Reproduced for Historical & Reference purposes by Paul M. Provencher - http://whitemetal.
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 1 Major working parts of the ASAHI PENTAX Spotmatic II ......................................................................... 2 Specifications .................................................................................................................................................... 4 Short operating course ............................
Introduction Your Asahi Pentax Spotmatic II is the finest photographic instrument on the market. The Super-Multi-Coating" on the Takumar lens, developed by Pentax and available only on Spotmatic II Takumars, reduces flare and boosts contrast to a degree far beyond what was previously possible in optical technology.
Major working parts of the ASAHI PENTAX Spotmatic II A - Shutter Speed Index B - Shutter Speed Dial C - Rapid wind lever D - ASA film speed setting E - Shutter Release F - Automatic reset exposure counter G - 'Cocked' indicator H - D-ring lug I - Self-timer cocking lever J - Focusing ring K - X flash terminal L - FP Flash terminal Reproduced for Historical & Reference purposes by Paul M. Provencher http://whitemetal.
M - Preview lever N - Exposure meter switch O - Film rewind crank P - Film rewind knob Q - Film type reminder dial R - Reminder dial selector S - PF/X switch rim T - Diaphragm ring U - Diaphragm and distance index V - Distance scale W - Exposure counter index X - Depth-of-field guide Y - Hot shoe Z - Hot shoe flash contact Reproduced for Historical & Reference purposes by Paul M. Provencher http://whitemetal.
Specifications Type 35mm single-lens reflex with built-in light meter. Film and Picture Size 35mm film (20 or 36 exposures). 24mm x 36mm Standard Lenses Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 50mm f/1.4 or 55mm Super-Multi-Coated Takumar f/1.8 with fully automatic diaphragm. Distance scale: 0.45m (1.5 feet) to infinity. Filter size: 49mm. With depth-of-field scale. Equipped with diaphragm preview lever which affords visual check of depth of field. Distance Scale: 45cm (18") to infinity.
Film Advance Ratchet type rapid wind lever (for film advance and shutter cocking). 10° preadvance and 160° advancing angle. "Cocked" Indicator A red disk appears in a small window alongside the shutter release button when the shutter is cocked, and blacks out when it is released. Film Exposure Counter Automatic re-set type. Flash Synchronization FP & X contacts for conventional flash cord connection. Electronic synchronization at 1/60 sec.
Short operating course A mercury battery for the light meter is packed separately. Be sure to insert it into the battery housing when operating the camera. For battery insertion, refer to page 17. 1. SET FILM SPEED Lift the outer ring of the shutter speed dial, turn it around and set the same number as the ASA number of the loaded film to the small red index which appears alongside the figure 1. Then cock the rapid wind lever. 2.
4. TURN ON THE LIGHT METER SWITCH Push up the switch button with your thumb. Through the viewfinder, you will observe the movement of the meter's needle on the right side of the ground glass. Be sure to turn off the meter's switch when not actually taking readings. 5. ROTATE DIAPHRAGM RING The needle moves up and down with the turn of the diaphragm ring. When the needle rests at the center, you will get correct exposure.
How to hold your camera In horizontal position A. Hold the camera firmly with your left hand, and draw your arm close to your body. In vertical position B. Hold your camera tightly to your forehead with your left hand, and drawn your right arm close to your body. In vertical position C. Hold your camera tightly to your forehead with your left hand, raise your right arm and draw your left arm to your body.
Film Loading Avoid direct sunlight when loading your film. Film type reminder dial Use the film type dial to show what type of film is in your camera. When you have pulled out the rewind knob to open the back when loading the film, turn the dial selector so that the type of film appears in the window. To check whether the camera is loaded, turn the film rewind knob clockwise. If it turns freely, the camera is not loaded. 1. Open the back by pulling out the rewind knob until the back cover snaps open. 2.
Film wind and rewind Cock the rapid wind lever for the first picture; the exposure counter automatically turns to '1', indicating that the first picture is ready to be taken. 2 After the final picture on the roll (20 or 36 exposures) has been taken, the rapid wind lever will not turn all the way as you stroke it. This indicates that the final picture has been taken on your film, and that the film must be rewound. Don't open the back of the camera, or all exposed frames will be ruined.
Bright field focusing 1 You can start viewing and focusing before and after cocking the rapid wind lever. When the automatic preview lever is in the "AUTO" (automatic) position, the meter is at "OFF", the diaphragm is fully open except for the moment of exposure. 2 Turn the distance scale ring until your subject image is clearly in focus. It is not always necessary for you to view and focus with the diaphragm fully open. In bright sunlight, you can easily focus with the diaphragm closed to f/5.
