Hi, and welcome to the list. I haven't read this whole thread, but in those messages I have read I noticed that your questions haven't been answered. First, you're correct, both the Spotmatic II and the Spotmatic F have hot shoes. Flash synch is at 1.60th or slower. The F is the only Spotmatic that can do open aperture metering. To achieve this, you need the Super Multi Coated Takumar lenses. These are generally the best of the screw mount lenses as well, so they're well worth owning. Some, like the 85/1.8, 105/2.8, 50/1.4 and the later version of the 135/2.5, are extraordinary optics. I sold most of my screwmount equipment in recent years, but I kept an F and a few lenses. Wonderful camera. Paul
> > What Kostas says is correct, but there are 4 possible "advantages" to > getting a Spotmatic as opposed to a KM. 1st, the Super-Takumars and the > SMC Takumars tend to be less expensive than the K mount lenses. Second, in > my view the build quality or feel of the old screw mount lenses is better > than the (still very excellent) K, M, and A lenses. Third, Spotmatics are > pretty cheap. Finally, you might like the aesthetics of the Spotmatics > more than the KM, etc. > > I have a couple of Spotmatics and I continue to use them even though I have > more recent Pentax SLRs (K1000, LX, and MX). > > Aaron Bransky > > > >>>>>Can I make a suggestion? People who have had and cherished both, > suggest that the early bayonet cameras are late Spotmatics with a different > mount; the KM is I think is mentioned as a prime example. > > http://kmp.bdimitrov.de/bodies/K/ > > The advantage of these cameras is that they work with the vast majority of > Pentax bayonet lenses produced even today. With an adapter they also accept > screwmount lenses (in stop-down metering mode). > > Just a thought, > > Kostas<<<<<< >
