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eeyore_nl
Joined: 09 Nov 2008 Posts: 837 Location: Netherlands
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Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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eeyore_nl wrote:
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About the Praktica MTL3; I didnt find the time yet to renew the light seals, so I didnt use it with film yet. Overall, the viewfinder of the Spotmatic is better, but I like the split screen of the Praktica. The Praktica feels more "clunky", but it does feel like a solid camera.
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Loaded with Fuji Superia 400 now, after I did the light seals this morning. Pictures hopefully next week
Btw, the MTL3 viewfinder is not great. I like the split screen, but not the overall dimness. _________________ Fujifilm X-Pro2 / Fujifilm X-T1 / some Sonnar & Takumar lenses
Last edited by eeyore_nl on Sat Jan 30, 2010 8:07 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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peterqd
Joined: 28 Feb 2007 Posts: 7448 Location: near High Wycombe, UK
Expire: 2014-01-04
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Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 3:19 pm Post subject: |
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peterqd wrote:
eeyore_nl wrote: |
What surprises me, is that my Spotmatic SPII seems to meter correctly with a modern 1.5V battery. I just checked outside (I have it with me in the car). Middle of the day, heavily overcast sky, and the meter suggests 100ASA / 125 / f/4.5 which seems pretty reasonable to me. Of course the proof of the pudding is in the tasting, so I need to wait until my test roll is developed. But it doesn't seem to be something like one or two stops off, giving those meter values. |
This is quite possible. There are two variable resistors in the meter circuit, one is part of the shutter speed/ASA dial and the other is a small semi-circular type used for calibration. If either of these is inaccurate through age or previous adjustments it will affect the needle position in the V/F. It's possible the calibration has been adjusted in the past, but as I said in the other post, often there isn't enough adjustment available in order to calibrate the meter accurately. You need to check it accurately in at least three different light levels against a good lightmeter.
Here is a pic of the calibration resistor (below the section of red tape), with the pointer set mid-way. The camera has a hole in the cover underneath the film rewind handle and you can adjust the pointer through this hole with a needle or a bent paper clip. If you need to adjust it, set the camera at the speed and aperture settings given by the separate lightmeter and adjust the pointer to centre the needle.
_________________ Peter - Moderator |
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djmike
Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 930 Location: Taiwan
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Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 4:04 pm Post subject: |
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djmike wrote:
peterqd wrote: |
djmike wrote: |
I own SPF but the shutter button is hard to press. I have to press all way down/inside to release it. You might need a addtional "soft release botton" that can find at bidding site. Mike |
Hi Mike, the reason for this is that the little loose stud under the shutter button has fallen out or was forgotten when the cover was last replaced. I have a spare one I can send you and it's VERY simple to replace if you are able to remove the camera top cover. I have bumped up a thread in the Equipment Care section which tells you how to remove the cover. Send me a PM with your address if you want to go ahead. Alternatively I could repair it for you, but the postage for the camera both ways will be much more expensive. |
Peter, good advice. Let me get rid of this roll and try to remove the cover and see what's going on there. I appreciate. Mike _________________
DSLR: Canon 400D
SLR: Nikon FM2 + Canon A-1 + Canon AE1-P + Praktica MTL-5B + Pentax Spotmatic F + Fujica ST801 + Voigtlander Bassematic + Voigtlander Vito + Rollei 35S + Rolleiflex SL35 ME + Canon QL17 GIII + Olympus Pen EE-3
Lenses
M42: CZJ Flektogon 35/2.4 + CZJ Flektogon Zebra 35/2.8 + CZJ Pancolar 50/1.8 + CZJ Sonnar 135/3.5 + CZJ Tessar 50/2.8 Chrome + Pentacon 135/2.8 + Pentacon 50/1.8 + SMC Takumar 50/1.4 + SMC Takumar 55/2 + SMC Takumar 135/3.5 + Fujinon 55/1.8 + Jupiter-9 85/2 + Jupiter-37A 135/3.5 + Helios 44-6 58/2
Nikor: Nikkor 50/1.4 + Nikkor 28/3.5 + Nikkor 35-105 Zoom + 36-72 Series E Zoom
Canon: Canon FD + 28/2.8 + 50/1.8 + Canon 35-105 Macro Zoom
Other: Rollei Planar HFT 50/1.8
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djmike
Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 930 Location: Taiwan
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Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 4:05 pm Post subject: |
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djmike wrote:
peterqd wrote: |
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_________________
DSLR: Canon 400D
SLR: Nikon FM2 + Canon A-1 + Canon AE1-P + Praktica MTL-5B + Pentax Spotmatic F + Fujica ST801 + Voigtlander Bassematic + Voigtlander Vito + Rollei 35S + Rolleiflex SL35 ME + Canon QL17 GIII + Olympus Pen EE-3
Lenses
M42: CZJ Flektogon 35/2.4 + CZJ Flektogon Zebra 35/2.8 + CZJ Pancolar 50/1.8 + CZJ Sonnar 135/3.5 + CZJ Tessar 50/2.8 Chrome + Pentacon 135/2.8 + Pentacon 50/1.8 + SMC Takumar 50/1.4 + SMC Takumar 55/2 + SMC Takumar 135/3.5 + Fujinon 55/1.8 + Jupiter-9 85/2 + Jupiter-37A 135/3.5 + Helios 44-6 58/2
Nikor: Nikkor 50/1.4 + Nikkor 28/3.5 + Nikkor 35-105 Zoom + 36-72 Series E Zoom
Canon: Canon FD + 28/2.8 + 50/1.8 + Canon 35-105 Macro Zoom
Other: Rollei Planar HFT 50/1.8
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fish4570
Joined: 06 Jan 2010 Posts: 4514 Location: At the confluence of the Locust Fork of the Warrior River and Black Creek, Alabama
Expire: 2012-03-21
