Broken shutter release button on 'new' Pentax K1000

Recently bought a near-mint condition Pentax K1000 body from Adorama's ebay store, and was thrilled to see how great the condition on the camera was, until after I put a lens on and discovered I couldn't get it back off because the lens release button was completely broken off down to the metal.

This wasn't disclosed in the ad, which is more than a little irritating, and you couldn't really see it in the photos unless you looked really hard. Their only solution offered to me is to ship the camera back to them for a refund, but it's in perfect shape otherwise so I wan't to keep it. For now I'll just use my one lens. At least it's a decent one (mint 50mm 1.7). I *can* depress the release spring, if I use a swiss army knife and apply just the right kind of pressure and kind of jiggle it, but I can't imagine trying to do this 'in the field'.

I've done a search online in vain, and can't find anyone who sells just the button. Any tips on where I should go to find a replacement? I looked at ebay for 'parts-only' K1000 bodies, but they cost anywhere from $25-$40, which isn't worth it. I don't really want to ship it off to a repair place because it will cost a lot more than the button is worth. Also, it seems like replacing a lens release button is a relatively easy fix. Is there any reason why I 'shouldn't try this at home' if I am able to find a button? Thanks!

If you can get the lens off, just send it back. K1000's are not rare.

Contact Eric Hendrickson at pentax27@aol.com

They seem cheap on eBay, you could always get one for parts,

I think I have a K1000 with those parts. PM if you want to take a look.

Welcome to Apug!
Nice name you got.

Army knive is something you should keep away from camera and lenses as far as possible...

In case you have some sheltered DIY inclination:
Sticking to old photographic gear, you certainly need a good set of basic tools, these include high-quality small Philips-head screw-drivers.
I assume it should be easy to take off that front apron with one of these. Then you would have access to that pin. You then could glue a make-shift knob onto it.

We have a camera repair subforum and I'm sure a lot of makeshift ideas would come up.

There is more to replacing that release button than meets the eye. Take a close look at http://www.pentax-manuals.com/markroberts/k1000_man.pdf before you try to fix it yourself.

I can't open that pdf at moment. My computer has its... bad moment...
What did I overlook?

I'm running a clean install of Win 10 with Adobe reader XI, Firefox, it comes up fine. Try Dead Link Removed and click on the K1000 link.

How do we remain totally analog and access this site? Follow electrons through the power wires?

frank said:

If you can get the lens off, just send it back. K1000's are not rare.

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Certainly not rare, but in this condition (less the button of course) certainly in high demand on ebay with bidding wars driving the price up. Spent over a week of work to get this one and nearly lost out to another bidder, a hassle I'd like to avoid going through again. But it's still an option to send it back. Not off the fence yet.

Pioneer said:

Contact Eric Hendrickson at pentax27@aol.com

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Thanks for the tip Pioneer.

seanE said:

They seem cheap on eBay, you could always get one for parts,

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Like I mentioned in my OP I just don't want to spend the $25-$40 for a 'parts-only' body. I just saw a parts-only body for $72! I'll keep my eyes peeled for something cheap(er).

Fixcinater said:

I think I have a K1000 with those parts. PM if you want to take a look.

Click to expand...

Thanks Fixcinater! Appreciate it!

AgX said:

Welcome to Apug!
Nice name you got.

Army knive is something you should keep away from camera and lenses as far as possible...

In case you have some sheltered DIY inclination:
Sticking to old photographic gear, you certainly need a good set of basic tools, these include high-quality small Philips-head screw-drivers.
I assume it should be easy to take off that front apron with one of these. Then you would have access to that pin. You then could glue a make-shift knob onto it.

We have a camera repair subforum and I'm sure a lot of makeshift ideas would come up.

Click to expand...

Thanks! Was surprised that 'Analogette' wasn't already taken.

Yeah, I'm not the best with sharp tools, but luckily this little knife has a blunt-ended file, which is what I used. Still not a great idea though.

Thanks for the tip about the subforum. I kind of had an idea there might be a more appropriate place for my post. Still trying to figure out the organization of the categories here.

shutterfinger said:

There is more to replacing that release button than meets the eye. Take a close look at http://www.pentax-manuals.com/markroberts/k1000_man.pdf before you try to fix it yourself.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the manual shutterfinger. I already had that exact manual and looked hard through the whole thing trying to find anything about the lens release button, but couldn't find anything. Can you tell me what page it's on? I'd love to see if it's feasible on my end (I already have the tools I need).

Page 31 Removing the Diaphragm Resistor and Front Standard section.

Unless you are dead set on having a K 1000 I'd suggest returning it and looking farther afield. The price of the K 1000 has been driven far past its actual value probably by being touted as a beginner's camera by photo class instructors. Look at pentaxforums.com for comparisons of the various K mount cameras. The f1.7 you have is an excellent lens. You might find a KX which is the camera the K 1000 should have been; I scored one in excellent condition with a flawless f1.4 50mm for just under $100. Here's an evaluation by users of the KX http://www.pentaxforums.com/camerareviews/pentax-kx.html. The KX offers depth of field preview and mirror lockup; two features which enable "easy" closeup and macro photography. The KX will carry you much further in photography than will the K 1000.

Check this listing on pentaxforums.com http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/...-pentax-k1000-film-camera-body-hong-kong.html