Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SP jammed shutter - Pentax Asahi Spotmatic Sp 35mm Film Slr Camera Original Case

SOURCE: I have an old Asahi Pentax, release lever and shutter are stuck.

The Pentax is a easy fix, maybe.. If you feel comfortable removing the bottom cover, then remove the 3 cross point screws. The battery, if installed will be loose. Looking at the bottom section of the camera, locate the tripod socket. On on side is the battery compartment, the other an L shaped lever. Under the L shaped lever is a brass plate with a slot in it. In that slot is another lever that has a spring going through the end eyelet. Move that lever toward the front of the camera until it latches on the L shaped lever above. Then try the release.

The first thing to try on the X700 is fresh batteries. Clean the battery cap and contacts with a pencil eraser.

SOURCE: I have an old Pentax

Remove the lens and look into the throat of the camera. The mirror should be resting at a 45 degree angle, but if it's fully or partially stuck upwards then the mirror has locked up.

There were a number of Spotmatic models made between 1964 and 1976, all were fully manual and mechanically operated so the battery was used only to power the light meter. This is important, as on later models the battery also powered the shutter and a flat battery would cause mirror lock up. On your model (either an SP500 or an SP1000), the lock up is either due to an internal breakage or simply due to dried out lubricants which may have been in there for around 40 years now. Fixing your camera requires professional attention; if you're lucky then the camera just needs a CLA service (Clean Lubricate Adjust), new light seals and possibly a battery recalibration (original mercury batteries are no longer available, modern "equivalents" have a different voltage). If this is done your camera can give many more years of service, but the costs will far outweigh the value of the camera. Millions of Spotmatics were made, and the only ones of value to collectors must be immaculate and fully complete and functional. If your camera needs spare parts then they simply aren't available except by cannibalising parts from others. Given that there are plenty of more recent, fully functional 35mm SLR camera outfits available for free on FreeCycle and Freegle you really need to appraise whether to sell your near-worthless camera for spares or to make an investment in repairing it. One benefit of your model is that it accepts the older M42 screw mount lenses and there are millions of them going for between zilch and peanuts.