[JJ-eire]

So I bought a cheap Pentax KM with a mirror stuck up, it took a bit of figuring out but eventually I found a screw loose and that fixed it, however now I find that the film rewind button is getting stuck and I have to open up the bottom plate to release it, is this a common problem with Spotmatics/K1000 etc.. (I hear they have similar mechanisms) or is it just me?

FWIW I won't be sending it off for a CLA for financial reasons. It's annoying but I can live with it

[Wojciech]

Hi,
I am not sure if that will be of any help but on my K1000 the film rewind button goes back to its default position once you actuate the film rewind lever. Perhaps in your case there is a problem with the connection between the button and the lever.
Best,
Wojciech

[Not a Number]

A copy of the Pentax KM service manual can be found for download. This should give you enough information to figure out and perhaps solve the problem.

[pentaxus]

The button is supposed to pop down automatically when the sprocket moves. The wind lever makes the sprocket move. You can also spin the sprocket to get the button to come out when you change film. The base of the button under the camera is in the middle of a gear. You could try a small drop of oil on that shaft. Push the button in and then wind or spin the the sprocket to move the button in and out a few times and see if it frees up.

[JJ-eire]

The button is supposed to pop down automatically when the sprocket moves. The wind lever makes the sprocket move. You can also spin the sprocket to get the button to come out when you change film. The base of the button under the camera is in the middle of a gear. You could try a small drop of oil on that shaft. Push the button in and then wind or spin the the sprocket to move the button in and out a few times and see if it frees up.

Thanks for answering, I will give it a try, maybe the oil will fix the problem. It didn't cost much but it is a great sturdy camera similar to the K1000.

---------- Post added 02-19-21 at 05:24 PM ----------

Hi,
I am not sure if that will be of any help but on my K1000 the film rewind button goes back to its default position once you actuate the film rewind lever. Perhaps in your case there is a problem with the connection between the button and the lever.
Best,
Wojciech

Thanks for your answer, ye it should pop back down but I guess it just gets stuck and won't come out unless manually released after opening the bottom plate.

---------- Post added 02-19-21 at 05:24 PM ----------

Hi,
I am not sure if that will be of any help but on my K1000 the film rewind button goes back to its default position once you actuate the film rewind lever. Perhaps in your case there is a problem with the connection between the button and the lever.
Best,
Wojciech

Thanks for your answer, ye it should pop back down but I guess it just gets stuck and won't come out unless manually released after opening the bottom plate.

---------- Post added 02-19-21 at 05:26 PM ----------

A copy of the Pentax KM service manual can be found for download. This should give you enough information to figure out and perhaps solve the problem.

Thanks for the tip, let's hope it doesn't come to that, I can do some basic repairs but I don't trust myself to disassemble too many parts just in case something gets broken

[vladimiroltean]

Did you fix this, do you have any take-aways?

[Huss]

There have been quite a few threads on this site where the fix suggestion has been oil.

Most recent one was with a Spotmatic and the mirror not flipping up. One suggestion was to add oil. The correct answer was to make sure the film lever is fully advanced.
Prior to that it was for the mirror sticking on an Auto110 (a common occurrence). Again the suggestion was to oil up the gears. Again incorrect..,.

These are cameras, not cars! And I'd recommend taking internet advice with a serious pinch of salt unless you know the person giving that advice is a legit expert.

[JJ-eire]

Follow up, found the solution!

Sorry for the long delay, I left the camera ignored for a few months but I got the idea to open it up again, I used an old SP500, all the cameras seem to be the same spotmatics, KM, K1000 etc... I guess until they went electronic. So I copied how it worked and fixed it, no oil needed. There was a piece (like a round washer with a nipple)that wasn't in place properly, I loosened the screw, twisted it until it lowered then when you advance it clicks back up again. If it is raised, it won't touch the piece that releases the button. You can do it manually with a screw driver between rolls if you are in a pinch. Must have messed it up when I fixed the stuck mirror.

If the mirror is stuck up you can fix it too by checking out videos online, there are a few K1000 repair vids online and putting the parts in the correct position, it's not tricky, but I wasted a lot of time observing how the mechanism worked. If the camera means a lot to you get a proper service.

---------- Post added 03-31-22 at 11:13 AM ----------

Ye I've seen oil being mentioned and also cutting a piece to correct the stuck up mirror but all yoi need to do is loosen 1 screw and make adjustments as required, it can solve the mirror and release button issue.

The screw in question is one on top of a gear, washer with nipple and a washer. I'm not a techician but it worked for me and I guess it should be ok for now. I shoot more with the MZS and a Nikon F3 these days but I like solving puzzles

There have been quite a few threads on this site where the fix suggestion has been oil.

Most recent one was with a Spotmatic and the mirror not flipping up. One suggestion was to add oil. The correct answer was to make sure the film lever is fully advanced.
Prior to that it was for the mirror sticking on an Auto110 (a common occurrence). Again the suggestion was to oil up the gears. Again incorrect..,.

These are cameras, not cars! And I'd recommend taking internet advice with a serious pinch of salt unless you know the person giving that advice is a legit expert.

[mickey]

When I opened up my KX, after the advanced lever became jammed, I cleaned all cogs and moving parts with a cotton bud/qtip dipped in strong alcohol.
Gently wiped all the dust and grime away and began gently moving parts with a tooth pick.
Worked fine.
I agree with Huss that oil alone ian't the answer.

I posted a video on my instagram (matchacub) if anyone should want to see.

[womble]

When I opened up my KX, after the advanced lever became jammed, I cleaned all cogs and moving parts with a cotton bud/qtip dipped in strong alcohol.
Gently wiped all the dust and grime away and began gently moving parts with a tooth pick.
Worked fine.
I agree with Huss that oil alone ian't the answer.

I posted a video on my instagram (matchacub) if anyone should want to see.

There is a fun TV show in the UK called "The Repair Shop" where a team of specialist craftspeople repair people's loved items, often the sort of thing which would be not be an "economical" fix. My wife and I laugh that most of the time the answer is "give it a good clean..."