Embarassing Vintage Pentax Issue

Maggiolone · 09-25-2012, 10:38 AM

Today, I found in a thrift store a pristine Pentax (forgot the model #) from the mid-70's. The kit was for $100 and included the extra lenses, light meter, and flash attachment.

I was giddy; I always wanted one of these.

My happiness faded when I realized I couldn't open the film case. I could open the battery, but I kept pressing the little chrome button on the unit's underside, and nothing worked. The cover was shut tight.

The store wouldn't go down on price, so I refused to buy it.

Does anyone have any tricks to opening one of these when the cover wouldn't budge? Or, is the camera worthless now?

Peter Zack · 09-25-2012, 10:44 AM

The real question is what lenses were included? Camera bodies are easily found and very cheap. In fact most very old models with need a cleaning and service before using them again.

bluenose · 09-25-2012, 10:45 AM

From my Spotmatic days, you pull up on the film rewind knob to open the back cover.

Regards

LeDave · 09-25-2012, 10:48 AM

You yank the film rewind knob up, then you give it another small nudge to go up even more and the film door will pop open.

Peter Zack · 09-25-2012, 10:52 AM

That button on the underside is the film advance gear release. it doesn't open the door. The 2 above are right, pull up the knob.

Maggiolone · 09-25-2012, 11:01 AM

Oh goodness.

I wasn't around these nice cameras growing up. Vivtars and 110s were the only ones I was allowed to touch.

I'll go back again and see if I can get that camera cover open.

vonBaloney · 09-25-2012, 11:15 AM

Once you find out the model (or buy it), you should be able to get a copy of the manual online.

Maggiolone · 09-25-2012, 11:18 AM

Originally posted by vonBaloney

Once you find out the model (or buy it), you should be able to get a copy of the manual online.

Oh, that's great! That was my next concern.

bluenose · 09-25-2012, 12:00 PM

Originally posted by vonBaloney

Once you find out the model (or buy it), you should be able to get a copy of the manual online.

Here's the link to the Pentax site where you can get the manuals.

Downloads & Literature - PENTAX Imaging USA

Regards

Maggiolone · 09-25-2012, 12:39 PM

Originally posted by bluenose

Here's the link to the Pentax site where you can get the manuals.

Downloads & Literature - PENTAX Imaging USA

Regards

Thank you very much!

From the manuals, I found out the model that I looked at: K1000.

Is the K1000 even worth $100 used?

**boriscleto** · 09-25-2012, 12:41 PM

Originally posted by Maggiolone

Is the K1000 even worth $100 used?

It depends on what came with it and what condition it is in.

Maggiolone · 09-25-2012, 12:45 PM

Originally posted by boriscleto

It depends on what came with it and what condition it is in.

Lens attachment (do not know the model numbers), flash attachment, no case. It looked all right, but wouldn't know unless I had film.

vonBaloney · 09-25-2012, 12:46 PM

Originally posted by Maggiolone

Thank you very much!

From the manuals, I found out the model that I looked at: K1000.

Is the K1000 even worth $100 used?

At a retail store in pristine condition (with a limited warranty, hopefully), maybe. On the larger used market like craigslist and ebay? No way, not for the body only, but it is worth something to know you're getting a smoothly operating camera that doesn't need repair, new light seals, etc.

Maggiolone · 09-25-2012, 12:52 PM

Originally posted by vonBaloney

At a retail store in pristine condition (with a limited warranty, hopefully), maybe. On the larger used market like craigslist and ebay? No way, not for the body only, but it is worth something to know you're getting a smoothly operating camera that doesn't need repair, new light seals, etc.

Definitely didn't have a warranty because it was a re-sale shop for general merchandise. I saw on Ebay they don't go for that much at all.
Bummer; as a kid I dreamed of having a camera like this.

vonBaloney · 09-25-2012, 12:59 PM

Originally posted by Maggiolone

Definitely didn't have a warranty because it was a re-sale shop for general merchandise. I saw on Ebay they don't go for that much at all.
Bummer; as a kid I dreamed of having a camera like this.

Uhh...so buy one on ebay, or from keh.com, or from a craigslist ad, or from a camera store with used stuff. They aren't hard to find. I've even got one sitting around I've been meaning to sell...

