Throwback Thursday

[alexvaras]

Two years ago.
I took my first camera from Spain, I used it when I was 13 years old, the one my parents bought for their honey moon, Yashica Minister D.
This trip was the inset for teachers during August 2017.
In two years I have done some steps, mainly “backwards”, I shoot dry plates now and I still open mechanism to mount them back as I did with my toys.
All if this is thanks to the guys from http://photographytoday.net/forums (too important to name them all), Hans K, Daniel U, Mike E., Chris S., Sandeha L and Martin S. and many more from forums and websites whom I’m in debt for your advices and encourage.
Thank you, all.

[PFMcFarland]

Always ready to help a fellow photographer. You are a natural at this, Alex, and I hope you keep doing what you do.

PF

[titrisol]

Yesterday somebody asked me a question about the SPotmatic, that is the camera my father bought new in Japan (72) and that has been my favorite, and safety blanket for ever. So I looked for the original manual (I haven't read it in decades) to get the correct answer.
He was a very organized man, and he kept the original manual in the original plastic bag marked Asahi Pentax.

While looking through the manual, the price list from SUGA Photo was also there. It was very neat to see how much cameras costed in Japan at the time and how much he paid for the equipment. Next to the price in Yens, it is written in pencil the USD equivalent which I assume was due to exchange rates that changed daily.
The camera (SP+55/1.8+case) costed 42,700 Y ($142); SMC 17/4 32,000 Y ($106) SMC 200/4 23,900 Y ($62), auto-helicoid 2,700 Y ($9)
There is also in the neat japanese numbers an offer for $270 for all that with bag and a flash which is the equipment I grew up with.

Pricelist from SUGA

As a matter of perspective, in 1972 my father worked for the secretary of industries and his monthly income was about USD400; so 270 must have been a big chunk of change

PS. Graham reminded me, that I need to send this beauty for a CLA

[GrahamS]

This is my Spotmatic. It works just as it did when it was brand new.

[Philip]

Nice leather covering!

[titrisol]

After several years of negotiating my father in law agreed to pass-on his SP-F
He bought it new in the mid70s and has used it a lot.
The 35/3.5 is a wonderful piece of glass!

[GrahamS]

Thats one model I don't have in my Spotmatic garage. I do have the 35mm f3.5 though, and I agree, it is a superb piece of glass.