The One That Got Away

I have never owned an SLR Film camera. I do have a Canon T5i Digital camera in my collection which is my go to camera. I have recently been using it to scan negative images to great success. However, I dream of owning a old school SLR camera. The one that has caught my interest lately is a Pentax K1000 that I found at my local Value Village. Unfortunately, I fell it is unreasonably priced at $99.99 given its condition. I have made a couple of visits to check it out. Most recently, I tried a fresh battery in the camera to confirm it's exposure needle was working properly (It is!!). An employee told me the price may drop soon and I hope considerably as I would like to pay no more than $50 for the camera knowing it will require a little TLC andnot knowing if it will function at all given it's age and condition. Below I have posted a few pics  for my own reference.

History lesson of the Pentax K1000

The Pentax K1000 was launched in 1976 and ended its production run in 1997. That's 21 years making it the longest production run of any film camera and likely any camera ever. In comparison, current digital cameras are probably last a year or two of production at most. This camera does not require a battery to operate (only require for the light exposure sensor needle to operate). Apparently about 3 million of these cameras were produced. The camera was first produced in Japan (76-78) then Hong Kong (78-90 replaced some metal parts with plastic) and eventually in China (90-97 replacing more metal parts with plastic). The 1000 in the K1000 name refers to the fastest shutter speed of the camera, 1/1000 of a second.  The K is a reference to the K style lens mount which vastly improved upon earlier (and slower) screw mount system.

For many this was a student camera which required the user to learn the basics of photography with the exposure needle being the only helpful feature.  I have seen a Youtube video where the presenter said both he and his father learned on the same camera.

Pretty sure if I end up with this camera it will require a proper clean and lube as well as the light seals replaced. I have viewed a few Youtube videos that should help in a DIY attempt to improve the camera's function. 

Story Update: I have been waiting for a price drop on this camera.  Before Christmas I visited the store and a manager reduced the price to $79.99. He told me if I wait until Tuesday the price would drop a further 30%. I decided to wait. With all the confusion of the holiday's I visited the store again yesterday (Monday). The camera was still there and the manager said I'd have to wait until tomorrow (Tuesday). I left without the camera to return another day. Well this morning I headed back to Value Village to pick up the camera. Upon arrival I could not see the camera in the display case but some new item were on top of the area where it was sitting the previous day.  A lady came over to open the case and well maybe to no surprise the camera was no longer there! I asked her if it sold this morning and she said it had not. That meant that someone came to the store after me yesterday and purchased it. You snooze you lose is the moral of the story. I expect it to appear at a higher price online real soon. 

The search continues!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Overhaul Maintenance on a Pentax K1000 (7 videos) - Sam's Camera Bench