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Post by John Parry on Apr 22, 2006 18:01:43 GMT -5
Couple of new eBay purchases today.
I've been concentrating on Yashica autofocus gear recently, with a very nice Sigma 400mm lens, a 'back-up' 230AF and various attachments.
Had a look at what was going elsewhere, and I now own a Lubitel 2 (no details other than the model number as yet), which I thought would complement my small TLR collection (eight now - mostly bought for their handsome looks).
Also listened to Fearless Leader's preaching, and joined the ranks of the Spotmatic owners. Not sure how I'll get on with the stopped down metering (I have enough trouble in that department at the best of times), but I will be able to use the M42s on it. There was a Super-Tak 35mm going at the same time, but I didn't try very hard for that. I reckon I have a reasonable collection of M42s already (although my 135 CZJ operates erratically Peter !!).
The main thing though is that I need something to experiment on re-covering cameras with, and the Spotmatic is obviously the correct machine for the job. If I screw it up I can always buy the made to measure kit to put it right.
Now, where was that advertisement for cerise coloured moleskin that I saw? !!
Regards - John
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Post by Randy on Apr 22, 2006 19:26:13 GMT -5
You're okay John.  Congrats on the Spotty! |
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cmc850
Contributing Member
Charles Cihon
Posts: 33
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Post by cmc850 on Apr 24, 2006 21:06:21 GMT -5
John- I have too many Spotmatics...just got rid of some but still have three Fs. Currently Ebaying a 35 f2 SMC Tak...also have several other lenses etc. Anyway, I really like the Spotmatic F but need to get rid of one or two. Let us all see how the re-cover job comes out. One of my F's would make a good parts camera should anyone need one...It looks quite nice but the wind gets jammed frequently. I don't have the skill to tear it apart and fix the drivetrain. I've bben using my taks on Canon digital with good results, though the teeny viewfinder with no focus aid on the screen is no help.
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Post by John Parry on May 1, 2006 16:09:28 GMT -5
Well it never rains...
Saw another Spotmatic today (a '2' this time, although I'm not familiar with the differences as yet). Nobody was showing any interest which I thought a little strange - the only thing out of the ordinary was that it is 'modified for LR44 batteries' - which seemed good to me. The other thing was that the seller had zero feedback - a first time seller, but as his location is only 5 miles away I can check it out and pay at the same time if it's OK. Oh yes - and it comes with a Takumar 55 (don't know the aperture), which is probably worth two thirds of what I paid - around $30.
Regards - John
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Post by vintageslrs on May 1, 2006 16:13:41 GMT -5
John
that sounds like a great purchase.....
some good buys come from folks new to ebay!
Bob
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Post by heath on May 2, 2006 1:24:08 GMT -5
Even though I don't have any Pentax cameras in my collection, I do have 2 of their lenses, a 50 1.4 and a 55 1.8. Both are very sharp lenses, but the 50 has some growth behind the front element. I am not fazed by this, as they both came in a box of camera bit's and pieces that I picked up for a song on ebay.
I also have a Lubitel 2, which is a copy of the Voigtlander Focusing Brillant. Very nice TLR for the small outlay that is being asked for them. Does yours have the filters still in their place inside the side of the body? Mine did, plus it has the the box, instructions and the original reciept from when it was first purchased.
Heath
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Post by John Parry on May 3, 2006 16:28:53 GMT -5
Well the Spotmatic 2 looks to be in beautiful condition. It has been quite cleverly modified for the smaller battery. The battery compartment door is now sealed, and you change the battery by removing the base plate of the camera. Works fine. Now for a test roll with multiple bracketing.
The lens is a Super Takumar 1.8/55 - perfect. Turned out the chap had no bids for any of the stuff he'd posted. He couldn't be bothered to re-list it, so did I want to make him an offer?
I said I was a little concerned about the battery modification, so he said he understood and would only ask £10 ($16) for the lot, so I said OK.
The other stuff was an Agfa Super Silette in lovely condition, Soligor 28 & 135 lenses (all with nice leather cases), a set of extension tubes, a Miranda zoom flash, and a pair of functioning 70's vintage light meters.
Caught him at the right moment!!
Now to wait for the other Spotmatic !
Regards - John
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PeterW
Lifetime Member
Member has Passed
Posts: 3,804
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Post by PeterW on May 3, 2006 17:09:10 GMT -5
Sounds like an excellent buy, John.
