Old Pentax K SLR Camera

[Frontman]

I have collected a few old Pentax cameras. I love their style, their simplicity, and the M42 lens mount. The old Takumar lenses are really very nice, and there is a interesting variety of them.

This old Pentax K was in need of a new home. The regular chrome-plated K is hard to find in good condition, the black-paint models are almost unheard of. But I like the black cameras, and I have the S2, S3, and SV. I need to a add a few more lenses to my collection, but the better ones are hard to find.

There are many beautiful examples of early Nikons, Leicas, and the like. But the old Pentaxes seem to have been photographers cameras, and seem to have been more heavily used.

 

[charjohncarter]

Wow, what a beauty, I always remember the black Spotmatics used by the Beatles in the early 60s. As I was their age, I was completely jealous. I had to wait until 1969 to get one and even then my father-in-law had to buy it in Japan to save money.

http://www.pentaxforums.com/camerareviews/pentax-k-tower-29.html

It is hard to believe that a 51-52 year old lens can easily be slapped onto a Pentax DSLR.

 

[Pioneer]

Thanks for sharing. I have never seen the black paint version. I have an SV and an H1A and love using both of them, but they are certainly not of collector value.

The SV in particular is a very well finished and smooth operating camera.

 

[peterm1]

I have a chrome K and love it. I have always said that the early Pentaxes feel much like a Leica LTM camera in the hand. The slow speed dial on the front makes it even more so. Looks great in black livery.

 

[Doug]

That's a well-used camera, and I was surprised to see one in black paint. Like Peter's mine is chrome, serial number a bit after yours starting with 179, near the end of the production of this model. Came with a 55mm f/1.8 Auto-Takumar and ever-ready case, from a gent on Vancouver Island, Canada. With a local CLA it works well and smoothly, a good mate for my M2 also made in 1958. 🙂

Hoping yours is in good running order, looking forward to seeing some pics!

Edit: Yours appears to have a later lens, with full-auto diaphragm, as there's no "cocking lever" on its right side.

 

[Frontman]

That's a well-used camera, and I was surprised to see one in black paint. Like Peter's mine is chrome, serial number a bit after yours starting with 179, near the end of the production of this model. Came with a 55mm f/1.8 Auto-Takumar and ever-ready case, from a gent on Vancouver Island, Canada. With a local CLA it works well and smoothly, a good mate for my M2 also made in 1958. 🙂

Hoping yours is in good running order, looking forward to seeing some pics!

Edit: Yours appears to have a later lens, with full-auto diaphragm, as there's no "cocking lever" on its right side.

This camera came with a rather badly scratched 58mm f2 Takumar, which doesn't have a cocking lever. I have another lens which has a clean front element, but cleaning marks on the back. I hope to combine the parts from the two lenses to make one good one.

I was out shooting with the camera today, taking photos of nationalist demonstrators trying to get near the Chinese embassy with their obnoxious speaker trucks.