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Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 10:18 pm Post subject: |
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fish4570 wrote:
i have a spotmatic and a praktica ltl 3. the ltl has a brighter viewfinder and bigger fresnel target. the spotmatic has the wonderful fresnel/split dot. the spot fits me better, and it is soooo much easier to load ... _________________ Paul
I chase Light
http://blackcreekjournal.blogspot.com/ |
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Nesster
Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 5883 Location: NJ, USA
Expire: 2014-02-20
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Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 10:51 pm Post subject: |
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Nesster wrote:
Peter, Thank you for posting that extremely informative photo. It helps a lot. _________________ -Jussi
Camera photos
Print Photographica
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peterqd
Joined: 28 Feb 2007 Posts: 7448 Location: near High Wycombe, UK
Expire: 2014-01-04
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Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 12:12 am Post subject: |
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peterqd wrote:
Nesster wrote: |
Peter, Thank you for posting that extremely informative photo. It helps a lot. |
Thanks Jussi, I'm pleased. This was one of the cameras I adapted with Jes's brilliant help, you can see the two extra resistors he prepared for me. _________________ Peter - Moderator |
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eeyore_nl
Joined: 09 Nov 2008 Posts: 837 Location: Netherlands
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Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 3:01 pm Post subject: |
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eeyore_nl wrote:
Well, after having used the Spotmatic and a Praktica next to each other for some time, it's clear; the Spotmatic is a much nicer camera. The Praktica mirror mechanism shakes the whole camera, and the Spotmatic feels much more refined. I haven't touched my 300V since I got the SPII _________________ Fujifilm X-Pro2 / Fujifilm X-T1 / some Sonnar & Takumar lenses |
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OM
Joined: 15 Jan 2010 Posts: 166 Location: Southern England
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Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 3:32 pm Post subject: |
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OM wrote:
Old thread I know but I've just joined the Spotmatic gang and got two SPs
I'm keen to use a silver oxide battery and found out from other users that the Renata 394 (SR936SW) was a suitable replacement. I put one in and the meter doesn't seem to respond when I press up the DOF preview button.
Am I missing something or is it possible that the battery may be shorting in the compartment due to being a slightly different size from the original...?
Maybe I have a problem with the meter circuit but is it likely that both my SPs would have failed in this way...?
Any assistance would be very much appreciated. I have a Weston Master V lightmeter but it would be good to know the built-in meter is working correctly. |
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peterqd
Joined: 28 Feb 2007 Posts: 7448 Location: near High Wycombe, UK
Expire: 2014-01-04
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Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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peterqd wrote:
I don't know what that battery looks like But if it physically fits in the compartment it should be OK. The normal SR44 cells are too fat. The correct silver oxide cell for the SP and SPII is the 387S, which has an insulating collar like the old mercury cells the Spottie originally used:
If your battery fits OK, maybe you've got the polarity wrong. The + side of the battery goes into the compartment first. The - side is in contact with the compartment cover. _________________ Peter - Moderator |
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martinsmith99
Joined: 31 Aug 2008 Posts: 6950 Location: S Glos, UK
Expire: 2013-11-18
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Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 3:59 pm Post subject: |
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martinsmith99 wrote:
I bought a battery and adapter from the small battery company (in the UK). The adapter is not cheap but you only but it once. _________________ Casual attendance these days |
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OM
Joined: 15 Jan 2010 Posts: 166 Location: Southern England
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Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 4:25 pm Post subject: |
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OM wrote:
Thanks for the replies.
The 394 fits well - not too fat but the sides of the cell are probably in contact with the sides of the compartment...I think I need an insulating collar.
Maybe a rubber O-ring might do the job - I'll have a search.
I did have it positive side into the camera body.
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Tom in Delaware
Joined: 17 Apr 2010 Posts: 42 Location: Delaware, USA
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Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 1:50 am Post subject: |
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Tom in Delaware wrote:
OM wrote: |
Thanks for the replies.
The 394 fits well - not too fat but the sides of the cell are probably in contact with the sides of the compartment...I think I need an insulating collar.
Maybe a rubber O-ring might do the job - I'll have a search.
I did have it positive side into the camera body.
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I use 'brown' hearing aid batteries with an O-ring. These are very inexpensive, ~$1 apiece, and seem to last about 4 months. They are very close to the same depth as the original batteries, just narrower in diameter. |
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