Automatic Diaphragm* OUT OF FOCUS When the preview lever is in the "AUTO" (automatic) position, and the exposure meter is turned to "OFF", the fully automatic diaphragm is at its largest aperture at all times, except for the instant of exposure, no matter what aperture is set on the diaphragm ring. When you release the shutter, the diaphragm automatically stops down to the predetermined aperture and the shutter curtains start travelling instantly.
Shutter Turn the shutter speed dial clockwise or counter-clockwise to the shutter speed desired. The shutter speed may be set either before or after cocking the rapid wind lever. As you cock the shutter by turning the rapid wind lever, the "cocked" indicator turns red showing that the shutter is cocked. The indicator window blacks out as you trip the shutter button. For use of the X setting on the shutter speed dial, refer to page 18.
Depth-of-field tables: Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 50mm lens Distance Scale \ f setting f/1.4 f/2 f/2.8 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 0.45 m 0.6 m 1 m 1.5 m 2 m 5 m 10 m ∞ m 0.45 0.453 .045 0.454 0.44 0.46 0.44 0.46 0.44 0.46 0.44 0.47 0.43 0.47 0.42 0.48 0.59 0.61 .059 0.61 0.59 0.61 0.59 0.62 0.58 0.62 0.57 0.63 0.56 0.65 0.54 0.67 0.98 1.02 0.98 1.02 0.97 1.03 0.95 1.05 0.94 1.07 0.91 1.11 0.88 1.15 0.84 1.24 1.46 1.54 1.45 1.56 1.43 1.58 1.40 1.62 1.36 1.68 1.30 1.77 1.24 1.89 1.16 2.16 1.93 2.
Depth-of-field table: Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 50mm lens Distan ce Scale \ f setting f/1.4 1'6" 2' 3' 5' 10' 15' 30' 1' 6.12" 1' 6.13" 1' 11.8" 2' 0.2" 2' 11.5" 3' 0.6" 4' 10.4" 5' 1.7" 9' 5.6" 10' 7.2" 13' 9.7" 16' 4.9" 25' 6.6" 36' 4.2" ∞ m 169' 9.2" ∞ f/2 f/2.8 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 Depth-of-field table: Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 55mm lens Distan ce Scale \ f setting f/1.8 f/2 f/2.8 f/4 f/5.
Range of light measurement The exposure meter of the Spotmatic measures the brightness of the ground glass. Therefore, the meter should be turned on after you have focused your subject on the ground glass. The following table shows the range of the meter's light measurement, and should not be interpreted as the camera's total range of f/stop-shutter speed combinations. As you will note from the table below, with an ASA100 film, you may use any shutter speed from 1 sec. to 1/1000 sec.
Mercury Battery How to check it 1. Set the shutter speed dial to B (bulb) position. 2. Turn the ASA dial to ASA 100. 3. Push the meter switch to "on" position. Look at the meter's needle through the viewfinder. If the needle rapidly drops, the meter has sufficient capacity; if it does not, replace the mercury battery. How to replace it Open the battery housing cover on the bottom cover plate with a coin. Remove old battery and insert new battery with (+) side toward the top of the camera.
Flash Synchronization The Spotmatic II has FP and X terminals at the front of the camera body, and a separate FP/X contact on the built-in hot shoe. The table below shows which flash contact, which shutter speed and which flash bulb may be combined for maximum lamp efficiency. Unless these combinations are rigidly followed, there will be a failure in flash synchronization. Note the "X" setting is exactly the 60 marked on the speed dial.
Self-Timer Depending on how far down you turn the self-timer cocking lever (1), it will release the shutter in 5 - 13 seconds. When operating the selftimer, always depress the self-timer release button (2) to release the shutter. Do not depress the shutter button … it will immediately release the shutter without delayed action. The self-timer cocking lever should be turned down at least 90° or the release button will not operate.
Important Notes Always keep the meter switched off when not actually taking readings. Leaving the meter switched on will rapidly exhaust the battery. It is also necessary to keep the meter switched off when mounting a SuperTakumar or SMC Takumar lens on the Spotmatic II camera body. If it is switched on, the tip of the automatic diaphragm release pin of the lens will hit the pin release plate inside the camera body and may get damaged.
4 Exposure increase factors which apply when taking pictures with filters, close-ups, macro- and micro-photos, do not apply to the Spotmatic 5 Primarily made for use with the Spotmatic II, the Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 50mm f/1.4 can also be used with the original Spotmatic, the models SL and SP 500. Further, it can be used with only two other cameras: Asahi Pentax SV and S1a with an orange-colored R marking on the film rewind knob.
