New (latest!) toy

Recieved this and am looking forward to using it.


It's not the cleanest Spotmatic but I bought it to go with my Zeiss lens, it didn't have one and the price was right.

Just for comparison here's a shot of the oldest and newest, in age, cameras in my growing collection.



The new K200d is the same size but heavier than the 1960s Spotmatic.

I still get a very warm feeling when I see an old screw mount Pentax. Right up to about four years ago we had several attached to microscopes, where they'd been for probably 25 years. I frequently took one home at weekends and used it with a 35mm f2.4 Flektagon. They just handled so well and had a feeling of total precision.

I reckon even Leica would have been proud of making a camera like that.

I now what you mean Graham, I also have a CZJ f2.4 35mm Flektogon which I've used with an adaptor on my digital bodies.

The first SLR I ever used was a Spotmatic so this is a nostalga trip for me, when I've run a film through it I'll post a shot or two.

Just out of interest are there any quirks with these bodies that users can let me know about?

Yes, they are similar to Chinese meals.

Once you've had one, soon after, you'll want another.

Looks good - I look forward to seeing some results.

All this talk of 35 Flek's has left me with an urge to visit eBay again...

Ever used a Leica?

Mike

Only in a lab environment if I'm honest. More familiar with their other optical equipment than the cameras, though I briefly had a IIIa (with a dreadful uncoated lens) in the mid-90s. Only ever handled more modern stuff, never used one properly.

You do realise Dave that is an American Import and you may have trouble with the warranty

What's a warranty?

I think I might have voided(?) the warranty by servicing the internals myself, that and replacing the light seals!

All I really need now is a good day and some fine weather.

As for an american import, well it came from Japan originally!

I had a IIIA I think or possibly IIIC and it was wonderful, I then had an M3 which was also wonderful but was compromised by its viewfinder at 35mm. Just to hold them was enough and if I had 8 grand say, I'd be off to a Leica dealer tomorrow to see how the M8 felt.

I like Pentax gear but using a rangefinder is just different and mostly better - but 8 grand is silly money. So it's lottery time!

With all respect to other makes I suspect only Contax came close in 35mm but I only ever handled them while I used and abused the Leicas. I dare say I'm being sentimental and irrational but I've never used or handled an SLR that's anything like as satisfying as an ancient Leica III.

Mike

Know what you mean. This was taken with a IIIC. Terrible view-finders though.

https://www.pentaxuser.com/photo/user-285/Regina-Maris-2911

G

My oath George what were you doing on a barquentine in mid-Atlantic? Can't have been too comfy!

Mike

In my younger day I served before the mast.

Once only.

Being out on the tops'l yard trying to take in sail during a thunderstorm is one thing, but I drew the line at tinned pilchards and Smash potato three times a day.

G

Smash potato that brings back some memories - what was the dreadful blancmange equivalent? Angel delight was it?

I live a sheltered life - I'm amazed that in 1974 they were using sail to power the boat.

I suppose it might have been fun - interesting at the very least.

Mike

Just be thankfull it wasn't salted pork complete with maggots, washed down with grog

Had they abolished flogging and keel hauling by 1974 George