Pentax K1000. Line In Viewfinder

Ridgewell · 11-06-2014, 03:34 AM

Just bought a Pentax K1000 off of Ebay. Everything seems to be working fine, but just today, I noticed a line in the viewfinder... I took off the lens, but it's still there. It looks like a piece of foam or something. Anyone have any idea what the deal is?

Attached Images

LensBeginner · 11-06-2014, 03:55 AM

Which line are you referring to? the vertical one on the left?
You could inspect the mirror and the focusing screen, which are easy things to do.
Just remove the lens and look directly inside (mirror) and then up towards the prism box (focusing screen).
A higher quality picture would help, but I know it's not easy to photograph a viewfinder...

At any rate, if it's still there when you take off the lens, it's a good sign: it means that it won't show up in your pictures!

Ridgewell · 11-06-2014, 04:03 AM

LensBeginner, I'm talking about the horizontal line at the bottom. Is this common in K1000s? Is it going to affect picture quality?

LensBeginner · 11-06-2014, 04:10 AM

Originally posted by Ridgewell

LensBeginner, I'm talking about the horizontal line at the bottom. Is this common in K1000s? Is it going to affect picture quality?

Path of light to the film is gonna be lens->film (when you shoot).
The path to the viewfinder is lens->mirror->focusing screen->pentaprism (or pentamirror)->viewfinder.
If you still see it when you remove the lens then it won't show up in your pictures.
It could be some dirt on either one of the components that I listed before.

So no, it won't affect IQ.

Ridgewell · 11-06-2014, 04:23 AM

Originally posted by LensBeginner

Path of light to the film is gonna be lens->film (when you shoot).
The path to the viewfinder is lens->mirror->focusing screen->pentaprism (or pentamirror)->viewfinder.
If you still see it when you remove the lens then it won't show up in your pictures.
It could be some dirt on either one of the components that I listed before.

So no, it won't affect IQ.

Thank you so much! If it won't affect the image, I guess it really doesn't matter. Still bugs me a little bit, but whatever. Thanks again!

LensBeginner · 11-06-2014, 06:22 AM

Originally posted by Ridgewell

Thank you so much! If it won't affect the image, I guess it really doesn't matter. Still bugs me a little bit, but whatever. Thanks again!

You can still try to look where I told you and see if there's something.
My KX has a horizontal black mark on the mirror because the mirror hits a piece of rubber when it flaps (as to avoid breaking), but it doesn't show in the viewfinder.
Maybe yours has a similar mark.

**mattt** · 11-06-2014, 06:31 AM

Looks like foamy residue from the mirror bumper. Very common in old cameras that have not been maintained. A CLA (Clean Lubricate and Adjust) would repair this situation.

stevebrot · 11-06-2014, 11:00 AM

Originally posted by mattt

Looks like foamy residue from the mirror bumper. Very common in old cameras that have not been maintained. A CLA (Clean Lubricate and Adjust) would repair this situation.

...or something like that. What do you see when you take the lens off and look into the mirror box? Is there junk on the mirror or focus screen? If so, removal typically requires the services of a camera repair shop. The mirror and focus screen are very delicate and are easily scratched. There is also the risk of knocking the mirror out of alignment. The general rule for both screen and mirror is, "Do Not Touch".

One of the hazards of buying a vintage camera is that the foam materials used for light seals around the film door and as a mirror bumper are prone to disintegrate with age. Often this means a gooey sticky black mess that can foul the mirror and/or the focus screen. There is also the risk of the fragments being flung onto the shutter curtains. While often impractical, it is good to check the condition of the foam before shooting with the camera. This is done be touching the foam with a toothpick or similar sliver of wood. If the foam is sticky, crumbly or anything other than springy, it should be replaced. If the mirror and screen have not been fouled, replacement may be done as a do-it-yourself project using a kit such as that offered by Jon Goodman.

Steve

**OldPentaxFan** · 11-06-2014, 03:29 PM

Another concern is that the foam provides a light seal when the mirror flips up out of the way. This keeps light from the view finder from entering and fogging the film.

I had my K1000 serviced for the same problem several years back and if the foam isn't flaking off and getting into the shutter area it should be a relatively inexpensive repair.

stevebrot · 11-06-2014, 04:04 PM

Originally posted by OldPentaxFan

I had my K1000 serviced for the same problem several years back and if the foam isn't flaking off and getting into the shutter area it should be a relatively inexpensive repair.

The cost is generally $45+ as part of a minimal CLA (Clean, Lube, Adjust). If the mirror were not already fouled the job can be done at home at a cost of less than $15 ($10 for the kit and $5 for the lighter fluid to clean off the old seals).

