K1000 Newbie looking for some advice

K1000NEWBIE · 12-11-2022, 08:47 PM

Just bought a (new to me) K1000 and was excited to start shooting. Fired fine with no film, but started jamming once I started using it. Problem seems to persist at 1/60 SS and below. Just darkness when I fire and takes a couple shots to open up again… wondering if I might be able to fix at home? Any advice is welcome!

Thank you in advance!

MarkJerling · 12-11-2022, 09:30 PM

Welcome to the forum.
Member @ismaelg may be able to help you.
Kind regards,
Mark

**ismaelg** · 12-12-2022, 05:36 AM - **4 Likes**

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Congrats on your K1000. That is a typical issue with these older cameras. It is usually related to lubrication. The best course of action is to send it to a shop for a CLA (Clean, Lube and Adjust). That will get it back to like new condition and will provide years of enjoyment. I see in your profile you are in the US. I can recommend Phototronic.biz in Kansas and Eric Hendrickson in Tennessee among many others.
Depending on your skills, if you are comfortable with DIY repairs, you can try the following:
First you need to remove the bottom cover of the camera. It is held by 3 screws. You will need a JIS cross point screwdriver for this. Do not use a regular Philips screwdriver.
The bottom of the camera will look similar to this:

Most likely the issue is that the mirror return gear is not completing the cycle when the shutter is fired. Very carefully, apply a tiny drop of very light machine oil to the mirror return gear. Be careful not to put an excessive amount of oil. A drop will do.
Give it a few minutes and start exercising the shutter at different speeds. As the oil slowly makes its way in, it will start to improve. It may take a few hours, sometimes overnight. Exercise the shutter every few minutes.
This may or may not be a permanent solution depending on the condition. A proper CLA will ensure your camera is in top shape for years to come.
Hope this helps! Let us know how it goes and if we can be of further help.

Thanks,
Ismael

K1000NEWBIE · 12-12-2022, 10:20 AM - **1 Like**

Thanks very much for your reply Ismael! I will give this a shot!

Regards,
Andrew

12-11-2022, 08:47 PM	#1
K1000NEWBIE New Member Join Date: Dec 2022 Posts: 2	K1000 Newbie looking for some advice Just bought a (new to me) K1000 and was excited to start shooting. Fired fine with no film, but started jamming once I started using it. Problem seems to persist at 1/60 SS and below. Just darkness when I fire and takes a couple shots to open up again… wondering if I might be able to fix at home? Any advice is welcome! Thank you in advance!

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12-11-2022, 09:30 PM	#2
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,406	Welcome to the forum. Member @ismaelg may be able to help you. Kind regards, Mark

12-12-2022, 05:36 AM - 4 Likes	#3
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681	Hello and welcome to the forum! Congrats on your K1000. That is a typical issue with these older cameras. It is usually related to lubrication. The best course of action is to send it to a shop for a CLA (Clean, Lube and Adjust). That will get it back to like new condition and will provide years of enjoyment. I see in your profile you are in the US. I can recommend Phototronic.biz in Kansas and Eric Hendrickson in Tennessee among many others. Depending on your skills, if you are comfortable with DIY repairs, you can try the following: First you need to remove the bottom cover of the camera. It is held by 3 screws. You will need a JIS cross point screwdriver for this. Do not use a regular Philips screwdriver. The bottom of the camera will look similar to this: Most likely the issue is that the mirror return gear is not completing the cycle when the shutter is fired. Very carefully, apply a tiny drop of very light machine oil to the mirror return gear. Be careful not to put an excessive amount of oil. A drop will do. Give it a few minutes and start exercising the shutter at different speeds. As the oil slowly makes its way in, it will start to improve. It may take a few hours, sometimes overnight. Exercise the shutter every few minutes. This may or may not be a permanent solution depending on the condition. A proper CLA will ensure your camera is in top shape for years to come. Hope this helps! Let us know how it goes and if we can be of further help. Thanks, Ismael

12-12-2022, 10:20 AM - 1 Like	#4
K1000NEWBIE New Member Join Date: Dec 2022 Posts: 2 Original Poster	Thanks very much for your reply Ismael! I will give this a shot! Regards, Andrew