C41
Kodak Portra 400
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
View profile35mm SLR
Pentax ES II1973
- Format
- 35mm
- Mount
- M42 (Pentax screw mount)
- Years
- 1973–1976
- Shutter
- 8s – 1/1000s
- Meter
- ttl-open-aperture-silicon
The Pentax ES II (Electro Spotmatic II, 1973) was the second-generation aperture-priority automatic SLR from Asahi Pentax, continuing the M42 Electro Spotmatic line introduced in 1971. Where the SPF added open-aperture metering to the all-manual Spotmatic body, the ES II went further: you set the aperture, and the camera selects shutter speed continuously from 8 seconds to 1/1000s via an electronically-controlled cloth shutter. A manual override mode is available for fixed shutter speeds.
Reference
Find film for your Pentax ES II
Recommended film stocks for the 35mm format your camera takes.
ISO 400
BW
Kodak Tri-X 400
Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
View profileC41
Kodak Gold 200
Kodak Gold 200 is a daylight-balanced C-41 color negative film with warm color, moderate grain, and a classic consumer-film look.
Develop 35mm film
Labs in our directory that process 35mm film.
Before you buy used
- **Battery is non-negotiable** - The ES II has no mechanical fallback. No battery means no shutter. Carry spares. Four SR44/LR44 cells load into a compartment on the base. Check the contacts for corrosion before buying.
- **Electronic shutter behavior** - In AE mode the shutter should be stepless. Long exposures (1s+) should be smooth, not sticky. Short exposures (1/1000s) should sound crisp. Any binding or erratic behavior points to capacitor or circuit failure, which is expensive to repair.
- **Open-aperture metering verification** - Use an SMC Takumar. AE mode should meter and expose without touching the stop-down lever.
- **Light seals and mirror bumper** - Replace as standard practice.
- **Price** - ES II typically trades below SPF and Spotmatic II because of the battery-dependent shutter. A non-working ES II is often a parts donor; a working one is genuinely useful.
- Service: fewer technicians comfortable with the electronic shutter than with fully mechanical bodies. Ask before sending in for CLA.
About this camera
Aperture-priority automation on M42 - the Spotmatic body that learned to think for itself.
Key Specs
Frequently asked questions
- What film does the Pentax ES II use?
- The Pentax ES II shoots 35mm film.
- What battery does the Pentax ES II take?
- The Pentax ES II uses a 4x SR44 / LR44 (1.5V) battery.
- What lens mount does the Pentax ES II have?
- The Pentax ES II uses the M42 (Pentax screw mount) mount.
- What shutter speeds does the Pentax ES II offer?
- The Pentax ES II's shutter speeds range from 8s to 1/1000s.
- What light meter does the Pentax ES II use?
- The Pentax ES II meters with ttl-open-aperture-silicon.