The SLR that Outsold Canon & Nikon COMBINED

[@terryjacob8169]

In the late 1960's two of my mates ( brothers ) earned very healthy incomes as 'glamour' photographers shooting photo sets for soft-porn men's magazines. Their cameras of choice were Pentax Spotmatics. Between the two of them they had five or six bodies and a whole collection of 55, 85, and 105mm Takumar lenses. It was on their recommendation I bought my first Spotmatic, a decision I never regretted.

[@Enevan1968]

Never knock porn 😄

[@RascalKyng]

Did you have to mention the Male Porn part. Story would have been fine with fewer details. Lol.

[@want2killu]

first of all thats the best part of the story, secondly its soft porn men's magazines, which means pictures of girls. you might be gay bro

[@i_yahooed_into_beans]

Most unexpected comment to see on a Spotmatic vid

[@neowy]

Much better story with the nice piece of history 😉

[@rickyzagalo]

Excellent show, a pleasure to watch. Gorgeous music, deep and clear voice, a beautifull Spotmatic example, and everything to know about this very important camera. I have several old slr, Nikon, Canon, Leica and, the Spotmatic (mine is the II) is always a pleasure to shoot with, giving excellent results in all 36 exposures.

[@BarwickGreen]

A great homage to the Spotmatic. I took my first picture with one around 1967, it belonged to my Father, a forensic photographer. I still have it and use it, with an adaptor to take a modern battery. I think it just looks right. I have had to replace the light seals and mirror buffer, but apart from that it just keeps going.

[@fritzfilter]

Thank you for this informative homage to the Spotmatic. It was my first SLR, bought in 1968 in a black version with the Super Takumar 1.4/50. I later had an ES and two Spotmatic F bodies and Takumar lenses from 20 to 300mm, but unfortunately I sold everything at some point. A few days ago I saw a used black Spotmatic in the small camera shop in my area, without any scratches or signs of wear, even the light meter still works accurately with a suitable battery. I had to buy it! I even bought a film with it and now have to practice developing film again.

[@normandong4479]

I have a Pentax Spotmatic SPII, and after having it overhauled & lubed, it performs very well. In the post WWII Era, the company went in a different direction than Nikon or Canon, which first made imitation Leica rangefinders. Sense Pentax always desired a reflex design and by 1964, the Spotmatic was introduced. Timed well with the 1964 Tokyo Olympic games, visitors got the experience w the Spotmatic and film kiosks in the Olympic Village made it so convenient. Spotmatic is a true classic. Bravo. 😊

[@mikebaginy8731]

An enjoyable presentation, thanks! A Spotmatic F was my first SLR and I wish I still owned it. The Pentax M42 lenses are absolute gems.They still offer image quality with fabulous character which I love (also used on my Fujifilm digital bodies).

[@jeromemckenna7102]

My 2nd camera was the Spotmatic II. I don't think I ever saw the Topcon camera other than in camera magazines. I had my Pentax from 1971-1999. The only thing that broke was the plastic meter switch.

[@jadenbronk1397]

Went to the original Woodstock 1969 site and went to the museum they had. They happen to had multiple different props and items from the original festival including this exact model of Pentax

[@mikepxg6406]

Thousands of us talk about them. 😀 They are extremely popular and very collectable. As you say the one you have there is a second version SP Model 23102. The first batch only produced for 1 year was Model 231 and had 4 differences, a taller cover on the frame counter, a screw holding cover was on the side not the top, the stop down lever was very slim . I am lucky and have one of these rare first edition Spotmatics in full working order in my collection.👍

[@monochromebluess]

Enjoyable story of a great camera. I have a couple of the later version ES II models. Stunning and all these cameras have the fun of using the Takumar lenses.

[@richardsimms251]

My first SLR camera was in the 1970’s and it was a Pentax Spotmatic. It was a beautiful looking camera and 50 mm lens. It was not quite as sturdy as my later Nikon F3-HP. But both cameras take great pictures. RS. Canada

[@anthonyocarroll5630]

Still got my pentax spotmatic brought it in 1969 and still use it today great camera

[@beameup64]

I just bought one from Japan. My first camera was a Honeywell Spotmatic with a 50mm f/2 lens.

