Why am I holding on to my K1000?

studiojmm · 11-24-2010, 04:08 AM

I'm doing a lot of cleaning out, generally, and I come to this: Why am I holding on to my K1000 and accessories?

It works; it's sealed; it sits unused. While my local professional film lab when under a couple years ago, there is a still a community darkroom where I could develop film . . . but I haven't found time to do that since 2004 and don't see that in my near future (parent of a toddler).

It doesn't seem like a good long-term investment, if film is still being used in photo classes by the time my daughter wants to take one I have to assume that a) this camera will need to be serviced, and b) there will be cameras available for purchase, probably for a similar price to servicing the K1000. Same story if I decide I want to do film photography 10 years from now.

Thoughts?

Nesster · 11-24-2010, 04:24 AM

First thought: how many film cameras do you have? I'd want to keep at least one, even if it's a p&s. If the K1000 is your sole film cam, keep it, put color film in it and have the drug store develop and put on CD for you, every now and then. If you use the camera say twice a year that should be enough exercise to keep it limbered up.

GhoSStrider · 11-24-2010, 01:19 PM

Are there emotional ties to the camera? I'll never get rid of my Mamiya Sekor 500 DTL, for example. It's my first SLR and was also my Dad's first SLR. I still shoot B&W with it and enjoy it for being a simple, but useful camera.

And while I don't have emotional ties to my K1000, I will probably never get rid of it either. With a K1000, photography is stripped down to it's simplest elements. It's you and the camera. The simple meter gives you enough information to make a picture, and the rest is up to you. After you think about shutter speed, aperture, and focus all that's left is the satisfying sound of that all mechanical shutter going off. That's a beautiful thing to me at least.

I'd suggest you go with Nesster's advice and throw a cheap roll of color print film in and take a spin with it. I think after a roll or two you'll have a feeling if it needs to stay longer or if you can sell it off without any regret.

noblepa · 11-24-2010, 01:59 PM

I still have the Spotmatic that I bought when I was in high school, in 1967. I will never sell it, for a couple of reasons. First, it is the first real camera I had and I worked as a busboy all summer to earn the money to buy it.

Secondly, I still find that the Pentax cameras of that era, including the Spotmatic, the K-1000, KX and so on, to be the most ergonomically satisfying cameras to hold, that I have ever encountered.

My K10D is nice, and it fits my large hands well, but the Spotmatic (which is very similar to the K1000) is mucn more enjoyable to hold.

But then, I have a small collection of Pentax film SLR's, including an H1, SV, ES-II, two Spotmatics, a P5, SF1, ME Super, Spotmatic F, K1000, ZX-60 and an Auto 110.

builttospill · 11-24-2010, 03:21 PM

Why are you holding on to it? This is why: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-film-slr-discussion/107126-i-use-k1000.html

Nick Siebers · 11-24-2010, 03:37 PM

Who knows what will happen to digital files in 10,20,30 years? I like to shoot a roll of film of my girls now and then, because I know the negatives will be here for years.

SpecialK · 11-24-2010, 03:52 PM

Quote:

I like to shoot a roll of film of my girls now and then, because I know the negatives will be here for years.

Only if properly developed and archivally stored. In a plastic sleeve or page with Sharpie marker ID written on it in a shoebox in your closet is not it :-)

I've had 20 year old prints go to moldy hooey in an album.

**ChrisPlatt** · 11-24-2010, 05:18 PM

Like so many others my wife learned 35mm photography using a K1000.
She no longer uses hers due to poor vision but she will keep it forever.

Chris

magkelly · 11-24-2010, 06:30 PM

I finally have a DSLR now. Doesn't mean I don't take my SPII out sometimes just for fun. I'll probably keep that SPII and my Yashica FRI until they stop making film and/or I simply can't find a place to develop my film. I'm not keen on doing my own developing, but so long as there is are at least 2 places in town capable of developing my film in less than a week I'm still going to shoot film sometimes. I just happen to like both film and digital.

Nick Siebers · 11-24-2010, 08:24 PM

Originally posted by SpecialK

Only if properly developed and archivally stored. In a plastic sleeve or page with Sharpie marker ID written on it in a shoebox in your closet is not it :-)

I've had 20 year old prints go to moldy hooey in an album.

True... but I have a lot of prints and negatives, to even out my odds.

