Pentax Spotmatic SP1000 - Analog camera review

Рет қаралды 8,370

Күн бұрын

Hey, this is the first of my analogue camera reviews! Today I'm walking through Cologne with a Pentax Spotmatic SP1000. This is an all-time camera classic from the 1960s and 1970s and also still very enjoyable and capable today.
0:00 Intro
1:00 Why is this Pentax a legend?
2:59 How to test if your old camera works
4:26 Loading the film
6:10 The Cologne Cathedral
6:49 The different Pentax Spotmatic models
8:05 Camera operation
8:56 Batteries
9:09 Walking the Cologne Love Bridge
10:50 Cologne's most famous tourist viewpoint
11:36 What an old SLR does better than any Leica
12:38 Old Pentax design is the best
13:38 High quality
14:26 Last pics of the roll & outro
All sample photos that I show in this video were taken on one single summer day 2020 in Cologne with the Pentax SP1000 & Rikenon 50/1.7 lens on one roll (36 exposures) of Fuji Velvia 100.
If you're interested in photography and camera stuff - both vintage and modern, also pay a visit to my blog at:
tomscameras.wordpress.com
Thanks to Diner's - bistro & restaurant - in Cologne for hosting us (in the scene where I test the camera and load the film). Pay them a visit when you're in Cologne:
www.diner-s.de
Many thanks go to Takahiro Oda for filming, a fantastic job as always! Visit his channel:
/ @takahirooda
Score:
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Пікірлер: 88

@dukenukem5768 2 ай бұрын

12:58 - Hey, the Pentax K-1 is a superb camera! It carries on the K-mount and pentaprism tradition, unlike most other brands which have changed their mounts and gone mirrorless. That _"something shaped like pentaprism cover on top"_ has a real pentaprism underneath and Pentax have made it clear they are sticking by pentaprisms!

@tomscameras 2 ай бұрын

You are right: only Pentax is still dedicated to DSLR cameras and lenses in 2024. But the K-1 is really bulky and I am sure there is at least 1 cm of space between its prism and the top cover. The Spotmatic is pure beauty in comparison. Would not hurt if Pentax would look back and take some lessons in product design from their own old cameras! I am very curious about what Pentax is doing these days, especially also their announcement that they want to make new analog cameras in the future again!

@kevinparkes417 2 жыл бұрын

I bought a SP1000 in the early 1980s from a friend and used it as my main camera for many years. Infact I still have the camera and it still works perfectly. Although I rarely use it now, it is proudly on display in my office. I loved the simplicity of the camera, its elegant design and its solid build quality. A beautiful example of camera engineering at its best.

@tomscameras 2 жыл бұрын

I couldn't have said it better! Thanks for your comment!

@normandong4479 3 жыл бұрын

Experienced photographers know about Asahi Pentax Spotmatic. Well made, precise and made with superb Takumar lenses, it was a best seller in the mid to late 60s. Spotmatic ceased production about 1976. Asahi Pentax was a forerunner in relex viewing and the first with through the lens metering. The Spotmatic was introduced in 1964 and sold during the Tokyo Olympics. Pros and travelers noticed this camera and sales took off. Finding a Spotmatic in good condition will give you plenty of fun shooting. A Clean, Lube and Adjust is recommended to get these vintage cameras operating at their original specs. Own a Spotmatic SPII and would never part with it. Its design and ergonomics were ahead of its time.

@tomscameras 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your feedback! Yes these cameras are still very enjoyable today. And regarding clean/line/adjust, the nice thing is that the Spotmatics are not only rugged and robust, but also relatively easy to service...

@AdrieleMartinez 2 жыл бұрын

I'm a beginner in film photography and this video is the best one I've watched so far about the spotmatic. Thank you so much for the infos. It helped me a lot 😁

@tomscameras 2 жыл бұрын

Oh, many thanks! I'm glad my video was helpful for you.

@barbsfpv3066 2 жыл бұрын

I recently purchased a black Spotmatic SP (Asahi version) that's in very good condition, and other than a fungused lens and needing a replacement mirror it was in great shape. I've been shooting digital for so long I almost forgot what it feels like to hold one of these old mechanicals, and the haptic feedback you get from the shutter. This thing is a tank. I'm going to put together a black and white photography setup and do the developing in my garage studio. I had a few Super Takumar lenses (including the vaunted 8 element 50mm f1.4) but am now putting together a full prime set up to 135mm. I'm looking forward to this new chapter in my photography, being much more deliberate instead of shooting 10 frames and picking the best one for every shot. It's nice to have a camera with simple controls instead of all the bells and whistles. It's making photography fun again with its simplicity.