How to take care of your camera 1. STORAGE a) The instrument, when not in use, should be protected from dampness and dust. Preferably, it should be kept in its case and, as an additional precaution, inserted into a polyethylene bag. b) Care should be taken to see that the camera is not kept in abnormally high or low temperatures - normal room temperature is best.
3. RUNNING TEST BEFORE USE Before embarking on a holiday, where your camera will be your constant companion or, in fact, any other reason for the camera being required on an important assignment, make a few trial exposures. It is advisable to test the camera at least four weeks prior to your departure to give time for a test film to be exposed and processed. Many spoiled holiday records would have been avoided if this precaution had been taken. 4.
Interchangeable Lenses The Asahi Pentax offers many interchangeable lenses in a wide variety of focal lengths, all of which are highly respected by both professional and amateur photographers for their fine resolution. The photographic coverage of various Takumar lenses is illustrated on page 25. With focal length longer than 55mm, the subject image is seen through the viewfinder larger than its life size.
DIFFERENCE OF ANGLE OF TAKUMAR LENSES 28mm 50~55mm 85mm 135mm 200mm 400mm 1000mm All photographs were taken from the same location and distance from the subject. Reproduced for Historical & Reference purposes by Paul M. Provencher http://whitemetal.
Fish-Eye Takumar 17mm f/4* The world's most efficient fish-eye lens with maximum brightness of f/4. Covers an angle of vision of about 180°. Enables you to view and focus through the viewfinder without keeping the reflex mirror flipped up. Lens element 11 (including 3 filters) Minimum aperture f/22 Minimum distance 0.66ft. (0.2m) Angle of view 180° (diagonal) Weight 7.98 ozs. (228 gr.) Super-Takumar 20mm f/4.5* The new Super-Takumar 20mm f/4.
SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5* A new super-wide-angle lens of 7 elements, designed and produced to meet the most exacting of professional requirements, this is the lens you professionals and advanced amateurs need to shoot more artistic photographs. Equipped with fully automatic diaphragm; ideal for architecture, fast-action and artistic photography. Lens element 7 Minimum aperture f/16 Minimum distance 1.3 ft. (40cm) Angle of view 75° Weight 7.6 ozs.
SMC Takumar 50mm f/1.4 Newest high-speed 7-element standard lens for Spotmatic II. Super-multi-coated for higher light transmission, it has become a much brighter lens. You get improved contrast and richer colors. No irritating "ghost" images or flare when shooting directly against the light. An ideal all-around lens for color photography. Lens element 7 Minimum aperture f/16 Minimum distance 1.5ft. (0.45cm) Angle of view 46° Weight 8.1 ozs. (230 gr.) SMC Takumar 55mm f/1.
SMC Takumar 105mm f/2.8 A quality medium telephoto lens of 5 elements, with well corrected aberrations. Light-weight design for portability and easy handling. Recommended for scenery, portrait, news photos and other moderate telephoto effects. Equipped with fully automatic diaphragm; supplied with special lenshood. Lens element 5 Minimum aperture f/22 Minimum distance 4 ft. (1.2m) Angle of view 23° Weight 10.2 ozs. (290 gr.) SMC Takumar 120mm f/2.
SMC Takumar 135mm f/2.5 A faster f/2.5 lens has joined the superb Takumar 135mm lens family. Well balanced, its total length is rather short so it is light in weight. Most suitable for shooting night scenes, stage, indoors, sports and snap portraits. An excellent lens also for color photography. Lens element 5 Minimum aperture f/22 Minimum distance 5 ft. (1.5 m) Angle of view 18° Weight 15.5 ozs. (444 gr.
Super-Takumar 300mm f/4 Light enough for hand-held picture taking, this lens is the most ideal for spectacular telephotographic effects. Even with the diaphragm fully open, the aberrations are corrected to the greatest extent possible. Gives needle-sharp resolution to every corner of the picture. Equipped with fully automatic diaphragm; supplied with special lenshood. Lens element 5 Minimum aperture f/22 Minimum distance 18 ft. (5.5m) Angle of view 8° Weight 33.1 ozs. (946 gr.) SMC Takumar 400mm f/5.
SMC Takumar 500mm f/4.5 Comparatively light and small for its performance, this powerful long-focus lens brings the inaccessible within reach. Its bright f/4.5 image simplifies composition and focusing, and it produces edge-to-edge coverage of high resolution. Equipped with manual diaphragm; supplied with special lenshood. Lens element 4 Minimum aperture f/45 Minimum distance 32.8 ft. (10m) Angle of view 5° Weight 122.5 ozs. (3.5 kg.
