Strange number on Spotmatic

I have had several Spotmatic Mk I; now have only one I got some years ago from a widow lady; on the bottom right hand side chrome strip of the base plate is a number '21302'; this is not the body serial numnber which is 2737366. What does this number mean? I have recently got a SV outfit from an old gent; he said it was 1963 vintage; the serial number is 934724, and there is no other number on the base plate as on the SP model. Out of interest, can anyone enlighten me on this? How OLD are the cameras from the serial numbers; is it worth paying a lot to get them serviced, as the shutters are not running correctly on 1/500th and 1/1000th. Thanks. Peter.

That, my old son, is the Part Number - often used to tell you if version 1 or 2 of the series.
I'll see what I can dig up re info and links.

Cheers.

Peter, the 23102 is a Spotmatic SP 2nd release, 1965 - 1973. From your higher serial number (mine is 1456304), I'd say it's a realative youngster.
I've had my SP, SPII and SPF serviced and they work like new. My vote is get them worked over - they are fun old war horses and produce splendid results with Pentax screwmount lenses.

There is a great site with Pentax Time Line info and a Pentax Database where you can enter your gear by part # and serial number.

Sorry, I'm not computer savy enough to provide you the links but the gurus on this forum will (probably before I hit Enter). If not, Google.

Enjoy your M42's

http://www.m-fortytwo.info/firstpage.htm

Peter:

The most knowledgeable bunch, specifically regarding Spotmatics, are to be found at Yahoo Groups: Spotmatic. It's subtitled Asahi Pentax Spotmatic Users Group. These are Spotmatic users, collectors, and experts from all over the world. I belong, and its been a real learning experience for me, even though I've been using the cameras since 1965 and thought I knew them quite thoroughly. Boy, was I wrong.

Ted

Hi Ted,
Whilst I would agree with you about the level of knowledge, I do find that it is more of an eBay discussion group than a Spotmatic forum. 9 out of 10 posts seem to be discussing every M42 item that comes up on that place and saying how the price has gone up over the last 2 years.

Kim

Well I would tend to agree with you there, Kim. However, it remains a very good place to get Spotmatic information. As an example, it was while visiting that forum that I learned about the existence of Eric Hendrikson, the retired head (apparently) of the Pentax repair department, who does CLA's and other repairs on Spotmatic bodies and lenses. He returned three basically unusable bodies I sent him and they are now like new spotties.

I, too, don't much care for the banter regarding ebay camera prices.

Ted

Hi Ted,
I know what you mean about Eric. I have passed his name to various N American members of this forum.

Kim

Kim,

I'm one of the N.A. guys you turned on to Eric - 4 bodies later, I'm thrilled with his work (3 Spotmatics and a Yashica for brother in law).

Ted,

Comercial or not, I'm signing-up there, if only to give Kim and the guys on this forum a break from my silly M42 questions. Thank's for the tip.

Happy New Year to All!!!!!!!

Hi Mac,
Don't worry, I will probably see you there as well! No peace for the wicked.

Kim

Well, once again the experts have helped out! I will see if I can look at these sites; I too don't know how to put on 'Links' ! I love to get out with my screw lenses,so I will probably treat the cameras to a service. Thanks.

Hi Peter,
Both Robin from Harrow Technical (http://www.harrowtechnical.co.uk/) and Michael Spencer (http://www.btinternet.com/~camerarepairer/) both have reasonable prices and do a very good job on Spots. If anything, Robin is the slightly dearer but he is a Pentax specialist and has a better supply of spares.

Regards
Kim