Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SP

1964

A new camera design from the ground up, the Spotmatic marked one of the early successes for Japanese camera makers. It was the first SLR to use a type of through-the-lens (TTL) metering. This set the stage for the popularity of the Spotmatic series which was only interrupted with the release of the new K-Mount cameras in 1975.

Improvements in this new design included a slightly faster X-sync speed (1/60), and a redesigned shutter system which was rated at 100,000 cycles.

The only early price I can find for the camera is the MSRP of $249.50. In today’s money that would be over $2300! I’m seriously doubtful it ever sold for that much, as almost all published MSRPs of that era are quite inflated. However, I did find a legitimate advertisement for the Spotmatic from 1970 for $184.50 – which included a 50 1.8 lens. This is certainly more believable as that would be equivalent to just over $1400 in today’s money.

Technicals Specifications:

Original List Price (1965): $249.50 w/50 1.8
Price in 2022 Dollars: $2345.86*
Manufacturer: Asahi Kogaku (Pentax)
Model: Spotmatic SP
Year Introduced: 1964
Film Format: 35mm SLR
Lens: M42 mount
Shutter: cloth, horizontal travel
Self-timer: no
Shutter Speeds: 1 – 1/1000
Shutter Release: on top
Built-in Meter: TTL (stop-down)
Film Speed/ASA Range: 20-1600
Flash Sync: 1/60
Film Advance: on top
Frame Counter: on top
Exposure Modes: manual
Finder: no settings visible
Focusing Screens: center micro-prism
Mirror: quick-return
Battery:

*Based on current information at
in2013dollars.com

1964

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