hipsterdufus
Photographer?
Once you've got a Spotmatic, you don't really need anything else (as a film shooter). All were taken with the 55mm f1.8:
Praise for the Spotmatic
- Thread starter Noll
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Roger Hicks
Veteran
It's a second-best, slightly rougher SV with a built in meter. I prefer the SV.
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
GarageBoy
Well-known
The SV/H3V feels sooo nice in the hand. The Nikon F and F2 feels like a brick (and I don't mind), but the Pentaxes feel more, Khakis and a button up shirt.
I bid on a SP for kicks and giggles, and won it for $30
The thing looks fresh out of the box, minus some baseplate wear. My dad saw it and went right into nostalgia mode (he was torn between an Exakta and a Spotmatic at the time and chose the former)
I bid on a SP for kicks and giggles, and won it for $30
The thing looks fresh out of the box, minus some baseplate wear. My dad saw it and went right into nostalgia mode (he was torn between an Exakta and a Spotmatic at the time and chose the former)
ironhorse
Joe DuPont
My first SLR bought used with a 55mm(?) 1.4 lens in 1970 for $100. Great camera. Unfortunately stolen in 1979.
charjohncarter
Veteran
Any of you LUCKY souls that has a radioactive thorium 50mm f1.4 here is how I cleared mine:
Mackinaw
Think Different
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How long to clear away the yellow?
Jim B.
Jim B.
Noll
Well-known
Good to hear all the Spotmatic love here...
After much further inspection, I can now notice that the Spotmatic viewfinder is a slight bit smaller. That said, the difference is slight enough that I don't think it matters much.
As Alfredian said, I think I was lucky to find a seldom-used, well cared for body and lens - as a result everything was super clean and clear. Other Spotmatics may not have fared so well. My OM1 on the other hand seems to have a much blurrier screen outside of the split prism circle - perhaps I need to invest in a replacement.
Until I chance across one, ignorance will be bliss!
After much further inspection, I can now notice that the Spotmatic viewfinder is a slight bit smaller. That said, the difference is slight enough that I don't think it matters much.
As Alfredian said, I think I was lucky to find a seldom-used, well cared for body and lens - as a result everything was super clean and clear. Other Spotmatics may not have fared so well. My OM1 on the other hand seems to have a much blurrier screen outside of the split prism circle - perhaps I need to invest in a replacement.
Until I chance across one, ignorance will be bliss!
Noll
Well-known
Eric, looks like you're getting some great results out of your 55 f1.8!
Also looks like you found some garlic mustard - a really awful invasive species that's ravaging forests across the Midwest and Northeast. On the off chance there isn't much in your area yet, it would be good to pull it out!
Also looks like you found some garlic mustard - a really awful invasive species that's ravaging forests across the Midwest and Northeast. On the off chance there isn't much in your area yet, it would be good to pull it out!
Once you've got a Spotmatic, you don't really need anything else (as a film shooter). All were taken with the 55mm f1.8:
hipsterdufus
Photographer?
Hmmm, it's been a while since I took that shot. I'll keep my eyes peeled. Thanks for the heads-up.
Graham Line
Well-known
Finding a lightly-used Spotmatic isn't too difficult; the Nikon F series displaced them as the hard-core professional's camera.
My working kit during the 1970s was a pair of Spotmatic F bodies, one with a 28/3.5 and the other with an 85/1.8. Always very accurate and reliable.
My working kit during the 1970s was a pair of Spotmatic F bodies, one with a 28/3.5 and the other with an 85/1.8. Always very accurate and reliable.
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
I like the Spotmatics, but the stopped-down is rather a pain, especially with the switch being pushed up to engage it. I'm actually a big fan of the open-aperture metering Spotmatics, like the F, ES and ES II. And the lenses are great, as all agree.
Ansel
Well-known
I forgot about the 85 1.8. What a great lens!
charjohncarter
Veteran
I did it for at least five days, but I couldn't really see the yellow on color photos.
Uncle Fester
Well-known
This is that lens back before I knew what I was doing, if I do now:
A nice example from the 28mm.
Uncle Fester
Well-known
Any of you LUCKY souls that has a radioactive thorium 50mm f1.4 here is how I cleared mine:
John,
Is this a standard CFL bulb, or is it a special bulb with a higher UV output>?
Thanks...
charjohncarter
Veteran
Thanks you, I still love that heavy, tight, sharp, slow, with a great lens hood, compact lens. I even had it CLAd recently, even though I could have bought one for the price.
charjohncarter
Veteran
I got it for a buck at the grocery store so, I think it is standard.
Uncle Fester
Well-known
peterm1
Veteran
I had one and much against my better judgement sold it because predictably I wanted to buy something else - some Leica kit, I think. My SMC version was pristine and produced beautiful images. Fortunately I also had a preset version of the 85mm f1.9 which is every bit as good (some say better). I still own the latter and use it on an M4/3 camera body with adapter. Its wonderful.
Richard G
Veteran
The slightly longer 55mm focal length and the close focus to under half a meter make the 55 f2 Super Takumar I have very useful. The Spotmatic is an industrial design icon. Mine sits around tables at home more than any other camera. It was given to me by a client recently, no-one having any use for it. I can't get a battery for it, but it doesn't matter.
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