Originally posted by stevebrot A quick survey of eBay listings shows a dearth of MIJ Honeywell versions and all Asahi versions being MIJ. As for the relationship to K1000...that makes sense except that the K1000 shares metering systems with the Spotmatic F. Rather than being of direct descent from the SP1000, I suspect that the K1000 was more of a parts bin camera when it was released in 1976.
Steve
Although related to the Hong Kong / Japan origin original subject This is getting a little of topic from the original thread, but
Study the SP1000 & where does its chassis/ / shutter mechanism / light meter casting originate from? Although I have not looked at the SP1000 light meter circuit in many years I am very confident in saying that it is the same as the SPF as the SP1000 was released after the SPF . I went to the SP1000 as I was replying to a post from LesDMess & Chris,s post. The SP1000 is the nearest screw mount predecessor of similar specifications to the K1000.To be technically correct the K1000 is immediately based on the KM. Trace back the chassis casting / shutter mechanism / light meter on the KM & where does that originate from? -> -> -> -> Spotmatic. There is only a few times in the Pentax timeline (mechanical mechanism era ) where significant changes were made from the previous camera manufacturing process. Most bodies were simply minor improvements / changes from the previous model.
I come across the SP1000 - Honeywell/ Hong Kong - Asahi/Japan connection many years ago in my very early years of completing my collection & studying the K1000 time line. I eventually give up on finding HK assembled version of the Asahi branded SP1000 after a couple of years. I just did another Ebay search for Honeywell SP1000's & there currently is 1 listed that is Japan origin. The first Honneywell I have seen with Japan origin. It has been a bit of a traveller. I would guess Honeywell brand (US origin), Stickers inside camera suggest Italy?, currently being sold in the UK.