Fantastic cameras, so great to see them featured on your channel! Even though I admit I don't like the Spotmatic F because I hate that you need to use the lens cap all the time to shut off the metering. For that reason I really prefer the original Spotmatic or the Spotmatic II (even though these only have stop-down metering). The ES doesn't have that problem, and I also consider the open-aperture metering much more important with this camera due to its automatic exposure feature!
Thank you for another wonderful review. I bought my Spotmatic F new in 1975, and still use it regularly. I have a number of 35mm and medium format cameras; the Spotmatic remains a favourite.
Freut mich ,daß man hier mal eine Pentax ESII zu sehen bekommt.Besitze selber eine ES .Eine wirklich unverwüstliche Kamera die auf YT relativ wenig Beachtung findet.Meine hat auch schon das "Brassing"😁.Vielen Dank für das informative Video👍👍
This was really timely. I just went shopping for a Spotmatic a few weeks ago for my dad and wound up buying the Spotmatic F. So it's really good news to hear that the meter should be accurate with LR44s. I learned a few other things from this vid and will be passing this on to the old man. As much as I adore my Pentax MX, the Spotmatic F has a wonderfully silky mechanical action and a very satisfying heft that I feel the mechanical K-mount cameras lost out on to some extent. And luckily, in addition to the 55 f1.8 provided with the camera, he still had a couple of M42 lenses still in his original collection that he'd used in the '80s with K-mount adapters.
Thank you for this video. I used to use a relative's Spotmatic and found it superb, when I bought my first camera it was just into the K Bayonet era. I really must buy one of these cameras, I have good memories of how smooth and satisfying to use they are.
I’ve just poured the Paranol-S developer in the tank for a one hour stand development and i was hoping that someone had uploaded an interesting video while i wait for the development to finish. Perfektes timing.
Tolle Episode. Die Spotmatic Serie von Pentax ist ein perfekter Einstieg in die analoge Fotografie. Preiswert, top verarbeitet, robust, kein Quecksilber Batterie Problem und von der Bedienung auf das wesentliche konzentriert. Danke für euren kompetenten Content, der mich jedes Mal dazu bewegt nach analogen Equipment zu schauen, obwohl ich schon lange nichts mehr brauche 😂
I got a secondhand Mamiya 645 super with all the accessories there was as a young man of 20 in 1992. and it really had some problems and it never worked well. So traded everything in for some money and a Pentax SEII, my dad collected Pentax and was using his K mount lenses so I could use all his M-24 lenses. It was a very good camera, now my dad gave me all his manual K mount lenses and I got myself a Pentax K1 markII and now using all.these good lenses on digital. Still have my MX and love it specially with the 40mm pancake, where my SEiI ended up I can't remember, I think my that sold all the M-24 stuff including my old workhorse. but I don't complain with a nice collection of Pentax K-mount primes
Superb soothing video presentation of a great camera system. I absolutely love my black Spotmatic F pair, which were the first analog cameras I bought, nearly two decades ago, after my dad's Praktica. They offer the use of the large M42 lenses system, and even the same battery as my Praktica, a PX625 alkaline. The PX625 alkaline, while not readily available in every supermarket unlike the LR44, is still easily found in a photograph's shop. This battery lasts long in the SPF, provided you don't forget the lens cap while not in use. And, as you said, the bridge circuit in the SPF eliminates the worries about the difference in voltage compared to the 1,35V mercury original battery. A relief, when one's compares this Pentax to the likes of Canon FTb, Leica M5 and Minolta SRT 's ... that used the same mercury battery, just to name a few that don't work well with an alkaline. I think the Pentax Spotmatic F is one of the best mechanical M42 camera that have been made, but in my opinion, it is also a bit of a trap. The open aperture metering, which is almost a given for users of more modern bayonet mount cameras, is a peculiarity in the M42 world. This feature alone can make you re-buy lenses, or focal lengths you already have, just for obtaining open aperture metering. It was the case for me, it lead to a lens buying addiction. Fortunately, SMC Takumar lenses are marvels of engineering, very pleasant to use on this camera. If you don't have a large lineup of SMC Takumars, to use with open aperture metering, the very similar Spotmatic II (released in 1971) may be a better purchase. It also lacks the automatic light sensitive ON/OFF swich, that can be inconvenient sometimes. Would I still recommand the SPF ? Yes of course ! I did not have the same luck as you with the Pentax ES II. From the users reviews, it is a nice camera, but I purchased two duds, after what I abandoned. Ebay seems to have a large share of them that have a faulty aperture priority automatic system. If it works, it certainly is a wonderful camera, but count yourself lucky in this case. The ES II electronic system is not repairable nowadays. Cheers !