@tomscameras 2 жыл бұрын

Oh I could not say it better than you: Yes, simplicity can make photography fun again! And the black Spotmatic sounds a real beauty. I hope you'll have a nice time with the camera and success in developing the film for yourself!

@linjicakonikon7666 3 жыл бұрын

Great photos and great information on the Pentax. I love the cameras from the late 60s and early 70s. Best age of cameras in my opinion.

@tomscameras 3 жыл бұрын

Many thanks! Yes, I agree with you! In the late 1960s, these all-mechanical cameras were very refined and they included all the features that you really want for your photography. I totally love shooting this Pentax or my Olympus OM-1!

@tailavuko 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome, my partner and I are just getting into these vintage cameras, and we have purchased a few of them, one of them is the Pentax Spotmatic SP1000 and we love this camera, we are still learning how to use it and your video was very helpful :) We can't wait to develop the film and see the photos. Thank you for your video.

@tomscameras 3 жыл бұрын

Great that you started with analog photos. Actually I find it's part of the fun to wait for the photos to be developed! Like in the old days. There's always a bit of excitement involved - how did the photos turn out? I have shot many assignments in the analog times ... when you're professional, at some point you sort of know beforehand that everything will be okay, but still there was that moment of excitement when I picked up the photos from the lab. Every time! I wish you good luck and a lot of fun with your SP1000!

@normandong4479 Жыл бұрын

Really enjoy this video about the Pentax Spotmatic, which I also own and use. It is a true classic 35mm camera. Love using Ilford FP4 film and Fuji Provia F color reversal film. Thank you for sharing this experience and work. Well done.

@tomscameras Жыл бұрын

Thanks Norman! This was my first analog camera review. I did it in 2020, just when the Covid pandemic had started. I couldn't travel but wanted to take photos and that's why I grabbed my Spotmatic and made this review. It really got me hooked on analog photography again! I also shot a lot of other analog 35mm cameras since then but just recently I used my Spotmatic for a trip to Spain and fell in love again. I agree with you: it is a true classic! 😍

@TheGazmondo 3 жыл бұрын

When I bought mine in the 70s the thing that I considered most important was the SMC super multi coated lenses, which I recollect was pioneered by Pentax. Great reviewing !!

@tomscameras 3 жыл бұрын

Yes you are right, the Pentax SMC was introduced in 1971 so there are even some SMC screwmount lenses with this! I reckon it was almost as good as Zeiss T* ... many Pentax lenses were outstanding back then! But also many other manufacturer's lenses were brilliant already! Today I don't really care so much about the best coatings, as part of the fun of analog photography (for me) is to recreate the classic look and feel of photos from the 1950s or 1970s. I value technical high quality but if there are some "vintage" optical flaws, I love that as well ...

@Gabez82 3 жыл бұрын

Every lens manufacturer made such lofty claims. Chiyoda Kogaku had so called Achromatic multi-coating which they began doing so in 1957, yet Nippon Kogaku began coating all surface to air elements in the mid-50’s. Asahi had a cool, marketing friendly name of Super-Multi Coating they used. It’s all relative I suppose, the great thing is all the innovation allows us to use countless great cameras and lenses.

@vespa64m26 3 жыл бұрын

Hi from the UK. I have a large collection of cameras and bought the SP1000 last week. We are in lockdown at the moment but hopefully will get out with it in the next couple of days. Great video and keep up the reviews. I have the K1000 also and that is a great camera too.👍

@tomscameras 3 жыл бұрын

Hi! Many thanks for your comment! I hope you will be able to enjoy your SP1000, maybe you'll find some nice quiet late autumn motifs despite lockdown!

@RayNebollo 3 жыл бұрын

Nice review. It was my first camera purchase as a teenager. It came with the original kit lens, The Super Takumar 55 mm f2, that took great photos. I purchased a separate mechanical self-timer that screwed into the shutter button (like a shutter cable). I sold it a photography student, after I purchased a DSLR. It was a great camera to learn photography!

@tomscameras 3 жыл бұрын

Yes some of the Takumars and Super Takumars are outstanding lenses, even today on digital cameras they give superb results! Actually I just got some of these screw-on self timers that were in a collection of old cameras. Funny accessories but they got the job done!

