Anyone who wanted a cheap SLR camera in the 1960s or 1970s quickly came across the Japanese brand of Pentax. They offered affordable cameras with high quality, in a way comparable to Minolta. These brands were considered inferior to the big names such as Nikon and Canon, but nothing turned out to be further from the truth. The Pentax Spotmatic became one of the best-selling workhorses of all time. The Spotmatic was introduced by Asahi in 1964 and was the first camera with a TTL metering system, powered by a battery. The body took common lenses with the famous and widespread M42 screw mount. The camera was produced until 1976, so there are still plenty of second-hand copies available. This SLR is also recommended by many professionals as the most appropriate vintage camera to learn photography with.
Asahi Pentax refers to a line of cameras and lenses manufactured by the Asahi Optical Company, later known as Pentax Corporation. The Asahi Pentax cameras were renowned for their innovation, quality, and reliability, and they played a significant role in the development and popularization of 35mm SLR photography. Their Pentax Spotmatic, along with its successor models, played a significant role in popularizing 35mm SLR photography. It contributed to Pentax’s reputation as a manufacturer of high-quality cameras and lenses. The Spotmatic uses the M42 screw mount, also known as the Pentax screw mount.
This mount was widely adopted by various camera manufacturers during the 1960s and 1970s, making it the most popular and compatible with a wide range of lenses. The SP was one of the first cameras to feature TTL metering. This means that the camera’s light meter measures the light that passes through the lens, providing more accurate exposure readings. For that it uses a PX625 battery (even today available as Wein Cell PX625). It also employs stop-down metering, where the lens aperture is manually stopped down to the selected f-stop before taking a meter reading. This allows for precise exposure control. The Spotmatic’s light meter measures the light primarily in the center of the frame, giving more importance to subjects in the center while still considering the overall scene. The Spotmatic features a mechanical shutter mechanism, providing reliable performance even without batteries. However, later models like the Spotmatic F introduced electronic components for additional features. The Spotmatic is known for its robust construction and durable design. Many examples of the Spotmatic are still in use today, a testament to its enduring quality.
The SP is equipped on the top with a nice large lever for winding the film and with a film counting mechanism on it. The shutter speed dial and shutter button can also be found on the right. By pulling up the ring, the ISO settings associated with the automatic exposure can be adjusted. On the left is the rewind button and a memory setting button for the type of film loaded. The early versions of the SP still have a separate cold attachment shoe for flashes. At the front of the body is the timer on the left and the PC connections for manual bulbs and electronic flashes on the right. The exposure meter can be activated with the slider at the top right of the lens. In addition to the tripod connection, the bottom plate only contains the battery compartment and the release button for rewinding the film. What should certainly be complimented is the wonderful sound of the shutter, characteristic of the Pentax.
The Spotmatic boasts a solid all-metal construction, making it feel robust and durable in hand. Its design is elegant and functional, with well-placed controls and a comfortable grip, making it suitable for extended shooting sessions. The Spotmatic features a bright and clear viewfinder with a split-image focusing aid, making manual focusing precise and straightforward. The viewfinder also displays exposure information, including shutter speed and aperture, allowing for quick adjustments without taking your eye off the subject. The Spotmatic features a reliable and accurate mechanical shutter, providing shutter speeds from 1 second to 1/1000th of a second, plus Bulb mode. The shutter release button has a smooth and precise feel, contributing to a satisfying shooting experience.
Pentax’s own line of Takumar lenses is highly regarded for their optical quality and performance. The Takumars are among the best vintage lenses. They are very popular because of the soft bokeh, sharpness and contrast and the beautiful color rendering. This camera has the well-known 50 mm F1.4 that should belong in every collector’s collection. I personally have the 7 element version, which is not inferior to the 8 elements. The lenses can be obtained relatively cheap and this also applies to the SP bodies, which were made in such large numbers that you can easily get a good working copy on eBay.
The Spotmatic, when paired with quality lenses, is capable of producing stunning image quality with excellent sharpness, contrast, and color rendition. Overall, the Pentax Spotmatic remains a beloved classic among film photographers and collectors, appreciated for its reliability, simplicity, and timeless design. The SP is sometimes called the textbook example of a camera for ‘learning to take photos’. That is right because it is a very solid device that can withstand a lot and is not easily broken. At the same time, it is a simple camera, stripped of too many bells and whistles.
My go-to 35mm SLR. Takumar lenses are superb, and mostly available (like the Spotmatic bodies) for very reasonable prices. One small correction: the SP and SPII use a PX400 battery; the SPF takes a PX625. Wein also produce a zinc-air PX400 battery.