The Pentax Spot Matic refers to a family of 35mm SLR cameras manufactured by the Asahi Optical Co Ltd , later known as Pentax corporation between 1964 and 1976. All Pentax Spotmatics used the M42 screw mount which was developed before WWII by Zeiss and Praktica. Asahi Optical used the name Takumar for their lenses.( Define light ) These were high-quality improved lenses , later versions of which featured multi-coating and where called Super-Multi- Coated ( SMC) Takumars. The camera allowed one to focus the lens at maximum aperture with a bright viewfinder image. After focusing a switch on the side of the lens mount stopped the lens down and switched on the metering which the camera displayed with a needle located on the side of the viewfinder. The use of stop-down metering was at this time revolutionary, but it limited the capability of the light-meter especially in low light situations. Later models like the Spotmatic F, Electro Spotmatic, ES and ESII were capable of open-aperture-metering when used with Super-Multi-coated Takumar lenses with an aperture coupling prong in the lens mount.
Specifications SP1000.
Type : 35mm single-lens reflex with built-in light meter.
Film size: 35mm film
Standard lens mount: 42mm Screw mount.
Shutter: Focal plane shutter , with single non-rotating dial. Speeds: B,1- 1/1000sec. Film speed setting dial and window on shutter speed dial. Shutter curtains of special rubberized silk.
Warning signal: The index of shutter speeds turns to Red when the shutter and film speed settings are of the meters measurability range.
Finder : Pentaprism finder with microprism Fresnel lens for instant focusing; approximately life size magnification with 55mm lens.
Focusing : Turn the distance scale ring until the subject image on the ground glass comes into focus.
Reflex Mirror: Instant return type with special shock absorbers for minimum vibrations.
Film advance: Ratchet-type rapid wind lever ( for film advance and shutter cocking) 10 ° pre-advancing 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.
Lens mount : 42mm threaded lens mount.
Flash synchronization: Equipped with FP and X flash terminals. Electronic synchronization at 1/60 sec.
Exposure meter: Built-in meter measures the brightness of the ground glass and couples directly to shutter and film speed settings. Film-speed (ASA) settings ranges from 20 to 1600. Meter is powered with a RM400 battery.
Film rewind: Rapid rewind crank for speedy film take up . Film rewind button on the bottom of camera body rotates while film is being rewound.
Loaded film indicator: Loaded film reminder dial underneath film rewind knob is marked “Pancro” ,“Color”and “Empty”.
Dimensions : 143 x 92 x 88mm.
Weight : 820 grams.
