A Blast From the Past

Dwayne of The Woodshedders, by Reed A. George

 

It's been a while since Dwayne had his hair short like this - 2009 as far as I know.

 

Just going through some old pictures, getting in the mood for my favorite music festival - Watermelon Park Fest.

 

I am pretty sure I shot this with a Pentax Spotmatic and Vivitar 200mm f3.5 lens. I like the look.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Another 50 Year Camera - The Pentax Spotmatic

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lighthouse, by Reed A. George

Pentax Spotmatic, 200mm f4 Takumar Lens

 

As my 50th birthday blazes toward me at the speed of time, I've been thinking about cameras that were current at my birth, and still useful now. As I've written before, the Nikon SLR comes to mind, and the thought has me carrying my 50 year old Nikon F with me at the same time as my brand new Nikon Df.

 

I've also just realized that one of my other favorite cameras, the Pentax Spotmatic, was born the same year as me - 1964.

 

As so many others I know, I grew up with a Pentax K1000 in hand. But, one of my best friend's dads had a gorgeous Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic. We were allowed to use it once in a while, but he demanded respect for his camera, something you can't just leave to teenagers on their own. Anyway, I now own a couple of Spotmatics (you can pick them up for next to nothing), and even have the same model of 200mm f4 Takumar he had. It feels really good to use them.

 

(Click Here) for a great article on Petapixel about the Spotmatic's 50th birthday. It includes scans of a brief review of the new camera, written in 1965 by Fred Springer-Miller, who used one at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Great stuff.

 

Civil War Sabre, by Reed A. George

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

Pentax Spotmatic - A Nice Review and a Few of My Pics

Well, my photographic interest started out with a Pentax K1000. I still have it. I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, but I just bought a second one in nearly-new condition for $48 shipped, including a 50mm f2 lens. The awesome 50mm f1.7 is my favorite normal lens for the K1000.
 
I remember a best friend's Dad had a gorgeous Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic. He also had the 50mm f1.4 Super Takumar, and 200mm f4. I was in awe of it, especially that telephoto. He only let us handle it very carefully.
 
A couple of years ago, I bought a truly beautiful black Spotmatic, and sent it off to Pentax wizard Eric Hendrickson. He does amazing work. It works like new.
 
You can contact Eric at Pentaxrepairs@aol.com
 
Next, I had to find a nice 200mm f4. It took some searching, but now I've got one. Anyway, here's a sample shot from the Spotmatic and 200mm f4 Takumar lens.
 

What the Duck Are YOU Looking At?, by Reed A. George

Pentax Spotmatic, 200mm f4 Takumar Lens, exposure unrecorded

 
And here's another, using a cheaper Vivitar 200mm f3.5:
 

Dwayne Brook of the Woodshedders, by Reed A. George

Pentax Spotmatic, Vivitar 200mm f3.5, exposure unrecorded

 
So what got me thinking of the Spotmatic? A very upbeat review on filmphotographyproject.com.
 
(Click Here) to read that review.
 
So, grab an old Spottie and get outside! They're a blast to use.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com