Pentax K500?

**ChrisPlatt** · 04-05-2010, 04:26 PM

I have read several citations that Pentax once sold a K500, an economy model
based on the K1000, presumably a with top shutter speed of 1/500th second.

It's not completely inconceivable; witness the SP500 and SP1000.
But I never saw one. Can anyone confirm that such a model exists?

Chris

Stevopedia · 04-05-2010, 07:42 PM

FWIW it's the first I've heard of it. Where'd you find mention of it?

**gofour3** · 04-05-2010, 07:49 PM

Interesting Chris, you made me put on my “Perry Mason” hat. I did some research and found two promising leads. One site listed a photographer buying his first SLR in 1974 a Pentax K500, which means a M42 body. The second was an Asian language site which had this picture of a K500? There was no English, so who knows. It looks like a SP500 body??

The mystery continues.

Phil.

unixrevolution · 04-05-2010, 07:54 PM

I have never heard of a K500. The K1000 was already an economy model...it was obsolete before it was introduced in 1975.

The pictured camera above is an SP500, an M42 Spotmatic.

little laker · 04-05-2010, 08:08 PM

Originally posted by gofour3

Interesting Chris, you made me put on my “Perry Mason” hat. I did some research and found two promising leads. One site listed a photographer buying his first SLR in 1974 a Pentax K500, which means a M42 body. The second was an Asian language site which had this picture of a K500? There was no English, so who knows. It looks like a SP500 body??

The mystery continues.

Phil.

Didn't the K in early cameras more or less mean K-mount

EyeSpy · 04-05-2010, 08:34 PM

Originally posted by little laker

Didn't the K in early cameras more or less mean K-mount

does this help?
Colourful blackbird with K 500/4.5 - PentaxForums.com15 posts - 5 authors - Last post: Apr 8, 2009

"I have this old Pentax K 500/4.5 lying around for some time. It is an original K mount lens, not the M42 version. Yesterday I took some shots in the garden, in comparisson with the Bigma." Ben Edict-Pentaxian

Nesster · 04-06-2010, 04:15 AM

Never mind - I wrote about the SP500, which was replaced by the SP1000, which in turn was replaced by the K1000.

AOHC does not list such
http://www.aohc.it/slr03e.htm

And neither does Danilo Cecchi in his "Asahi Pentax and Pentax SLR 35mm cameras 1952-1989"

**ChrisPlatt** · 04-07-2010, 05:49 PM

"The K1000 was a slightly simplified KX (KM?); a simpler K500 with no 1/1000th top
shutter speed, and several other "trimmed" features, provided the lowest-cost variant."

-David Kilpatrick, Hove Complete Pentax User's Guide K1000, 1990, p.18, "The K Mount standard"

No picture or further reference is made to a model K500 in the book, but I did find several
mentions of a Pentax K500 camera on the Web (not counting those for the K 500 tele lens).

Chris

WildBikerBill · 04-07-2010, 06:34 PM

I've owned both a Pentax KM (film) and a K1000 (film). Purchased new.
I still have the K1000. Finished an old roll of film in it just a few days ago.

The principle differences were:
1. The K1000 had a slightly lower top shutter speed, relative to KM.
2. The K1000 does not have a depth of field preview lever. The KM did.
3. The K1000 does not have a built in self timer for delayed shots.

That pretty much covers how it was cost reduced from the KM.

I have never, ever heard of a K500.

**monochrome** · 04-07-2010, 06:50 PM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

"The K1000 was a slightly simplified KX (KM?); a simpler K500 with no 1/1000th top
shutter speed, and several other "trimmed" features, provided the lowest-cost variant."

-David Kilpatrick, Hove Complete Pentax User's Guide K1000, 1990, p.18, "The K Mount standard"

No picture or further reference is made to a model K500 in the book, but I did find several
mentions of a Pentax K500 camera on the Web (not counting those for the K 500 tele lens).

Chris

Interesting - Dimitrov doesn't mention it. K Series Bodies

I found this article on the web that links Pentax K500 back to this post at PentaxForums (Find K500)

Bramela · 04-07-2010, 07:03 PM

It is the first I have heard of it, but then they say you learn something new every day!

**ChrisPlatt** · 04-08-2010, 12:46 AM

FWIW the K1000 and KM have an identical top shutter speed, 1/1000th second.

Chris

noblepa · 04-08-2010, 11:27 AM

Originally posted by Nesster

Never mind - I wrote about the SP500, which was replaced by the SP1000, which in turn was replaced by the K1000.

AOHC does not list such
MF Bayonet

And neither does Danilo Cecchi in his "Asahi Pentax and Pentax SLR 35mm cameras 1952-1989"

Unfortunately, I'm old enough to remember when these were in production. As far as I remember, the SP500 and SP 1000 were sold simulataneously, along with the Spotmatic. The SP500 and SP1000 lacked the self-timer and were sold only with the Super Takumar 55mm, f/2 lens. The Spotmatic was available with either the 55mm, f/1.8 or the 50mm, f/1.4.

