I have been a bad boy....

[unclebill]

In a moment of weakness I bid on and won a Honeywell Pentax H3 off Ebay on the weekend for about $15 US. The cosmetic condition is great however its overdue for a CLA and the mirror is locked up.

So once my camera arrives and gets the spa treatment I am going to hunt for a decent 50/55 prime. ;D

[doubs43]

Once you have that H3 CLA'd, you'll own a fine piece of equipment capable of taking first quality pictures. The 50/55 Super-Takumars are top drawer but if cost is a consideration, I suggest trying a 50mm f/1.8 Meyer-Gorlitz Oreston. Or, if you're lucky, a Pancolar. There are also lenses made for Ricoh, Yashica, Mamiya, Pentacon and Fuji that will do just fine. Normal lenses in M42 mount are abundant and not too expensive so buy several and try them all!

Walker

[unclebill]

Oh, you are speaking to the converted. I have a Spotmatic II and F, a S1a, Sv and a Model K. The Honeywell Pentax H3 will fill a hole in the fleet. Half the fun will be finding a Lens that is proper for the camera. I think a 55 Super Tak from that time period would be perfect.

Bill

[doubs43]

Bill, according to my book the Pentax S3/H3 cameras were equiped with the 55mm f/1.8 Auto Takumar as the standard lens. I own an H3 and, according to my notes, that is the lens it came with.

Unlike other Auto Takumar lenses which are actually semi-auto, the 55/1.8 is fully auto and is the immediate forerunner to the Super-Takumar series.

To be correct, that is the lens you'll want to look for (not real common) but a 55mm f/2 or f/1.8 Super-Tak would be a good substitute.

Walker

[kiev4a]

I have an H1A in good shape and an SV that has a wrinkled curtain. It works but I've never shot with it. The H1A is a really nice camera -- one I'll likely keep even if I sell a lot of my other film gear. It just feels right in the hands.

[unclebill]

Update, the H3 landed today and it is as advertised, cosmetics are nice, mechanics are a fixer upper.