Thank you so much for your valuable comment and pointing to the potential problems with ES II cameras on eBay. Really appreciate this. The other details are also very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
As always, a very nice review of two beautiful cameras. It's nice to see the Spotmatic getting a review on Analog Insights ! I bought my Spotmatic II 39 years ago when I was 16. It's been in regular use all those years to today with a fairly full set of Takumar lenses from 28mm-300mm. That camera has been back country skiing, mountaineering, canoeing and all sorts of adventures over the decades, and it just works every time. Despite now having a good number of Pentax's ranging from the SL (meter- less Spotmatic) through the KX, MX and LX, the Spotmatic and the Takumar lenses are still my favorite. And I must say I think it has the most beautiful shutter advance lever ! Really enjoyed the video. Thorough, calm, professional, and wonderfully presented.
My Spotmatic F was the first fully manual SLR I have bought for myself for like 40 euro's. I had the SMC takumar 55 1.8 and a beautiful (and I believe quite rare nowadays) two part lens hood, with a silver inner ring and a black outer ring. The meter doesnt work properly anymore but it is in my opinion one of the most elegant SLRs ever made!
Thanks for your comment and highlighting it. I was positively surprised and pleased with these results as well. My lab (Film Speed Lab in this case) did a great job with those.
These are my go to cameras, i have a Spotmatic F and SP as well. Im looking for and ES ii that has a working meter too. Have a few Takumars. These are brilliant kits and affordable. My other go to are the Minolta srt 200, the srt series are also a good reliable kit to get.
Thank you for review. It was great watch. I use primarily K-mount, and for m42 soviet Zenit cameras, suppose nostalgia is strong with 12XP for me. But ES2 sounds interesting, I will need to look for one. Original Spotmatic does not have much for me that Zenit does not have (other then 1/1000 speed) but automatic m42 sounds interesting.
I have a wonderful Super-Takumar 200mm f/4 that I use with my Olympus micro 4/3 camera. I adore the results and I am now in the market for a spotmatic body to pair it with
My first quality camera was the Spotmatic II which I bought brand new in around 1972, I payed a little more for the black body and guess what......I still have it and I currently have film in it and it's in use. Fitted with the 55mm f1.8 smc lens which after was accompanied by f 3.5 135mm and f3.5 35mm lenses and a few years back I added a used 28mm smc Takumar. Much later I backed it up with a used original Spotmatic and that woks perfectly. I recently bought another smc 55mm f1.8 for use on a digital camera and guess what both 55mm f1.8 smc lenses are radioactive. I always thought only the f1.4 lenses were 'hot' but thats's not the case.
The Spotmatic F morphed (more or less) into the KM by being given a K mount, which in turn morphed into the K1000 when some of its features were removed to save cost.
In 1962 I traded a 1935 Leica II for a new Pentax S3 which I found superior in every way. Unfortunately I let the S3 go but have a collection of later screw mount models. I can't say why but I prefer the "feel" of the SV to the Spotmatic F. Interestingly I find very little difference between the readings from the old clip-on Pentax meter and the built-in Spotmatic meter. I've never been brave enough to buy an ES II - perhaps it's time!
So my info on the electro spotmatic, the ES and the ES III is quite different! The electro spotmatic was the first one ever released but just for the Japanese market! Because the electronic was not reliable enough the ES was an improved model, released worldwide! The ES also take a 4 LR44 battery. This is the reason the ES has not a selftimer! The difference to the ES II is the battery compartment and the selftimer. The mechanical and electrical components are quite the same!
Thank you for your comment. I have actually exactly the same understanding and maybe didn’t make this sufficiently clear in the video. Please excuse. ✌🏻
Great review as always... I hope someone can answer a couple of questions for me... I have an Olympus FTL, which is a pre OM system camera and was NOT designed by Yoshihisa Maitani. I have seen some speculations online that Olympus possibly purchased this design from Pentax, as it resembles the Spotmatic. It also has a M42 mount and full aperture metering. 1) Are these Pentax lenses compatible with my Olympus FTL as far as full aperture metering concerned? 2) How do these Pentax lenses compare to my fantastic Zuiko lenses? Thank you in advance for any insight you can offer.
Vielen Dank für deinen Kommentar. In diesem Fall wurden die Negative vom Film Speed Lab in Berlin mit einem Noritsu gescannt. Es sind eigentlich meistens Noritsu oder Frontier Scans hier auf dem Kanal.
