Pentax S1a - Antique and Vintage Cameras

Pentax S1a

1962

Asahi Optical Co.

Tokyo

Japan

Image of Pentax S1a

Lens:
f2, 55 mm Super-Takumar, fully automatic iris diaphragm (FAD) to f16. Depth-of-field scale. 42 mm Screw mount. Auto or manual setting for diaphragm. Serial no. 2555246 .

Shutter:
Focal-plane, speeds 1 - 1/500, B. X, FP flash synchronisation.

Construction:
Metal body.

Format:
36, 24 x 36 mm exposures on 35 mm film held in cassette.

Focusing:
Helical to 0.45 m.

Attributes:
Reflex viewing through taking lens. Fixed roof pentaprism finder, microprism rangefinder in focusing screen, Fresnel screen. Instant-return mirror.
Auto-stop on film advance. Film advance lever sets the shutter. Film advance and shutter inter-linked for double and blank exposure prevention. Indicator showing if film has been wound-on.
Exposure counter. Film indicator 10 - 800 ASA.

Serial Number:
702397 .

With:

  • Lens cap. Instruction Book. "Complete System of Photography Asahi Pentax Lenses and Accessories" - pamphlet.
  • Pentax meter. In case, box. CdS cell. Two sensitivity levels, on/off switch. Film speed: 6 - 1600 ASA. Shutter speed: 1/1000 - 1s. Aperture: f1.4 - f22.
  • Right-angle finder. In case.
  • Finder magnifier. In case.
  • Accessory Shoe. In box.
  • Bellows II. In box.
  • Slide Copier Attachment.
  • Extension Tubes, 1, 2 and 3. In case.
  • Filters: 'Morning & Evening' colour balance; Orange O2; Skylight. Leather filter case.

The S1a was a budget version of the Pentax that ran concurrently with the SV and Spotmatic models, it had no metering or delayed action and was limited to a top shutter speed of 1/500, the standard lens was f2.

Pentax Meter
The model shown here is the second version, it fixes over the pentaprism and engages with the shutter speed dial.

Bellows II
The rear standard moves along the twin-rails and clamps into position, the front standard moves by rack and pinion. One rail carries a scale of 4 - 18 cm. The other rail has scales marked for the 55 mm lens: 1.0 - 3.0 (magnification); 4x - 16x (exposure factor). The scales are engraved twice so that either standard can be used to focus.

Slide Copier Attachment
This is used with the bellows II.

Kine Exakta

Cnopm (Sport)

Praktiflex

Praktiflex II

Alpa-Reflex

Contax S

Pentacon F

Pentacon FB

Praktina FX

Praktica

Praktica FX2

Praktica IV F

Praktica nova

Praktica Super TL

Exakta Varex IIa

Exakta Varex IIb

Exakta VX 1000

Exakta RTL 1000

Exa

Edixa

Wrayflex I

Asahiflex IIA

Contaflex

Contaflex Beta

Contaflex Rapid

Contaflex Super (Old)

Contaflex Super B

Contaflex Super BC

Contaflex S

Contarex

Icarex

Bessamatic

Bessamatic

Bessamatic De-Luxe

Bessamatic m

Bessamatic CS

Ultramatic

Ultramatic CS

Leicaflex

Nikon Photomic FTN

Nikkormat FTn

Pentax S1a

Spotmatic

Canon F-1n

Zenith 3M

Pentina

Contaflex 126