Jens Bladt wrote: > A Danish guy, whom I never met or spoke with, called me today. He has a > Spotmatic SP + a Super Takumar 50mm lens and two Soligor lenses as > well )wide angle nd 250mm, which he wants to find a good home for. > I know very little about screw mount , so I thought I'd ask you guys :-) > This guy said the meter is off. But I guess maybe the battery is just be > dead. This was mercury PX-400 right. What's the best replacement - Wein > Cell? Or is there an adapter kit available? > > I shall later be posting a photograph of the camera - it's not like new - > the guy traveled the world with it - but there are no dents etc. > > As old as the SP is, inaccurate metering is common. It's often caused by lack of use over a long period of time. If you can compensate for the metering inaccuracies, and give it a little time, it might work it's way back to normal. I acquired an SP500 a little over a year ago. When I got it the meter was off by about two stops. It is now about 1 stop off. I doubt I've run more than 15 or 20 rolls through it.
It's not terribly difficult to adjust the meter needle. You'll need to remove the rewind knob (not the spindle) and the film indicator dial. Under the film indicator is a washer. Note the position of the washer. You'll want to put it back exactly the way it was. Remove the large plastic washer. There's a hole under it. Use a straight pin to adjust the meter needle position. Check it against a known good meter with the lens wide open. The meter's bridge circuit is very similar to the K1000's. Just about any battery that will fit will work. An Energizer 397 will fit without spacers or modification. Wein cells are not necessary, don't last as long as a 397, and are overpriced, IMHO. HTH. -- Scott Loveless www.twosixteen.com -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