[@thomasfeimer1706]

The Spotmatic was, for its time, really compact. It's not Olympus OM-1 small, but the Minolta SRTs, Nikkormats, and various Canon SLR bodies were bricks compared to it. I suspect that played a big role in its success. You could put the kit 55mm f/1.8 on it, and you had something that was not much bigger or heavier or harder to use than the fixed lens rangefinders that were all the rage in the 60's.

[@northstar1950]

I collect film cameras, including leicas and I have two Nikon F types too. The two Pentax Spotmatics I have are the Spotmatic, which was a used acquisition some time back plus a black bodied SP II which I bought brand new in the early seventies. They are beautiful to look at beautiful to use, everything falls to hand so easily and have that undefinable feel of quality. the Takumar lenses are a joy to use with focus mechanisms that are a smooth as a hot knife through butter.

[@xavierfumat7567]

Really nice camera, great feel to holding it! I hate using the metering switch. I know, it was designed a long time ago and it was revolutionary for a long time but owning newer old school analog cameras I forget to switch the meter off very often!

[@danienelphoto]

Really cool video. Love Spotmatics (almost as much as the K1000 😅). Really mint condition SP you have.

[@tyraesterhuizen9573]

Why are there no videos on the asahi Pentax SP500. Have one in mint condition but would like more info on it pls x

[@terrywbreedlove]

I just ordered a Spotmatic SP. in EX condition from KEH for $100. I don’t know the model differences. But I already have the 55mm. 1.8 lens. And I think I might want to buy the 24mm Pentax lens. My camera will arrive this next week. And I am excited to shoot with it.

[@nwmi23]

Great review of a camera I recently just purchased! Outside of the spotmatic, I have my eyes on the Nikon fm2n next.

[@noahvonhatten]

It’s a really great camera to use. I’m sure you’re going to enjoy it.

[@arishojaei]

amazing video and info, thanks a lot. what battery you personally suggest?

[@terrywbreedlove]

Got mine in and loaded it with TRI-X 400 film. Waiting for a battery and the ring adapter for it. Shooting sunny 16 until then. But wow this is a gorgeous little camera. Lighter and better looking design wise than my Nikon F2 and F3hp.

[@camd6102]

MR9 adapter by Kanto camera fits into the compartment and takes a common silver oxide LR44 battery voltage from 1.55V to 1.35V

[@1973sonvis]

Lovely review! 🤩 I allways remove any accessory shoes from any camera if it is possible because they make beautiful cameras ugly. I store them with my flash units, so I’ll find them if I need them. Keep it up! 😊👍🏻

[@Whywas6scared]

The vintage camera collecting bug bit me a while back, and I now have an extensive collection of mechanical SLRs. Of them all, the Spotmatic is probably my second favourite "user" camera, with the budget SP500 being my favourite. They just feel so right in the hands, being an optimal size with nothing to get in the way. The controls are light and precise. In particular, the shutter speed dial can easily be turned with a single finger. No point in having lots of fancy features if you hate holding it.

[@pembridgehouse]

This was my first SLR film camera(SP2). I started my wedding photography career in 1975 with this camera. Thanks for your post. Geoff

[@RascalKyng]

Only weddings?

[@pembridgehouse]

I did lots of photography besides weddings. families,Sports,,Events,wild life,birds.Still actively involved in photography.@@RascalKyng

[@simonjones8111]

Got my first Spotmatic in 1967, and a second, black body one, in 1975. Beautifully made, easy to use, great lenses. Only downside was M42 screw mount made changing lenses slow.

[@philipdahl9001]

My first SLR was a Mamiya/Sekor 500 that I got in about 1970. It's somewhat similar to the spotmatic in many respects and it's equipped with a 5 degree spot meter. Unfortunately the camera isn't functional right now so I need to find a good repairman......soon.

