Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/03/08
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Thu, 8 Mar 2007 "Philip Forrest" wrote: >Aside from the M series Leicas, I really do think that the Spotmatics are >>perhaps the finest cameras to ever come out of that era. The fit, >finish, >controls and lenses are top shelf. That winder on the Spotmatic >feels >like the buttery clutch wind of the M3. One of my favorite cameras and >one of the most overlooked great cameras. >I've always wanted one in black paint... ............................................................................... I agree they were wonderful. Here's a black one: <http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Alan+Magayne-Roshak/Gear/Spotmatic_AMR.jpg.htm l> I always thought the physical design of the Spotmatics and Takumar lenses was great - the focus ring knurling and the marvelous feel to the half click stops on the aperture, and the way a shroud covered all the numbers on the lens barrel except for the cutout window on the top. Elegant. And then there's the little touch of the red window to indicate that the shutter was cocked. As I understand it, with the Pentax line in the early sixties, Honeywell was responsible for a trend toward more legible markings on cameras and lenses. My Super-Takumars were as sharp as I could want. I only gave up using Pentax because I needed to be able to change lenses faster (this was before the K mount came out). Alan Alan Magayne-Roshak Senior Photographer Photo Services Univ. of Wis.- Milwaukee Information & Media Technologies amr3@uwm.edu (414)229-6525 http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Alan+Magayne-Roshak/