HELP - K1000 with self timer

**ChrisPlatt** · 09-09-2015, 04:59 PM

I want the K1000 with DOF preview, without self-timer.

Chris

Wild Mark · 09-10-2015, 03:03 AM

me too - I'l keep an eye out

Hoping someone will post some knowledge on this anomaly .......

noblepa · 09-18-2015, 01:16 PM

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.

Perhaps Eric Hendrickson can shed some light. I believe that he was working for Pentax then.

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.

**UncleVanya** · 09-18-2015, 01:24 PM

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 was for a promotional special with 50mm f/1.4's that they ran to pound the competition into the dirt locally. He said that they had 100 units delivered and he knows at least 3 of those had this feature but not sure if more did. He has no photo evidence sadly.

Wild Mark · 09-19-2015, 08:18 PM

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.

**UncleVanya** · 09-19-2015, 09:19 PM

Just to clarify the promotional special wasn't driven by Pentax. The local store had an advertising glitch. They put an ad in the paper for a price that they could easily do with the 50 f/2. They problem was the guy reading the ad copy to the paper told them 50 f/1.4 - they called Pentax in a panic and the Pentax sales rep pulled a rabbit out of his hat and found a way to get these to them with the 50 f/1.4 lenses cheaper than normal so they could make a small but real profit on what otherwise would have been a blood bath and a money loser.

So Sadly I have no idea if this was early or late in the cycle of the K1000 run - I would say later since the 50 f/2 I think was the standard lens then as dad remembers things. I may ask his old boss if he recalls any details on this story also.

Exroadie · 09-20-2015, 06:13 AM

It sure looks factory to me. I think it was a test build of a feature set that never made it to production. If it was a production run camera I can't help but think someone would have seen another.

**Moe49** · 02-12-2016, 06:58 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt:

I want the K1000 with DOF preview, without self-timer.

Originally posted by Wildmark:

me too - I'l keep an eye out
Hoping someone will post some knowledge on this anomaly .......

Like this one?

My $00.02 worth of advice: If you want a DOF preview equipped K1000, buy a KM. KMs are pretty much the same price on the used market, and usually come with a faster fifty

Focalplane · 03-01-2016, 03:08 AM

Could be a KM with a K1000's top, the KM has a self timer but no DOF. Check the meter design, that would be a good clue.

**Moe49** · 03-01-2016, 10:30 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Focalplane

Could be a KM with a K1000's top, the KM has a self timer but no DOF.

Both of my KMs have a DOF button and a Self Timer.

Wild Mark · 05-23-2016, 05:33 PM

Originally posted by Focalplane

Could be a KM with a K1000's top, the KM has a self timer but no DOF. Check the meter design, that would be a good clue.

I checked for a hole suitable for installing the DOF button and there was none.

I am now thinking it was an early design (non-released) that closely matched the Spotmatic F

rebbe1954 · 10-19-2019, 05:41 AM - **1 Like**

Every time I post this image "experts" correct me and say this isn't a Pentax K1000, and usually their argument is that self timer. I used this camera from 1976 until about 1993 when it literally fell apart. I was a newspaper photographer, and ran my own studios starting in 1984.

Yes, a K1000 with a self timer is a rarity

.

turbof · 10-19-2019, 02:13 PM - **1 Like**

I made my own K1000 self-timer. Used Spotmatic parts from my parts bin.

Gerbermiester · 10-19-2019, 09:05 PM

Originally posted by Moe49

Like this one?

If this is a shopped image, it's a very good one.

**UncleVanya** · 10-19-2019, 09:14 PM

My dad has told me that in times of short stock Pentax would sometimes relabel a camera to meet a contract subbing in a better camera. He said this from both the perspective of a dealer and a manufacturers rep. (he had both roles, the latter with Pentax).

