The Pentax ES – A Classic in Transition

<p>Some nice images of and taken with some great Pentax equipment.</p>

<p>Some of the spotmatics had self-timer as a knurled ring around the film rewind knob, but I don't think the ES was one of them.</p>

<p>The <a href="http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/bodies/film_K/K2.html">Pentax K2</a> is an obvious descendant of (replacement for) these ES bodies, and a predecessor to the LX that Les mentioned. And like the LX, it has mirror-lockup and DOF preview as well.</p>

<p>FWIW the early models of the ES made for Japan are not quite the same as later models.They all have same designation. Much cleaner electronic circuits in export and later models. Batteries, all 4,located in base. I forgot Pentax with battery compartment in front, where self timer was.. Sure was a good idea.Leica M6 liked it! I wish my Summicron was a flare free as my Pentax lenses.</p>

<p>Always look forward to your posts Louis, and one about a Pentax is just that much better! Is it just me, or do others think that those black Japanese cameras from the late sixties and early seventies just ooze sex appeal?<br>

There's no doubt that the Pentax is my favourite in this group (the Canon FTb is a very close second) as they just look so right. The SMC coating is really considered the best of all the multi-coatings, along with the Zeiss T*, and the smoothness of the mechanicals is also top notch as you mentioned.<br>

Keep up the good work!</p>

<p>Thanks for jumping in, gang, with comments, questions and contributions. I appreciate them all.</p>

<p>Before the release of the ES, an earlier model, the Electro Spotmatic, was released as a trial in Japan for a short time and was found very unreliable. They don't have the same designation. The Electro Spotmatic is written out on the front of that camera. See here:<br /> <a href="http://www.whitemetal.com/pentax/electro_spotmatic/index.htm">http://www.whitemetal.com/pentax/electro_spotmatic/index.htm</a><br /> The later ES and ESII, as released in the US, were quite good but they carried a dark cloud of the bad press from the earlier failures with them. I can't say for others but both of mine have been working without problems for years.</p>

<p>Both the ES and ESII lack traditional MLU. You can use <em>stop-down metering</em> with extension tubes, bellows, microscopes, telescopes or other non-open aperture metering lenses and get excellent auto exposure functionality. In this case, the stop down lever must be in the up position. The mirror raises and lowers normally and the exposure is controlled automatically.<br /> There is a way to lock the mirror up by putting the camera on "auto" and with the stop down lever is in the down position. The reflex mirror will remain up if you have not moved the stop-down lever up. To reposition the mirror to it's normal position you must turn the shutter dial off auto or push the stop-down lever up. No auto exposure is possible like this and Pentax says the feature is for "safety". For long manual exposures you are better off using Bulb.</p>

<p>While I pointed out some of the major changes to the ESII, my understanding is that there were numerous small changes made, under the hood, to improve the design. Perhaps the ESII is the better camera, but, again, using the camera as I do, mostly handheld, the only real difference I notice is the lack of the front battery compartment on the ESII. For tripod use, the self timer, shutter blinds and extended auto exposure times of the ESII are quite desirable features.</p>

<p>You really caught the light at the right moment with the fountain at sunset. Excellent.</p>

<p>The earlier versions of the ES were notorious for eating batteries, I used to sell cameras for a living in those days, and we got fed up with customers returning them.</p>

<p>That is one of the most beautiful pictures of a camera that I've seen in a long time, Louis. Great photos as always. I have a Super Takumar but I'm going to have to find an SMC Super Takumar as well, based on seeing what can be done with one. Of course having your skill may help some;)</p>

<p>Beautiful photos Louis, just beautiful. Love those Takumars! I have a few myself. Good stuff. I left a link of this thread over on the Pentax forum.</p>

<p>Very nice write-up and great shots.</p>

<p>Had missed it when I was out of town, or I would have said earlier.</p>

<p>Hi Louis, I reluctantly sold off my Pentax kit about two years ago to finance my Nikon habit. I still shoot film with a vintage standard "F". Lately I have been getting the itch to jump back into the Spotmatic/Takumar fray.....I built most of my kit from KEH. Based on the catalogue there used to be long lists of M42 stuff...alot of it very inexpensive but now when I look there doesn't seem to be nearly as much and what is there seems kinda' pricey. Renewed interest in shooting film or Takumars on Pentax Digi bodies?<br>

Great posting and pictures!<br />Mark</p>

<p>Interesting to see the poor flare results on the Topcor 200/5.6, it's known to be the dog of that line. Not surprised the Topcor 25/3.5 didn't flare well, it's a rather early retrofocus design with a lot of elements. No surprise the 35/2.8 and 100/2.8 Topcors were good, they are among the "gem" Topcors.<br>

I shot a lot of color pictures with my recently acquired Pentax-M, Pentax-A, and Pentax-FA lenses last week, it will be interesting to see them once processed.</p>

<p>Nice work Louis! Among the many SLR's I have, I very much enjoy my 1964Spoty as well as my later SP2. The glass is superb and those cams can take a beating....</p>

<p>The images you produced are wonderful, thanks for sharing. </p>

<p>Louis, I found this almost 1.5-year old posting, and I really like your cameras, lenses, and the sample images.<br>

I have a question regarding both ES which is not answered in their official manuals (neither ES nor ESII). Does it use spot, or average, or center-weighted metering? I found a claim on the Web that it is center-weighted metering, but there was no source given.<br>

Once again, thank you for this informative posting.</p>