Pentax prism swap

[Murray Kelly]

I have a screw-mount Spotmatic about 40 years old and the pentaprism is showing a dark bar across the viewfinder. I understand this is due to the silver oxidizing on its surface.

Just recently I was given an S1 in poor shape but the prism appears to be fine.

Are the prisms interchangeable? Would a repair to the Spottie be feasible with the S1 prism?

 

[Landshark]

I believe it will swap but haven't tried.

How's that for qualifying an answer?

 

[Livesteamer]

The S1 had no meter, the Spotmatic did. Isn't there some someone on the web called the Pentax guy who does such repairs? At the price of screwmount Pentax's it might be cheaper just to buy another. I do like Spotmatic's but the H3v is the best. Joe

 

[shimokita]

It seems that a black line is common with the SP/SPF. I had a split screen focus screen installed in an old SPF and ended up talking to the repair guy about these cameras. My understanding was that it can be fixed... In any case the old SP/SPFs can be found for less than USD 5.00. And lots of old "parts cameras" for even less. I thought it was due to a light leak, but I could be wrong.

Casey

 

[peterm1]

I was able to pick up a Spotmatic body on ebay cheaply for jsut a few bucks if I recall correctly. It was knocked about but a good source of spare parts. You should be able to do the same if push comes to shove but I am sorry I really do not know if the S1 pentaprism is interchangeable.

Unless you are doing the work yourself it might be that its cheaper to buy a Spotmatic in good condition on ebay and keep your old one for parts. I am thinking of the stop down lever which often breaks on the Spotmatic but is easy to change over if you haev one to change.

While I used and enjoyed a Spotmatic for many years, I actually prefer the S1 / S1a etc as in size and shape they are much more similar to cameras like the old Leica threadmount cameras and are very nice to use if you are comfortable with not having a meter. (Sorry about this gratuitous advice - just my view.)

 

[Murray Kelly]

Thanks, guys. Including the 'definite maybe'! 🙂
The Spottie I loaned to my daughter-in-law as I'd made some comment about real cameras when she had her Canon G9 out. So, she asked to borrow back the Spottie I'd given and had returned from my son.
Well, the dark line put her off film and she continues to take excellent pictures with the digital.
I merely want to fix the prism if possible. I would do that myself but don't want to horse around with a 'mission impossible' if they don't swap.
There are no Pentaxes for $5 round these parts, I can assure you.
Thanks to all that replied.
Murray