Introduction
Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SLR 35MM Film Camera, affectionately known as the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SLR 35MM Film Camera F, is more than just a relic from the 1970s—it’s a symbol of a bygone era where photography was an art form practiced with meticulous attention to detail. Released in 1973, this camera represents the final, refined version of the Spotmatic series, a line that left an indelible mark on the 35mm SLR market throughout the 1960s and 70s.
Despite being eclipsed by more advanced models as the years rolled on, the Spotmatic F remains cherished among seasoned professionals and nostalgic enthusiasts. This review dives deep into the Spotmatic F’s intricacies, unraveling its features, functionality, and the distinct photographic experience it offers for theAsahi Pentax Spotmatic SLR 35MM Film Camera.
A Glimpse into the Past: My Personal Experience
Before we wade into the technical waters of the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SLR 35MM Film Camera F, allow me to take you on a brief journey back to 1979. Picture a teenage me, eyes wide with excitement and curiosity, as I embarked on a visit to meet my brother’s newborn son. It was during this visit that I had the fortune of learning some invaluable lessons from David, my sister-in-law’s father—a seasoned professional photographer.
David’s choice of camera puzzled me at first. With years of experience under his belt, I expected him to wield the latest and greatest in photographic technology. Instead, he used an Asahi Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SLR 35MM Film Camera F—a model that, by that time, had already been succeeded by more modern cameras. This unexpected encounter taught me two profound lessons: professional photographers don’t always need the latest gear, and sometimes, the tools that seem outdated can ignite the most creative sparks. These lessons have stayed with me, and the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SLR 35MM Film Camera F has since become a symbol of reliability and creativity in my photographic journey.
The Charm of Vintage Photography
Vintage GAS: Recollecting the Dream Cameras of the Past
In the early 2010s, the allure of vintage photography pulled me into a fervent quest to collect the dream cameras of my youth. Among the OM1s and SRT-101s that I managed to acquire, the Pentax Spotmatic F shone the brightest. Unlike some other vintage cameras that demanded extensive repairs before they could even click a shutter, the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SLR 35MM Film Camera F worked flawlessly from the moment I got my hands on it. Paired with a 28/3.5 SMC Takumar lens, this £16 investment felt like a golden ticket to a bygone photographic era.
The Allure of Takumar Lenses
Takumar lenses, crafted by Asahi, have earned legendary status among photographers for their high mechanical and optical standards. The multi-coating on these lenses was state-of-the-art at the time, offering protection against flare and ensuring rich, vibrant images. Though the Takumar name eventually became associated with more budget-friendly lenses, the M42 Takumars from the Spotmatic era remain highly prized by collectors and photographers alike.
The M42 Takumar lenses came in two distinct lines: one boasting compact, modest-speed lenses, and another featuring faster lenses with unique characteristics. Even 50 years later, these lenses retain their buttery smooth focusing movements, a testament to the exceptional mechanical quality that Asahi infused into every piece.
A Little ‘Spottie’ History
The Spotmatic series first made waves at Photokina in 1960, with a prototype that offered through-the-lens (TTL) spot metering—an innovation that was ahead of its time. However, by the time Spotmatic officially hit the market in 1964, spot metering had been replaced by a system that averaged exposure across the field of view, with a bias towards the center. This change did little to dampen the camera’s performance, and the Spotmatic series quickly gained a reputation for reliability and elegance.
The design of the Spotmatic cameras exudes a timeless elegance that harks back to the Art-Deco era. The pentaprism front, in particular, draws comparisons to the iconic Chrysler Building in Manhattan, with its sleek lines and sculptural forms. Every detail, from the aluminum film wind-on lever to the self-timer lever’s design, speaks to a level of craftsmanship that is increasingly rare in modern cameras.
Evolution of the Spotmatic Series
The original Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SLR 35MM Film Camera model featured a distinctive ‘pointy’ pentaprism without a fixed shoe, and budget variants like the SP 500 and SP 1000 did away with the self-timer altogether. The Spotmatic II introduced a hot shoe and a more squared-off pentaprism, while later models like the ES (Electro Spotmatic) and ES II incorporated electronic shutters and aperture information transmission for aperture priority automatic exposure. These evolutions set the stage for the Spotmatic F, the last and most refined model in the series.
The Pentax Spotmatic F: A Closer Look
The Final Evolution of the Spotmatic Line
The Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SLR 35MM Film Camera F, or SP F, marked the culmination of the Spotmatic series, just before the introduction of the K bayonet-mount cameras in 1975. Despite being almost entirely mechanical—save for the meter—the Spotmatic F introduced some innovative features that distinguished it from its predecessors.
One of the most notable features of the Spotmatic F is its ability to meter wide open with SMC Takumar lenses. This was achieved through a clever system involving two tabs inside the lens mount—one fixed, indicating the lens’s position, and one movable, which communicated the aperture setting to the camera. This ingenious solution allowed for open aperture metering with screw-mount lenses, a rarity among cameras of its time.
The Viewfinder Experience
The viewfinder of the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SLR 35MM Film Camera F is refreshingly simple, featuring a micro prism to aid focusing and a meter needle on the right. There are no displays for shutter speeds or apertures within the viewfinder, a stark contrast to later models. Yet, this simplicity is part of the camera’s charm, encouraging photographers to hone their skills and intuition rather than relying on automation.
The Spotmatic F retains the stop-down switch on the left side of the lens mount for depth of field preview, making it compatible with earlier Takumar lenses and third-party options. This feature is particularly valuable for photographers who enjoy experimenting with different lenses and want precise control over their depth of field.
Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SLR 35MM Film Camera Body Design and Layout
The body design of the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SLR 35MM Film Camera F is conventional, with a logical layout that makes it a pleasure to use. The shutter speed dial, located on the right top plate, offers a range of speeds from 1 second to 1/1000 plus B, with X synch at 1/60. A conventional hot shoe sits atop the pentaprism, providing a secure mount for external flash units.
On the right side of the top plate, the shutter release button is surrounded by a lock, and a small window indicates whether the shutter is cocked. The wind-on lever can be operated with a single stroke or several shorter movements, depending on your preference. The frame counter is conveniently located inside the hub of the wind-on lever.
The left side of the top plate houses the rewind crank, which also releases the back when pulled up. Surrounding the crank is a dial that allows you to set a reminder of the film type and length—a small but thoughtful feature that helps avoid mistakes during shooting.
The front of the camera features a self-timer lever, which is activated by pulling down to the side and pressing a small button. Flash sockets for FP and X synch are located on the opposite side, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of flash units.
The Underbelly of the Pentax Spotmatic F
The underside of the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SLR 35MM Film Camera F is as thoughtfully designed as the rest of the camera. A centrally placed tripod thread ensures stability when mounted on a tripod, while the broad rewind button, with its red dot to show film travel, adds a touch of practicality. Stopping the rewind as soon as the red dot stops rotating allows you to leave the film leader out, making it easier to reload or develop the film later.
The battery chamber, located on the bottom plate, houses a larger battery than earlier Spotmatic models. This design choice was likely driven by the increased power demands of the Spotmatic F’s meter, which remains on when the lens is open. While this innovation added convenience, it also meant that the battery could drain more quickly if the lens cap was not kept on—a minor inconvenience worth noting for potential users.
Pentax Spotmatic F Issues
Like any camera, the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SLR 35MM Film Camera F has its quirks. The stop-down switch on the side of the mount, for example, is known to become loose or difficult to operate over time due to frequent use. When purchasing a used Spotmatic F, it’s essential to check that this switch moves smoothly and clicks into place easily.
Battery life is another consideration. Earlier Spotmatic models only activated the meter when the stop-down switch was in the upper position and turned it off after a shot was taken. In contrast, the Spotmatic F’s meter is always on when the lens is open, making it easier to accidentally drain the battery if the lens cap is left off. While the Spotmatic F uses a larger battery to mitigate this issue, it’s still something to keep in mind for extensive shooting sessions.
Shooting with the Pentax Spotmatic F
The Experience of Using the Spotmatic F
Shooting with the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SLR 35MM Film Camera F is a journey back in time—a unique experience that blends nostalgia with a hands-on approach to photography. The camera’s all-mechanical design means you have full control over every aspect of your photography, from exposure to focus. This level of control is a double-edged sword; while it can be incredibly rewarding, it also demands a certain level of skill and attention to detail.
The Spotmatic F’s viewfinder, though lacking in modern conveniences like digital displays, offers a clear and bright view of your subject. The micro prism in the center of the viewfinder aids in achieving precise focus, and the lack of clutter allows you to concentrate fully on composing your shot.
When it comes to metering, the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SLR 35MM Film Camera F is straightforward and reliable. The needle-based meter, though basic by today’s standards, provides accurate readings that are easy to interpret. However, the camera’s dependence on battery power for metering can be a limitation, especially if you’re shooting in cold conditions where batteries tend to drain faster.
Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SLR Professional 35MM Film Camera Body Design and Layout
Image Quality and Lens Performance
The image quality produced by the Pentax Spotmatic F is nothing short of exceptional, particularly when paired with Takumar lenses. These lenses are renowned for their sharpness, color rendition, and contrast, delivering images that are rich in detail and vibrant in color. The SMC coating on the lenses also helps to reduce flare and ghosting, ensuring that your images are crisp and clear even in challenging lighting conditions.
One of the standout features of Takumar lenses is their smooth bokeh—the quality of the out-of-focus areas in an image. The bokeh produced by these lenses is soft and creamy, adding a pleasing aesthetic to portraits and close-up shots. Whether you’re shooting wide open for a shallow depth of field or stopping down for maximum sharpness, Takumar lenses perform consistently well across the board.
Conclusion
The Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SLR 35MM Film Camera is more than just a vintage camera—it’s a piece of photographic history that continues to inspire and delight photographers even in the digital age. Its all-mechanical design, coupled with the exceptional performance of Takumar lenses, makes it a reliable and versatile tool for anyone interested in film photography. While it may have its quirks, such as the always-on meter and occasional issues with the stop-down switch, these are minor inconveniences in the grand scheme of things.
In a world where photography is increasingly dominated by automation and instant gratification, the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SLR 35MM Film Camera F offers a refreshing return to the fundamentals of the craft. It challenges you to slow down, think about your shots, and appreciate the process of creating images. For those willing to embrace its charms, the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SLR 35MM Film Camera F is not just a camera, but a companion on a journey of artistic exploration.
So, is the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SLR 35MM Film Camera F still worth considering today? Absolutely. Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking to reconnect with the roots of photography or a newcomer eager to experience the magic of film, the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SLR 35MM Film Camera F is a camera that will reward you with beautiful images and a deeper understanding of the art of photography. In the end, it’s not just about the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SLR 35MM Film Camera—it’s about the stories you create with it.
