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 Spotmatic1964
- Format
- 35mm
- Mount
- M42 (Pentax screw mount)
- Years
- 1964–1976
- Weight
- 620 g
- Shutter
- 1s – 1/1000s
- Meter
- ttl-stop-down-cds
The Spotmatic (1964) was Asahi Pentax's first SLR with TTL metering. Despite the name (which Asahi originally intended for a planned spot-metering body that didn't ship), the Spotmatic uses **center-weighted average TTL** via a CdS cell — you press a button to stop the lens down for metering. Mechanical horizontal-cloth shutter to 1/1000s, no automation, M42 universal screw mount that accepts every Takumar lens and every M42 lens from any manufacturer.
Reference
Find film for your Pentax Spotmatic
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
- **Mercury battery** — same problem as OM-1 / F-1. PX625 unavailable; modern 1.5V cells throw meter off. Wein zinc-air, MR-9 adapter, or rebuild.
- **Foam mirror bumper** — disintegrates.
- **Light seals** — replace.
- **Slow speeds** stick.
- **CdS meter** drifts.
- **Selenium-coated viewing screen** — not an issue here (CdS, not selenium meter).
- **Self-timer** — exercise gently.
- Service: Eric Hendrickson (US), independent shops. CLA $150–250.
About this camera
The screw-mount classic that brought TTL metering to the masses. Four million sold.
Key Specs
Frequently asked questions
- What film does the Pentax Spotmatic use?
- The Pentax Spotmatic shoots 35mm film.
- What battery does the Pentax Spotmatic take?
- The Pentax Spotmatic uses a 1x PX625 (mercury, 1.35V) battery.
- What lens mount does the Pentax Spotmatic have?
- The Pentax Spotmatic uses the M42 (Pentax screw mount) mount.
- What shutter speeds does the Pentax Spotmatic offer?
- The Pentax Spotmatic's shutter speeds range from 1s to 1/1000s.
- What light meter does the Pentax Spotmatic use?
- The Pentax Spotmatic meters with ttl-stop-down-cds.