Watching your review videos is a great way to start my day. Thanks. My question to you: would you rather shoot the Spotmatic or the LX? Is one better than the other? thanks,
Thank you for your comment. This is an interesting question. Maybe for context: The cameras are from different eras and address different requirements. The LX meets professional requirements and is one of the few analog Pentax cameras that are still repaired by the official service department. It features a different lens mount, interchangeable viewfinder, hybrid shutter, motor mount and so on. This also makes it considerably more expensive on the second-hand market. The Spotmatic is an entry-level camera, fully mechanical and significantly less expensive. Perhaps that helps you decide. :)
I had the Pentax ES II for a while. The build quality is excellent but the electronics had given up and the shutter only ever fired at one speed, apparently a fairly common failure. In the future I'll probably try to find a nice condition Spotmatic F instead
As always interesting video. I know Pentax was really popular in the late sixties and early seventies. Do you know where Pentax had the largest market shares? I started paying attention to the SLRs in the early/mid-seventies and I remember seeing lots of Canon, Nikon and Minolta cameras. Some Olympus, but very few Pentax.
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Fantastic cameras, so great to see them featured on your channel! Even though I admit I don't like the Spotmatic F because I hate that you need to use the lens cap all the time to shut off the metering. For that reason I really prefer the original Spotmatic or the Spotmatic II (even though these only have stop-down metering). The ES doesn't have that problem, and I also consider the open-aperture metering much more important with this camera due to its automatic exposure feature!
Those are the two vintage 35mm SLRs I own and they are simply a joy to use. Thanks for the review!
Thank you for another wonderful review. I bought my Spotmatic F new in 1975, and still use it regularly. I have a number of 35mm and medium format cameras; the Spotmatic remains a favourite.
Good to be remembered!
I used a SPF and 2 ESII from 74 to 02 and loved them
finally some great music in the clips again
Freut mich ,daß man hier mal eine Pentax ESII zu sehen bekommt.Besitze selber eine ES .Eine wirklich unverwüstliche Kamera die auf YT relativ wenig Beachtung findet.Meine hat auch schon das "Brassing"😁.Vielen Dank für das informative Video👍👍
This was really timely. I just went shopping for a Spotmatic a few weeks ago for my dad and wound up buying the Spotmatic F. So it's really good news to hear that the meter should be accurate with LR44s. I learned a few other things from this vid and will be passing this on to the old man. As much as I adore my Pentax MX, the Spotmatic F has a wonderfully silky mechanical action and a very satisfying heft that I feel the mechanical K-mount cameras lost out on to some extent. And luckily, in addition to the 55 f1.8 provided with the camera, he still had a couple of M42 lenses still in his original collection that he'd used in the '80s with K-mount adapters.
I completely agree this assessment. I own the Spotmatic F and a full compliment of lenses. It is a wonderful kit.
Thanks so much for your kind comment. Appreciate it.
Thank you for this video. I used to use a relative's Spotmatic and found it superb, when I bought my first camera it was just into the K Bayonet era. I really must buy one of these cameras, I have good memories of how smooth and satisfying to use they are.
Enjoyed the whole 18 minutes of it. Thank you very much for making this video! Great content as always.
Thank you for your kind comment. Glad you enjoyed it. :)
Great review of often overlooked cameras and lenses. Thank you!
Great video. Thank you. What is the name of the reference book you used at the end of the video with Serial number references in please. Mike.
Outstanding Performance. Love ❤️ my Spotmatic SP ll, Superprogram and LX. You guys are the best.
I’ve just poured the Paranol-S developer in the tank for a one hour stand development and i was hoping that someone had uploaded an interesting video while i wait for the development to finish. Perfektes timing.
Haha, happy to support. :)
Tolle Episode. Die Spotmatic Serie von Pentax ist ein perfekter Einstieg in die analoge Fotografie. Preiswert, top verarbeitet, robust, kein Quecksilber Batterie Problem und von der Bedienung auf das wesentliche konzentriert.
Danke für euren kompetenten Content, der mich jedes Mal dazu bewegt nach analogen Equipment zu schauen, obwohl ich schon lange nichts mehr brauche 😂
Haha. Vielen Dank für deinen lieben Kommentar. Das freut mich sehr.