@robhowarth77 Жыл бұрын

The Spotmatic has to be one of the greatest film cameras ever . Still using my 1967 Spotmatic and still no trouble . Incredibly comfortable in the hands and every control is exactly in the right place . Incredible , durable and reliable camera .

@tomscameras Жыл бұрын

I totally agree with you! :)

@anthonymiller8979 3 жыл бұрын

Great video. I use a Pentax SL, basically the Spotmatic but with no meter at all. I either use the Sunny 16 rule or a handheld to get started and go by eye after that.

@tomscameras 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I've tried out Sunny 16 and even made a video already, and I am surprised how well it does work! Enjoy the Pentax SL! No light meter also has the advantage that something less can go wrong :

@1972myc Жыл бұрын

Funny, I remember on KZfaq videos people were complaining back when film was $5 a roll, around in 2016.😅

@tomscameras Жыл бұрын

Yes, and nice SLR cameras like this were 20 Dollars ...

@globally123 3 жыл бұрын

Great video thank you.

@tomscameras 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your feedback!

@clubkabuki3414 9 ай бұрын

Enjoyed your video. I like your music. Awesome scenery. I would love to visit Cologne. I was once stationed in Germany, beautiful country and wonderful people.

@tomscameras 9 ай бұрын

Hey, many thanks for your comment! I really appreciate it!

@paultaylorphotography9499 2 жыл бұрын

Love my spottys I have 3 love them to bits the SP2 is a gem. Liked and subbed cheers Tom

@tomscameras 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your feedback and welcome to my channel! :)

@youngwoolee4270 3 жыл бұрын

Very nice review! Thank you~ I love also SP1000 and just one thing i miss is shutter lock (like SP F). Otherwise lovely camera. I use also tiny hearing aid battery. That works perfect.

@tomscameras 3 жыл бұрын

Yes the SP1000 is basic. No self timer even :)

@youngwoolee4270 3 жыл бұрын

@@tomscameras That´s right! But self timer is fortunately not matter for me.^^ By the way I miss beautiful city Köln so much, where I lived and studied.

@gabrielsandoval4994 Жыл бұрын

I bought mine off of Craigslist for $35 dollars a couple of years back with a few lenses and it’s original protective case. I love the look of the pictures, just what you would imagine a picture from the late 60’s early 70’s looks like. Definitely one of my favorite cameras to use. The young lady told me it belonged to her aunt, she found it in her closet and had no use for it. Oddly it’s an ASAHI and not a Honeywell.

@tomscameras Жыл бұрын

$35 is a great price for a Spotmatic set if it works! It's amazing that these cameras can be still found for really low money, despise the current price increases for all those other analog cameras. There are many cameras where I really don't understand why people are paying so much for them right now ... with the Spotmatic, it's the other way 'round! Maybe the young lady's aunt got it abroad back then? I think they were only labeled Honeywell in the U.S. and Asahi Pentax everywhere else.

@gabrielsandoval4994 Жыл бұрын

@@tomscameras It is a great camera. To think it costs a little more than what a roll of film costs now is amazing. What do you suppose they costs when new back when they were new? About mine, I suppose the aunt of this young lady must have bought it overseas. However it may be. I'm very glad to have it. I use it mostly when I go camping or places where I need a heavy duty camera. Great job on your video.

@dukenukem5768 2 ай бұрын

Ones sold in the USA carried the Honeywell designation : they were the importing company. I think they were called Asahi elsewhere.

@Tom-rp8qb 3 жыл бұрын

Super - vielen Dank! :-)

@tomscameras 3 жыл бұрын

Danke !!

@Whywas6scared 6 ай бұрын

1:00 I would argue that Asahi Pentax is more famous than Leica, Rollei and Hasselblad. When I asked non-photographer family members, they had all heard of Pentax but not of the other three.

@tomscameras 6 ай бұрын

That’s funny! I’d really have thought everyone knows Leica, at least. But yes, Pentax actually was a huge brand all the time and they still are alive, hopefully for many years to come …!

@Whywas6scared 6 ай бұрын

@tomscameras I must admit that I was surprised they hadn't heard of Leica. Perhaps my family isn't typical, but it does highlight that prestige and heritage doesn't always go hand in hand with fame, especially when "lesser" brands are mass produced.

