Pentax Photography - Page 2 - Recent Questions, Troubleshooting & Support

Try dismounting the lens and cleaning the camera and lens contacts with a soft lint-free cloth.

If you just put in standard AA batteries, they do not have enough power to drive the camera. Use high power ones, or better still 2300 mAh or 2500 mAh rechargeable batteries

This is a known fault with this retro model, I'm afraid - over time, the plastic gears get worn, and eventually fail. Solutions are mentioned on the Pentax Forums.

Internal problem with the lens mechanism. Probably expensive to fix

Look in the manual for how to use the other modes.

Have the old batteries leaked in the battery compartment ? Also, when you removed the previous film, did you set the camera into rewind mode ? If not, you have probably damaged the winding motor beyond economical repair.

it is not unknown for film developing sites to with hold good photos so take another practice roll and have it developed somewhere else That will prove either the camera or the developer

Take the lens to a repair facility. When you've recovered from the shock of the cost, look on Ebay for a replacement. FYI, it may be better to get an f1.7 lens instead - far far cheaper, and the f1.4 was notorious for less than optimum optics wide open. You'll only lose half a stop or so, which is negligible.

Who, exactly, are 'they' ? There are many models of Pentax SLR camera, both film and digital, and there is a different manual pertaining to the care and operation of each of these. If you go to the Pentax Service Centre relevant to your place of residence, all the available manuals will probably be there. If the one that you require is not available, you may find it by doing a Google search for the make and model, followed by the word Manual.

There is not any in camera developing. This is not a digital camera it is a film camera wherein we put a film cartridge with a specified number of shots into the camera then thread the film leader to the takeup spool, close the camera advance the film a few frames, then we are ready to shoot. After the specified number of shots, 24 or 36, film is rewound into the canister, camera back opened film canister removed then taken to the lab for processing.

Does it not close or does it not lock? If it does not lock it may be the light seals are obstructing the door. If it will close but not lock open the camera, pull up the rewind knob, see if the release slider is operating.

If you are talking about the rewinder, it should screw on. If that does not work you will need to remove the top plate. If you have some issues doing that it would be better to have it serviced. Besides, these are quite old cameras thus it may well need a CLA as well.

Questions: is the flash fully seated on the hot shoe, are the batteries in the flash good, finally does the flash fire on another camera. My K1000 would not fire any flash on the hotshoe nor using the PC plug it needed a CLA.

Without film in the camera it may well read before zero, my K1000, K1000Se, and K2 do that. Press the film rewind button, maybe that will release it for you. For camera repairs look to: Eric Hendrickson: http://www.pentaxs.com/index.html

Eric Hendrickson: http://www.pentaxs.com/index.html

Is there film in the camera? If so it may be at the end of the roll and thus when advancing the film it jammed. Rewind the film then see if the lever and shutter operate. If not then a CLA is needed.

Have the film come to the end of the roll and the camera will not fire, if so rewind the film. Sorry, a shutter is not a self service item. This should be sent in for a CLA.

The K1000 were designed to use Mercury batteries. After those were banned in the USA folks moved to other types of batteries as in Alkaline, those start out strong, then fade fast. This change in voltage causes errant light meter readings. Batteries I use in my K1000, K1000 SE, and K2 are Silver Oxide 357/303 1.55 volt 0% Hg, by Energizer. Use any brand you want.

Contact Eric Hendrickson, the Pentax repair person: http://www.pentaxs.com/index.html or http://www.pentaxcamerarepair.com/

You will need an external shutter release that locks. Connect the shutter release, then on the camera set the shutter dial to B (bulb). With the shutter release cable fire the camera and lock the plunger, or hold it down. Using a shutter release cable you are less likely to cause camera shake. Of course have the camera on a tripod or something steady.