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steven_holland · 06-30-2016, 02:01 PM

Hi i have just purchased a very nice condition k1000 for my daughter. She is starting photography course in September. The serial number is stamped on the bottom 7497931. just wondered if anyone knew a rough age?

CarlH · 06-30-2016, 04:21 PM

just did a bit of googling found someone who bought his K1000 new in June 1977 with the serial number 7514*** so would put yours in the mid 1970's depending on how many they where making each year.

**gofour3** · 06-30-2016, 07:09 PM

Originally posted by steven_holland

Hi i have just purchased a very nice condition k1000 for my daughter. She is starting photography course in September. The serial number is stamped on the bottom 7497931. just wondered if anyone knew a rough age?

Welcome to the forum!

Check the camera and see where it's manufactured. If it's Japan then it's one of the early (1976-1978) ones, Hong Kong then a middle one (1978-1990) or China for a newer version. (1990-1997)

Also check the forums s/n database for the K1000:

Pentax K1000 Serial Numbers - Pentax Serial Number Database - Page 7 - PentaxForums.com

Phil.

Xmas · 07-01-2016, 06:54 AM

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/8-pentax-film-slr-discussion/51190-k1000-...-database.html

Cuthbert · 07-01-2016, 11:09 AM

Originally posted by steven_holland

Hi i have just purchased a very nice condition k1000 for my daughter. She is starting photography course in September. The serial number is stamped on the bottom 7497931. just wondered if anyone knew a rough age?

The numbers weren't arranged in chronological order and they restarted few times, it's easier to spot the series from the small details of the camera, and of course the first one made in Japan (supposedly) had the 55mm f2 lens.

**Skodadriver** · 07-01-2016, 12:30 PM

Originally posted by steven_holland

Hi i have just purchased a very nice condition k1000 for my daughter. She is starting photography course in September. The serial number is stamped on the bottom 7497931. just wondered if anyone knew a rough age?

I have a K1000, made in Japan I'm assuming (1976 to 1978?) as it has the AOG logo and ASAHI PENTAX on the pentaprism, no "made in Japan" written anywhere but maybe they didn't need to state this on a product at the time. S/N is 6106175, not that it helps, S/N's on Pentax seem to jump around a lot!

Xmas · 07-01-2016, 01:36 PM

Originally posted by Skodadriver

I have a K1000, made in Japan I'm assuming (1976 to 1978?) as it has the AOG logo and ASAHI PENTAX on the pentaprism, no "made in Japan" written anywhere but maybe they didn't need to state this on a product at the time. S/N is 6106175, not that it helps, S/N's on Pentax seem to jump around a lot!

2nd production run 77-82 early rather than later please look at the links posted.
The 'made in where ever' was a sticker they peel of easily.

steven_holland · 07-01-2016, 01:43 PM

Thank you for your input. The prism has a logo on the top front then says ASAHI above PENTAX. On the back top right is stamped ASAHI OPT. CO. It has the screw type battery cover. I hope some of this is useful as I can't see any where a country of manufacture. If anyone has advice where this might be then let me know. Thanks again.

Xmas · 07-01-2016, 02:41 PM

Originally posted by steven_holland

Thank you for your input. The prism has a logo on the top front then says ASAHI above PENTAX. On the back top right is stamped ASAHI OPT. CO. It has the screw type battery cover. I hope some of this is useful as I can't see any where a country of manufacture. If anyone has advice where this might be then let me know. Thanks again.

Production run 3 '82-83

The 'made in ...' was a peel of sticker

It may help if the new owner joins the forum and gets to be happy here.

**gofour3** · 07-01-2016, 04:53 PM

Originally posted by steven_holland

Thank you for your input. The prism has a logo on the top front then says ASAHI above PENTAX. On the back top right is stamped ASAHI OPT. CO. It has the screw type battery cover. I hope some of this is useful as I can't see any where a country of manufacture. If anyone has advice where this might be then let me know. Thanks again.

If you can't see "Made in Japan" on the camera top, the it's most likely an "Assembled in Hong Kong" model from the period between 1978 and 1990.

Phil.

Xmas · 07-02-2016, 01:52 AM

Hi Phil

The serial number is 74xxxxx?

the database is
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/8-pentax-film-slr-discussion/...-k1k_order.pdf

One of us is wrong?

Noel

**Skodadriver** · 07-02-2016, 04:44 AM

Originally posted by Xmas

2nd production run 77-82 early rather than later please look at the links posted.
The 'made in where ever' was a sticker they peel of easily.

Thank you for that, should have done some research before opening my mouth and assuming. Ran a film through it this morning, using the M50 f1.7 it came with (when I bought it from the charity shop a couple of weeks ago) and look forward to seeing if it has exposed the film well.

**goatsNdonkey** · 07-02-2016, 07:26 AM

It's great that you're encouraging a young person to get involved in manual film photography!

**gofour3** · 07-02-2016, 09:12 AM

Originally posted by Xmas

Hi Phil

The serial number is 74xxxxx?

the database is
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/8-pentax-film-slr-discussion/...-k1k_order.pdf

One of us is wrong?

Noel

We're both right, but are talking about different things.

There were three version of the K1000 (excluding the SE). One made in Japan, one in HK and one in China. The OP's K1000 most likely falls into the HK group which includes your production run 3 '82-83.

The HK were made from June 1978 to 1990 and would include production run 2, 3 and 4 from your list.

We are also dealing with Pentax s/n which are always a great unknown, so the years mentioned above are still assumptions.

Phil.

steven_holland · 07-03-2016, 12:38 AM

I can see it's not straight forward. Thanks for all your help with this.

