Pentax Spotmatic SP
The Pentax Spotmatic SP500 is an entry-level 35mm SLR camera from 1971, designed to offer Spotmatic reliability at an affordable price point. Features include through-the-lens CdS metering with a maximum shutter speed of 1/500s, giving the camera its model designation. The SP500 maintains the essential Spotmatic characteristics including manual exposure control, match-needle metering display, and compatibility with the complete Super-Takumar lens system. Its simplified design omits some premium features while retaining the robust mechanical construction and accurate metering that made the Spotmatic series legendary. The camera's reliable operation and excellent build quality provided an accessible entry point into the Pentax system for amateur photographers. Despite being positioned as a budget model, the SP500 delivered professional-level image quality through its compatibility with exceptional Takumar lenses, making serious photography affordable for a broader audience during the early 1970s.
Files
Service manual for the Pentax Spotmatic
Exploded diagram for the Pentax Spotmatic
Documentation on the meter for the Pentax Spotmatic and other models