09-25-2012, 10:38 AM	#1
Maggiolone Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 6	Embarassing Vintage Pentax Issue Today, I found in a thrift store a pristine Pentax (forgot the model #) from the mid-70's. The kit was for $100 and included the extra lenses, light meter, and flash attachment. I was giddy; I always wanted one of these. My happiness faded when I realized I couldn't open the film case. I could open the battery, but I kept pressing the little chrome button on the unit's underside, and nothing worked. The cover was shut tight. The store wouldn't go down on price, so I refused to buy it. Does anyone have any tricks to opening one of these when the cover wouldn't budge? Or, is the camera worthless now?

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09-25-2012, 10:44 AM	#2
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	The real question is what lenses were included? Camera bodies are easily found and very cheap. In fact most very old models with need a cleaning and service before using them again.

09-25-2012, 10:45 AM	#3
bluenose Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: S. Ontario Posts: 227	From my Spotmatic days, you pull up on the film rewind knob to open the back cover. Regards

09-25-2012, 10:48 AM	#4
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	You yank the film rewind knob up, then you give it another small nudge to go up even more and the film door will pop open.

09-25-2012, 10:52 AM	#5
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	That button on the underside is the film advance gear release. it doesn't open the door. The 2 above are right, pull up the knob.

09-25-2012, 11:01 AM	#6
Maggiolone Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 6 Original Poster	Oh goodness. I wasn't around these nice cameras growing up. Vivtars and 110s were the only ones I was allowed to touch. I'll go back again and see if I can get that camera cover open.

09-25-2012, 11:15 AM	#7
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Once you find out the model (or buy it), you should be able to get a copy of the manual online.

09-25-2012, 11:18 AM	#8
Maggiolone Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 6 Original Poster	Originally posted by vonBaloney Once you find out the model (or buy it), you should be able to get a copy of the manual online. Oh, that's great! That was my next concern.

09-25-2012, 12:00 PM	#9
bluenose Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: S. Ontario Posts: 227	Originally posted by vonBaloney Once you find out the model (or buy it), you should be able to get a copy of the manual online. Here's the link to the Pentax site where you can get the manuals. Downloads & Literature - PENTAX Imaging USA Regards

09-25-2012, 12:39 PM	#10
Maggiolone Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 6 Original Poster	Originally posted by bluenose Here's the link to the Pentax site where you can get the manuals. Downloads & Literature - PENTAX Imaging USA Regards Thank you very much! From the manuals, I found out the model that I looked at: K1000. Is the K1000 even worth $100 used?

09-25-2012, 12:41 PM	#11
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by Maggiolone Is the K1000 even worth $100 used? It depends on what came with it and what condition it is in.

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09-25-2012, 12:45 PM	#12
Maggiolone Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 6 Original Poster	Originally posted by boriscleto It depends on what came with it and what condition it is in. Lens attachment (do not know the model numbers), flash attachment, no case. It looked all right, but wouldn't know unless I had film.

09-25-2012, 12:46 PM	#13
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by Maggiolone Thank you very much! From the manuals, I found out the model that I looked at: K1000. Is the K1000 even worth $100 used? At a retail store in pristine condition (with a limited warranty, hopefully), maybe. On the larger used market like craigslist and ebay? No way, not for the body only, but it is worth something to know you're getting a smoothly operating camera that doesn't need repair, new light seals, etc.

09-25-2012, 12:52 PM	#14
Maggiolone Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 6 Original Poster	Originally posted by vonBaloney At a retail store in pristine condition (with a limited warranty, hopefully), maybe. On the larger used market like craigslist and ebay? No way, not for the body only, but it is worth something to know you're getting a smoothly operating camera that doesn't need repair, new light seals, etc. Definitely didn't have a warranty because it was a re-sale shop for general merchandise. I saw on Ebay they don't go for that much at all. Bummer; as a kid I dreamed of having a camera like this.

09-25-2012, 12:59 PM	#15
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by Maggiolone Definitely didn't have a warranty because it was a re-sale shop for general merchandise. I saw on Ebay they don't go for that much at all. Bummer; as a kid I dreamed of having a camera like this. Uhh...so buy one on ebay, or from keh.com, or from a craigslist ad, or from a camera store with used stuff. They aren't hard to find. I've even got one sitting around I've been meaning to sell...