Author: | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,437 | Review Date: September 11, 2013 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Light, User-friendly, Easily Learned, Very Capable, Attractive, Inexpensive | Cons: | No DoF Preview, no Interchangeable Focusing Screens | | My only wish for the K1000 would be that Pentax had designed all four of the old Ks with interchangeable focusing screens. Beyond that, even though a DoF preview would be nice, it's not really a necessity.
This camera really can do anything that an up-market model can do -- it just takes a deeper understanding of how the camera works. Exposure bracketing? Do it yourself but no problem. Double exposures? Sure, but it's fiddly. High-contrast setting compensation? Sure, if you meter off an area with your subject's approximate illumination. This camera can take any picture you see in your mind if you know how to use it properly.
You'll learn how to take a picture with this camera in a minute. You'll learn how to capture an image with it in a few years. And that journey, learning to capture an image, will be enjoyable, exciting, and much more informative than with an automated camera.
| | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2012 Location: Capital Federal, Buenos Aires Posts: 10 | Review Date: July 20, 2013 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: N/A |
| Hi guys I need help with this wonderful piece of history. My grandpa gave me his old Pentax KX (same as k1000 but with timer and film speed manual set) that looks brand new by the way :P
Im having problems with the film speed indicator and its pin. It used to spin and work well but sometimes it cames loose and spins ineffectually.
If the lightmetter is on and I change the film speed to a higher asa value, the lightmetter needle is supposed to go up, isn't it? PLEASE HELP becasue I don't know if it's working properly.
THANK YOU!!
| | | | Senior Member Registered: June, 2012 Posts: 276 | Review Date: June 9, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | strudy, motivating for learners, cheap, common | Cons: | can't see the whole viewfinder if you wear glasses like me (not huge problem though, you get used to it) | | I own 2! One was my initial companion and the second comes with a wide-angle lens, it was so cheap (lens + camera = $40) so I just bought both, no brainer. I guess when you shoot film a second K1000 simply saves you the trouble of changing lens/film type. So I carry both on trips.
The function is so basic it forces you to focus on the basic exposure settings (i.e. shutter speed and aperture). Just get one if you want to master exposure from scratch. Good to master manual focus and manual exposure too. You will learn everything that a modern DSLR won't teach you.
My meters are still fine and quite reliable, although during sunny days I simply use the Sunny 16 Rule.
Finally, I wrote a short article about my experience with K1000 here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/news/mastering-exposure-using-the-classic-stude...tax-k1000.html | | | | Junior Member Registered: March, 2013 Posts: 35 | Review Date: March 18, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $32.50
| Rating: 7 |
Pros: | Classic (asahi one), simple, hard iron | Cons: | I like m series shape better | | This camera fit to me as newbie on 35mm film slr, except for it dead meter, now i always depend on my iPod pocket meter | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: April, 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Posts: 18,076 | Review Date: March 11, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $20.00
| Rating: 8 |
Pros: | All manual ... just like the one that I had in high school | Cons: | Hefty, all manual - thus not a go to SLR for many reasons | | Bonjour,
I bought a very nice copy of this SRL off a French e-bay equivalent, the body is in great shape plus it came along with a SMC M 50/2, which is not a great lens ... but do not worry, I have plenty of other manual lenses to use on it. Looks like this K1000 sat in a shelf or drawer for many years.
I am really happy to have found such a good body, but it needs light seals and the mirror bumper replaced ... normal age and wear ... I have not shot a roll yet, but my impressions are back from many a long day ago when I had a K1000 in high school and for my photography class and yearbook candid photos, etc. ... Ah, the memories that this SLR brings back.
So, my review is based upon sentimental element, but that's no big deal, because all of the other review have said a lot about the K1000. It's worth an "8" in my books ... now my next task is to repair those seals, etc. Salut, John le Frog | | | | Veteran Member Registered: May, 2010 Location: Hong Kong / Irvine, CA Posts: 636 | Review Date: January 18, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 9 |
| "Build like a tank" as everyone said.
Very solid metal, I like the needle of the exposure meter.
Nothing wrong with it.
Feels very good in my hands.
| | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2012 Posts: 351 | Review Date: November 18, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $35.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Heavy, Sturdy, Manual, Simple, Beautiful (even when beaten up a bit) Compact(?) | Cons: | Heavy, Manual, Simple | | I snagged mine here on the marketplace. I had to get a lens for it (M50/1.7) So that brought the total to $80 excluding film.
I bought this camera to experiment with film and as my first SLR. Film is... interesting. I am not used to not having instant feedback on my shots.
This camera, even being beaten up a bit, still feels very sturdy. Being made out of metal kinda helps...
Being full manual, if I mess up or miss a shot, I have nothing to blame but myself. I like that feeling. It means that I know what needs to improve to mess up less: Me.
Another thing... This camera is beautiful, even with a few dents IMHO.
(Mine is the earlier Japanese made one if anyone wants to know)
| | | | New Member Registered: February, 2012 Posts: 7 | Review Date: June 21, 2012 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
Pros: | Simple to use | Cons: | exposure dial can be tricky to move | | I have three of this cameras, and enjoy using them. I got my first one a few years ago in a lot of lens I was biding on, payed what I was willing for two lenses that I was after so I considered the rest extras. It was in really great shape except light meter doesn't work, but decided to try it out since I was into only digital at the time. Only use film in cheap point and shot cameras as a teen.
