5 Frames with a Pentax Spotmatic – By Wesley Fortin

By Wesley Fortin

This past summer I did a road trip to visit my parents in southern Alberta. My insatiable desire for adventure prompted me to convince my folks to visit the provincial park Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump. This provincial park has rich historical significance to the aboriginal peoples of southern Alberta and is home to some stunning views.

I chose to try out a roll of Kodak Vericolor III (160 ISO) in My Pentax Spotmatic which expired in 2000. This 18 year old film had been freezer stored most of its life but I thought I would still overexpose it by one additional stop to be safe. As soon as I returned from the trip I refrigerated my exposed roll until I developed it at home in the Unicolor C41 Kit. Here are a few of the keepers from the day. The last two frames were exposed to some light leaks when I accidentally opened the back of my camera. To be honest I love the results created.

My website is www.westinphoto.com

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Comments

Art Tafil on 5 Frames with a Pentax Spotmatic – By Wesley Fortin

Comment posted: 30/01/2018

All nice pics. Many folks have never used Pentax cameras or SMC Takumar or SMC Pentax lenses.
These are some of the finest lenses that were ever made for the general market.
Along with my Leica M & R glass and bodies I've never abandoned my Pentax equipment.
Currently it is limited to my trusty Pentax LX with several fine SMC lenses.
I recently viewed some of my old Ektachrome slides I shot with an old Pentax Spotmatic ESII and I was amazed with the clarity and color saturation.
I was in Montana on a business trip and got some great shots of the Glacier National Park area. I'm kicking myself for ever getting rid of that ESII.
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Callum replied:

Comment posted: 30/01/2018

I agree with the sentiment around Takumar lenses, I love the 35mm F3.5 and 50mm F1.4 which I own. The problem I'm having is finding an appropriate body to use them on. My ME Super doesn't quite cut it due to the lack of auto aperture stop down, although I like everything else about it. Any suggestions?

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Wesley Fortin replied:

Comment posted: 30/01/2018

I’ve tried the adapter on my ME super as well and it doesn’t quite work the same. It’s too bad because I love the Super.

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ScottP replied:

Comment posted: 30/01/2018

Any Spotmatic will give you auto aperture stop down. If your lenses are the later SMC or Super Multi Coated types, a Spotmatic F will give you that, and wide open metering, too.

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Wesley Fortin on 5 Frames with a Pentax Spotmatic – By Wesley Fortin

Comment posted: 31/01/2018

I couldn’t agree more Art. The SMC lenses are incredible.
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Christopher Pattison on 5 Frames with a Pentax Spotmatic – By Wesley Fortin

Comment posted: 31/01/2018

Good images. Love the grain. I recently purchased a Pentax SV with the standard Takumar 55mm. It has been something of a revelation for me. Equipment of the highest order and beautiful to look at too. I just had to get a Spotmatic F and 35mm lens.
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Wesley Fortin on 5 Frames with a Pentax Spotmatic – By Wesley Fortin

Comment posted: 02/02/2018

Thanks Christopher. I too love the 55mm.
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Peter Boorman on 5 Frames with a Pentax Spotmatic – By Wesley Fortin

Comment posted: 18/03/2018

I went from a Zenith E to a Spotmatic because of the mount being the same and was completely sold. Then from there to an MX, and later several LXs and various other Pentax bodies, because of the handling and the truly wonderful glass. I still use my Takumar lenses (with adapters on my X-Pro and my GXR) and the K-mount ones (on a Pentax dSLR as well as the LX bodies.)
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I had three Spotmatics (one for colour, one for B&W and one just in case) and worked them really hard - including taking one into the desert in Iraq for seven months. I still admire their build and handling, and take one out now and then just to hold it.
.
The last few weeks have been a real nostalgia trip with these Five Shots With articles covering several cameras that have memories for me :)
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Danny on 5 Frames with a Pentax Spotmatic – By Wesley Fortin

Comment posted: 02/01/2019

Lovely images, the grain is very pleasing. My son and I are enjoying using my late father's Pentax K1000. Film is very special.
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Wesley Fortin replied:

Comment posted: 02/01/2019

Thank you Danny. I was quite surprised at how beautiful this old expired film was.

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