Pentax's early screw-mount SLR — the S, all-mechanical eye-level body, screw mount, 1958.
The Pentax S of 1958 followed the original AP as part of the first generation of Pentax-branded screw-mount SLRs. It was one of several closely related early bodies that refined the eye-level design Asahi had introduced the year before. It belongs to the S-series lineage that bridged the pioneering Asahiflex cameras and the later Spotmatic range.
This is a 35mm film SLR using the screw lens mount that became the M42 standard, taking Asahi's screw-thread lenses. It has a horizontal cloth focal-plane shutter and a fixed eye-level pentaprism, with an instant-return mirror and a rapid-wind lever. There is no built-in meter, so exposure is set manually, and the camera is fully mechanical, firing without a battery. It differed from its siblings mainly in the arrangement of its shutter-speed scale.
The S suits collectors and photographers who want a compact, all-mechanical early Pentax with a proper eye-level finder. Handling is simple and direct, with manual exposure demanding a separate meter or experience. It is a deliberate camera best used for unhurried shooting, and it appeals to those interested in the foundations of the Pentax system.
As a late-1950s body, thorough checks are essential. Examine the cloth shutter for pinholes and consistent travel, and test the slower speeds for sticking. There is no meter or battery to consider. Inspect the pentaprism and finder for desilvering, haze or fungus, which are common faults at this age. Confirm the film advance and rewind work smoothly. Clean, functioning screw-mount lenses will decide how practical the camera is today.