[timw4mail]

So I have two excellent all-manual film cameras, An Asahi Pentax K1000, and a Ricoh KR-5 Super. I'm starting to collect too many cameras, so I was figuring I would sell one and keep the other.

Feature-wise, the only real differences are:

• The Ricoh has the light meter switched by the wind lever, as opposed to the always-on K1000 light meter
• The Ricoh has a self timer, the K1000 does not
• The Ricoh has a metal focal plane shutter, the K1000 a rubberized cloth shutter
• The Ricoh has a flash-sync speed of 125, the K1000 has 60
• The K1000 can take alkaline LR44 batteries, the Ricoh only mentions SR44 silver-oxide batteries in the manual

Going just on features, the Ricoh does seem to win, but there's something about the K1000 that just feels better.


So, which would you get rid of?

[boriscleto]

The K1000 can be used without batteries, the KR-5 can not...

And if you look at my camera list you know what my answer would be

[timw4mail]

The K1000 can be used without batteries, the KR-5 can not...

And if you look at my camera list you know what my answer would be

I can't see your camera list, it says it hasn't been published.

[boriscleto]

I can't see your camera list, it says it hasn't been published.

It should work now.

[wombat2go]

The Ricoh is probably newer ( maybe mid 1980's ?) and I think will have more usable life,
for the person who is a film user rather than a collector.
The K1000 should appeal more to a collector.

Features I prefer on the old K-bodies is that the match needle/leds are clearly visible in bright and low light
and shutter speed can be easily adjusted with the camera up to the eye,
and the KR-5 is good for those.

Here is my KR-5 super 2 which I have used a lot over past 30 years, and still in good condition.
https://app.box.com/s/eyzhpb7b4h23x92m3dw5knjg6s2ynlbh
I am going on a trip to China and Australia and I like to take a film camera with 2 old K-lenses.
So I am thinking to take those old Rikenons along with the KR-5 and K_S1

[timw4mail]

It should work now.

So it does. I'd be interested to see pictures of the differences between your K1000s.


As for the Ricoh, one of the reasons I don't like it as much is because the mirror-stop foam has broken down and has covered the focusing screen in black dots...(or at least I assume that's what is covering the focusing screen...)

[boriscleto]

So it does. I'd be interested to see pictures of the differences between your K1000s.


As for the Ricoh, one of the reasons I don't like it as much is because the mirror-stop foam has broken down and has covered the focusing screen in black dots...(or at least I assume that's what is covering the focusing screen...)

Pretty much any camera made in the '70s or '80s is going to need new foam. My Sears TLS has black dots in the viewfinder because the previous owner used it with a bad mirror bumper...

I found a place that will replace the seals for $39 including return shipping, I think that I'm going to send them my black ME at least...

[timw4mail]

Pretty much any camera made in the '70s or '80s is going to need new foam. My Sears TLS has black dots in the viewfinder because the previous owner used it with a bad mirror bumper...

I found a place that will replace the seals for $39 including return shipping, I think that I'm going to send them my black ME at least...

Care to share where?

[boriscleto]

Halcyon Cameras | Vintage Camera Restoration

This place seems to have reasonable repair rates too on K1000/Spotmatic bodies & the KR-5 Super II...$45 + $8 shipping.

Garry's Camera Repair

[stevebrot]

Feature-wise, the only real differences are:

The Ricoh has the light meter switched by the wind lever, as opposed to the always-on K1000 light meter
The Ricoh has a self timer, the K1000 does not
The Ricoh has a metal focal plane shutter, the K1000 a rubberized cloth shutter
The Ricoh has a flash-sync speed of 125, the K1000 has 60
The K1000 can take alkaline LR44 batteries, the Ricoh only mentions SR44 silver-oxide batteries in the manual

Going just on features, the Ricoh does seem to win, but there's something about the K1000 that just feels better.

Both battery types will work in the KR-5 Super, though I strongly suggest the SR 44 if available. As for the feel, that may be due to the Ricoh's polycarbonate top and bottom plates. One thing you missed is that the Ricoh lacks a PC sync connector. A body that you might want to consider would be the Pentax KM. It is the K1000 with all the missing features and generally sells for about 1/2 what a K1000 costs.

Edit: Another difference is that the KR-5 Super lacks shutter speeds below 1/8s.


Steve

The K1000 can be used without batteries, the KR-5 can not...

The KR-5 Super has a fully mechanical Copal vertical shutter. The battery is only needed for meter operation.

[stevebrot]

Care to share where?

You can also use one of Jon Goodman's excellent kits. I believe he still charges $10, shipping included.


Steve

[boriscleto]

The KR-5 Super has a fully mechanical Copal vertical shutter. The battery is only needed for meter operation.

I have a XR-2, KR-10, & XR-10, which are all electronic...I didn't realize that the various XR-1 & KR-5 models were mechanical...

[Ontarian50]

If you have to let one go, keep the K-1000.

Disassembling both cameras will reveal the Pentax to have a much higher build quality, with more metal castings in the chassis, and more machined parts.

The KR-5 was a camera intended to sell a bit below the mighty K-1000, yet still with good features. But it does have plastic chassis components, and stamped parts in the wind mechanism and drivetrain.

Essentially, the K-1000 was the last version of the Spotmatic mechanism - which was top grade in its day, and has stood the test of time.

Given a choice of a K-1000 or a KR-5, both in similarly good working and cosmetic condition, I'd pick the K-1000 every time.

[Basie]

THe Ricoh was sold as a cheaper alternative to Pentax. I have both and the Ricoh is deceptively well built and tough. Not a softy camera Difficult choice. I would keep both!

[Not a Number]

Flip a coin. How do you feel about the result? There is your answer.