I got a secondhand Mamiya 645 super with all the accessories there was as a young man of 20 in 1992. and it really had some problems and it never worked well. So traded everything in for some money and a Pentax SEII, my dad collected Pentax and was using his K mount lenses so I could use all his M-24 lenses. It was a very good camera, now my dad gave me all his manual K mount lenses and I got myself a Pentax K1 markII and now using all.these good lenses on digital. Still have my MX and love it specially with the 40mm pancake, where my SEiI ended up I can't remember, I think my that sold all the M-24 stuff including my old workhorse. but I don't complain with a nice collection of Pentax K-mount primes
I recently acquired a Spotmatic F, LOVE the camera and lenses!
Superb soothing video presentation of a great camera system.
I absolutely love my black Spotmatic F pair, which were the first analog cameras I bought, nearly two decades ago, after my dad's Praktica. They offer the use of the large M42 lenses system, and even the same battery as my Praktica, a PX625 alkaline. The PX625 alkaline, while not readily available in every supermarket unlike the LR44, is still easily found in a photograph's shop. This battery lasts long in the SPF, provided you don't forget the lens cap while not in use. And, as you said, the bridge circuit in the SPF eliminates the worries about the difference in voltage compared to the 1,35V mercury original battery. A relief, when one's compares this Pentax to the likes of Canon FTb, Leica M5 and Minolta SRT 's ... that used the same mercury battery, just to name a few that don't work well with an alkaline.
I think the Pentax Spotmatic F is one of the best mechanical M42 camera that have been made, but in my opinion, it is also a bit of a trap. The open aperture metering, which is almost a given for users of more modern bayonet mount cameras, is a peculiarity in the M42 world. This feature alone can make you re-buy lenses, or focal lengths you already have, just for obtaining open aperture metering. It was the case for me, it lead to a lens buying addiction. Fortunately, SMC Takumar lenses are marvels of engineering, very pleasant to use on this camera. If you don't have a large lineup of SMC Takumars, to use with open aperture metering, the very similar Spotmatic II (released in 1971) may be a better purchase. It also lacks the automatic light sensitive ON/OFF swich, that can be inconvenient sometimes. Would I still recommand the SPF ? Yes of course !
I did not have the same luck as you with the Pentax ES II. From the users reviews, it is a nice camera, but I purchased two duds, after what I abandoned. Ebay seems to have a large share of them that have a faulty aperture priority automatic system. If it works, it certainly is a wonderful camera, but count yourself lucky in this case. The ES II electronic system is not repairable nowadays.
Cheers !
Thank you so much for your valuable comment and pointing to the potential problems with ES II cameras on eBay. Really appreciate this. The other details are also very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
As always, a very nice review of two beautiful cameras. It's nice to see the Spotmatic getting a review on Analog Insights !
I bought my Spotmatic II 39 years ago when I was 16. It's been in regular use all those years to today with a fairly full set of Takumar lenses from 28mm-300mm. That camera has been back country skiing, mountaineering, canoeing and all sorts of adventures over the decades, and it just works every time. Despite now having a good number of Pentax's ranging from the SL (meter- less Spotmatic) through the KX, MX and LX, the Spotmatic and the Takumar lenses are still my favorite. And I must say I think it has the most beautiful shutter advance lever !
Really enjoyed the video. Thorough, calm, professional, and wonderfully presented.
Thank you for your kind feedback and sharing your personal story. So interesting! Really appreciate it.
I've been meaning to try the older Spotmatic series for years. I guess now I've got to after seeing this:) Excellent!
My Spotmatic F was the first fully manual SLR I have bought for myself for like 40 euro's.
I had the SMC takumar 55 1.8 and a beautiful (and I believe quite rare nowadays) two part lens hood, with a silver inner ring and a black outer ring.
The meter doesnt work properly anymore but it is in my opinion one of the most elegant SLRs ever made!
Another excellent review! Thank you.
Wow - love those films you've used. The colours on the Orwo Wolfen are lovely. Brings the best out of those quality M42 lenses.
Thanks for your comment and highlighting it. I was positively surprised and pleased with these results as well. My lab (Film Speed Lab in this case) did a great job with those.
These are my go to cameras, i have a Spotmatic F and SP as well. Im looking for and ES ii that has a working meter too. Have a few Takumars. These are brilliant kits and affordable. My other go to are the Minolta srt 200, the srt series are also a good reliable kit to get.
Love my Spotmatics!
Thank you for review. It was great watch. I use primarily K-mount, and for m42 soviet Zenit cameras, suppose nostalgia is strong with 12XP for me. But ES2 sounds interesting, I will need to look for one. Original Spotmatic does not have much for me that Zenit does not have (other then 1/1000 speed) but automatic m42 sounds interesting.
