Pentax SV and H1-A with meter's
- Thread starter Tom hicks
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Tom, very clean looking rigs, and if in good working order they'll be a pleasure to use. Very sturdy and elegant design I think. These are classics. I also have an SV as well as a Heiland H3 like my first Pentax long ago. I had CLA done to both of mine upon receipt, just for assurance that all was in adjustment and properly lubed. In addition, some previous owner had tried to clean the SV's mirror; these aluminized front-surface mirrors are very delicate, and the result was a severely "frosted" effect so it needed to be replaced. Best of luck, and have fun with yours!
Roger Hicks
Veteran
The SV was probably the best camera Pentax ever made, with the old build quality and new features (except metering). My first was written off in an accident many years ago but I replaced it (with two others, one black, one white).
I was never impressed with the meters, though, and on both mine the shutter runs about 1 stop slow on the fast speeds of 1/125 and above (measured with a tester, not with film). The overexposure gives lovely tonality...
Cheers,
R.
I was never impressed with the meters, though, and on both mine the shutter runs about 1 stop slow on the fast speeds of 1/125 and above (measured with a tester, not with film). The overexposure gives lovely tonality...
Cheers,
R.
lorenbliss
Member
Amongst NYC pros it was always rumored the H1A had the same shutter as the H3V, but that the 1/1000 was left off the H1A's shutter-speed dial for marketing purposes. (For those not familiar with the cameras, there's an unmarked, functional stop in the 1/1000 location on the H1A dial, which officially only goes to 1/500.) Any truth to that rumor? (Lots believed it.)
Livesteamer
Well-known
Those are great cameras. I have lots of old collectable SLR's but those early Pentax cameras are my favorite. I have several H3v's and think they have one of the best focusing screens ever, at least for my middle age eyes. My Nikon F's are sturdier but the Pentax ergonomics are way better. I have been watching e bay for Takumar lenses and have gotten some excellent lenses for very little money. Will these cameras be future classics? I think so. Joe
Tom hicks
Well-known
Thanks Doug , I had the SV CLA'ed along with the Meter . The H1a I got from Mark Hama on ebay, ready to go . I'll post some pic's when I can .
Tom hicks
Well-known
Yes , it is like the SP500 and SP1000, the SP500 has the extra stop, so does the H1A
peterm1
Veteran
These are amongst my favorite SLR cameras. If you look at them you will realise that without the prism they have a very nice form factor - not too dissimilar to the old leica screw mount cameras in body shape - small and elegant. I do not use the detachable meter though. I have seen too many of these cameras in otherwise fine condition that have been scratched or dented by the damn things.
peterm1
Veteran
This is true. I own the SIA (the intenational name for this model.) The shutter speed definitely can be set one notch beyond the 500 mark to give 1000 speed - even tho' the dial is not marked accordingly.
Abbazz
6x9 and be there!
Congrats Tom on the new acquisition. I second Joe's, Roger's and Peter's statements about the SV being the best camera ever produced by Pentax.
The S1A (or H1A) is indeed the same camera as the SV (or H3V), with the small exception of the shutter delay mechanism. The 1/1000 sec. speed marking was omitted from the shutter dial purely for marketing reasons. For the same reason, the Super Takumar 55/2.0 that came with the S1A is exactly the same lens as the 55/1.8 that came with the more expensive SV, only with a built-in ring designed to reduce the maximum aperture of the lens from F/1.8 to F/2.0. Camera makers still use the same tricks today when they deliberately cripple the software on their entry level cameras.
Cheers!
Abbazz
The S1A (or H1A) is indeed the same camera as the SV (or H3V), with the small exception of the shutter delay mechanism. The 1/1000 sec. speed marking was omitted from the shutter dial purely for marketing reasons. For the same reason, the Super Takumar 55/2.0 that came with the S1A is exactly the same lens as the 55/1.8 that came with the more expensive SV, only with a built-in ring designed to reduce the maximum aperture of the lens from F/1.8 to F/2.0. Camera makers still use the same tricks today when they deliberately cripple the software on their entry level cameras.
Cheers!
Abbazz
Tom hicks
Well-known
I agree, on the damage part, these are both minty and I have taken extra precaution and have installed some thin but very dense foam on the underside of the meters . Plus I baby most all my equipment . 😀
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Abbazz,
...and the focusing screen, which is a full microprism in the SV and diagonal lines only (a lot less effective) in the S1a. I no longer have an S1a but I remember this all too clearly. Or perhaps unclearly, given how much easier the SV is to focus. Of course in the intervening 40 years the SV screen may have been installed.
Finally, I'd agree that the SV is the nearest I've ever encountered to a screw Leica with a reflex mirror and prism installed, in ergonomics and 'feel'. As far as I recall, Pentax moved factories in about '67 and greatly increased production, and post-'67 cameras were never as nice as the older ones.
Cheers,
R.
dmr
Registered Abuser
The one on the left looks EXACTLY like the one my brother had years ago. Even the 1.8 lens. His was marked Honeywell Pentax (as was my Spotmatic) and the model was like HV or something.
Muggins
Junk magnet
Goodness - old Pentaxes are following me about! I found one on a tat market last week, and didn't even ask the price - trying to resist temptation! Now I can't work out whether I was better off leaving it,or whether I should have asked and been tempted. Damn this GAS!
Appaers to have been an Sv, as shown in the first pic, with (cased) light meter head, plus - of all things - a little Agfa folding flash and two packets of flashbulbs! Obviously not been used in a very many years... In fact, not used much at all by the apparent condition.
Adrian
Appaers to have been an Sv, as shown in the first pic, with (cased) light meter head, plus - of all things - a little Agfa folding flash and two packets of flashbulbs! Obviously not been used in a very many years... In fact, not used much at all by the apparent condition.
Adrian
Abbazz
6x9 and be there!
Dear Roger,
You are certainly right about the focusing screen. Thank you for putting it right.
Cheers!
Abbazz
Livesteamer
Well-known
Roger, how do you tell if your SV is pre or post 67? Thanks, Joe
dmr
Registered Abuser
OMG, is this guy on drugs or what!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Asahi-Pentax-SV...0893959QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116
http://cgi.ebay.com/Asahi-Pentax-SV...0893959QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Joe,
Dunno: sorry. You can probably do it from serial numbers but I don't know enough. As far as I recally, the SV was discontinued in about '67-68 (after being introduced in maybe '62) so maybe they're ALL pre-'67.
Sorry I can't be more help.
Cheers,
R.
Livesteamer
Well-known
Thanks Roger. I have four H3v's and can't tell much difference between them. They are all wonderful to use. A bit like an M3. No meter, just the basics. Thanks, Joe.