@tomscameras 6 ай бұрын

Well I am a die-hard fan of the Pentax Spotmatic and I of course also don’t mind if anyone doesn’t know Leica but does know Pentax! They made awesome cameras and lenses and also they made plenty of them! 😍

@larsbliss2728 2 жыл бұрын

I do the same tests when buying an old camera. If you watch closely through the open back at the faster shutter speeds you will see the he light through the lens get dimmer and dimmer. 90% of the time you will need to replace the seals. My oldest Pentax is a 'K' model. It came with the zebra lens. Been shooting film since I was 13 in 1979. First real camera was a Minolta XG-A.

@tomscameras 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comment! Great to hear from another long-time film shooter! Sadly, my SP1000 shutter isn't working that perfectly anymore by now. I did the video last summer. A few months later, the shutter displayed some problems at 1/1000 second. I can still shoot with it at longer speeds but all in all, the camera now will need a service. But after so many years, I guess you shouldn't really complain!

@scrptwic 7 күн бұрын

I just finished putting new light Seals in my Spotamatic SP11 the light Seals were old and needed replacing i used supplies purchased from Walmart for few dollars

@tomscameras 3 күн бұрын

Yes, these foam light seals are used in so many old cameras and after all those years they need to be replaced. Hope you are having a lot of fun and good results with your Spotmatic SP II !

@DacMan777 10 ай бұрын

Superb Video. Keeping real cameras alive. Buy the way I had a Leica and sold it its impractical. The Pentax Spotamtic on the other hand IMHO is better than Leica. But I would say that I have 14 of them So Far.........

@tomscameras 10 ай бұрын

Thanks for your feedback! I guess you can never have enough Spotmatic's :) The only real gripe I have in practice is that when on a trip, changing lenses IS a bit more time consuming compared to a camera with a bayonet mount!

@MrTwisted1615 2 жыл бұрын

Minolta SR-7 had a light meter 1962

@tomscameras 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, true! But in contrast to the Pentax Spotmatic, the Minolta SR-7 did not offer TTL (through the lens) metering, but rather it had an external light meter placed on the front of the camera, apart from the lens. Many other cameras had a similar system at the time.

@dukenukem5768 2 ай бұрын

@7:15 I'm a bit puzzled why you said open aperture metering was not important from today's point of view. It was introduced with the SPF and was a big step forward at the time, although the budget SP1000 has stop-down metering?

@tomscameras 2 ай бұрын

Today all these cameras are „vintage“ and their features are dated. So who cares really if the camera has open-aperture metering or not when buying an old M42 body in 2024? Those who care for more modern features will look elsewhere anyway …

@ahmedch1754 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the nice Video👍 i like your shoulder strap, where did you buy it ?

@tomscameras 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! The strap actually was a present from a photographer friend ... maybe 15 years ago. And I don't know the brand, sadly! All I can say is that if I would not have my strap, I'd most likely get the Blackmagic R-Strap Cross Shot cause it is very similar to mine.

@ice9phil 3 жыл бұрын

my first 35mm camera, I purchased new in 1971

@tomscameras 3 жыл бұрын

That's nice, what a great way to start 35mm photography!

@ytuberization 2 жыл бұрын

Maybe the best looking camera and build like a tank. Shooting experience compares with other mechanic Top-SLRs like Leica R6.2, Nikon FM3A and Bessaflex…

@tomscameras 2 жыл бұрын

I now shoot most frequently my OM-1 and also got a Nikon FM recently. I definitely plan to make a video with all these three! For me, that's like the holy trinity of mechanical SLR cameras! And one this is for sure, the Spotmatic is definitely the one with the highest-quality finish & feel!

@russellholmes5523 3 жыл бұрын

Nice video! Who makes the camera strap?

@tomscameras 3 жыл бұрын

It's a Blackrapid R-Strap!

@dzava 3 жыл бұрын

Beautiful photos! As an amateur beginner with an old dads Zenit looking forward buying Japanese camera. I have a question - how did you get such vintage “red-ish” “greenish” tones ? Is it because of the film ? (Expired?) or the Lens? Thanks 🙂

@tomscameras 3 жыл бұрын

Actually, yes, the blue/red colors do come a bit from the film (Fuji Velvia) and that I was shooting in bright sunlight. The film was new and not expired. But you should maybe use a skylight filter when you're shooting around noon, so that colors look more neutral. Last not least, maybe the scanning also was not perfect. But in the end I thought it's a nice vintage effect that fits this video, so I didn't really try to take out the color cast in the scans.

