Vintage (and very rare) Asahi Pentax S2 Super 35mm SLR and Auto-Takumar 55mm f/2 lens
My father has asked me to list his 1961 Asahi Pentax S2 Super 35mm SLR camera,
purchased directly in Japan during a visit there.
This camera is rare, and was only ever sold in Japan. It looks like the
1959 S2 camera, but has a shutter speed dial that tops out at 1/1000 sec
(unlike the 1/500 of the original S2). However, it is still designated
"S2" on the top panel of the camera. [The S2 was sold in the USA
as the H2 due to a distribution deal with Honeywell.]
Very informative web sites with details about these models include
pentax-slr.com
and
camerapedia.wikia.com.
Additional specific discussion of the S2 Super can be found
at
pentaxuser.com,
pentaxforums.com ,
and
shutterbug.com
This camera and lens are in very good condition. It has had a single owner, and was stored
in its leather case the entire time. It was also kept in a smoke-free, pet-free home.
Camera details, if you're not familiar with it.
- requires no battery, but does require external light meter
- 1 sec to 1/1000 sec shutter speeds, plus Bulb
- 1/45sec X flash sync speed
- red 'shutter is cocked' indicator on top panel (new to the S2 model)
- FP and X flash sync jacks on front
(FP for flash bulbs (!) and X for electronic flash)
- frame counter on advance lever
- very smooth film advance lever
- courtesy film speed reminder dial on left side (not connected to camera settings)
- Serial number 347474
Lens details for 55mm f/2:
- Lens marked: Auto-Takumar 1:2/55 Asahi Opt Co. Lens Made in Japan. 443787
- 46mm filter size UV filter attached
- lens cap
- 8-bladed aperture
- lens must be manually reset to full aperture after each shot (via lever shown
on top of lens), but does automatically close down to chosen aperture for exposure.
- full focus range is almost 360 degrees (compared to modern autofocus lenses
which rotate maybe a quarter turn, infinity to closest focus).
- screw-thread (46mm) metal lens hood and leather case included (attached to camera strap)
Camera case details
- Pentax-made case, made in Japan
- Thick medium brown leather case with blue felt-lined interior
- Detachable cover with metal accents
- Used and loved, so some leather reinforcements have been added over the years.
Photos are of the actual item, not stock photos.
