Pentax K1000 - Need to repair

[srinivasanj]

I have a Pentax K1000 SLR that I got as my first 'camera gift' from my uncle quite a while ago. Sadly having bought a DSLR this one has been in the shed for a long time.

I wanted to use it last weekend but the camera 'broke'. By broke I mean the mirror just flapped up and stayed putt. The 'spring' action to get the mirror back to its reflecting position, does not work.

Apart from this, my camera suffers from a few other problems as well. I just wanted to know if there is a Pentax SLR specialist around who would be able to fix this using genuine parts if possible. This camera has a lot of sentimental value and I want to keep as original as possible.

Thanks in advance.

[hamustar]

Perhaps you can bring to the camera repair shops at Peninsula Shopping Centre(Hotel Excelsior), Level 1 around the cafeteria.

A stuck mirror is a common problem for older SLRs. Your camera may not require replacement parts, perhaps some dismantling and lubrication. I have sent my old gear to P&G at Peninsula SC, so far it's been satisfactorily repaired.

[airconvent]

Originally Posted by hamustar Perhaps you can bring to the camera repair shops at Peninsula Shopping Centre(Hotel Excelsior), Level 1 around the cafeteria. A stuck mirror is a common problem for older SLRs. Your camera may not require replacement parts, perhaps some dismantling and lubrication. I have sent my old gear to P&G at Peninsula SC, so far it's been satisfactorily repaired.

That would be TCW (The Camera Workshop).

[Emjay Enterprises]

Originally Posted by airconvent That would be TCW (The Camera Workshop).

Or you could bring it to the official distributor at 14-01, Peninsula Plaza, Mondays to Fridays, 11.30AM to 6.00PM

[hamustar]

Originally Posted by Emjay Enterprises Or you could bring it to the official distributor at 14-01, Peninsula Plaza, Mondays to Fridays, 11.30AM to 6.00PM

You mean you have parts for long discontinued cameras??
That is great!

[felixcat8888]

In that case, do you have parts for a Z-20? Need the focusing screen and top plate lcd to be replaced . . . And not forgetting a focusing screen for the Super A too . . .

[iFoto]

Have u check the battery?
Happened to my old Minolta SLR this mirror lockup when battery flat.

[fengwei]

Originally Posted by iFoto Have u check the battery? Happened to my old Minolta SLR this mirror lockup when battery flat.

K1000 is a full manual camera, you don't need a battery to make it work Battery is only needed for the built-in light meter.

[fengwei]

Originally Posted by srinivasanj I have a Pentax K1000 SLR that I got as my first 'camera gift' from my uncle quite a while ago. Sadly having bought a DSLR this one has been in the shed for a long time. I wanted to use it last weekend but the camera 'broke'. By broke I mean the mirror just flapped up and stayed putt. The 'spring' action to get the mirror back to its reflecting position, does not work. Apart from this, my camera suffers from a few other problems as well. I just wanted to know if there is a Pentax SLR specialist around who would be able to fix this using genuine parts if possible. This camera has a lot of sentimental value and I want to keep as original as possible. Thanks in advance.

I myself actually fixed one KX w/ same 'problem'. Just open up the bottom of the camera, and mess up w/ those springs or moving parts, and you might get lucky If you want, we can get together somewhere sometime, I can take a look at it. No promise, but no harm anyway. Most common problem w/ K1000 is dead meter due to its age ...

[srinivasanj]

Originally Posted by fengwei I myself actually fixed one KX w/ same 'problem'. Just open up the bottom of the camera, and mess up w/ those springs or moving parts, and you might get lucky If you want, we can get together somewhere sometime, I can take a look at it. No promise, but no harm anyway. Most common problem w/ K1000 is dead meter due to its age ...

Thanks. Yeah the meter has been dead for sometime and I didnt really bother with it too much.

The camera being completely manual, absolutely no power source required for photos, is just great. I managed to do some research online and as hamustar has mentioned, it could be a lubricating issue. But again, from the way it looks to me, its not. Some spring within should have died. Let me PM you to fix an appointment.

As for genuine parts, usually the camera clinics remove parts from obsolete and completely dead cameras and use them as spares for cameras like mine which still function.

The K1000 is just an iron work horse. A nuclear bomb couldnt really kill this one.

[srinivasanj]

Just a quick update: I managed to fix this myself. Released the spring manually and the mirror flipped down. I set the shutter to 1000 (which is actually 1/1000) and fired a couple of rounds. Final test was done using the Bulb mode (indicated by the red B on the dial). Held it down for a few seconds and the mirrors flaps into position once released!

Now, have to start sourcing for some good and cheap lenses....

[alanswan]

Joys of a fully manual cam..
But might want to get a professional look at it when there's spare time/cash though.
After long years of disuse, esp. with the spring stuck for awhile, the shutter timing might go a bit off.
Though you can probably take some pictures first to decide if it's going to be a problem...

[lonelyartist]

hey guys..

any zoom lens for Pentax K1000 is better?
and where can find the lens?

any recommend?

[woefulwabbit]

Originally Posted by lonelyartist hey guys.. any zoom lens for Pentax K1000 is better? and where can find the lens? any recommend?

Probably an F or FA Zoom lens for full frame, since you will most likely get severe vignetting with a DA lens
http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensrevi...om-Lenses.html
I think most of them are no longer being manufactured and you probably won't find them in retail. You can still try 2nd hand though, and if you don't mind manual focus, there's still some K/M/A series out there.

Sigma and Tamron also have some of their full frame zoom lenses available for Pentax mount, e.g. 28-300mm

[felixcat8888]

Originally Posted by woefulwabbit Probably an F or FA Zoom lens for full frame, since you will most likely get severe vignetting with a DA lens http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensrevi...om-Lenses.html I think most of them are no longer being manufactured and you probably won't find them in retail. You can still try 2nd hand though, and if you don't mind manual focus, there's still some K/M/A series out there. Sigma and Tamron also have some of their full frame zoom lenses available for Pentax mount, e.g. 28-300mm

K1000 is a fully manual camera, and lenses can be bought from EvilBay or even some of the 2nd hand shops in SG.

I managed to get a New Old stock Cosina 28-80mm F3.5-4.5 lens for SGD$60 including shipping a few months back for my Super A.

[Ben Loke]

Originally Posted by lonelyartist hey guys.. any zoom lens for Pentax K1000 is better? and where can find the lens? any recommend?

I have couple of manual zooms to clear.
What range you looking at?