matty
Lifetime Member
Posts: 126
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Post by matty on Jul 15, 2013 10:30:28 GMT -5
As Oscar Wilde said "I can resist anything but temptation" Just won a Pentax Spotmatic on evilbay. I have wanted one for a while but never see them in my usual haunts. I try to avoid evilbay but I couldn't resist it. Starting price was £14.95 and nobody had bid on it with minutes to go, so I put in a £20 maximum bid thinking it would shoot up but it didn't. Just awaiting delivery now and thinking how to explain it to wifey.
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Stephen
Lifetime Member
Still collecting.......
Posts: 2,718
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Post by Stephen on Jul 15, 2013 14:46:58 GMT -5
A nice bargain, Pentax Spotmatics are usually reliable cameras, with good optics, we sold hundreds and rarely a complaint. Only the colour balance of slides was a bit different to Nikon and Canon, a bit cooler and fractionally lower contrast. The later Multicoated lenses greatly improved, the contrast shot up, and colours became more saturated.
Make sure the battery compartment is clean, and has not still got a rotten battery in it!
Stephen.
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matty
Lifetime Member
Posts: 126
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Post by matty on Jul 17, 2013 13:57:49 GMT -5
My Spotmatic SP arrived in the post this morning, serial number 2989251, with the Super Takumar 1:2/55 lens (serial740879.) It's had a hard life, quite battered and rubbed (gives it a bit more character) but all the bumps are cosmetic, the lens is clean, no fungus and the aperture closes down smoothly, the shutter fires on all speeds, the view finder is clear and the film compartment is clean and tidy, just need to get a battery, replace the bumper and seals and it will be ready to go. So I'm a happy boy.  One unusual thing is that it is marked on the bottom with the Broad Arrow so I presume it is ex Ministry of Defence.  Does anyone know what the numbers stand for? A quick look on the internet suggests that they are a NATO code and that the 99 means Army issue but I don't really have a clue what they mean. Regards Matty |
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Stephen
Lifetime Member
Still collecting.......
Posts: 2,718
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Post by Stephen on Jul 17, 2013 16:45:46 GMT -5
It is a typical modern WD number, optical equipment we made had similar numbers engraved on it. The exact references would not be on the net, very unlikely. Nato use sounds very likely.
Stephen.
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Stephen
Lifetime Member
Still collecting.......
Posts: 2,718
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Post by Stephen on Jul 17, 2013 16:59:40 GMT -5
As the camera dates from the 1970's and would not be current stock, it may be possible the IWM (Imperial war Museum), could direct you to source of information, as long as not covered by the Official Secrets act in the UK.
Stephen.
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