Pentax Spotmatic SPII

Two classics for the price of one.

Should I have put this on two separate pages? Very obviously two different versions of the same model camera. One black and the other chrome. Otherwise both SPIIs.

These were the spiritual successor to the super-successsful Pentax K1000. In fact, other than the M42 thread on the lens, they are very close to being twins with that camera. Both of these are lovely well used examples with non Pentax lenses.

The chrome body I bought from a photo shop in Newent - which seems to have disappeared. It just sold second hand film cameras. This was sold without a lens and with an apparent non working light meter. Well it does work after a fashion. The trouble is that you can't buy the proper (mercury) batteries for it. But you can buy Alkaline versions at a slightly different voltage and then calibrate the readings against a trusted meter (usually my iPhone). The lens was off a dead Praktica MTL3, which I seemed to have a few of.

The black bodied camera was gifted me and used to be my uncle Ken's. Also working and with an odd Hannimex 135mm lens on it. I don't recall receiving the Pentax prime lens and have a vague memory that it was seized stiff and knackered in amongst the box of other photo goodies I was offered - they had been stored in an attic and and suffered from damp.

One day I'll lash out on the proper lens. But as they are desired by digital enthusiasts, it won't be soon.