A classic SLR from Asahi Kogaku,
Japan. Pentax is a case where the name of the product became
bigger than the company that made it, as Pentax is merely the
general name applied by Asahi to it's SLRs
fitted with Pentaprisms after 1957, the earlier waistlevel reflex
view models were known by the Asahiflex name. The Pentax Spotmatic
arrived in 1965 and although sharing some heritage, components
and the standard Asahi Pentax 42mm lens screwmount from the earlier
S1a, was a significant redesign incorporating 'Through The Lens'
(TTL) metering. Originally intended as a spot metering system,
hence the name, production versions actually had an averaging
system derived from two CdS cells mounted either side of the
viewfinder, detecting light from the focus screen after it had
passed through the pentaprism. An early system without mechanical
or electrical compensation for position of aperture controls
and for this reason the camera needs to be stopped down to take
a reading for the matchneedle indication, visible in the viewfinder.
This is achieved with a meter switch falling to the left hand
that both stops down the lens and activates the matchmeter. Despite
the f/1.4 lens, the viewfinder is a little dark by modern standards.
The camera comes with a delayed release and flash synch for both
bulbs and electronic flash. The Spotmatic series ended in 1974.
This example was first purchased in 1968 and was generously donated
by it's original owner Mr E. Walker in October 2006 along with
a box of interesting Asahi assessories including bellows for
extreme close up work and a Takumar 105mm lens. During its early
life it spent time aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal,
and I was keen to obtain any photographs from this era for the
gallery and I'm happy to say this is so.
Body No.1385104
Shutter, Cloth focal plane, speeds B, 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60,
125, 250, 500 & 1000th
Lens No.1648467, Pentax - Super Takumar, 50mm f/1.4
Condition, 6F