02-12-2016, 06:58 AM - 2 Likes	#23
Moe49 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz Mtns. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 874	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt: I want the K1000 with DOF preview, without self-timer. Originally posted by Wildmark: me too - I'l keep an eye out Hoping someone will post some knowledge on this anomaly ....... Like this one? My $00.02 worth of advice: If you want a DOF preview equipped K1000, buy a KM. KMs are pretty much the same price on the used market, and usually come with a faster fifty Last edited by Moe49; 07-15-2016 at 07:26 AM.

10-19-2019, 05:41 AM - 1 Like	#27
rebbe1954 New Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Posts: 1	I had one of these Every time I post this image "experts" correct me and say this isn't a Pentax K1000, and usually their argument is that self timer. I used this camera from 1976 until about 1993 when it literally fell apart. I was a newspaper photographer, and ran my own studios starting in 1984. Yes, a K1000 with a self timer is a rarity . Attached Images

10-19-2019, 02:13 PM - 1 Like	#28
turbof Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 34	I made my own K1000 self-timer. Used Spotmatic parts from my parts bin. Attached Images

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09-09-2015, 04:59 PM	#16
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694	I want the K1000 with DOF preview, without self-timer. Chris

09-10-2015, 03:03 AM	#17
Wild Mark Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Newcastle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,954 Original Poster	me too - I'l keep an eye out Hoping someone will post some knowledge on this anomaly .......

09-18-2015, 01:16 PM	#18
noblepa Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Village, Ohio USA Posts: 1,142	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. Perhaps Eric Hendrickson can shed some light. I believe that he was working for Pentax then. 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.

09-18-2015, 01:24 PM	#19
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	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 was for a promotional special with 50mm f/1.4's that they ran to pound the competition into the dirt locally. He said that they had 100 units delivered and he knows at least 3 of those had this feature but not sure if more did. He has no photo evidence sadly.

09-19-2015, 08:18 PM	#20
Wild Mark Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Newcastle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,954 Original Poster	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.

09-19-2015, 09:19 PM	#21
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Just to clarify the promotional special wasn't driven by Pentax. The local store had an advertising glitch. They put an ad in the paper for a price that they could easily do with the 50 f/2. They problem was the guy reading the ad copy to the paper told them 50 f/1.4 - they called Pentax in a panic and the Pentax sales rep pulled a rabbit out of his hat and found a way to get these to them with the 50 f/1.4 lenses cheaper than normal so they could make a small but real profit on what otherwise would have been a blood bath and a money loser. So Sadly I have no idea if this was early or late in the cycle of the K1000 run - I would say later since the 50 f/2 I think was the standard lens then as dad remembers things. I may ask his old boss if he recalls any details on this story also.

09-20-2015, 06:13 AM	#22
Exroadie Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 67	It sure looks factory to me. I think it was a test build of a feature set that never made it to production. If it was a production run camera I can't help but think someone would have seen another.

03-01-2016, 03:08 AM	#24
Focalplane New Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 8	Could be a KM with a K1000's top, the KM has a self timer but no DOF. Check the meter design, that would be a good clue.

03-01-2016, 10:30 AM - 2 Likes	#25
Moe49 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz Mtns. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 874	Originally posted by Focalplane Could be a KM with a K1000's top, the KM has a self timer but no DOF. Both of my KMs have a DOF button and a Self Timer.

05-23-2016, 05:33 PM	#26
Wild Mark Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Newcastle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,954 Original Poster	Originally posted by Focalplane Could be a KM with a K1000's top, the KM has a self timer but no DOF. Check the meter design, that would be a good clue. I checked for a hole suitable for installing the DOF button and there was none. I am now thinking it was an early design (non-released) that closely matched the Spotmatic F

10-19-2019, 09:05 PM	#29
Gerbermiester Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: British Columbia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 377	Originally posted by Moe49 Like this one? If this is a shopped image, it's a very good one.

10-19-2019, 09:14 PM	#30
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	My dad has told me that in times of short stock Pentax would sometimes relabel a camera to meet a contract subbing in a better camera. He said this from both the perspective of a dealer and a manufacturers rep. (he had both roles, the latter with Pentax).