Pentax K1000

[Skele]

Went to see my mum this morning and told her that I had just gotten a new camera for my birthday. She told me that she still had my late father's camera bag and wouldn't it be nice if someone got some use out of it.

Well, not only did she still have the camera bag, but the bag still had a camera in it. A Pentax Asahi k1000.

As far as I can tell, its in great shape. No film inside it, and I found the battery along with battery cover in the bottom of the bag.

Any suggestions about what I should do with it other than pop some film in and see if everything works?

[zebulus]

Originally Posted by Skele

Any suggestions about what I should do with it other than pop some film in and see if everything works?

Sounds like a plan! Those are great cameras. Thats what I learned how to shoot on. Their built like tanks and virtually indestructible. And they take GREAT pictures.

Have fun!

[Angelo]

That is one of, if not the best camera to learn photography.
I recommend you test it out and keep it as a memento.
If I remember correctly it had a cloth shutter curtain. If so
it may not be as accurate as it was during it's heydays.

[mathia]

LOVE the K1000. Got one for graduation about 25 years ago. I suggest you find some black and white film and go exploring. Of course, you need to post the results once you get them developed. Have fun with it. Great camera. I haven't used it in years, but I've still got mine.

[Skele]

Well, I guess that makes the decision. Mum just called to tell me that she found another one of my Dad's cameras. All she could tell me is that it is a canon, and it looks fancy. She thinks its the last camera that he bought so, late 90s. I'll go and pick it up this weekend. I thought she had gotten rid of all of Dad's equipment when he passed away.

[venchka]

Exercise it gently without film. A few dozen "exposures" and "winding". Work your way through all the shutter speeds. Several times for each one. Like 10/speed. If the battery says PX625 on it, it may still be good. If so, use it. It's an irreplaceable battery. They don't make them anymore. Thanks battery folks! However, I don't know which battery the camera was designed to use. Wikipedia or GOOGLE will know. Treat it nice. It will treat you nice.

If the camera uses PX625 mercury cells, you will need a replacement. Wein cell zinc air batteries work. 675 hearing aid batteries with an o-ring around them work just as well.

venchka added 4 Minutes and 28 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by zebulus

...Thats what I learned how to shoot on.

Have fun!

Spoken like an old timer. When was that? Last week?

Mom's latest find sounds very interesting. Maybe dad treated himself to something nice.

[zebulus]

Originally Posted by venchka

Exercise it gently without film. A few dozen "exposures" and "winding". Work your way through all the shutter speeds. Several times for each one. Like 10/speed. If the battery says PX625 on it, it may still be good. If so, use it. It's an irreplaceable battery. They don't make them anymore. Thanks battery folks! However, I don't know which battery the camera was designed to use. Wikipedia or GOOGLE will know. Treat it nice. It will treat you nice.

If the camera uses PX625 mercury cells, you will need a replacement. Wein cell zinc air batteries work. 675 hearing aid batteries with an o-ring around them work just as well.

I seem to remember purchasing batteries for it at walmart...but it depends on when yours was made too I would imagine. This was the longest production camera in history, they made it from 1976-1997.

zebulus added 1 Minutes and 18 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by venchka

Spoken like an old timer. When was that? Last week?

Actually that was when I was about 6. My dad taught me how to shoot. Yeah, I know, im only 23 but im an "old soul", what can I say.

[Skele]

It looks like a hearing aid battery. I'm going to take it with me when I go to Walmart tonight to pick up some film.

Skele added 362 Minutes and 4 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Well, I managed to find film at Walmart (and it was an actual chore because it wasn't anywhere near the camera stuff, hidden in a corner) and managed to score some B&W as well. Took the battery with me and replaced it as well. Will test it out tomorrow. Promise to let you all know the results

[snydersnapshots]

Originally Posted by Skele

It looks like a hearing aid battery. I'm going to take it with me when I go to Walmart tonight to pick up some film.

Skele added 362 Minutes and 4 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Well, I managed to find film at Walmart (and it was an actual chore because it wasn't anywhere near the camera stuff, hidden in a corner) and managed to score some B&W as well. Took the battery with me and replaced it as well. Will test it out tomorrow. Promise to let you all know the results

Donna:

Reading this thread caused me to get my K1000 out of the closet. It's the first "major" purchase I made when I got my first job at age 16; it's still in good shape and seems to work just fine.

I've got the original manual and the battery specification is for the Eveready S76E or Mallory MS76H or equivalent. Earlier this year or late last year I bought a new Energizer EPX 76 battery. On the battery card I see it replaces both the S76 and MS76, among others. It appears to work just fine in my K1000.

The manual is just a little thinner than the one for the D300. If you'd like I can try to scan it and e-mail or snail-mail you a copy. Just send me a PM and let me know.

[studiocygnet]

Yeah, far as I remember I had no problem finding a battery last time I needed one for mine. Sounds like some great finds, with sentimental value as well.
What lens is on the K1000, the normal 50mm F2.0? That's what most of them out there seem to have been bought with. Actually, there is not just one model of the K1000. As was mentioned, the production run was so long, they went through a lot of changes over the years. Some were black, some were brown, some say Asahi on them, etc. There is a person on the Pentax forum that has been collecting info on them to have a K1000 database.
Here:http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/p...-database.html
You might add yours to the list. And if you've got any questions and want to check out another forum, all the info about your K1000 is there.

[janikphoto]

If I recall, Drew Barrymore stated in an interview years ago that she was into photography and used a k1000.

[venchka]

Standing by for the other "surprise" "real cannon" camera.

[Skele]

So, I broke down and drove out to my mum's again today just to see what she had found. She had a Canon EOS Rebel G. Compared to the Pentax, it definitely qualifies as 'fancy' although, I would be hard pressed to describe it that way. Seems like it has hardly been used as the receipt for its purchase was still in the box along with everything else. It looks like Dad had just repackaged it, with some sort of intention.

On my way home, I stopped by one of the local camera stores to see if they could tell me anything about the Pentax and I found a lens (used) for an incredible price that I couldn't pass up. Although, they couldn't tell me anything about the camera itself. Since I was purchasing the used lens and they have a deal with a local camera repair company, I was allowed to take the new lens to them to ensure everything was just fine with it. While I was in the shop, I asked him about the Pentax. He took a look at it (for free) and recommended a good cleaning and noticed a few minor glitches (his term, not mine) but said that for a bright sunny day like today, it would be a great camera to use. In fact, he had one back in the early 70s that he used as his loaner camera for people who were interested in photography but needed a tester camera.

So, I'm going to go and try it out this afternoon.

[toverman]

Have a great time. I have cameras that were my grandparents (both sets) and from my dad, who is still alive but made the digital switch years ago. Enjoy using your dad's cameras and cherish owning them. My dad's mother gave me the Olympus OM-1 she had used for years on her travels before she passed away. I actually used it at my first newspaper job, but now keep it for the sentimental reasons with plans to use my Zuiko lenses with an adapter on my Canons.

[texkam]

Still have mine. :)