Since I also have prints and negatives from my grandfather (not archivally kept) I think some will last until my grandchildren are around, which is probably about as long as they need to.

tibbitts · 12-11-2010, 07:27 PM

I have the same problem with my 2 canon a-1s (and many fd lenses), and also a canon ae-1 that I have absolutely no attachment too. Today I finally took the bottom plate off the ae-1, trying to figure out what I might try lubricating to get rid of the mirror squeak.

I have some velvia that I could shoot and process for just the cost of postage, but... why? I have a k100 and a k200, and don't even have to pay postage to take pictures with them - or wait to see the results.

Paul

stevebrot · 12-11-2010, 08:05 PM

Originally posted by tibbitts

I have the same problem with my 2 canon a-1s (and many fd lenses), and also a canon ae-1 that I have absolutely no attachment too. Today I finally took the bottom plate off the ae-1, trying to figure out what I might try lubricating to get rid of the mirror squeak.

I have some velvia that I could shoot and process for just the cost of postage, but... why? I have a k100 and a k200, and don't even have to pay postage to take pictures with them - or wait to see the results.

Paul

So the answer is simple! Send the A-1s and FD lenses to me! I will give them a comfortable and safe home for their retirement.

Steve

titrisol · 12-12-2010, 06:28 AM

1st because you love it
then because you always hope you'll get results as good as thos with digital
and then if you sell it you will not get much out of it....

plus looks great on any shelf!

GeneV · 12-12-2010, 08:10 AM

If I had my original K1000 that traveled all over with me 30 years ago, I'd keep it for sentimental reasons. If not, I'd seriously consider selling it and getting three of something else in a K mount, or maybe a Spottie if I wanted to keep the same form and function.

Immunogirl · 12-16-2010, 02:14 PM

It is not like you'll get any money from selling your k1000. My old film cameras have more sentimental value than the $50 to $100 that I might get if I tried to sell them.

One day, I am going on a really really cool expedition off into the middle of nowhere, where charging my dslr batteries will be a pain in the neck and emptying sd cards just as much, and then a trusty film dslr which can run for years on a little watch battery will be very much appreciated. And I'll just have to carry film.

11-24-2010, 04:08 AM	#1
studiojmm New Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Washington DC Posts: 4	Why am I holding on to my K1000? I'm doing a lot of cleaning out, generally, and I come to this: Why am I holding on to my K1000 and accessories? It works; it's sealed; it sits unused. While my local professional film lab when under a couple years ago, there is a still a community darkroom where I could develop film . . . but I haven't found time to do that since 2004 and don't see that in my near future (parent of a toddler). It doesn't seem like a good long-term investment, if film is still being used in photo classes by the time my daughter wants to take one I have to assume that a) this camera will need to be serviced, and b) there will be cameras available for purchase, probably for a similar price to servicing the K1000. Same story if I decide I want to do film photography 10 years from now. Thoughts?

11-24-2010, 05:18 PM	#8
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,692	Like so many others my wife learned 35mm photography using a K1000. She no longer uses hers due to poor vision but she will keep it forever. Chris Last edited by ChrisPlatt; 12-12-2010 at 08:58 AM.

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11-24-2010, 04:24 AM	#2
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	First thought: how many film cameras do you have? I'd want to keep at least one, even if it's a p&s. If the K1000 is your sole film cam, keep it, put color film in it and have the drug store develop and put on CD for you, every now and then. If you use the camera say twice a year that should be enough exercise to keep it limbered up.

11-24-2010, 01:19 PM	#3
GhoSStrider Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: 14er Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 323	Are there emotional ties to the camera? I'll never get rid of my Mamiya Sekor 500 DTL, for example. It's my first SLR and was also my Dad's first SLR. I still shoot B&W with it and enjoy it for being a simple, but useful camera. And while I don't have emotional ties to my K1000, I will probably never get rid of it either. With a K1000, photography is stripped down to it's simplest elements. It's you and the camera. The simple meter gives you enough information to make a picture, and the rest is up to you. After you think about shutter speed, aperture, and focus all that's left is the satisfying sound of that all mechanical shutter going off. That's a beautiful thing to me at least. I'd suggest you go with Nesster's advice and throw a cheap roll of color print film in and take a spin with it. I think after a roll or two you'll have a feeling if it needs to stay longer or if you can sell it off without any regret.