@dzava 3 жыл бұрын

@@tomscameras thank you very much for your quick response. If that’s the case then I’m fine. I thought it was needed to tune those photos in some sort of photoshop (which I don’t know much how to use). I heard that the old Takumars are radioactive lenses. Is that dangerous ? How is it with Rikenon lenses ? Would my old Helios 44-2 fit for the Pentax ?

@barbsfpv3066 2 жыл бұрын

@@dzava This is a bit late, but I can answer your questions. The radioactivity in these lenses is the less harmful variety, and not very dangerous. Unless you remove the radioactive element from the lens and put it in your mouth it shouldn't cause any problems. Any of these old lenses are the same. As soon as you're a few inches away from the lens the radioactivity is barely detectable, if at all. The Takumars that use thoriated lens elements are the 50mm and 55mm variants at f2 and lower (f1.8 and f1.4). Also, your Helios 44-2 should fit fine. If you want to fit an older Helios 44 with an M39 thread (Leica) then it'll need a threaded 39mm to 42mm adapter ring, which are cheap and readily available. I picked up a couple on Amazon for like $6.

@riccardocoelatirama 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful video in beautiful Cologne. How did you feel with the viewfinder and focus sistem? greetings from southtyrol, Riccardo

@tomscameras 2 жыл бұрын

I am very much used to manual focus because it is actually how I learned photography, many years ago! So it works great for me. The only problem can be if you're wearing glasses, because some of the old viewfinders are not nice to use with glasses. The problem is that they don't have a diopter adjustment. I can't comment on that much more, because I'm wearing contact lenses - and then the viewfinder of the Spotmatic and all the other old SLR cameras is just fantastic!

@riccardocoelatirama 2 жыл бұрын

@@tomscameras thanks

@tomscameras 2 жыл бұрын

@@riccardocoelatirama You’re welcome!

@phroglowver1685 Жыл бұрын

Hi, what kind of strap are you using in the video?

@tomscameras Жыл бұрын

Hi, I am really sorry - I don't know the brand. That strap is a gift from a photographer friend that I got like 15 years ago, and I don't know who produced it.

@mamiyapress 2 жыл бұрын

When you load a camera like the one featured here properly you should get a least 39 exposures.

@tomscameras 2 жыл бұрын

When I was young, I was better in this. As a youngster, every penny made a difference and 1-2 extra "free" photos per roll was great! But I don't think I managed to get 39 exposures very often :)

@Bembeleke 2 жыл бұрын

Going to have to bring mines out of retirement

@tomscameras 2 жыл бұрын

I can only support that idea! :)

@tyraesterhuizen9573 5 ай бұрын

SP1000 vs SP50? pls

@tomscameras 5 ай бұрын

The differences are as follows: the ones called „Spotmatic“ are the main model and have all the features, including 1/1000s top speed and self timer. The SP1000 is identical but looses the self timer. The SP500 also drops the 1/1000s top speed, so it’s 1/500s instead. Apart from that, it’s identical to the SP1000. I have read that there still might be an unmarked indent on the shutter speed dial where the Spotmatic or SP1000 have the 1/1000s. But I don’t know for sure. Pentax omitted the 1/1000s on the SP500 so adjusting the shutters was easier for them and they could offer it at a lower price / budget model. However the 1/1000s today also doesn’t perfectly work on many SP1000‘s or Spotmatic‘s due to their age.

@jcdz52 3 жыл бұрын

what kind of battery do you use?

@tomscameras 3 жыл бұрын

I'm using hearing aid batteries 312. Also called weincell 312. You can get them in blisters with 6 batteries. See link below for an example. I got mine in a local shop for hearing aids for a couple of Euros. www.ebay.co.uk/b/Hearing-Aid-Batteries-Size-312/37821/bn_7023480780 Hearing aid batteries work very well in cameras cause voltage is very constant. BUT once they are "activated" they only last a few months which is due to how their chemistry works. Activating means there's a piece of sticky paper that you have to remove from the battery before you put it into the camera. But as long as you don't remove that paper, you can store the battery for long without problems! Spotmatics have the advantage that they don't need exactly 1.35V or 1.5V. Their metering works well with any of these small batteries. However the battery chamber of the Spotmatic is very small so many other battery types that you use for other cameras, just won't fit in there. The 312's are tiny and fit without problems.