Was this a face-to-face deal with the guy that lives about five miles from you? Whether it was or not, well done! Hope the Spotmatic metering arrangement works accurately with the battery mod.
The Super Silette with 28mm and 135mm lenses intriques me. I haven't come across a Super Silette with interchangeable lenses, only an Ambi Silette (the one with a flip-up cover over the viewfinder and rangefinder windows), and I didn't know that the range of lenses for that went as high as 135mm. Is there a brightline in the viewfinder for 135?
Peter W.
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Post by paulatukcamera on May 4, 2006 17:47:15 GMT -5
From the 1959 catalogue - to fit the Ambi Silette
(none of the Super Silettes had interchangeable lenses):
Color Telinear Telephoto lenses:
f4 - 5 element 90mm ref 4402/020 £30.13.2
f4 - 6 Element 130mm ref 4421/000 £47.13.3
62mm screw in lens hood for 130mm £2.8.10
Also available for the Ambiflex Reflex - different mount & appearance, but cheaper!
f3.4 - 5 element 90mm £30.13.2 Ref 4413/020
f4 - 5 element 135mm £40.16.11 Ref 4414/020
and a wide angle
f3.4 - 4 element 35mm £30.13.2
The Ambiflex 111 had an Color Solagon f2 55mm 6 element as opposed to the Ambiflex 11 & Ambi Silette's f2.8 Color Solinar 4 element
The later Selectaflex added a:
Color Telinear f4.5 180mm at £83.13.11!
Which goes to some extent to explain why you have never seen one!
That's the lot and also explains why people largely bought Bessamatics & Retina reflexes & Retina 111s rangefinder instead if they wanted a better range of lenses.
Paul
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Post by John Parry on May 5, 2006 1:58:51 GMT -5
Sorry Peter & Paul - misled you there by mentioning the lenses in the same sentence as the Super Silette. They were M42s for the Spotmatic. In my experience, the Soligors are 'workmanlike' lenses - nothing special. About what you'd expect for somebody to buy in 1972 - spent most of their money on the Spotmatic and Takumar, and extended their range with the cheaper Soligors. Will give more details on the Silette later.
Regards - John
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Post by kiev4a on May 5, 2006 8:11:43 GMT -5
The Spotmatic II and Spotmatic have what is called a "bridge" electrical circuit. It can use silver batteries with no modification. All you need is a spacer around the smaller silver battery.
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Post by John Parry on May 5, 2006 16:12:27 GMT -5
Thanks Wayne - good to know that - like the Prakticas then.
The Super Silette has an Apotar 3.5/45. If I remember from correspondence about my Isolette, the Apotar is the better of the 'standard' lenses (the Agnar being the other), although there were some other 'premium' quality lenses as well. The shutter is the Prontor SVS. The rangefinder is fine, with distances in feet. The case is absolutely lovely. Inside the front cover is a sticker saying "Remove Filter" in German, English, French and Spanish. The filter didn't come with it, so I'll never know what'll happen if I don't remove it!
Regards - John
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PeterW
Lifetime Member
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Posts: 3,804
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Post by PeterW on May 5, 2006 16:47:02 GMT -5
Hi John, The Apotar is a nice lens, one of the best triplets around and much better than the Agnar. I gave my daughter a Super Silette with Apotar lens and she had it for years. Produced some fine pictures. She gave it back to me when I fixed up a Pentax for her, and it's now joined my other Super Silette, a top of the range model with a six-element Solagon lens. If you fancy having a look at a lot more of them (33 in all) go to www.chromeagecamera.com/ChromeAgeCollection.htm |
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Post by kiev4a on May 5, 2006 17:04:01 GMT -5
The Ansco Super Memar is the same camera as the Super Silette, I believe. The Super Memar was my first 35mm camera--still have it. It has an F2 lens rather than the F3.5. I ran some film through it recently for the first time in about 30 years and wasn't terribly impressed with the lens sharpness. I have been told by someone who seemed to know quite a bit about them that because the front element of the lens protrudes almost past the front lens ring, it is very suseptible to extraneous light sneaking in from the sides. He claims the lens doe much better with a lens shade attached. I haven't got around to testing the claim.
Thats a nice camera collection,
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Congrats on the Spotty!