I have a wonderful Super-Takumar 200mm f/4 that I use with my Olympus micro 4/3 camera. I adore the results and I am now in the market for a spotmatic body to pair it with
My first quality camera was the Spotmatic II which I bought brand new in around 1972, I payed a little more for the black body and guess what......I still have it and I currently have film in it and it's in use. Fitted with the 55mm f1.8 smc lens which after was accompanied by f 3.5 135mm and f3.5 35mm lenses and a few years back I added a used 28mm smc Takumar. Much later I backed it up with a used original Spotmatic and that woks perfectly. I recently bought another smc 55mm f1.8 for use on a digital camera and guess what both 55mm f1.8 smc lenses are radioactive. I always thought only the f1.4 lenses were 'hot' but thats's not the case.
Nice cameras & nice images
I 😍 your analog passion👍
Thanks for your comment. :)
The Spotmatic F morphed (more or less) into the KM by being given a K mount, which in turn morphed into the K1000 when some of its features were removed to save cost.
Habt Ihr gut gemacht.😎❤
In 1962 I traded a 1935 Leica II for a new Pentax S3 which I found superior in every way. Unfortunately I let the S3 go but have a collection of later screw mount models. I can't say why but I prefer the "feel" of the SV to the Spotmatic F. Interestingly I find very little difference between the readings from the old clip-on Pentax meter and the built-in Spotmatic meter. I've never been brave enough to buy an ES II - perhaps it's time!
So my info on the electro spotmatic, the ES and the ES III is quite different!
The electro spotmatic was the first one ever released but just for the Japanese market! Because the electronic was not reliable enough the ES was an improved model, released worldwide! The ES also take a 4 LR44 battery. This is the reason the ES has not a selftimer! The difference to the ES II is the battery compartment and the selftimer. The mechanical and electrical components are quite the same!
Thank you for your comment. I have actually exactly the same understanding and maybe didn’t make this sufficiently clear in the video. Please excuse. ✌🏻
@@AnalogInsights your welcome! I think it’s a really good video and the cameras are great! Love to see the more niche cameras 😊
Great review as always... I hope someone can answer a couple of questions for me... I have an Olympus FTL, which is a pre OM system camera and was NOT designed by Yoshihisa Maitani. I have seen some speculations online that Olympus possibly purchased this design from Pentax, as it resembles the Spotmatic. It also has a M42 mount and full aperture metering. 1) Are these Pentax lenses compatible with my Olympus FTL as far as full aperture metering concerned? 2) How do these Pentax lenses compare to my fantastic Zuiko lenses? Thank you in advance for any insight you can offer.
Schönes Video. Ich habe eine Frage: Welchen Scanner nimmst du zum Scannen der Negative? Danke!
Vielen Dank für deinen Kommentar. In diesem Fall wurden die Negative vom Film Speed Lab in Berlin mit einem Noritsu gescannt. Es sind eigentlich meistens Noritsu oder Frontier Scans hier auf dem Kanal.
@@AnalogInsights Danke für die Info.
Watching your review videos is a great way to start my day. Thanks.
My question to you: would you rather shoot the Spotmatic or the LX? Is one better than the other?
thanks,
Thank you for your comment. This is an interesting question. Maybe for context: The cameras are from different eras and address different requirements. The LX meets professional requirements and is one of the few analog Pentax cameras that are still repaired by the official service department. It features a different lens mount, interchangeable viewfinder, hybrid shutter, motor mount and so on. This also makes it considerably more expensive on the second-hand market.
The Spotmatic is an entry-level camera, fully mechanical and significantly less expensive.
Perhaps that helps you decide. :)
I had the Pentax ES II for a while. The build quality is excellent but the electronics had given up and the shutter only ever fired at one speed, apparently a fairly common failure. In the future I'll probably try to find a nice condition Spotmatic F instead
Thanks
As always interesting video. I know Pentax was really popular in the late sixties and early seventies. Do you know where Pentax had the largest market shares? I started paying attention to the SLRs in the early/mid-seventies and I remember seeing lots of Canon, Nikon and Minolta cameras. Some Olympus, but very few Pentax.
Thank for your comment and question. Unfortunately not. I tried finding some data when researching this video but couldn't.
Are they both compatible with the 50mm 1.4 / 8 Elements you reviewed some years ago?
Yes.
Can they still use the light meter with others M42 producers’s lenses?
What's the music playing at the beginning?
Thanks for your comment. This song is called Neon Aurora by Paisley Pink. As always, I got it via epidemic sound. I hope this helps.
Got a Pentax SP1000. Needs a service I think cause the 1/1000 and 1/500 is the same as 1/250 xD