I need help with my pentax k1000

[Bradleybishopm]

Hello, i just got a pentax k1000 and in like 5 minutes the shutter realse button is stuck in a depersed position and the film wind lever is also stuck. The mirror is down. Please respond fast thank you

 

[Theo Sulphate]

I think this is an easy fix you can make by removing the bottom plate and resetting the mirror latch arm.

However, if you do not feel confident removing the plate or working inside the camera, you should get it repaired by someone who has the experience.

When uncocked, the little black arm is at the bottom of its slot and the large silver lever is at rest as you see here:

When properly cocked, the black arm is at the top and is held by the silver lever as you see here:

In your case, most likely the camera was wound but the black lever slipped to the low position. To correct this, you must raise it and adjust the lever to hold it in place at the top. Most likely your lever is the early type which looks a bit different and is known for this problem.

Here is a video that shows the problem (but take the battery out first!):

 

[Jeff Bradford]

It's broken and needs CLA and/or repair.

 

[David Lyga]

The video shown by Theo Sulphate says it better than I would have been able to say. Do precisely as in the video if THAT (misplaced mirror charge lever) is the problem. - David Lyga

 

[dynachrome]

Eric Hendrickson has serviced a number of K mount and M42 mount Pentax cameras for me as well as a Pentax lens. Now I can really enjoy using them.

 

[frank]

You could buy another body that works for not too much, or buy a better KM or KX body for less than a K1000 goes for.

 

[John Koehrer]

If you have the screwdriver take a look, you've got pic so you know what it should look like.
This is the same as the original spotmatics a bump can let the lever slip.

 

[darkroommike]

I like the KM, the K1000 lacks a self timer and depth of field preview. Any K series camera you buy (or Spotmatic!) may have this issue. If it's just stiff from sitting giving it a bit of exercise, once you get it unstuck, may resolve the issue, but in the long run any 30+ year old camera that you buy should be sent in for a professional CLA, it then should be good for another 30 years or so. K1000's were made much longer than the other K-series cameras so may suffer less from the issue and were used much harder as they were regarded as great student cameras.