I'm in an odd position with K1000s. I already have one, it's the all-metal Hong Kong made type (so probably one of the first batches to be made after they moved production there, judging by the serial number) and it's far too nice to respray. I'd like an original Japanese-made one (to complete the family set of K-bodies) and then a scruffy HK-made all metal one to respray black.

No...I think I'll avoid trying to repaint DSLRs as I wouldn't be convinced they'd still work afterwards! If I see a cheap scruffy K1000 I might give one of those a similar makeover (maybe a black one, as Pentax never officially made a black K1000).

This is now next in line for film testing, after I finish the roll in my black ME Super and replace the light seals.

Here it is - the ME Super Tangerine Dream edition:


[IMG]http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x21/Kingofthemountains/IMGP3744.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x21/Kingofthemountains/IMGP3745.jpg[/IMG]

Amazingly it all still works, even after I had to dismantle the mode selector stuff on the top plate! The part with Auto/M/etc was masked with Humbrol Maskol - this is liquid rubber which you paint or in this case drip onto complicated surfaces, when dry it forms a masking material.

Veering off into a discussion of Tokina K-fit lenses now - I have the 28mm prime and a 28-85 zoom, which I acquired by accident as I was after the black ME Super behind it. The latter is an AT-X which from what I can work out was their premium range, it produced some very respectable results on my Super A with black and white film when tried, although as it was fairly bright daylight I was hovering around the f8 sweet spot of most lenses. It also takes 62mm filters which is larger than anything else I own!

Ahh, I did try that but I think I tried to wipe it off too quickly.

I had a minor scare when I managed to shear the self timer lever retaining bolt off (didn't realise it was a reverse thread) but I've managed to drill the bolt out and replace it with a spare part from a jammed MG.

I'll put some photos up when I finish the job. It needs new light seals, so I'll order a pack after I've finished film testing my black ME Super (which may or may not be metering correctly).

Some of the Tokina PK-A 28mm f2.8 lenses aren't bad either. I bought one as "spares or repairs, focus jammed" for £7, after fixing that (I think it had been dropped on a beach as the focussing mechanism had jumped its bearing and there was a fair bit of sand in the helicoil too) it's not a bad performer. It doesn't feel anything like as nice as a Pentax lens but it cost a good deal less than even a damaged Pentax-A 28mm f2.8 and I think it's pretty close behind in terms of IQ. I would have to post a photo of it for a positive ID as I know there have been several different series of Tokina lenses - does anyone know of a site like the K mount one covering them?

Angelina Jolie? I think I'd rather Dita von Teese...

I'll give those a go - I'd previously tried the rubber strap from one of those jar opening levers, rolled up and used to press against the plastic ring.

How did you touch in the Pentax lettering?

My ME Super respray is almost finished but I can't work out how to do this. I'm thinking in terms of the finest paintbrush I can lay hands on for the "PENTAX" lettering, but I don't think anyone makes a brush fine enough for the ME Super lettering.

True, they tend to come in colonies. Not usual to get them in August though - they're usually an October-May thing.

We've had a mouse. Evidence included nibbled doughnuts and droppings by the bin. Traps are down, now to see if anything is caught.