[boriscleto]

I had a Spotmatic growing up, the K-1000 seemed like a step backwards to me

It was. A K-mount SP1000. The main difference being open aperture metering instead of stop down.

[leekil]

I had a Spotmatic growing up, the K-1000 seemed like a step backwards to me

It was not the most fully-featured K-series camera.

[ismaelg]

Hello,

So this baby is firing on all cylinders again, I mean speeds.
So, before jumping into fooling around with the prism ideas, let's address that ugly engraving.



Thanks,
Ismael

[titrisol]

I learned that years later, I have a KX now and I love that one
The KX is very underpriced (I think I paid 40Euros with 3 lenses)

It was not the most fully-featured K-series camera.

[ismaelg]

Hello,

BUAAAHAHAHAA!!!! [evil laugh ]

Just because they are the least loved of the K1000 runs doesn't mean they don't deserve some.

More work than the usual but it was cleaned and I had it working. Fixed the engraving the best I could by borrowing from the automotive hobby.

BUT! The big elephant in the room: The prism: I was able to improve on the existing desilvered prism! It is far from perfect but it is now usable.
I carefully cleaned the coating on top where it was desilvered and it is far better now. In the front face I tried super chrome mirror paint but that did not work. So the viewfinder is not perfect but very usable. Most importantly, you can focus! There might be some effect in the meter but it seems to be "in the ball park".

May I present my Chinese K1000!
(Lens borrowed from the other K1000 recently restored)














Still pending light seals refresh. Actual seals are so-so.


You can see and focus!!!

and the less than a minute test video

Youtu.be

Youtu.be

What do you think?

Thanks,
Ismael

[andrewd]

Nice job!

---------- Post added 12-20-21 at 08:48 AM ----------

I learned that years later, I have a KX now and I love that one
The KX is very underpriced (I think I paid 40Euros with 3 lenses)

I don’t know how long ago you bought yours, but I have not seen any bargain KX’s recently. Ebay prices are typically £100-£300 with a 50mm lens. I suppose there is always the chance of stumbling across a bargain in a charity shop.

[titrisol]

It's been over a decade now that I got my KX kit (55/1.8, 28/2.8 and 135/3.5) in the Netherlands
it will be on its way to Eric after the Xmas break for some TLC

I don’t know how long ago you bought yours, but I have not seen any bargain KX’s recently. Ebay prices are typically £100-£300 with a 50mm lens. I suppose there is always the chance of stumbling across a bargain in a charity shop.

[vladimiroltean]

So if I get that right, you have cleaned the portion of the prism where the silver was gone, but you haven't recoated it with anything?

BTW, congrats for an incredibly decent job.

[ismaelg]

So if I get that right, you have cleaned the portion of the prism where the silver was gone, but you haven't recoated it with anything?

BTW, congrats for an incredibly decent job.

Hello,

That is correct. I cleaned the affected area. I did try coating with chrome mirror plating but did not work. So it ended up uncoated.

Thanks,
Ismael

[Jeff Davis]

I had a Spotmatic growing up, the K-1000 seemed like a step backwards to me

Your right the K1000 was a budget model made to meet a price point. Non China models have proved to be quite durable. I agree that there are many other great learner cameras one of my favorites are Minolta SRT series.