and, beautiful camera, Ned!). I think the last line in the advert is key... if you prefer a camera without a built-in light meter, then the SL is probably the world's BEST camera. Honestly, these days it's hard to find a Spotmatic with a functional (accurate) light meter, so why munge up your viewfinder with the light meter components? Chris makes the (correct) point that SL bodies are often harder to find and more expensive when you do find them... if you look closely at auction listings, an SL can often be mislabeled as a 'Spotmatic' or 'Asahi Pentax Camera', etc. I have found several (cheap) beautiful examples that way. I do prefer a camera without a built-in light meter sometimes.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 11-11-2020, 08:57 PM  
New Member .... hello all
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 22
Views: 1,485
Halloo and welcome from NY (not the city)!
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 10-14-2020, 08:25 PM  
SP SPII or SP1000
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 14
Views: 1,914
In my experience, it is rare to find a Spotmatic with a functioning light meter... or at least one that is accurate. If you want a working light meter, your best bet is a SPII or SP1000 (or SP500) that is in good shape, as they are a little younger. Most of the SP500's especially seem to have good meters when I get them for some reason. The clip on light meter you are getting with the SV will also likely not work very well. Plus (if you care), those clip on accessories really tear up the black enamel around the view finder. Most film is pretty forgiving of at least two stops in either direction, so Sunny 16 works just fine, Bracket the really important stuff, if possible. Another option (although not as common to find) is the SL... basically a meterless Spotmatic. If the meter doesn't function, I'd prefer to not have the dead meter bits in my view finder at all... no distractions, you know. I always just plan on sending a camera off to Eric for an overhaul when I get one... then I know it's good to go for a few more decades. Let us know how it goes!
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions 09-22-2020, 05:13 PM  
First post
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 7
Views: 546
Hello and welcome! Yay, film!!
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 02-04-2020, 04:57 PM  
recommended filters for SLR photography
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 20
Views: 1,607
My go-to's for B&W (usually HP5) are O, Y/G, Y and CPL. It does depend, though, on the particular film you are using and what it's sensitive to. It also depends on the subject matter you choose and what effects you are after.
Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories 12-23-2019, 07:30 PM  
Show me your barns.
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 465
Views: 76,504
Here's one you can drive through! Schoharie County, NY.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 11-12-2019, 01:45 AM  
Digital or Film
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 87
Views: 5,431
I shoot film only. Started photography as a hobby around 1990 and shortly after went to school to study it. When digital came to be a thing, I could never really bond with it. Early digi cameras were more like point-and-shoots and the 'professional' models were battery eating bulky plastic monsters... a far cry from something so lovely as a Spotmatic or SV. When film dried up for a while, I stopped taking photos for a bit, but later learned to buy film in bulk and load it up myself. These days, I find it very nice to use film and then scan negs, instead of making prints in a darkroom. Though, been thinking lately that I might shake the dust out of the darkroom, too. I miss the smell. Digital photography seems fine for getting images, but that process is too sterile... lacks soul. There's just something sweet about the mechanical bits and chemistry that feels like what photography SHOULD be... for sure I'm old fashioned. Whatever makes you happy, I guess.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 11-02-2019, 01:37 AM  
Vote for your favourite Pentax film cameras
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 72
Views: 6,063
(1) SV/H3v - Just a classy camera that makes me smile every time I use it.
(2) S1a/H1a - Even though a 'value' model, it seems to have something all its own... good mojo?
(3) Spotmatic - SP1000/500 might have a leg up for aesthetics, but all good, solid cameras.

SL as an honorable mention.
Forum: Lens Clubs 10-28-2019, 03:46 AM  
35mm Lens Club - all you need is 35mm...
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 473
Views: 44,438
One more... same setup as above.
Forum: Lens Clubs 10-28-2019, 03:40 AM  
35mm Lens Club - all you need is 35mm...
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 473
Views: 44,438
Super-Takumar 35mm f2 with Pentax H1. Film is HP5+ developed in Rodinal 1:100-ish for 1-ish hour. Image is cropped a bit. 35mm might be my favorite focal length... feels most natural.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 08-12-2019, 09:02 AM  
Wide Angle Lens
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 25
Views: 1,664
Sounds like you've decided, but it may not be too late for me to add a short two cents. I have both the 28 and 35 (several versions of both) and have found the 35mm to be the better lens overall. Image quality is similar for both, but the 35 is SO much smaller and lighter. You did say you were going for a lightweight kit, right? There are very few circumstances where it will really matter between either lens in terms of field of view, but the 28 is a much larger/heavier lens.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 08-05-2019, 05:35 AM  
My "new" Pentax H3
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 12
Views: 4,466
Nice work on the cleanup. It looks super sweet and I hope it serves you well! It'll likely need at least new seals... by the looks of it cosmetically, it deserves a good CLA. A lot of folks seem to be hesitant to put the $60-$100 into these old cameras to get them tip-top again, but will spend $600 or more on a new lens for their digital camera and call that a good deal. I don't understand it, but I suppose it takes all kinds.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 03-03-2019, 03:15 PM  
I love film
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 17
Views: 1,650
So glad you are enjoying shooting film! It's good to hear that you are getting so much out of it. I began taking photos just before digital was a thing... and it took a long time for digital cameras to achieve anything more than novelty point and shoot Polaroid status. Never could quite really get into digital, but film is always magic. Yes, please post some of your results... and keep shooting film!!
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 02-21-2019, 03:13 PM  
Free negative sleeves
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 4
Views: 809
Check for payment. Thanks!
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 02-21-2019, 02:29 PM  
Free negative sleeves
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 4
Views: 809
PM sent!
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-24-2019, 03:04 PM  
Lenses getting heavier?
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 76
Views: 5,909
Because I know absolutely nothing about digital camera gear, I can't speak to what is considered acceptable or heavy or light. Perhaps heavy digital photography gear will spur an interest in film cameras and lenses again? Is there a difference between the two? I can say that with film equipment (Spotmatic, two or three Auto-Takumar wide and normal primes, maybe a reasonable telephoto if needed, filters, etc.), it's all pretty light. I have found bulk to more of an issue than weight (I like a small backpack). That said, with all the talk about too much weight and then some talk of goats, maybe we need more pack goats (better than mules)... they're a real thing.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 12-31-2018, 05:13 PM  
Beginners Film system for my son
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 20
Views: 1,745
When my daughter was small, I gave her my Pentax SP500 and a few lenses to use. She shot lots of film... mostly color and that was when pharmacies and grocery stores would do 1-hr developing. When iPhones and such came out as the norm, the SP500 went under the bed. Now, years later, she has taken up my old Canon F-1 with FD 55mm f1.2 and FD 24mm f3.5 S.S.C. lenses. I'm supplying film (bulk Ilford HP5 Plus) and developing/scanning services and she's doing very well with that brick of a camera. My son has gone with a digital camera for wildlife/nature photos, but has been using a few M42 manual lenses. I believe that this is an interesting time, where analogue and digital can play quite nicely together... and kiddos who have grown up mostly (or entirely) in the digital era are still able to explore and experiment with all that 'old stuff'.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 12-21-2018, 06:23 PM  
Lens usage
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 10
Views: 1,245
Looks like I fall into what seems like the norm with the lenses I choose... all are m42 Taks on a Spotmatic of some flavor.

