>does the Pentax K1000 have a mirror lock capability for astrophotography?
>I've been able to find one inexpensively (under 100) and was wondering if
>that would do well.


Most people will tell you no, but I own a K1000 and was shown a trick by a
local dealer that gives you the mirror lock up feature. Simply - very
quickly and lightly tap the shutter button. It will take some practice to
get the right touch mastered, but it's really quite easy. Through a fluke of
the mechanism of the camera you'll hear a click and voila, the mirror will
be up but the shutter will not (and will not have) opened. A normal press on
the button then opens the shutter.
This procedure can also be achieved with a shutter release cable
attached although a bit more difficult.

In passing I might ask why do you care? Using the old hat trick (black
object in front of the lens) is a safer procedure to eliminate all mount
vibration.

Dave

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