The SP500 lacked the markings for the 1/1000 second shutter speed, but there was one more click-stop beyond 1/500. It is my understanding that it was, in fact, identical to the SP1000's 1/1000 second speed, but it was not adjusted at the factory for that speed, nor would Pentax entertain warranty claims for an inaccurate shutter speed on that setting. The S1/S3 and S1a/SV (H1/H3 and H1a/H3v in the US), had the same relationship. The lower models had the extra, unmarked shutter speed.

The SP500/SP1000 were introduced as lower-priced versions of the Spotmatic. For the lower price, the buyer gave up the self-timer, 1/1000 (on the SP500) and the ability to buy a kit with the 50mm, f/1.4 lens. Of course, the lens was available seperately, but back then, lenses were packaged with the camera, not in a seperate box, so it was more difficult for a dealer to substitute a different lens.

I, too, have never heard of a K500. Perhaps such a model was proposed, as a K1000, with the unmarked top shutter speed, but AFAIK, no such camera was ever produced.

Nesster · 04-08-2010, 01:26 PM

Originally posted by monochrome

Interesting - Dimitrov doesn't mention it. K Series Bodies

I found this article on the web that links Pentax K500 back to this post at PentaxForums (Find K500)

The blog entry probably is a typo or mistake - as the link is to the K 500mm lens rather than a camera.

**ChrisPlatt** · 04-08-2010, 02:42 PM

Originally posted by Nesster

The blog entry probably is a typo or mistake - as the link is to the K 500mm lens rather than a camera.

Listowel Writers’ Week Fringe | Photographers in Listowel in 2007 : a Mattie Lennon piece

Yes, but the text specifically describes a K500 camera. The link to the PF K500 lens thread was doubtless not inserted by the author.

Here are a couple more mentions of a Pentax K500 camera (not lens):

Astronomy Club of Akron - Images

Manual exposure controls? - Yahoo! Answers

Errors, confusion, or failing memories? Quite possibly. But an interesting possibility nevertheless.
I like a mystery. Some here apparently do not. However until I see a picture of one, I'm not buying...

Chris

04-05-2010, 04:26 PM	#1
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,692	Pentax K500? I have read several citations that Pentax once sold a K500, an economy model based on the K1000, presumably a with top shutter speed of 1/500th second. It's not completely inconceivable; witness the SP500 and SP1000. But I never saw one. Can anyone confirm that such a model exists? Chris

04-05-2010, 07:49 PM	#3
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,090	Interesting Chris, you made me put on my “Perry Mason” hat. I did some research and found two promising leads. One site listed a photographer buying his first SLR in 1974 a Pentax K500, which means a M42 body. The second was an Asian language site which had this picture of a K500? There was no English, so who knows. It looks like a SP500 body?? The mystery continues. Phil. Attached Images

04-05-2010, 08:34 PM	#6
EyeSpy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Arizona Photos: Albums Posts: 663	It's Definative -it's a K Originally posted by little laker Didn't the K in early cameras more or less mean K-mount does this help? Colourful blackbird with K 500/4.5 - PentaxForums.com15 posts - 5 authors - Last post: Apr 8, 2009 "I have this old Pentax K 500/4.5 lying around for some time. It is an original K mount lens, not the M42 version. Yesterday I took some shots in the garden, in comparisson with the Bigma." Ben Edict-Pentaxian

04-07-2010, 06:34 PM	#9
WildBikerBill New Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 24	I've owned both a Pentax KM (film) and a K1000 (film). Purchased new. I still have the K1000. Finished an old roll of film in it just a few days ago. The principle differences were: 1. The K1000 had a slightly lower top shutter speed, relative to KM. 2. The K1000 does not have a depth of field preview lever. The KM did. 3. The K1000 does not have a built in self timer for delayed shots. That pretty much covers how it was cost reduced from the KM. I have never, ever heard of a K500. Last edited by WildBikerBill; 04-07-2010 at 06:35 PM. Reason: Better English.

04-07-2010, 06:50 PM	#10
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt "The K1000 was a slightly simplified KX (KM?); a simpler K500 with no 1/1000th top shutter speed, and several other "trimmed" features, provided the lowest-cost variant." -David Kilpatrick, Hove Complete Pentax User's Guide K1000, 1990, p.18, "The K Mount standard" No picture or further reference is made to a model K500 in the book, but I did find several mentions of a Pentax K500 camera on the Web (not counting those for the K 500 tele lens). Chris Interesting - Dimitrov doesn't mention it. K Series Bodies I found this article on the web that links Pentax K500 back to this post at PentaxForums (Find K500) Last edited by monochrome; 04-07-2010 at 06:55 PM.

