Could help but post these pics of two beauties that have come my way in recent weeks (via e-YouKnowWho) after ages looking; both in virtually mint condition. The AP came as body-only so I fitted an Auto-Tak 55/2.0 for this picture. The shutter had jammed so it's now gone to Harrow Technical for some TLC to return it to operational condition. The K came with its original 'zebra' 55/1.8 lens and currently has a roll of film being put through it.

Thanks, Matt. I'm away from base at the moment, but don't recall there being any hangups. I'll check when I get back. Thanks for the links - very interesting.

Afternoon all.

I recently came into possession of an early S1a with a fitted Super-Takumar 1:2/55. What's piqued my curiosity is that whereas all the other Takumars I've got all have the f-stops on the diaphragm ring running right to left when looking at them from above the camera (clockwise), this lens has them running backwards, left to right (anticlockwise). Also, even though the nominal maximum aperture if f2, there is an additional click stop above this, which presumably means f1.8, although not marked (same as with earlier Auto-Taks). Finally, the Auto/Manual switch is thinner than usual, and like the diaphragm ring is the other way around, with the red 'M' closer to the focus index mark, rather than the 'A'.

After checking on the web about early Takumar lenses, I've seen reference to a transitional lens marked 'Auto-Takumar' that was configured this way, but no reference to one that was marked 'Super-Takumar'.

Am I right in thinking that this lens was right on the cusp of the switchover from Auto to Super?

Thanks.

Many thanks, will contact them.

I recently acquired an immaculate, pristine-condition early Pentax H2 from around 1959: early (I think) because it has no cut-out on the shutter-speed dial for a meter linkage and it has a fitted original Auto-Tak f2/55mm. The camera is as marketed in the US, marked as 'Honeywell Heiland'. Even the base plate is unmarked!

Unfortunately, it seems to be pristine because it doesn't appear to have been used very much at all, and therefore the shutter, mirror etc are very sticky and only attempt to fire when the camera is warm. Also the shutter speeds don't sound right at all, with a lot of the sticking happening at 1/60 and slower, probably due to the sticky shutter travel.

I'd like to return it to full mechanical operating condition and run some film through it - can anyone recommend a good UK-based re-conditioning service that I can send this venerable old beast to?

Thanks,
Martyn

Hello all.

Just joined the forum, and look forward to very informative feedback!

My first Pentax was a KM/55mm f2, which was stolen in around 1976. I replaced it with a MX which I used for 25 years, until my wife bought me my first sub-1mpixel digital! Then used a *ist DS until earlier this year when I got a X90 bridge camera for routine picture-taking.

I was introduced to Pentax at school in the mid-60s where my biology teacher also taught photography using a Spotmatic, and b/w developing/printing, which I continued to do up to the early 90s.

So now I've decided to collect Pentax cameras up to where I bought my MX, and so far have got a late model S1a, SP500, ES, SPF in screw-thread, and a black ME in addition to my winder-driven chrome MX in K mount. Next target is a 50s Pentax, maybe a K or H2, plus a KM to replace the one stolen. I imagine that original APs from 1957 are pretty hard to come by these days!

Cheers,
Martyn