Recently, I came across your videos on building a shutter speed tester, which is perfect because I was recently given a film camera for free since it was in need of a good home. Today I stumbled across this video, which is perfect because the camera I was given was an Asahi Pentax Spotmatic II. I can’t wait to properly test the camera. Hopefully I won’t need to give it a bunch of adjustment.
I really like my Spotmatic F cameras, that I own since more than twelve years. They are dependable photographic workhorses, which I recently tested with a modern shutter tester ressembling to yours. The fast speeds are a bit off tolerance. I did not know that a little bit of adjustment, like what you have demonstrated, could be enough to bring them back into check. I will definetly try your method. I already had this Pentax camera maintenance manual PDF, but I was a bit afraid of the complexity of the process. You made it feel more manageable. Thank you for the detailed and well captured stream of advice. 👍
When you first released these camera videos I wasn't yet all that interested. Now I'm hooked on film haha. I'm building a variant of your shutter speed tester from spare parts right now!
Thanks for the tip about modifying the wrench for closer holes. Similarly I’ve filed flats along one side of both adjustment rods so the knurled locking screws can grip them better. Works. Always surprised how much beach sand there is inside old cameras. Tells of their history.
Yeah, it’s funny when I was given a box full of camera I found a carrying bag that was used to carry a spotmatic. Not only was there a surprising amount of sand, I also found some seashells.
Thanks for this, I used it to help me with an SP F. It is under the hood where clues to the true build quality of the camera can be found, and this one impresses. I particularly like the electrical contacts underneath the hotshoe, allowing the cover to be fully removed without needing to desolder a wire. Also, where did you get the shutter speed tester from please?
@HackaweekTV Thank you! I just had a quick look. It might be a bit beyond me to be honest, but I'll watch it again later in more depth. Interesting to see how far out your three tested cameras were.
my parents owned a kodak once now its in pieces , as it was not in use for atleast 15 years took it apart and now the pcb is in my brothers scrapbook which has literally scrap in it. but as i know how old that was it had tiny eletromagnets to time the mechanics inside that was interesting to see.
I’ve messed with 4 SPs recently and they all needed curtain tension adjustments (to get equal travel speeds across an iPhone in 240fps slomo). Only had to do the high speed adjustment on one after that.
Which way did end up turning the adjustment and about how far? I have a Spotmatic's that is doing the same thing. Slow speeds are good, high speeds are slow.
@@HackaweekTV that makes sense. Mine is a lot further off than yours. I tried doing a CLA but the high speed times are still slow. Looks like I'll be giving your method the ol' try
Fantastic video, in that you detailed the disassembly very well including lots of little tips that many gloss over or mention out of synch with the instruction, nice touch with the bastardised screw driver, I suspect the slower speeds where used less by the majority of photographers, hence why the cam on higher speeds is worn, slower speeds attract more issues and where far more difficult with the din/asa now iso as a lot of people used 400 as 100 and 60 asa you would need tripods and lower shutter speeds to remove camera shake, but for clarity and less grain tripod longer shutter speeds and smaller apertures, the average person would go with higher iso film allowing for a faster shutter speed as prime lenses where and still are far more expensive so limited to 2.8 for a reasonable price, 1.4 very expensive!
I just got a Spotmatic SP and it is in in beautiful condition. But this meter is slow and not so sure I can fully trust it. So might be a good sunny 16 camera.
Maybe try another battery. Instead of use the expensive Weincell, that only last 1 year, I took the 392. That works fine, even when it has 1,55V instead of 1,35V. No adjusments needed. Only put minus outside. When this doesn't help, clean the contact surface inside the Camera for the battery.
It is best to first lubricate the mechanism b4 attempting any adjustments. Secondly, please look in factory service manuals to verify timing tolerance for shutter speeds, they are much wider than expected.
@@HackaweekTV To add perspective, the Minolta service manual for model X-300 has following opening time tolerance levels for shutter speed 1/250s - 3.17 - 4.81ms, turning into 1/315 to 1/208s as acceptance span. For 1/1000s 1/725s is borderline good as well.
Recently, I came across your videos on building a shutter speed tester, which is perfect because I was recently given a film camera for free since it was in need of a good home. Today I stumbled across this video, which is perfect because the camera I was given was an Asahi Pentax Spotmatic II. I can’t wait to properly test the camera. Hopefully I won’t need to give it a bunch of adjustment.
They're great cameras. I'll bet it works fine.
@@HackaweekTV I’m having issues with getting the hot shoe to trigger an external flash. Do you have any advice?
Spotmatics ARE great cameras, I own several. Really enjoyed the video. Well done!
Thanks for watching!
I've got a Spotmatic SP and an F - with quite a collection of Takumar lenses - I love their build quality. Thanks for showing how to disassemble :)
I really like my Spotmatic F cameras, that I own since more than twelve years. They are dependable photographic workhorses, which I recently tested with a modern shutter tester ressembling to yours. The fast speeds are a bit off tolerance. I did not know that a little bit of adjustment, like what you have demonstrated, could be enough to bring them back into check. I will definetly try your method. I already had this Pentax camera maintenance manual PDF, but I was a bit afraid of the complexity of the process. You made it feel more manageable. Thank you for the detailed and well captured stream of advice. 👍
You're welcome and thanks for watching.
