Hello,
On today's episode, another K1000 makes a frantic call for help.
A coworker of a fellow photographer friend told him he had a K1000 from his university days but it was probably too far gone. No need to continue the story as you know what happens next.
In a phone conversation with the owner, he told me he took a photography class in college back in the 80's and bought this camera for that course. It accompanied him for a long time before slowly sliding into dis-use, but it now has great sentimental value.
So I got this: Humidity and time are relentless.
Not only looks bad, it is totally jammed and seized. Never seen a mirror that seized!
The camera came with 2 Sears lenses. A 50mm f2 and 135mm f2.8
The mirror was so seized that once I got it to get down it refused to go up again
It went into ICU
Over an hour of intense work on the top cover showed some promise.
It eventually raised from the ashes!
The mirror was stuck because it was ashamed of the viewfinder
Those 2 springs disguised as prism hold downs are really patience draining devices!
The lenses were also serviced. They were both very dirty and had some fungus.
The 50mm
The 135mm
Despite been a cheap lens even in its day, the 50mm came out nice.
It was tested in a DSLR. Not bad!
The 135mm on the other hand had front element damage. It was cleaned and polished the best I could.
The back element came out better than the front.
As suspected, contrast is a challenge. But still usable.
Anyways, after long days in surgery and recovery, I present this for your approval.
Important to note: Not a single part was replaced. Every single part and screw were restored and reused.
The patina says High Mileage and begging for work!
Yeah, yeah, but does it work?
I hope you approve.
Thanks,
Ismael