SMC Takumar-Zoom 85mm~210mm f/4.5 With the new SMC Takumar-Zoom 85~210mm f/4.5, zooming and focusing are done in one action. So you get the kind of speed that's so essential to zoom shooting. With a zoom ratio of 2.5 and focal calibrations of 85, 100, 120, 135, 150, 180, 210, and any point within this range, this one lens takes the place of the most frequently used group of interchangeable lenses. It's compact and lightweight, too. Truly the most versatile lens you can own.
Ultra-Achromatic Takumar 85mm f/4.5 The new Ultra-Achromatic-Takumar 85mm f/4.5 is corrected against chromatic aberration from ultraviolet to infrared wavelength bands. Not only is it a high resolution lens for visible light photography, but also it gives unmatched optical performance in ultraviolet and infrared photography. The lens uses no glass; it uses fluorite and quartz. This unique lens answers some of the optical quality and performance problems in ultraviolet and infrared photography.
FishEye Takumar 17mm f/4 2 SuperTakumar 20mm f/4.5 6 SuperTakumar 24mm f/3.5 6 SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5 6 SuperTakumar SMC Takumar SMC Takumar SMC Macro Takumar SuperTakumar SMC Takumar SMC Takumar -Zoom SMC Takumar SMC BellowsTakumar 35mm f/2 35mm f/3.5 50mm f/1.4 50mm f/4 2 55mm f/2 6 6 6 2 6 55mm f/1.8 6 85~210m m f/4.5 2 85mm f/1.8 6 100mm f/4 2 2 1 1 1 1 7 1 8 1 5 1 7 2 4 1 6 1 1 2 1 9 1 2 1 6 1 1 6 5 A A A A A A A A A A A A S . ft g o zs.
SMC Takumar SMC Takumar SMC Takumar SMC Takumar SMC Takumar SMC Takumar SuperTakumar 105mm f/2.8 120mm f/2.8 135mm f/3.5 135mm f/2.5 150mm f/4 200mm f/4 300mm f/4 SMC Takumar 400mm f/5.6 5 SMC Takumar 500mm f/4.5 5 SMC Takumar 1000mm f/8 3 5 UA Takumar UA Takumar 85mm f/4.5 300mm f/5.6 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 4 4 4 2 2 5 5 4 5 5 5 5 A A A A A A A F F F F F F F 5 M 4 M 5 M 5 5 A A F F 1 .2 1 .2 1 .5 1 .5 1 .8 2 .5 5 .5 8 0 0 1 3 0 .6 4 .
Complete System of Asahi Pentax Accessories for Close-Ups, Macrophotography, Photomicrography, and other Miscellaneous Accessories • EXTENSION TUBE SET A set of 3 rings, #1, #2 and #3 of 9.5mm, 19mm and 28.5mm respectively. They may be used singly or in combination desired. When all three are used simultaneously with the 55mm Super-Takumar lens, the subject is enlarged on film to a magnification of 1.17 life size. • AUTO-EXTENSION TUBE SET New extension tube set of 3 rings, 95mm (#1), 19mm (#2) and 28.
• BELLOWS UNIT I Extremely flexible for ultra-close-up photography, the Bellows I permits use of the camera's own lens. Provided with a special precision-calibrated gear shaft for reading continuous magnification from 0.62 to 2.45 with the standard 55mm lens. • AUTO BELLOWS & SLIDE COPIER The Asahi Pentax Auto-Bellows is a highly flexible close-up and macro-photographic instrument. The bellows extension is longer than the extension of the standard Bellows Unit. The Auto-Bellows is more versatile.
• REVERSE ADAPTER This allows 50mm or 55mm Takumar lenses to be used on bellows or extension tubes in reverse position for better macrophotographic results • MICROSCOPE ADAPTER Fitting between the Asahi Pentax camera body and the microscope tube, this adapter permits utilization of the microscope's optics in place of the camera's lens. It may be used with any microscope which has a tube of 25mm diameter. Complete set consists of an adapter tube, fastening knob, light-sealing tube, and stopper.
• CLIP-ON MAGNIFIER For added convenience in critical focusing for close-ups, copying, macro-photography, etc. This can be easily attached to the slotted frame of the viewfinder of your Asahi Pentax and enlarges your viewing image 2X. • CLOSE-UP LENS Ground and polished to the superb Takumar lens standards and has screw-in mount for lenses of 49mm thread. Magnification of 0.32 to 0.15 with the 55mm SMC Takumar lens.
