Pentax spotmatic f has a loose hot shoe bracket. Is this a major repair and wher can I have the repair carried out

SOURCE: pentax me super camera

Hey judyrosebudd,
You should be able to use any flash that is not dedicated to another camera manufacturer. Even though the manufacturer lists this camera as a dedicated flash unit it still has the sync contact in the center of the hot shoe mount, which is all that is required to operate a all manual flash. This being said a dedicated flash should provide much more advanced options and simplicity of use. I hope this helps!

Sincerely,
Allan
Go Ahead. Use Us.

SOURCE: how do I open the back of a honerwell

Try lifting up the film rewind knob and pull the back cover. Maybe the back cover is stuck with the old gummy light shield.

SOURCE: I have an old Pentax

Remove the lens and look into the throat of the camera. The mirror should be resting at a 45 degree angle, but if it's fully or partially stuck upwards then the mirror has locked up.

There were a number of Spotmatic models made between 1964 and 1976, all were fully manual and mechanically operated so the battery was used only to power the light meter. This is important, as on later models the battery also powered the shutter and a flat battery would cause mirror lock up. On your model (either an SP500 or an SP1000), the lock up is either due to an internal breakage or simply due to dried out lubricants which may have been in there for around 40 years now. Fixing your camera requires professional attention; if you're lucky then the camera just needs a CLA service (Clean Lubricate Adjust), new light seals and possibly a battery recalibration (original mercury batteries are no longer available, modern "equivalents" have a different voltage). If this is done your camera can give many more years of service, but the costs will far outweigh the value of the camera. Millions of Spotmatics were made, and the only ones of value to collectors must be immaculate and fully complete and functional. If your camera needs spare parts then they simply aren't available except by cannibalising parts from others. Given that there are plenty of more recent, fully functional 35mm SLR camera outfits available for free on FreeCycle and Freegle you really need to appraise whether to sell your near-worthless camera for spares or to make an investment in repairing it. One benefit of your model is that it accepts the older M42 screw mount lenses and there are millions of them going for between zilch and peanuts.