Thanks very much for the recommendations everyone. It looks like Harrow Technical would be a good choice. As Womble said, servicing is the price we have to pay if we want to use these beautiful old cameras.

You read so many horror stories about camera repairers that I thought I'd ask if there's anyone who does a good job on the SV and S1. Both could do with an overhaul and the S1 shutter needs some attention.

Why's that then, John?

Hangng around this website for the last day or two prompted me to dig out my old SV for a fondle. I'm always struck by how smooth and refined the wind on movement is. It's been a while since I last used a Leica M3 but I really can't remember its film advance being much smoother. Do the early '60s Pentaxes have the smoothest wind of the marque or are they surpassed by the '70s or '80s models? I have an MX but the film advance, whilst good, isn't as nice as the SV's. Any others give it a run for its money?

Thanks for that Defragged. It appears I could be looking for an S2, S3 or S1A. A K or S in black with the slow speeds on the front dial would be a bit special as well. Early Pentaxes must be some of the most handsome cameras ever produced.

I wasn't sure where to post this. Harrow Technical have a 20mm f4 M lens in mint- condition for £160 with 12 months guarantee. Seems like a good deal to me. You'd probably pay more for one on the Ebay Russian Roulette website. I've no connection at all to Harrow Technical - just saw this lens when checking out their repair prices.

http://harrowtechnical.co.uk/store/

That H3 would do very nicely! Lovely. Were there any earlier Pentaxes that were still being made in 1961? And how would I go about confirming the year of manufacture?

Hi,

I fancy getting a Pentax from the year of my birth and was wondering if anyone had one for sale. If so, I'd love to hear from you.

Regards,
Bruce

Hi Bob,

Would you take £10 including postage for the SV?

Cheers,
Bruce