• ACCESSORY CLIP II Deluxe type, precision made accessory clip model II fits the viewfinder frame of Asahi Pentax cameras • CORRECTION LENS ADAPTER A clip-on eyepiece for prescription lens (eye-piece only ). Also a convenient eye-cup for everyday photography. • STEREO ADAPTER SET The new Asahi Pentax Stereo Adapter consists of a stereo adapter and a viewer. The adapter is for taking pictures (reversal color pictures) and the viewer is for viewing stereo color slides.
• SHORT SOFT CASE Especially designed soft case without a nose for lens. This allows you to take pictures with the camera in the case for quieter operation. For use with SV and S1a only • SOFT CASE JUMBO FRONT Jumbo-size front for soft camera case to contain an Asahi Pentax with 135mm, 105mm or 85mm telephoto lens. • GADGET BAG A deluxe Asahi Pentax Gadget Bag for an assortment of Asahi Pentax camera, lenses and accessories with inside partition and strong shoulder strap and front clasp.
Super-Lite II Electronic Flash The Asahi Pentax Super-Lite II is a compact easy-to-operate electronic flash unit produced with the same engineering skill that perfects the Asahi Pentax System of Photography. Light and compact, it simply attaches to your Asahi Pentax camera. • The angle of light distribution of most flash guns is designed to match the angle of the standard lens. The Super-Lite II is one of the widest-angle electronic flash units on the market today.
Spotmeter III Selective exposure photography … the most advanced concept in reflected light meters. The Spotmeter III utilizes an optical reflect system which gives a 21° angle of view on the ground glass screen. In the center of this viewing screen is a 1° circle which represents the angle covered by the meter's CdS sensing element. For this reason, it is extremely selective, permitting precise exposure reading at longer distances, and gives greater control over exposure problems.
ASAHI PENTAX Prism Binoculars The unique coated interference filter of the Asahi Pentax prism binoculars, another achievement of the Asahi Pentax engineering, eliminates ultraviolet and infrared rays which may be harmful to the eyes. Magnifi cation Diameter of Objective Lens Diame ter of Exit Pupil Angle of View Relative Brightnes s Field of View at 1000 yards Reproduced for Historical & Reference purposes by Paul M. Provencher http://whitemetal.
ASAHI PENTAX Telescopes The superb Asahi Pentax telescopes, also designed and produced by the Asahi Pentax engineering group, are available in the following sizes: 30X, 40mm telescope, in white or black finish, with tripod. 50X, 50mm telescope, in grey finish, with sun glass and tripod. 60mm astronomical telescope with micro-moving attachment, 4X finder, 4 eyepieces (6mm, 9mm, 12.5mm and 20mm), erecting and diagonal prisms, sun glass, wooden tripod and carrying case.
GUIDE BOOK FOR ASAHI PENTAX SYSTEM OF PHOTOGRAPHY The operating manual for the Asahi Pentax cameras is merely an instruction book for the proper care and operation of the Asahi Pentax cameras. It does not, and can not, deal fully with every possible application of the Asahi Pentax System of Photography because those applications are almost limitless.
films, close-ups, copying, depth-of-field, developers, exposure, exposure meter, films, film speed, filters, flash, focal length, focusing, holding, lighting, loading, long-range work, monocular, multiple flash, perspective, printing, shooting, slide projection, Spotmatic operation, storing negatives, telescope, tripod, unloading, viewing.
WARRANTY POLICY All Asahi Pentax cameras purchased through authorized bona fide photographic distribution channels are guaranteed against defects of material or workmanship for a period of twelve months from date of purchase. Service will be rendered and defective parts will be replaced without cost to you within that period, provided the equipment has not been abused, altered, or operated contrary to instructions.
All models, prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. CAUTION Mercury Battery The mercury battery should be kept dry and clean. Don't touch it with your finger unnecessarily. Before inserting it into its housing, wipe its surface completely with a dry piece of cloth. To prevent rapid deterioration, don't try to measure the short current or to charge the battery. Don't throw a used battery into fire…it may explode.
Reproduced for Historical & Reference purposes by Paul M. Provencher http://whitemetal.
Reproducers Comments This manual was recreated by hand-entering all text and by scanning all graphics found in the original manual. Every attempt was made to lay out this reproduction manual as it appears in the original. Except for cases that could not be ignored, all text is exactly as it appears in the July 1972 copy of this manual (including errors in spelling, grammar, etc.) It should be noted that this manual could be reliably used to operate earlier Spotmatic cameras except for some points: 1.
