Three screw mount cameras compared

[Nesster]

I just got this camera, for $9 on the bay, lucked out indeed. It came with the manual and accessories brochure, and a DS-M 50mm f/1.7 lens. The lens doesn't have an Auto/Manual switch, so is of limited use on digital / K-mount cameras.

For the attached images, clicking on the link will give you a larger image to look at.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/2931821185_c2a9a19fbc_o.jpg

I think it's a pretty camera, I especially like the heraldic tattoo on the prism housing, and the atomic 'electro' symbol.
The lever visible on the lens housing is for mirror lockup. That's a cool feature, Yashica sold a 21mm f/3.3 lens that extends way back and came with an auxiliary viewfinder.
On the top deck the battery check is visible, as well as the X sync terminal over the side. There's a M terminal towards the back.
The other feature visible here: the Electro-X opens with an old time latch rather than via pulling up the rewind crank. I kind of like that retro touch.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3222/2932679612_c4b442fc3e_o.jpg

Top deck. The battery on this one is a 6v PX-28 / 544. The Yashica Guy's Electro GSN battery adaptor uses this very battery, so it was a matter of stealing the battery from the GSN to get this camera running.
The top speed is 1/1000. Without battery that's all you get. With battery, the shutter is electronically controlled and makes a nice sound. Theoretically it is stepless, but there are detents until 1/30, after which you can set exposure continuously.
The meter uses two arrows, pointing you the direction to turn the aperture ring. Based on my testing, it seems to be +- 1/2 stop - on a lens with 1/2 stop detents there are three clicks where the arrows remain extinguished.
That's about all that's unusual here.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3289/2932680252_216f8f83de_o.jpg

Fujica ST605 - top speed 1/700, I like that it is small for a screw mount camera. You squeeze a button under your right hand fingers to stop down and turn on the meter - I think that's the best arrangement of all. The shutter is mechanical so all speeds are available without a battery. The mirror is a bit strange, it seems to be some sort of mylar film as there's a flexible bend to it towards the rear.

Yashica TL Electro-X - top speed 1/1000, electronically controlled. It is larger than the Spotmatic even. The meter / stop down switch is available to your right hand, you push it down. This leaves your left hand free to change aperture. It doesn't stay on, you have to keep pushing it down.

Pentax Spotmatic SP1000 - top speed 1/1000, mechanical. This model omits the self timer - I really like the camera. Unfortunately my daughter has socialized / nationalized this one for her own. The meter / stop down is on the left hand, you push it up and it stays on until you click the shutter.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3034/2932680064_9cece87b85_o.jpg

Electro and Spottie compared. Not much more to say.

Unscientific comparison of view finders. I wasn't conscious of large differences in image size or brightness.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3066/2932673920_faf6b566d4_o.jpg

The Fujica St605 has a split prism which can get dark with lenses stopped down past f/5.6. The meter is all the way on the side and I find it difficult to read stopped down and especially if there's dark stuff on that side. I wear glasses.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3282/2931815055_077b6f5c0e_o.jpg

The Electro-X has a microprism and while not as good a ground glass as a Pentax KX, for example, it works well. You can see the 'over' arrow lit telling me to turn the aperture lower.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/2932673588_20635bbe5e_o.jpg

The SP1000 also has a microprism and a good ground glass. The meter for me is more visible than with the Fujica.

Comparing them here, doesn't it seem the Electro is squarer than the others, so probably doesn't have as good a coverage?

[Attila]

Yashica TX a nice looking cam!

[peterqd]

Thanks for this interesting post, especially for the difficult viewfinder shots. It's nice to see the Spotmatic compares well with the later designs.

[Jesito]

Congrats for such a nice acquisition!. Unbelivable price, this is a very nice camera. Very interesting exposition, thanks for sharing!
Jes.

[Nesster]

Thanks - when things work out it sure is nice~

I replaced the rear seals yesterday, as the camera was leaking light. The other quirk is that the meter does read about 2/3 stop high - sometimes it's more like 1 stop - so I'll adjust in ASA setting.

[montecarlo]

The Fujica looks better to me (small, big viewfinder and mechanical) But does it have the shutter speed settings in the viewfinder ?

Congratulations for the comparison !

[Nesster]

I'd love to try out a fancier Fujica, the 605 does have a decent view finder, but I find the meter difficult to see. Perhaps the VF screen also gets darker around the edges. I love the smaller size and weight though!

My 605 doesn't show speed in the VF, but there's a ST605n that does, I understand.

[peterqd]

Are the viewfinder pictures above in the same order as the text? The top one is the Spotmatic isn't it? Which are the other two?

[LucisPictor]

That's very interesting comparison. Thanks.

[Nesster]

VF shots: 1) fujica 2) yashica 3) spottie

I used the same Tak 50/1.4 for each shot.


I've also discovered a second mode for the Yash stop down lever - I cradle the camera in my left hand, reaching the switch from below. This frees the right hand to turn the shutter speed dial.

[mjkerpan]

Great comparison. It's pretty clear that the Pentax has the best VF and it's certainly tied wihh the Yashica for best-looking camera body. That makes me glad that my M-42 body is a Spotmatic...

BTW, where's your Spotmatic's self timer? Did they make some revisions without one or something?

[Nesster]

[peterqd]

[montecarlo]

I think Peter is right. See this http://www.butkus.org/chinon/pentax/pentax_spotmatic/pentax_spotmatic.htm
and regarding the 605 http://www.pentax-manuals.com/fujica/manuals/st605_s.pdf ("Fujica" as password)

[Nesster]

Well I'll be damned, so it is. OOPS

I hope I got the other pictures labeled right with them at least there's writing on the cameras...

[j.lukow]

I receiver a TL Electro-X from Larry as the body for my M42 experimentation. I finally got another roll of film in it. From handling of it I like it for its solidness and the way the meter works . . .