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10-21-2022, 09:21 AM - 26 Likes   #1
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ismaelg's Avatar

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Camera rescue 911: Another K1000's frantic call for help!

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

10-21-2022, 11:37 AM - 1 Like   #2
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WOW, what a work and what a beautiful result.
10-21-2022, 12:31 PM - 1 Like   #3
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incredible work!
10-21-2022, 02:30 PM - 1 Like   #4
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Mmm.............



('Mmm' as in mighty metamorphosis magician!!!!!!)

10-21-2022, 03:01 PM - 1 Like   #5
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Rust never sleeps

Back when he used to service other brands Eric Hendrickson repaired my brother-in-law's old Canon F-1.
It had been stored in an unheated crawlspace in their home for several years.

Eric got it working again but wrote "Evidence of humidity" in the comments on the invoice.
I presume that meant the repair could not be warranteed.
Not sure how long Gerry used the camera for after that.

One thing's for sure: Cameras and humidity are not friends.
That's one reason I'm very careful about buying from Japan.

Chris
10-21-2022, 04:33 PM - 1 Like   #6
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Beautiful! You are a master! Well done.
10-21-2022, 04:48 PM - 1 Like   #7
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Amazing work

10-21-2022, 07:48 PM - 1 Like   #8
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Beautiful work, Ismael.

Now, did your workmate friend believe you that it's the same camera when you presented him with his restored camera?
10-22-2022, 12:48 AM - 1 Like   #9
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That's a job well done !
10-22-2022, 06:18 AM - 1 Like   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by ismaelg Quote
So I got this: Humidity and time are relentless.
Wow, fantastic job. I can't believe how good it looks. Must have been a ton of work.
10-22-2022, 11:38 AM - 1 Like   #11
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Amazing!

Well done Sir!
10-22-2022, 01:25 PM - 1 Like   #12
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Really impressive, as always!

Mine's over there glaring at me, I think...

-Eric
10-22-2022, 02:35 PM - 1 Like   #13
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The patience and precision to restore something like that is impressive.

I live in an area with high humidity and not too far from the ocean. I wonder if anyone bothers to wax their metal bodied cameras to preserve the exterior?
10-23-2022, 06:02 PM - 1 Like   #14
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Sows ear into a silk purse, that's for sure. Now to see the test pictures. 😁
10-23-2022, 09:29 PM - 2 Likes   #15
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I crown you the Patron Saint of the old and sick, cameras of the past!
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