04-05-2010, 07:42 PM	#2
Stevopedia Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Posts: 273	FWIW it's the first I've heard of it. Where'd you find mention of it?

04-05-2010, 07:54 PM	#4
unixrevolution Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waldorf, MD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,861	I have never heard of a K500. The K1000 was already an economy model...it was obsolete before it was introduced in 1975. The pictured camera above is an SP500, an M42 Spotmatic.

04-05-2010, 08:08 PM	#5
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	Originally posted by gofour3 Interesting Chris, you made me put on my “Perry Mason” hat. I did some research and found two promising leads. One site listed a photographer buying his first SLR in 1974 a Pentax K500, which means a M42 body. The second was an Asian language site which had this picture of a K500? There was no English, so who knows. It looks like a SP500 body?? The mystery continues. Phil. Didn't the K in early cameras more or less mean K-mount

04-06-2010, 04:15 AM	#7
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	Never mind - I wrote about the SP500, which was replaced by the SP1000, which in turn was replaced by the K1000. AOHC does not list such http://www.aohc.it/slr03e.htm And neither does Danilo Cecchi in his "Asahi Pentax and Pentax SLR 35mm cameras 1952-1989"

04-07-2010, 05:49 PM	#8
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,692 Original Poster	"The K1000 was a slightly simplified KX (KM?); a simpler K500 with no 1/1000th top shutter speed, and several other "trimmed" features, provided the lowest-cost variant." -David Kilpatrick, Hove Complete Pentax User's Guide K1000, 1990, p.18, "The K Mount standard" No picture or further reference is made to a model K500 in the book, but I did find several mentions of a Pentax K500 camera on the Web (not counting those for the K 500 tele lens). Chris

04-07-2010, 07:03 PM	#11
Bramela Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newcastle Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,284	It is the first I have heard of it, but then they say you learn something new every day!

04-08-2010, 12:46 AM	#12
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,692 Original Poster	FWIW the K1000 and KM have an identical top shutter speed, 1/1000th second. Chris

04-08-2010, 11:27 AM	#13
noblepa Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Village, Ohio USA Posts: 1,142	Originally posted by Nesster Never mind - I wrote about the SP500, which was replaced by the SP1000, which in turn was replaced by the K1000. AOHC does not list such MF Bayonet And neither does Danilo Cecchi in his "Asahi Pentax and Pentax SLR 35mm cameras 1952-1989" Unfortunately, I'm old enough to remember when these were in production. As far as I remember, the SP500 and SP 1000 were sold simulataneously, along with the Spotmatic. The SP500 and SP1000 lacked the self-timer and were sold only with the Super Takumar 55mm, f/2 lens. The Spotmatic was available with either the 55mm, f/1.8 or the 50mm, f/1.4. The SP500 lacked the markings for the 1/1000 second shutter speed, but there was one more click-stop beyond 1/500. It is my understanding that it was, in fact, identical to the SP1000's 1/1000 second speed, but it was not adjusted at the factory for that speed, nor would Pentax entertain warranty claims for an inaccurate shutter speed on that setting. The S1/S3 and S1a/SV (H1/H3 and H1a/H3v in the US), had the same relationship. The lower models had the extra, unmarked shutter speed. The SP500/SP1000 were introduced as lower-priced versions of the Spotmatic. For the lower price, the buyer gave up the self-timer, 1/1000 (on the SP500) and the ability to buy a kit with the 50mm, f/1.4 lens. Of course, the lens was available seperately, but back then, lenses were packaged with the camera, not in a seperate box, so it was more difficult for a dealer to substitute a different lens. I, too, have never heard of a K500. Perhaps such a model was proposed, as a K1000, with the unmarked top shutter speed, but AFAIK, no such camera was ever produced.

04-08-2010, 01:26 PM	#14
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	Originally posted by monochrome Interesting - Dimitrov doesn't mention it. K Series Bodies I found this article on the web that links Pentax K500 back to this post at PentaxForums (Find K500) The blog entry probably is a typo or mistake - as the link is to the K 500mm lens rather than a camera.

04-08-2010, 02:42 PM	#15
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,692 Original Poster	Originally posted by Nesster The blog entry probably is a typo or mistake - as the link is to the K 500mm lens rather than a camera. Listowel Writers’ Week Fringe \| Photographers in Listowel in 2007 : a Mattie Lennon piece Yes, but the text specifically describes a K500 camera. The link to the PF K500 lens thread was doubtless not inserted by the author. Here are a couple more mentions of a Pentax K500 camera (not lens): Astronomy Club of Akron - Images Manual exposure controls? - Yahoo! Answers Errors, confusion, or failing memories? Quite possibly. But an interesting possibility nevertheless. I like a mystery. Some here apparently do not. However until I see a picture of one, I'm not buying... Chris

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