When you first released these camera videos I wasn't yet all that interested. Now I'm hooked on film haha. I'm building a variant of your shutter speed tester from spare parts right now!
Very cool!
Thanks for the tip about modifying the wrench for closer holes. Similarly I’ve filed flats along one side of both adjustment rods so the knurled locking screws can grip them better. Works. Always surprised how much beach sand there is inside old cameras. Tells of their history.
You're welcome and thanks for watching.
Yeah, it’s funny when I was given a box full of camera I found a carrying bag that was used to carry a spotmatic. Not only was there a surprising amount of sand, I also found some seashells.
Thanks for this, I used it to help me with an SP F. It is under the hood where clues to the true build quality of the camera can be found, and this one impresses. I particularly like the electrical contacts underneath the hotshoe, allowing the cover to be fully removed without needing to desolder a wire.
Also, where did you get the shutter speed tester from please?
Glad it helped! I built the shutter speed tester.
ruclips.net/video/Zz3-bjtAINM/видео.htmlsi=9ZOBrpB5iVSDcvee
@HackaweekTV Thank you! I just had a quick look. It might be a bit beyond me to be honest, but I'll watch it again later in more depth. Interesting to see how far out your three tested cameras were.
Good view of the internals which might come in handy sometime, thanks! I have a SPII and SP1000, awesome cameras.
Thanks for watching!
Any tips on figuring out shutter speed accuracy?
Great attention to detail👍👍📷📸
Thanks Glenn.
my parents owned a kodak once now its in pieces , as it was not in use for atleast 15 years took it apart and now the pcb is in my brothers scrapbook which has literally scrap in it. but as i know how old that was it had tiny eletromagnets to time the mechanics inside that was interesting to see.
Great work .Thank you for your video ,un saludo desde España.
On the F2 you try first the inner screw...if nothing helps than you go for the outer...
Hello, where can I buy your ShutterSpeedTester. I live in Europe in Luxembourg.
Thank you for your answer.
I’ve messed with 4 SPs recently and they all needed curtain tension adjustments (to get equal travel speeds across an iPhone in 240fps slomo). Only had to do the high speed adjustment on one after that.
Hello, I have an SPii but my 2nd shutter squeaks, which causes it to slow down. Any idea idea on how to correct?
It would need a major disassembly to properly access that area to do a full cleaning.
@@HackaweekTV I’ve had the bottom plate and the mount detached, might take off the top plate later 👍
Which way did end up turning the adjustment and about how far? I have a Spotmatic's that is doing the same thing. Slow speeds are good, high speeds are slow.
Which way you turn it depends on how far out of time it is. It takes only a small adjustment to make a difference.
@@HackaweekTV that makes sense. Mine is a lot further off than yours. I tried doing a CLA but the high speed times are still slow. Looks like I'll be giving your method the ol' try
Fantastic video, in that you detailed the disassembly very well including lots of little tips that many gloss over or mention out of synch with the instruction, nice touch with the bastardised screw driver, I suspect the slower speeds where used less by the majority of photographers, hence why the cam on higher speeds is worn, slower speeds attract more issues and where far more difficult with the din/asa now iso as a lot of people used 400 as 100 and 60 asa you would need tripods and lower shutter speeds to remove camera shake, but for clarity and less grain tripod longer shutter speeds and smaller apertures, the average person would go with higher iso film allowing for a faster shutter speed as prime lenses where and still are far more expensive so limited to 2.8 for a reasonable price, 1.4 very expensive!
I presume these were assembled in a sequence of factory workers. How they get designed is amazing.
Yes they are very impressive.
@HackaweekTV Where can you find film for these cameras?
Amazon, B & H Photo, any good camera store. 35mm is still in use.
I just got a Spotmatic SP and it is in in beautiful condition. But this meter is slow and not so sure I can fully trust it. So might be a good sunny 16 camera.
Maybe try another battery. Instead of use the expensive Weincell, that only last 1 year, I took the 392. That works fine, even when it has 1,55V instead of 1,35V. No adjusments needed. Only put minus outside. When this doesn't help, clean the contact surface inside the Camera for the battery.
@ I will try that thank you
It is best to first lubricate the mechanism b4 attempting any adjustments. Secondly, please look in factory service manuals to verify timing tolerance for shutter speeds, they are much wider than expected.
Yeah they do indeed have a wide tolerance. I have a chart somewhere that shows this. Good tip on the lube.
@@HackaweekTV To add perspective, the Minolta service manual for model X-300 has following opening time tolerance levels for shutter speed 1/250s - 3.17 - 4.81ms, turning into 1/315 to 1/208s as acceptance span. For 1/1000s 1/725s is borderline good as well.
You neglected to CLA the camera before adjusting the speeds.
Yup.