Mike,
Thanks for the overview. Most of us "screwheads" already know about the
mistique of the Spotmaitcs and their fantastic lenses.
I have heard reports that Pentax lost money on each lens they sold and
that they were hand polished. Test reports in the late 60's by both Modern
and Popular confirmed the fact that their normal lenses were a cut above the
rest. It was unfair to Leitz that their lenses of normal lenses of that era
were very ordinary compared to the rest. It was a low point in their lens
developement.
Pentax was trying to gain market share from the Germans and to do so
they must produce a superior product - and they did. Canon had their
rangefinder and no SLR and Nikon had their rangefinder and the F and later
Nikormat. Pentax, almost by them selves, saw to it that the prior lengends
from Germany would soon see their demise in the SLR field.
Meanwhile, in Japan, every manufacturer wanted a piece of the action.
They started producing "Pentax" Compatible cameras and lenses - at a cheaper
price to erode Pentax'x market share.
To produce cameras and lenses today to the standards of the Spotmatics
and Taukmars, the price of the MZ-S and Limited lenses would appear the be
bargins.
I do love my Spotmatics, but I have extended my love afair with Pentax
to include the later lenses and bodies. However, when I feel like spoiling
myself, out come the Spotmatics and lenses.
For the "Breach Locks" in the list, I suggest that you obtain an oldie
and spend a little time with revisiting a very unique and wonderfull era. I
know that the magic returns when I lift the Spotmatic to my eye.
Bob
Note - due to my over loaded schedule, I must leave the list for a short
time. By all means, "have fun and do good".
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