Steve

11-06-2014, 03:34 AM	#1
Ridgewell New Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 3	Pentax K1000. Line In Viewfinder Just bought a Pentax K1000 off of Ebay. Everything seems to be working fine, but just today, I noticed a line in the viewfinder... I took off the lens, but it's still there. It looks like a piece of foam or something. Anyone have any idea what the deal is? Attached Images

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11-06-2014, 03:55 AM	#2
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Which line are you referring to? the vertical one on the left? You could inspect the mirror and the focusing screen, which are easy things to do. Just remove the lens and look directly inside (mirror) and then up towards the prism box (focusing screen). A higher quality picture would help, but I know it's not easy to photograph a viewfinder... At any rate, if it's still there when you take off the lens, it's a good sign: it means that it won't show up in your pictures!

11-06-2014, 04:03 AM	#3
Ridgewell New Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 3 Original Poster	LensBeginner, I'm talking about the horizontal line at the bottom. Is this common in K1000s? Is it going to affect picture quality?

11-06-2014, 04:10 AM	#4
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Originally posted by Ridgewell LensBeginner, I'm talking about the horizontal line at the bottom. Is this common in K1000s? Is it going to affect picture quality? Path of light to the film is gonna be lens->film (when you shoot). The path to the viewfinder is lens->mirror->focusing screen->pentaprism (or pentamirror)->viewfinder. If you still see it when you remove the lens then it won't show up in your pictures. It could be some dirt on either one of the components that I listed before. So no, it won't affect IQ.

11-06-2014, 04:23 AM	#5
Ridgewell New Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 3 Original Poster	Originally posted by LensBeginner Path of light to the film is gonna be lens->film (when you shoot). The path to the viewfinder is lens->mirror->focusing screen->pentaprism (or pentamirror)->viewfinder. If you still see it when you remove the lens then it won't show up in your pictures. It could be some dirt on either one of the components that I listed before. So no, it won't affect IQ. Thank you so much! If it won't affect the image, I guess it really doesn't matter. Still bugs me a little bit, but whatever. Thanks again!

11-06-2014, 06:22 AM	#6
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Originally posted by Ridgewell Thank you so much! If it won't affect the image, I guess it really doesn't matter. Still bugs me a little bit, but whatever. Thanks again! You can still try to look where I told you and see if there's something. My KX has a horizontal black mark on the mirror because the mirror hits a piece of rubber when it flaps (as to avoid breaking), but it doesn't show in the viewfinder. Maybe yours has a similar mark.

11-06-2014, 06:31 AM	#7
mattt Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Niagara Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,907	Looks like foamy residue from the mirror bumper. Very common in old cameras that have not been maintained. A CLA (Clean Lubricate and Adjust) would repair this situation.

11-06-2014, 11:00 AM	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by mattt Looks like foamy residue from the mirror bumper. Very common in old cameras that have not been maintained. A CLA (Clean Lubricate and Adjust) would repair this situation. ...or something like that. What do you see when you take the lens off and look into the mirror box? Is there junk on the mirror or focus screen? If so, removal typically requires the services of a camera repair shop. The mirror and focus screen are very delicate and are easily scratched. There is also the risk of knocking the mirror out of alignment. The general rule for both screen and mirror is, "Do Not Touch". One of the hazards of buying a vintage camera is that the foam materials used for light seals around the film door and as a mirror bumper are prone to disintegrate with age. Often this means a gooey sticky black mess that can foul the mirror and/or the focus screen. There is also the risk of the fragments being flung onto the shutter curtains. While often impractical, it is good to check the condition of the foam before shooting with the camera. This is done be touching the foam with a toothpick or similar sliver of wood. If the foam is sticky, crumbly or anything other than springy, it should be replaced. If the mirror and screen have not been fouled, replacement may be done as a do-it-yourself project using a kit such as that offered by Jon Goodman. Steve

11-06-2014, 03:29 PM	#9
OldPentaxFan Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Independence, MO via North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 371	Another concern is that the foam provides a light seal when the mirror flips up out of the way. This keeps light from the view finder from entering and fogging the film. I had my K1000 serviced for the same problem several years back and if the foam isn't flaking off and getting into the shutter area it should be a relatively inexpensive repair.

11-06-2014, 04:04 PM	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by OldPentaxFan I had my K1000 serviced for the same problem several years back and if the foam isn't flaking off and getting into the shutter area it should be a relatively inexpensive repair. The cost is generally $45+ as part of a minimal CLA (Clean, Lube, Adjust). If the mirror were not already fouled the job can be done at home at a cost of less than $15 ($10 for the kit and $5 for the lighter fluid to clean off the old seals). Steve