50% 35mm f/3.5 (Auto or Super Takumar)
40% 55mm f/1.8, f/2, or f/2.2 (Auto Takumar)
10% 135mm f/3.5 (preset Takumar)

and since the OP did it, I;m gonna shoehorn a few, too.

2% 50mm f/4 (Macro Takumar)
2% 200mm f/3.5 (preset Takumar)
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 10-24-2018, 02:25 PM  
Introduce your... film Pentax!
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 3,535
Views: 773,341
This is my SP1000. Had it CLA'd by Eric and have put half a dozen rolls of HP5 through it. Sure is a pleasure to use with the Auto-Takumar 55mm f/2... also, it is often sporting a Super-Takumar 35mm f/3.5 -both nice small lenses that are good for a hike!
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 10-20-2018, 06:50 AM  
Is there room to revive the M42 Takumar brand?
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 25
Views: 2,014
I'm not sure what would be gained... already M42 Takumars are fairly common and very reasonably priced. To reproduce a Takumar with even remotely similar quality standards would put it way above the price range of the old lenses. You can buy a pristine S-M-C Takumar 28mm f/3.5 with hood and case for around $70... less, if you are diligent. What would a reproduction of equal quality cost and would it really be any better? I'm not a digital camera user, but the only advantages of making modern M42 lenses would be 1: people might stop messing with the mounts of old lenses in an attempt to make them more digital friendly and 2: the prices of old M42 lenses might go back down a bit as more modern alternatives were available. Both of those thing are a win for users of Spotmatics (and related cameras), but the digital camera user probably wouldn't see any real improvement. Am I missing something?
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 10-13-2018, 07:03 PM  
Post your B&W Film shots
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 12,597
Views: 1,429,767
Just went out for a graveyard stroll with my newly acquired Auto-Takumar 55mm f/2 to see what it might do. Not exactly professional grade photos, but I really do like the 'TV static' kind of thing the Auto-Tak does with the out-of-focus areas (10 aperture blades... woot!), a very warm and fuzzy lens. Film is HP5Plus, camera was SP1000 and shots were between f/2 and f/5.6.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 10-05-2018, 04:53 PM  
What Is Up With K1000 Prices?
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 213
Views: 22,134
Thanks for the info fellas... I'll look into the KM (not nearly as sexy as a Spotmatic, but maybe it'll grow on me).
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 10-03-2018, 06:33 PM  
What Is Up With K1000 Prices?
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 213
Views: 22,134
I got em! Three SP's, one SP1000, one SPII, an H1 and an H1a. There is always the chance I'll see another that I just can't pass up. It's funny how many are in 'like new' condition after all these years! Totally worth the CLA to keep em rolling. I think that if the K1000 had depth-of-field preview, I'd be tempted to get one... then all the K-mount lenses... ugh.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 10-03-2018, 11:49 AM  
What Is Up With K1000 Prices?
Posted By Driftwood
Replies: 213
Views: 22,134
I was in school for photography in 1993-ish... film only. It was the era of electronic plastic junk (I know, it wasn't ALL junk, it's just a personal preference thing), jenky LCD screens and lots of buttons that would often stick, pop out or just not work. I wanted a mechanical camera. A used K1000 body would run you something like $150, so I got a Cosina (can't now remember the model) that had a K-mount. Sometime later in my college career, I found a Spotmatic SP500 for a good price (around $75, I think), with a 55mm f-2 Super Takumar on it. I loved that camera and loaned out my Cosina. All these years later, having had no luck with (or love for) digital cameras (they remind me of the old electronic stuff), getting back into film, I picked up several nice Spotmatic bodies and an army of lenses, had them CLA'd and I'm off to the races. I definitely prefer the M42 mount and accompanying lenses. As for the K1000 being so much more pricey, I'm sure that it's just a popularity and name (model) recognition thing. A lot of folks seem to be looking into film and the K1000 is simply a popular, well-known camera. I'm glad prices for the K1000 are high and folks seem to prefer them to the older Spotmatics, as it keeps the Spotmatic prices down a bit... for now.
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