Pentax Spotamatic F

Kalimetric wrote:

Hi, I have the opportunity to buy a Pentax Spotamatic F.
Although I've enjoyed taking pictures with the digital, I feel that film has this quality which surpasses the digital print.
So, I've been thinking of picking up a film slr to complement my digital. Hopefully carry both bodies at the same time (I have a Pentax k50 already).
So, would the Spotamatic be worthwhile? It comes with 150/4 and 28/3.5, although I'm thinking that I would prefer a zoom lens that matches the kit on the k50. Primes are good, but I always feel that composition is more precise on a zoom.

There aren't many good M42 zoom lenses, to put it lightly.

If you insist though, I'd recommend looking for Carl Zeiss Jena vario-pancolar 35-70 or hunting for Vivitar Series 1 28-90mm which I believe also came in M42 (but this is pretty big and heavy lens). Bear in mind though, that open aperture metering linkage on Spotmatic F may prevent some off brand M42 lenses from mounting (I had that problem with Mamiya Sekor 55/1.4). Can't say whether the aforementioned pancolar or vivitar mount without problems.

Another option worth considering is to get tamron adaptall adapter with M42 screwmount (Tamron made one with open aperture metering for Spotmatic F & ES) and go with one of the Tamron SP adaptall zooms.

From the lenses you mention, neither 150/4 nor 28/3.5 Takumars are what I'd call good lenses. The best Takumars which (are also affordable) are 55mm, 35mm 3.5 and 135/3.5, maybe also 200/4 (not sure what prices are these days). I'd especially recommend the 35/3.5, this is small, compact lens that is quite sharp and at least in Super-Multi-Coated version, handles flare surprisingly well.