Noblepa
Thanks for your thoughts. My thoughts are as follows.
Originally posted by noblepa The simplest explanation is that it is not a K1000, but a KX or KM that has had the top cover replaced with one from a K1000. I don't know how you would identify the camera from its internal mechanism.
OK, what you say is possible. But, I challenge the notion by simply saying - why would you do a half job in modifying the camera? If it were a KM body with depth of field button installed then to remove/ leave off does not make sense.
Originally posted by noblepa It could be a very early production model, a prototype or a Japan-only model, or it could be a frankencamera, that has been put together from the parts of two or more other cameras. The K1000 was basically a Spotmatic with a bayonet mount, so I suspect that the self-timer from a Spotmatic could be grafted onto a K1000 fairly easily.
I do not think it is a Frankencamera in the sense that it was a non-genuine modified camera. Nor do I think it is a prototype. It is, however, clearly a hybrid of the KM and K1000. I know this as I have peeled back the leatherette to find the hole necessary for installing the depth of field button - just no button!
Back to my first comment - why do a half job? If it was a Frankencamera or a modification by a non-genuine repairer then why carry over the timer and not the depth of field button? And why have a genuine leatherette that has been perforated for the timer function but not the depth of field button?
Originally posted by UncleVanya My father says that a small batch of the K1000's they sold in the late 1970's or early in 1980 came from Pentax with self-timers and depth of field preview (single lever, push one way for depth of field and the other for self timer) and that when they asked their Pentax rep about it he just said "don't ask".
This could be an explanation (in part). I like the idea that the camera was a promotional special - everything about the unit is genuine for the expected production date. Yes, it has the bump on the top plate, serial as well. No serial on bottom plate. Internals, as pictured, are of a early K1000. And then there is the hole provision ready for the depth of field button, but no button??? I have not ventured to examine if the workings are there for depth of field or not, but I suspect they are not.
In any case, the camera is what it is - an anomaly - I only wish an UncleVanya style explanation could surface. In this respect, I think I might send to Eric for a CLA and explanation at the same time.
---------- Post added 09-20-15 at 01:29 PM ----------
Originally posted by UncleVanya This was for a promotional special with 50mm f/1.4's
One last point. When I received the camera it came with the 55/2 lens - the standard lens for the K1000. So if it was a promotional camera I suspect it would have been an early promotion rather than latter on.