I'm fairly sure this is set to 125x when you are using flash, to ensure the drive operates correctly when flash is used. The camera is also set to the mechanical 1/125sec setting on the top plate.

Chris, Pentax have, as John says, gone down the route of using an electronic release, just like most of the other camera manufacturers. If you prefer to continue to use a old plunger style cable release you can buy a cable release adaptor that screws into the tripod socket and has an arm that is positioned over the shutter release. There's a hole here that the cable release screws into. Then when you press the plunger it presses down on the shutter release button to fire the shutter. A bit crude and cumbersome so the electronic option would be better. You can buy an electronic release from Pentax User for £28 inc postage.

The 30x60 Scope with adaptor gives a 1500mm, f/25 lens. There is a note in the operating manual that says: "When the pictures are taken using the 1500mm f/25 lens, so avoid shaking the camera. Films with an ISO rating of 400 or higher are recommended for use. (Pictures may blur when ISO 100 films are used due to the slow shutter speed.)"

According to our service contact at Pentax PCF WP binoculars will not fog on the inside elements due to there being nitrogen inside. When warm humid air meets a cold boundary condensation occurs. One of the benefits of filling binoculars with nitrogen is that moisture is removed thus preventing fogging of the internal elements.
However, the weak spot of any binocular with regard to fogging is the air glass boundary. When a cold pair of binoculars is introduced into a warmer humid environment then fogging may occur on the external surfaces including the lens elements.
One way of preventing this is to ensure that the lens elements are kept warmer than the surroundings. So just as your spectacles will not fog up when leaving a warm house neither will the binoculars.
One more thing to consider is that even though the binocular is nitrogen filled, and so will not fog internally, the label that states that the binocular is fog proof does not refer to fogging. It refers to the binocular not being damaged by moisture penetration caused by fog, or rain, or snow, or water.

However, despite all this explanation it is possible that the seals on the lens may be damaged thus allowing fogging to occur inside the lens. You could send them back to Pentax for assessment so they can check for faults and proceed accordingly.

Have you tried a different flash connected to the Spotmatic? It could be the plug in the camera that's faulty. If you don't have another flash take the camera to your local camera shop and ask them to try it with one of theirs. Instruction books for most flashguns can be obtained from OldTimer cameras (please mention www.pentaxuser.co.uk).



Edited By PeterB on Oct. 29 2002 at 07:56

I checked with Pentax UK service dept and here's their view: "There would seem to be an obstruction between the rear lens and the film plane. This could be caused either by the panoramic blinds sticking or by some other obstruction in the zooming barrels. In most cases this kind of problem will be repairable."
Pentax UK suggest that the camera is sent to them for repair.

The error codes are listed on this site too. From the home page click on FAQ menu link!

Spares for this model were discontinued several years ago but you could try Peter Swadling in Pentax UK's spares dept, his phone number is 01753 792767.

Bad news, the H1 and H2 are error codes which relate to faults in the shutter system. The camera will need to be repaired. The good news is if you are a member of Pentax User you can get 20% discount on the total cost of this repair if it's done by Pentax UK.

We now have a FAQ section and the first of these is about error codes on compact cameras which you'll find linked to from the home page.