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Post by mayokevin on Oct 11, 2005 14:00:36 GMT -5
I broke down and ordered a Spotmatic with the 50mm F1.4. I am sure I will have ohter questions once it gets here but what do people do about the battery? Thanks
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Post by vintageslrs on Oct 11, 2005 15:08:45 GMT -5
Kevin
The Spotmatic is a truly wonderful, well built SLR from the 60s. I have 4 of them and absolutely love them. Now as far as the battery................. Availability of batteries for the Spotmatic is better than other cameras of the era because the Asahi engineers built in a bridge circuit in the metering which makes it battery voltage independent. This means you can use the original 1.35 mercury PX400 battery, or a 1.5V silver-oxide replacement without problems. An exact fit PX400S is available, or you can use a #392 cell with a small rubber-O ring (purchasable at any fine home repair center or DIY store) as a spacer. I believe a #397 also fits as well what I have found to work best for me (and is easiest for me) is the #6 rubber O-ring and the #392 battery.
good luck and enjoy Bob
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Post by mayokevin on Oct 11, 2005 15:22:19 GMT -5
Bob you are right it does sound easier than most other models. I will look for the O ring and 392 battery. This is my first Spotmatic. Actually my first Pentax now that I think about it.
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Post by vintageslrs on Oct 11, 2005 16:25:11 GMT -5
Great Kevin. Enjoy it. They are a joy to have and they just feel "right" in your hands. Are you aware that they are designed that you first focus on your subject and then push the meter switch up, make your exposure adjustments and then release the shutter. (which returns the meter switch to the off position). The reason for that order is that it meters thru the ground glass so the reading can be different before and after you achieve the correct focus. I find them fun to use and I have been very pleased with some of my photos using Spotmatics.
be well......have fun Bob
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Post by mayokevin on Oct 11, 2005 18:48:45 GMT -5
It was a good deal and I have heard great things about the lens. Thanks for the metering info.
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Post by vintageslrs on Oct 11, 2005 18:59:47 GMT -5
Kevin
the Takumar and Super Takumar lenses are superb. and even today compare quite favorably with much newer lenses. the SMC 55MM F1.8 is very sharp and the 35MM F3.5 is excellent also!!
they have alot to offer...so please enjoy!
Bob
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Post by Randy on Oct 11, 2005 21:20:15 GMT -5
I use a S400PX SP 1.5 volt that I buy online from Battery Specialists for 3.99 with free shipping. It's made to fit the Spotmatic Battery Chamber exactly. Here's a link to their website so you can get one: BATTERY SPECIALISTS.
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Post by vintageslrs on Oct 11, 2005 22:27:23 GMT -5
Randy
I looked at the battery in that link you gave........ it looks like it's a battery with some kinda collar or spacer around it...is it? if so, it's just like a #392 with a #6 o-ring.
could you check the one in your camera and see if that is the case or is it all one piece and all "battery"--no spacer of any kind.
thanks much Bob
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Post by kiev4a on Oct 12, 2005 12:53:46 GMT -5
I'm a big fan of the f1.8 Takumar normal lens. I think it's actually sharper than the f1.4 (lighter, too). Same thing goes for the older Nikkors. The f2 50mm is a sharpter lens than the f1.4 and one heck or a lot lighter.
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Post by doubs43 on Oct 12, 2005 18:06:23 GMT -5
Kevin, you may already know this but the Spotmatic does not have spot metering as some think the name implies. It's actually an averaging meter system. You can verify this by pointing the lens toward a light bulb and moving the view around so that the bulb is in different places. You'll notice that the responce of the meter will be different as you move the camera around.
The Spotmatic is an excellent camera and if in good condition will serve you well.
Walker
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Post by Randy on Oct 12, 2005 18:27:31 GMT -5
Randy I looked at the battery in that link you gave........ it looks like it's a battery with some kinda collar or spacer around it...is it? if so, it's just like a #392 with a #6 o-ring. could you check the one in your camera and see if that is the case or is it all one piece and all "battery"--no spacer of any kind. thanks much Bob It's a tapered vinyl collar that fits the compartment perfectly. I figure for $3.99 and free shipping you can't go wrong, eh? I've been using the same one for over a year. They also carry the elongated A1PX BP 1.5 that the Bell & Howell/Canon Canonet 19 uses that's so hard to find.
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Post by vintageslrs on Oct 12, 2005 19:08:34 GMT -5
Randy
just so I understand....the item I saw on the battery site was a smaller battery inserted in a collar--right? OK it probably worth getting because it's contoured to fit the battery compartment perfectly. the #392 and the #6 O ring works but doesn't contour perfectly to the compartment.
thanks Bob
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Post by mayokevin on Oct 13, 2005 11:28:31 GMT -5
I reread the Pentax Chapter in Classic SLR's by Ivan Mantele the other night and he pointed out that the Spotmatic didn't have a spot reading. Pentax always seems to march to their own beat. When everyone was trying to copy Hasselblad they came out with the SLR on steroids 6X7. Kevin
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PeterW
Lifetime Member
Member has Passed
Posts: 3,804
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Post by PeterW on Oct 13, 2005 17:23:44 GMT -5
Hi, I thought I posted this reply about ten minutes ago, but it seems to have vanished into the wide blue yonder - either that or I did my party piece and posted it in the wrong section again, so if you read it twice, apologies.
I knew a couple of pros who bought 6x7 Pentaxes to replace somewhat venerable 6x9 cameras because they did a lot of calendar, 'pretty postcard', greetings card and chocoloate box work.
Using a 6x6 would have meant quite severe cropping. There are also quite a few magazines who use upright rectangular format for the front cover and bleed it right to the edges. Maybe these were the markets Pentax was aiming at.
Peter
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Post by mayokevin on Oct 19, 2005 8:07:36 GMT -5
Well its here and in better condition than I would expect. I haven't had a chance to play with it yet work and other committments have left any free time. I did shop 1 of the warehouse stores for the #6 o ring without any luck. I have a hand held meter so I am ok without a battery. First impression of the camera is that its well made. I like the size after spending the last 15 years in the Nikon world it feels good to have a smaller camera.
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