11-24-2010, 01:59 PM	#4
noblepa Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Village, Ohio USA Posts: 1,142	I still have the Spotmatic that I bought when I was in high school, in 1967. I will never sell it, for a couple of reasons. First, it is the first real camera I had and I worked as a busboy all summer to earn the money to buy it. Secondly, I still find that the Pentax cameras of that era, including the Spotmatic, the K-1000, KX and so on, to be the most ergonomically satisfying cameras to hold, that I have ever encountered. My K10D is nice, and it fits my large hands well, but the Spotmatic (which is very similar to the K1000) is mucn more enjoyable to hold. But then, I have a small collection of Pentax film SLR's, including an H1, SV, ES-II, two Spotmatics, a P5, SF1, ME Super, Spotmatic F, K1000, ZX-60 and an Auto 110.

11-24-2010, 03:21 PM	#5
builttospill Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,398	Why are you holding on to it? This is why: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-film-slr-discussion/107126-i-use-k1000.html

11-24-2010, 03:37 PM	#6
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	Who knows what will happen to digital files in 10,20,30 years? I like to shoot a roll of film of my girls now and then, because I know the negatives will be here for years.

11-24-2010, 03:52 PM	#7
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Quote: I like to shoot a roll of film of my girls now and then, because I know the negatives will be here for years. Only if properly developed and archivally stored. In a plastic sleeve or page with Sharpie marker ID written on it in a shoebox in your closet is not it :-) I've had 20 year old prints go to moldy hooey in an album.

11-24-2010, 06:30 PM	#9
magkelly Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,901	I finally have a DSLR now. Doesn't mean I don't take my SPII out sometimes just for fun. I'll probably keep that SPII and my Yashica FRI until they stop making film and/or I simply can't find a place to develop my film. I'm not keen on doing my own developing, but so long as there is are at least 2 places in town capable of developing my film in less than a week I'm still going to shoot film sometimes. I just happen to like both film and digital.

11-24-2010, 08:24 PM	#10
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	Originally posted by SpecialK Only if properly developed and archivally stored. In a plastic sleeve or page with Sharpie marker ID written on it in a shoebox in your closet is not it :-) I've had 20 year old prints go to moldy hooey in an album. True... but I have a lot of prints and negatives, to even out my odds. Since I also have prints and negatives from my grandfather (not archivally kept) I think some will last until my grandchildren are around, which is probably about as long as they need to.

12-11-2010, 07:27 PM	#11
tibbitts Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Oklahoma USA Posts: 2,193	I have the same problem with my 2 canon a-1s (and many fd lenses), and also a canon ae-1 that I have absolutely no attachment too. Today I finally took the bottom plate off the ae-1, trying to figure out what I might try lubricating to get rid of the mirror squeak. I have some velvia that I could shoot and process for just the cost of postage, but... why? I have a k100 and a k200, and don't even have to pay postage to take pictures with them - or wait to see the results. Paul

12-11-2010, 08:05 PM	#12
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by tibbitts I have the same problem with my 2 canon a-1s (and many fd lenses), and also a canon ae-1 that I have absolutely no attachment too. Today I finally took the bottom plate off the ae-1, trying to figure out what I might try lubricating to get rid of the mirror squeak. I have some velvia that I could shoot and process for just the cost of postage, but... why? I have a k100 and a k200, and don't even have to pay postage to take pictures with them - or wait to see the results. Paul So the answer is simple! Send the A-1s and FD lenses to me! I will give them a comfortable and safe home for their retirement. Steve

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12-12-2010, 06:28 AM	#13
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,851	1st because you love it then because you always hope you'll get results as good as thos with digital and then if you sell it you will not get much out of it.... plus looks great on any shelf!

12-12-2010, 08:10 AM	#14
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	If I had my original K1000 that traveled all over with me 30 years ago, I'd keep it for sentimental reasons. If not, I'd seriously consider selling it and getting three of something else in a K mount, or maybe a Spottie if I wanted to keep the same form and function.

12-16-2010, 02:14 PM	#15
Immunogirl Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 313	It is not like you'll get any money from selling your k1000. My old film cameras have more sentimental value than the $50 to $100 that I might get if I tried to sell them. One day, I am going on a really really cool expedition off into the middle of nowhere, where charging my dslr batteries will be a pain in the neck and emptying sd cards just as much, and then a trusty film dslr which can run for years on a little watch battery will be very much appreciated. And I'll just have to carry film.