06-30-2016, 02:01 PM	#1
steven_holland New Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 4	k1000 Hi i have just purchased a very nice condition k1000 for my daughter. She is starting photography course in September. The serial number is stamped on the bottom 7497931. just wondered if anyone knew a rough age?

07-01-2016, 01:43 PM	#8
steven_holland New Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 4 Original Poster	Hi everyone Thank you for your input. The prism has a logo on the top front then says ASAHI above PENTAX. On the back top right is stamped ASAHI OPT. CO. It has the screw type battery cover. I hope some of this is useful as I can't see any where a country of manufacture. If anyone has advice where this might be then let me know. Thanks again.

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06-30-2016, 04:21 PM	#2
CarlH Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Carlisle, Cumbria Posts: 58	just did a bit of googling found someone who bought his K1000 new in June 1977 with the serial number 7514*** so would put yours in the mid 1970's depending on how many they where making each year.

06-30-2016, 07:09 PM	#3
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,093	Originally posted by steven_holland Hi i have just purchased a very nice condition k1000 for my daughter. She is starting photography course in September. The serial number is stamped on the bottom 7497931. just wondered if anyone knew a rough age? Welcome to the forum! Check the camera and see where it's manufactured. If it's Japan then it's one of the early (1976-1978) ones, Hong Kong then a middle one (1978-1990) or China for a newer version. (1990-1997) Also check the forums s/n database for the K1000: Pentax K1000 Serial Numbers - Pentax Serial Number Database - Page 7 - PentaxForums.com Phil.

07-01-2016, 06:54 AM	#4
Xmas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 617	https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/8-pentax-film-slr-discussion/51190-k1000-...-database.html

07-01-2016, 11:09 AM	#5
Cuthbert Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,740	Originally posted by steven_holland Hi i have just purchased a very nice condition k1000 for my daughter. She is starting photography course in September. The serial number is stamped on the bottom 7497931. just wondered if anyone knew a rough age? The numbers weren't arranged in chronological order and they restarted few times, it's easier to spot the series from the small details of the camera, and of course the first one made in Japan (supposedly) had the 55mm f2 lens.

07-01-2016, 12:30 PM	#6
Skodadriver Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 892	Originally posted by steven_holland Hi i have just purchased a very nice condition k1000 for my daughter. She is starting photography course in September. The serial number is stamped on the bottom 7497931. just wondered if anyone knew a rough age? I have a K1000, made in Japan I'm assuming (1976 to 1978?) as it has the AOG logo and ASAHI PENTAX on the pentaprism, no "made in Japan" written anywhere but maybe they didn't need to state this on a product at the time. S/N is 6106175, not that it helps, S/N's on Pentax seem to jump around a lot!

07-01-2016, 01:36 PM	#7
Xmas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 617	Originally posted by Skodadriver I have a K1000, made in Japan I'm assuming (1976 to 1978?) as it has the AOG logo and ASAHI PENTAX on the pentaprism, no "made in Japan" written anywhere but maybe they didn't need to state this on a product at the time. S/N is 6106175, not that it helps, S/N's on Pentax seem to jump around a lot! 2nd production run 77-82 early rather than later please look at the links posted. The 'made in where ever' was a sticker they peel of easily.

07-01-2016, 02:41 PM	#9
Xmas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 617	Originally posted by steven_holland Thank you for your input. The prism has a logo on the top front then says ASAHI above PENTAX. On the back top right is stamped ASAHI OPT. CO. It has the screw type battery cover. I hope some of this is useful as I can't see any where a country of manufacture. If anyone has advice where this might be then let me know. Thanks again. Production run 3 '82-83 The 'made in ...' was a peel of sticker It may help if the new owner joins the forum and gets to be happy here.

07-01-2016, 04:53 PM	#10
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,093	Originally posted by steven_holland Thank you for your input. The prism has a logo on the top front then says ASAHI above PENTAX. On the back top right is stamped ASAHI OPT. CO. It has the screw type battery cover. I hope some of this is useful as I can't see any where a country of manufacture. If anyone has advice where this might be then let me know. Thanks again. If you can't see "Made in Japan" on the camera top, the it's most likely an "Assembled in Hong Kong" model from the period between 1978 and 1990. Phil.

07-02-2016, 01:52 AM	#11
Xmas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 617	Hi Phil The serial number is 74xxxxx? the database is https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/8-pentax-film-slr-discussion/...-k1k_order.pdf One of us is wrong? Noel

07-02-2016, 04:44 AM	#12
Skodadriver Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 892	Originally posted by Xmas 2nd production run 77-82 early rather than later please look at the links posted. The 'made in where ever' was a sticker they peel of easily. Thank you for that, should have done some research before opening my mouth and assuming. Ran a film through it this morning, using the M50 f1.7 it came with (when I bought it from the charity shop a couple of weeks ago) and look forward to seeing if it has exposed the film well.

07-02-2016, 07:26 AM	#13
goatsNdonkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Fulton County, Illinois Posts: 3,736	It's great that you're encouraging a young person to get involved in manual film photography!

07-02-2016, 09:12 AM	#14
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,093	Originally posted by Xmas Hi Phil The serial number is 74xxxxx? the database is https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/8-pentax-film-slr-discussion/...-k1k_order.pdf One of us is wrong? Noel We're both right, but are talking about different things. There were three version of the K1000 (excluding the SE). One made in Japan, one in HK and one in China. The OP's K1000 most likely falls into the HK group which includes your production run 3 '82-83. The HK were made from June 1978 to 1990 and would include production run 2, 3 and 4 from your list. We are also dealing with Pentax s/n which are always a great unknown, so the years mentioned above are still assumptions. Phil.

07-03-2016, 12:38 AM	#15
steven_holland New Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 4 Original Poster	I can see it's not straight forward. Thanks for all your help with this.