This nice compact camera from Pentax has a fault
Offered for parts only, read my description below please.
Pentax ESPIO Compact Camera (Point & Shoot)
Model: 140M
Pentax carry case & strap supplied
Photographs show a roll of film installed (for testing) THIS FILM IS NOT SUPPLIED (fully exposed anyway)
Photograph does show my "test" battery THIS BATTERY IS NOT INCLUDED
COSMETIC CONDITION:
Excellent
No case damage at all, always been kept safely away in the Pentax leatherette case
TESTING:
It has been years since we looked at this camera, it does have an issue!
Testing undertaken with a brand new Lithium battery (type 123) - this battery will NOT be supplied with the camera
Turn on and off with the small lever button works fine (lens extends for a short distance then retracts back to it's "home" position - this is normal)
Open the back and then close, the camera "winds" the film
Lens system functioning fine
Zoom operation is SMOOTH and without any funny noises (just a nice "purring" sound as the motor turns) and the lens fully extends or retracts as it should.
Lens both externally and through the viewfinder appears to be clean and undamaged.
Light sensor and flash operation is fine, Red light sensor comes on and the flash does operate.
HERE IS THE ISSUE!
LCD Display failure - nothing at all, no partial screen - simply no screen indications at all
No physical damage to the screen (bubbles/cracks etc) it just remains matt and without any characters showing at all.
Looking up the history of the ESPIO series of compact cameras, this LCD problem is well known and EXPENSIVE to repair, assuming your local camera repair centre could obtain the spare parts (the parts are becoming like "hens teeth" i.e extremely/impossible difficult to find).
I am thinking someone can make use of the lens system or other parts of the camera, as far as I can see, the only issue is the LCD display
Commonly the internal ribbon cable(s) become dislodged over time in their connector but I am not about to start dismantling this camera to sort it out.
Perfect as a "donor organ" camera for those who like to restore these consumer Pentax camera's or just keep it as a "museum" piece - one day, everyone will be wanting one of these old film camera's "for memories sake"!
Since checking out the camera, I have now sealed it in plastic to ensure no dust degrades it's condition and it will be supplied packed this way
