Pentax: 1964-1976: The Spotmatic

1964: Asahi Pentax Spotmatic:

Asahi Pentax Spotmatic was one of the biggest successes in the history of camera production, launched at the annual Photokina show in 1960, produced from 1964 and ending production in 1976 (Spotmatic F). Total production of the Spotmatic family was some 4 million cameras. 
Introducing the Through The Lens- TTL- light metering, the Spotmatic found a solution to the question that all producers had been working on. Although Topcon were first on the market, the Spotmatic was what people was waiting for. No other model from any other brand had even close to the selling success of Asahi Pentax at the time. Some sources say Pentax sold more than Nikon and Canon together, others say they sold more than all other brands together! Sn. 2569816. Size: 143x92x49.

Lens:

Pentax released a Super-Takumar 50/1,4 in 1965. Usually the 55/1,8 followed the first Spotmatics. The 7 element 1,4 is still considered one othe best normal primes ever made. Mine has sn. 2923229.

Controls:

Well known layout: Almost identical to the Asahi Pentax S3. A rubber eye cup fits on the viewer window.

Spotmatic silver version:

The Spotmatic in silver version. Sn. 3674570.

1968: Spotmatic SL:

Spotmatic SL came in 1968 as a light edition of the Spotmatic. No internal light meter made it a little lighter, but not with the especially made light meter for the SL. Sn: 3016794.

The external light meter was very much like the Light Meter II from 1960, made for the S3.

1971: Asahi Spotmatic II:

Spotmatic II was presented in 1971. It featured an improved shutter, wider EV and ASA range, brighter viewer, improved self timer and better film tracker by a new roller. Sn: 5016086.

Controls:

Hardly any visible changes from the original other than flash shoe on prism house.

1971: Spotmatic IIa

The Spotmatic IIa was produced for the american market only, and therefore in Honeywell edition. The only difference from the II was the eye in front of the rewinder, necessary for metering the light for the Honeywell Strobolar flash system. Sn: 5222157.

SP IIa from 1971. Note the Honeywell logo and the eye at the front.

1971: Spotmatic SP 500:

Substituted SL as the economy model of the Spotmatic family from 1971. Sn: 3260827.

Controls:

As usual with the economy models: Fastest shutter time set to 1/500 and a slower lens. Here a Super Takumar 55/2 with s/n 1538445.

1971: Electro Spotmatic:

1971 and time for another worlds first from Pentax: Automatic shutter when choosing aperture. The first series were called Electro Spotmatic and was only sold in Japan. Sn: 5537890.

Controls:

Choose between manual or automatic shutter mode. Speeds from 1/1000 to 1/60, longer times through automatic mode. Button for battery check to the left of prism house.

A well used (or misused) sample. Winder and shutter still kind of working. Sn: 5530356.

1971: ES:

Still 1971 and now open for the world under the name ES. A few improvements electronically from the first version. Here a Honeywell edition for the american market. Sn: 6539622.

Lens:

The Takumar Super-Multi-Coated lenses were introduced with the Spotmatic II and ES cameras in 1971. Here is a 105/2,8 sn. 7181879.

1973: ES II:

The ES II was introduced in 1973 with some further improvements on the electronics as compared to the former edition. Also note the silver shutter button with on/off position. Sn: 6704896.

Controls:

1973: Spotmatic F:

The final high end Spotmatic: the F from 1973. Metering at full opening, among the improvements. Also on/off position on shutter button. Sn: 4806989.

Lens:

Super-Multi-Coated Takumar very high precision lens. 55/1,8. S/n: 5763396

Controls:

Same pattern as on previous Spotmatics.

1973: Spotmatic SP 1000:

The last Spotmatic. Followed the SP 500 as the low budget Spotmatic from 1973. Sn: 5617334.

Lens:

With the correct lens, a Takumar SMC 55/2. Sn: 6714339.

Controls:

Sp 1000, the last Spotmatic.

Bosse 26.06.2020 21:01

Hi,
The Spotmatic II was produced from 72 till 76. Spotmatic F from 1973 had s.n. 46xxxxx. Sn 51xxxxx may date to 74-75. No Pentax sn lists are available.

Renan - Brazil 26.06.2020 14:40

I heva a SP II sn 5117678. Do you know when it was made? Year? Thanks

Bosse 13.10.2019 07:36

There is no exact list of sn/year of production, but the first ones had 9xx xxx, close to 1 mill.That was late summer/autumn 1964. Yours is probably early 1965.

jack 13.10.2019 01:56

who can tell me what year was asahi pentax spotmatic SP made 1054359

Doug Barrow 08.07.2015 05:25

Terrific camera. Got mine cleaned and adjusted now it's like new.

| Svar

Nyeste kommentarer

02.11 | 16:32

Thank you! I should have said around 500000. Also remember that sometimes a top plate was broken and had to replace it with a spare one numbered differently.

01.11 | 20:18

I think your SN indications for the S1 may be a little off. I just picked up a chrome one with SN 527384.

09.08 | 09:58

Hi,
I do not know that model code. Please check for model name.
Regards

08.08 | 20:58

Hi I have a Konica Minolta code 3739740 please advise if there are film strips available for this camera? I'd appreciate the help. Thank you