Anyone here futzing with Pentax bodies?

waynecrider · Oct 31, 2010

I'd trying to find out if the K1000 was a simplified version of a previous body framework line or a complete departure. Specifically, if parts might be common with other models and the K1000. I ask as I've picked up a couple of parts bodies to futz with, basically to repair an existing body, and am trying to get a sense of it's lineage, outside of being (I think) the last metal body.(?)

mcgrattan · Oct 31, 2010

There were several entire series of metal bodies after the K1000.

The K1000 has a slightly odd prominence in on-line discussions, but the M-series, P-series and A-series bodies are all metal, too. However, they aren't all fully mechanical, some need batteries to operate. The later bodies tend to be smaller, but they have very good viewfinders and can take advantage of the features of the KA mount.

http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/bodies/index.html

is a very good resource. I have no idea how many of the post-K-series bodies have parts that can be shared with earlier K-series bodies, though.

Steve Smith · Oct 31, 2010

The KM is like a K1000 with an added depth of field preview. I don't know which came first though. As it doesn't have the cult status of the K1000 it can be bought for a lower price.

Steve.

Focus No. 9 · Oct 31, 2010

You might be surprised to see slight differences in the mechs due to design changes over the years.

waynecrider · Oct 31, 2010

Focus No. 9 said:
You might be surprised to see slight differences in the mechs due to design changes over the years.

Yea I think that would be expected. I'm wondering tho about frame changes and if there was a linage that used the same frame as the K1000 but built a different model camera. Sort of like the J frame for GM cars. Lots of different models used that frame. Graflex corp did the same thing. Used a standard body but built different cameras.

Btw, the link above may article my interests. Just have to search it all.

okto · Oct 31, 2010

Look at a Spotmatic SP1000 next to a K1000. Looks like all the changed was the lens mount and deleted the stop-down lever.

lxdude · Oct 31, 2010

Steve Smith said:
The KM is like a K1000 with an added depth of field preview. I don't know which came first though. As it doesn't have the cult status of the K1000 it can be bought for a lower price.

Steve.

The KM came first; the K1000 was introduced as a "budget" model. The KM is a essentially a Spotmatic F converted to K-mount, with the necessary mechanical changes. Same with the original SMC Pentaxes being converted SMC Takumars.

paul ewins · Oct 31, 2010

The K1000, KM & KX are all supposed to be derivations of the Spotmatic line, while the K2 should be from the ES line. The KM, KX & K2 came first, then the K1000. I would expect the K1000 to share almost all parts with the KM and KX. Unfortunately I don't know whether any internal parts were changed when the K line was released, so I'm not sure how compatible Spotmatic parts will be with the K series.

John Koehrer · Oct 31, 2010

I know that parts in the speed stack are the same from Spotmatics, I'm thinking part of the mirror cage & film advance may also be common.

Steve Roberts · Nov 1, 2010

paul ewins said:
while the K2 should be from the ES line..

Though, of course, the ES line used a horizontal running fabric shutter whereas the K2/K2DMD used a vertical running metal shutter.

Steve

waynecrider · Nov 2, 2010

paul ewins said:
The K1000, KM & KX are all supposed to be derivations of the Spotmatic line, while the K2 should be from the ES line. The KM, KX & K2 came first, then the K1000. I would expect the K1000 to share almost all parts with the KM and KX. Unfortunately I don't know whether any internal parts were changed when the K line was released, so I'm not sure how compatible Spotmatic parts will be with the K series.

From a downloaded repair PDF, it stated that beyond the exposure meter, the shutter and transport system was familiar thru out the system, even in the ES line except for fully automatic shutter speed control. It also notes that the K1000 was a good representative for study as one would be servicing many variations of the same camera. I can't copy the text in the PDF for some reason, but it does seem to refer that they are all considered Spotmatics?

On looking at the body spec's, the K1000, KM and KX are practically the same.

Anyone here futzing with Pentax bodies?

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