[@jackthompson8377]

Bought mine in 1975. Took thousands of pictures with it. Repaired shutter after many years and use it today. Prefer it to my digital cameras because of the heft and feel. So solid. Looks like I just took it out of the box. People still comment on it.

[@RascalKyng]

What film do you use? It is getting very experience out there. You develop yourself?

[@jackthompson8377]

@@RascalKyng I use Ilford HP5. Processed by lab, scanned and printed by me. Yes the cost is rising but I prefer having a negative that lasts 100 years to an electronic blip.

[@yeet_cs3394]

can i ask if you know which pentaprism from other cameras can be replaced with spotmatic sp1?

[@geraldmonger1921]

As an owner of one of the first generation of this camera, I can tell you that another difference is that unlike the orange colour paint used for the shutter speed dial, the original colour was green.

[@noahvonhatten]

Neat! Thanks for sharing.

[@bsuthe]

I loved my Asahi Pentax Spotmatic. It was my first ever SLR camera, and I had a collection of nearly a dozen lenses. The camera and lenses never disappointed me, but I was always aware of how inappropriate the name was. It had no spot meter, and there was absolutely nothing automatic about the camera!

[@jimw1615]

No internal meter: It may have been an H1a, then. I had one and loved it because it was completely manual.

[@richardsimms251]

I had many Pentax cameras. They are really beautiful compared to other classic cameras. But Pentax broke easily so I switched to Nikon F3 HP which never seems to break Wonderful video and thank you. RS. Canada

[@anthonys_expired_film]

I have the Honeywell branded version, which you didn’t mention in your video. Do you have any stats on how many and the serial number range/dates? I’d like to know when mine was made. No SP marking on mine. Thanks! Informative video!👍🏻

[@noahvonhatten]

As far as I’m aware there is no difference between the Honeywell version and the Asahi version. Honeywell was simply the US importer for Pentax, and they attached their name to the camera. Both models are identical, and the serial number and model number info should be the same too. Does your camera have the model number on the back, bottom right corner?

[@anthonys_expired_film]

@@noahvonhatten Hi, yes my camera has the model number 23102 on the back bottom right corner. Serial number 1277581. On the front left is inscribed SPOTMATIC.

[@GonzoTheRosarian]

I love your channel’s name!

[@795menega]

Fantastic!

[@StevenBrener]

Do you have recommendations for alternative batteries?

[@Oldbmwr100rs]

My older sister had the Honeywell pentax spotmatic 101, that thing lasted through many hiking and backpacking trips and went through many rolls of color slide film. I wanted that camera when she was working at a big camera chain, but she sold it, and she doesn't even know why! I had my eye on the K1000 after, but eventually drifted away from my interest in photography and more into other things. I see them at thrift stores or antique shop booths once in a great while, and maybe when i see another I'll grab it if the price is right.

[@BlazingSerenade]

I imported the black model from japan and it is my everyday shooter, I love that camera

[@khaleesioftheeast]

Is this any different from Spotmatic F?

[@briandaviz-oq9st]

I love your choice of music. not that lofi bullshit that all the other channels use.

[@WRCzATL]

Everything I read now - and remember from the time - was that the Spotmatic II was released in 1971, not 1967.

[@ytuberization]

Fantastic camera. All of the liabilities and missing functionalities were later on eliminated by the Pentax KX, in my view one of the best mechanical SLR 35mm cameras.

[@fredthegraycatt]

My buddy had a Pentax and a nice selection of Pentax lenses. Not a damn thing wrong with a Pentax setup.

[@pwood5733]

Why did you put sound on video of someone tuning up a trumpet ?

[@Anonymousjoe64]

so annoying

[@arricammarques1955]

Pentax MX & LX.

[@reinhartreuschel5499]

Although having been stucking on Nikon since 1971, I love the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic. It was a very social camera because of the M42 screw thread, which also made it possible to attach very inexpensive lenses - best suited for beginners who switched to Pentax and first of all wanted to try out a certain range of lenses from wide angle to telephoto. And in 2023, my very early dream of the Spotmatic finally came true: 80 euros for a 'black beauty' incl. SMC-Takumar 1.4/50;-)) @philosimot