I found film to be interesting (it has want I feel is different look then digital, like both the same they just have different qualities that are great in there own way) so I looked for another so I could use different kinds of film at the same time. My second was a SE version that I got for $15 as-is, but got it and found it to operate just fine, except the film advance lever is a little sticky on the way back (it will stick out on the side of the camera and not return to its position on its own if you don't move it with your finger, but has loosened up with use). Cosmetically it is a bit beat up, but it does have to be pretty to take pictures.
I bought my third just to have yet another one for use and got that one for $20 and was told everything worked and it does. The condition pretty good, except it has numbers and letters engraved on it, but does have that much wear and a working meter.
This camera does what it's supposed to and I can't complain. Being a manual camera doesn't bother me since I've shot that way since I bought my K10D, not sure if I have ever used it out of manual mode or used the auto focus. I like controlling my photos as much as I can, more interesting that way.
| | | | Senior Member Registered: November, 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 167 4 users found this helpful | Review Date: June 15, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Makes you focus on taking photos | Cons: | Everything else | | I've owned 2 or 3 of these over the years, and have gone through a love-hate-love-hate cycle with them. Yeah, they're heavy. Yeah they don't have a self-timer, DOF preview, or any automatic features.
I think it became clear that this camera is a 10 when a friend of mine was getting into film photography after shooting digital for years. He kept asking if he should get this one or that one, each with more features than the K1000. I sat there and tried to imagine what it would have been like if I had started out on an ME Super or Minolta X-700. I couldn't.
Here's why: it's the matchstick metering. It's the most powerful tool I can imagine to communicate exposure to someone who has used only automatic cameras, or has never used a camera at all. And the careful setting of the aperture and shutter speeds eventually makes certain combinations feel familiar in a way a more automatic camera never could. "Oh, hello 1/60, f/2! Nice to see you again 1/500 f/4!" When the light meter broke on my sister's K1000 she just kept right on shooting, and nailed exposures every time because the camera had made her into a walking LV/EV chart. I'd sometimes ask her how she would set the camera for a particular scene, and then check her setting against the light meter on my Canon Elan 7 (she nailed it every time).
If you're like me and shoot cameras with lots more features, you still feel a sort of irrational pleasure when you pick up a K1000. It's the camera that taught us how to make a picture.
Set aperture.
Set shutter.
Compose.
Click.
| | | | Senior Member Registered: May, 2012 Posts: 111 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: May 7, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Built like a nuclear bunker (made of brass), easy to use (I taught myself at the age of 10), relatively inexpensive, Had a light meter needle in the viewfinder | Cons: | expensive to fix (£60 for the light meter) | | there's a lot of things I miss about this camera now I have my K-r; the light meter needle, the simple ease of use, the lack of autofocus (honestly, I prefer manual), the brass body… It's a great looking camera.
still took decent photos after 30 years, albeit it did have to get fixed 3 times. all of those times it was my fault though, just not taking enough care.
I really do miss this camera a lot, I wish photography was still like this, where it's not just about pointing a camera at something and pressing a button. Manual focus, film photography, and only 36 photos in a roll. You really did have to compose and work for a shot
To any future buyers, If you want to train someone in photography (in my case, my dad taught me with this one), do buy this camera. You learn proper photography | | | | Junior Member Registered: October, 2011 Location: Belton, SC Posts: 33 | Review Date: October 31, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $8.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Beautifully made camera. Fun and easy to use. Perfect for beginners or those who want to try stepping out into the world of film. It is very basic, which is why I prefer to shoot my smaller, lighter Super Program, but this is always my go to for a day of fun casual shooting. Great to have around.
| | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 384 | Review Date: July 7, 2011 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Love the looks, easy to use, if you good with manual | Cons: | bit on the heavy side, film not cheap! | | Got this with a deal of 2 lenses, seller did not know it work or not, got it and it works great, shutter opens and close like it should mirror lifts up
Mint condtion as you can see.
Rare to find them in this shape? I may be selling it to a good home soon after I get bored of looking at it | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2011 Location: Malang (East-Java) Posts: 4 | Review Date: July 3, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $25.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Can use with no battery | Cons: | Big body | | maybe K1000 the best Pentax 35 mm SLR....i use this camera for street photo | | | | Inactive Account Registered: April, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 20 | Review Date: May 22, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Heavy, Solid, Manual, | Cons: | Heavy, All Manual, no OFF if you lose lens cap. | | In the philosophy of converting your weaknesses into your strengths this camera excels. It's heavy and it's all manual. All weaknesses, and yet all things we love about it.
I've had my K1000 for about 9 months now. It's very well built, metal top and bottom plates. Faux black is still in great condition. Everything works, since there's not much to malfunction. Love the simple light meter. I would really like a timer on it, but then again, not needed. Viewfinder is simple, period. Nice. No distractions.
Also, thanks to this camera I've gotten better at manual focusing with my digital which has no focus screen. I initially found the microprism focusing too difficult. The previous camera I had used a split image with microprism collar. To use just the microprism spot was difficult al first.
All in all great camera to have.
| | | | Veteran Member Registered: January, 2011 Location: Minahasa, North Celebes (Sulawesi) Posts: 586 | Review Date: February 25, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $75.00
| Rating: 8 |
Pros: | Build. 'Real' Manual Experience.
| Cons: | If really like going manual. there aren't any.
| |
Pros | Build. 'Real' Manual Experience. | Cons | If really like going manual. there aren't any. | Rating | 8 | Price (U.S. Dollars) | 75 | Years Owned | A few weeks |
I can recommend this camera: Yes Value, Features, Performance & Size
There's nothing that haven't been said yet, so my word is: PERFECT Camera Review
I have just got one. I think everybody must have one. Perfect tool to learn the curves of anything photography. Get one. | | |