Pentax Spotmatic SP
The Pentax Spotmatic SP1000 is a budget-oriented 35mm SLR camera from 1967, designed to make through-the-lens metering accessible to amateur photographers. Based on the groundbreaking Spotmatic design, it features a simplified top shutter speed of 1/1000s (hence the name) rather than the standard 1/500s, along with basic through-the-lens CdS metering. The camera offers manual exposure control with match-needle guidance in the viewfinder, maintaining the essential Spotmatic functionality at a reduced cost. Its solid mechanical construction and compatibility with Super-Takumar lenses provided excellent value for budget-conscious photographers. While lacking some premium features of higher-end Spotmatics, the SP1000 delivered reliable performance and exceptional image quality through its legendary lens system. This model successfully democratized TTL metering technology, introducing countless photographers to the advantages of precision light measurement through the taking lens.
Files
Service manual for the Pentax Spotmatic
Exploded diagram for the Pentax Spotmatic
Documentation on the meter for the Pentax Spotmatic and other models