We need a Spotmatic section.

[cdifoto]

The seller of my newly acquired Pentax Spotmatic did not include a battery (d'oh!) so I can't test the meter, but using my Sekonic outdoors and Sunpak flash as primary light indoors, I fired off a test roll. Here are a couple of the least lame snaps. :rolleyes:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/spotmatic/2007-01-12-014.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/spotmatic/2007-01-12-010.jpg

And the obligatory selfy in mirror shot:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/spotmatic/2007-01-12-001.jpg


Everything seems to work fine and smooth. Some of these pics have a green tint to them on my screen but that could be a result of Wal-Mart's [crappy?] processing and scanning (I had them scan the film direct for me and slap 'em on a CD. It was cheaper than paying for 4x6s and scanning those myself).

BTW I performed zero processing on these. Just the border and watermark. No sharpening, "color correction", etc - nothing.

[cdifoto]

And here's the gear itself. Asahi Pentax Spotmatic (original) with Super-Takumar 50mm f/1.4 lens and Asahi-Pentax shoe accessory. Strap is also OEM, as is the case (not shown). Unforunately the camera and case weren't originally together...the case has Honeywell-Pentax stamped on it while the rest is "purebred" Pentax.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/gear/2007-01-12-001.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/gear/2007-01-12-002.jpg

[Rhys]

Spotmatic? You might find it impossible to get batteries as it used mercuric oxide batteries. The environmental head cases had most mercury-based batteries banned which has caused no end of headaches in most industries.

I believe Pentax might be able to tweak the meter so that you can use ordinary button cell batteries but I'm not sure.

The advantage of these mechanical beauties is they do not need batteries in their meters in order to take photos. I suggest you learn the Sunny 16 rule and variations of it so that you can take photos without a meter - as many older photographers used to do. DO you imagine Robert Capa used a meter all the time? Ansel Adams certainly didn't.

[cdifoto]

Spotmatic? You might find it impossible to get batteries as it used mercuric oxide batteries. The environmental head cases had most mercury-based batteries banned which has caused no end of headaches in most industries.

I believe Pentax might be able to tweak the meter so that you can use ordinary button cell batteries but I'm not sure.

The advantage of these mechanical beauties is they do not need batteries in their meters in order to take photos. I suggest you learn the Sunny 16 rule and variations of it so that you can take photos without a meter - as many older photographers used to do. DO you imagine Robert Capa used a meter all the time? Ansel Adams certainly didn't.

Actually I found some 1.35v non-Merc batteries online that will work without metering issues. Pricey for a battery but in the grand scheme of things not too bad. I bought 2.

I don't care about Robert Capa and Ansel Adams. I want a working meter. :D

[Nickcanada]

I don't care about Robert Capa and Ansel Adams. I want a working meter. :D

hehe, very true. that is a sweet looking camera. and very sharp looking pics. what kind of film did you use? what ISO? do you know the F stop and SS? Have you tryed it wide open?

[cdifoto]

hehe, very true. that is a sweet looking camera. and very sharp looking pics. what kind of film did you use? what ISO? do you know the F stop and SS? Have you tryed it wide open?

Thanks Nick. It's ISO400 Kodak Professional B&W film. I don't really like it so much but it was either that or expired Fuji Superia. :eek: I have some various branded ISO100 and 200 speed in both B&W and color in my B&H shopping cart---just waiting until they reopen.


The indoors shots were at f/8 and 1/60th because that's the sync speed and the aperture needed for short range with the flash @ the film speed. The outdoor was f/4 for sure and 1/250th I believe.

[cwphoto]

Classy looking camera Bud. :)

Pics look great.

[cdifoto]

Thanks CW. I'm on the prowl for a 135mm now. I debating between a Soligor f/3.5 for a shade over $31 all in based on coldy's experience with his teleconverter, or a Pentax SMC f/3.5 for nearly $67 all in. The cheapskate in me wants to go with the Soligor but the Pentax guarantees good IQ. I've found nearly zero information on the Soligor. :(

[cwphoto]

Shipping will cost more than the lens! :D

You gotta go the Pentax surely. :cool:

[cdifoto]

Shipping will cost more than the lens! :D

You gotta go the Pentax surely. :cool:

Yeah I'm starting to lean towards it now. The Soligor includes a 2x teleconverter but I can't see myself trying to manually focus that dark-ass thing. That's what, f/5.6 or so? :rolleyes:

I definitely don't want to budget Zeiss to this just yet. Not too terribly expensive but I'm trying to do this with minimal (yet quality) investment. Kinda like L primes vs perfectly capable consumer primes.

I also want to get a negative scanner so I don't have to rely on Wal-Mart's low resolution versions. They only gave me 1818x1228px scans. That's kinda disappointing.

[jamison55]

We should have a DCRP "shoot a roll of film" day, and ask folks to use the oldest camera they own. I recently bought a Yashica rangefinder from the early 60's and have an Olympus OM setup that my FIL gave me.

Don, hold off on the 135 purchase. I have a couple old 135 screw mounts and you're welcome to one. I never really took a shine to them on the 1.6 CF body and with the mirror clearance issue I'm scared to mont one on the 5D...

[cdifoto]

We should have a DCRP "shoot a roll of film" day, and ask folks to use the oldest camera they own. I recently bought a Yashica rangefinder from the early 60's and have an Olympus OM setup that my FIL gave me.

Don, hold off on the 135 purchase. I have a couple old 135 screw mounts and you're welcome to one. I never really took a shine to them on the 1.6 CF body and with the mirror clearance issue I'm scared to mont one on the 5D...

We should definitely do that. I'm already a bit hooked on this classic 35mm stuff. Wouldn't want to try a paid gig with it but it's kinda relaxing to just walk around and put more effort into everything. My pics still suck but at least I earned it. LOL.

Re: 135mm. I'm sending you a PM.

[24Peter]

These are very cool Don. I wouldn't have a clue what to do with a film camera at this point.. :o

[aparmley]

These are very cool Don. I wouldn't have a clue what to do with a film camera at this point.. :o

Took the words right off my keyboard!

[cdifoto]

Thanks. These pics are lame really but I wasn't "trying". Why waste effort on a test roll. :p

I ordered 4 more rolls of film from B&H. Gonna get off my butt and see if I can't actually produce something worthwhile for once.

[Mark_48]

Now that you've stepped into the realm of film, will the next move be a real darkroom (enlarger, chemicals, etc.)? Holga MF camera? Or the Kiev 88?

http://www.argonauta.com/html/holga_cameras.htm

http://www.kievusa.com/kiev88s.html