My beloved original K1000

**ismaelg** · 01-06-2020, 09:32 PM - **10 Likes**

Hello,

Like a million others, my first real camera was a K1000. I was a 19 years old college student back in 1989. A few years before, my father had brought home a K1000 from his work. Little did he know it would ignite a spark in me. Browsing thru Popular Photography magazine, I finally ordered one to MIBRO in NYC. I ordered the least expensive kit with a single 50mm lens (or was it a 2 or 3 lens combo?), but they switched the lens to a Takumar 28-80 zoom. I remember they convinced me over the phone. I had no idea what I was doing.
That camera has been with me ever since. It predates my college degree and my family. I was using it at the event where I met my wife.
Now, 30 years later, I sent it to Eric for a CLA and re-calibration of the shutter speeds and meter. I just got it back and took it to my workbench for a good clean and polish job.

This picture is from 2009

And these were today, Jan 6th, 2020

That yellow sticker has always been there. Multiple times I came close to remove it but somehow, it remains there as "original state"

It shows signs of wear, as it should. The original zoom lens is isolated and tucked away. It is not the best lens out there and it started developing some fungus.
Today, I have dozens of cameras (probably over a hundred), including 4 DSLRs, mirrorless, compacts, bridges, film (including 4 more K1000) etc. But this one will always be there as the first one. Now that it is back in top shape, it is time to take it out again.
I just can't be objective when it comes to this camera. I just love it!

Thanks,

Last edited by ismaelg; 01-06-2020 at 09:38 PM.

kthornsberry · 01-06-2020, 09:44 PM

I have one too, bought used in 1982 from a friend upgrading to go to journalism school. I will never get rid of it.

garywakeling · 01-06-2020, 10:21 PM - **2 Likes**

Nice story and great timing, I came across my own beloved K1000 just yesterday, I opened it up, worked the shutter at multiple speeds to check all sounded "right" and then when I looked up my wife was smiling at me and commented that I looked very pleased with myself. It wasn't just holding the lovely old camera, it was all the memories that touching it brought back to me.

Silent Street · 01-06-2020, 10:52 PM

A super trooper!
Old cameras have character, far removed from the digital do-it-all-for-you toys that are dominant forces in today's world.

Yes you can take the weather-beaten JCII sticker off now. Two of my XAs have the original JCII gold stickers on them.

**arnold** · 01-06-2020, 11:05 PM

Good to see appreciation of a camera that served you well. Some just discard their possessions when something new and bright comes along.

**beachgardener** · 01-06-2020, 11:10 PM

Nice one, I have a spottie F have thought of sending it to Eric for a service, but it might be ok, maybe go better with a service?

Dartmoor Dave · 01-07-2020, 02:25 AM

I've still got my very first K1000 that I got for Christmas back in 1980, and I try to run a roll of film through it at least once a year. No other camera has ever felt so right in my hands.

**Moe49** · 01-07-2020, 06:52 AM

I wish my original K1000, purchased in 1977, was still around. But, it was stolen during a house robbery in Feb.1986

To console me, I have since purchased a few more K1000s

ChatMechant · 01-07-2020, 08:03 AM

Still have my first k1000 from when I was a kid. Still run a roll through it from time to time. Like an old pair of work boots that feels right and just somehow never wears out.

**gofour3** · 01-07-2020, 10:52 AM

Nice story!

Phil.

Astro-Baby · 01-07-2020, 11:34 AM

Oh to have been in college in1989

its great you kept the camera though. My first camera was a Zenith E but as soon as I started work I blew my wages on an OM1 with a 1.2 lens.....sooooo wish I had kept it but I needed cash at the time so it had to go

**ChrisPlatt** · 01-07-2020, 05:18 PM

My wife used a K1000 in her Photo 101 class. After college it was lost or stolen.
Before we were married I replaced it. She used that one for many years.

Today due to her need for reading glasses she can no longer operate it easily, so it fell into disuse.
I had Eric service it a couple years ago. Sadly our daughter isn't interested in it as hoped.

Chris

**ismaelg** · 02-05-2020, 06:54 PM

Hello,

If you would excuse me, can I flood my own thread?

Here are the results of the most recent outing, January 26, 2020
My beloved original Pentax K1000 which I bought new in 1989, a 50mm prime, my trusty A70-210 f4, a roll of Proimage 100 and a beach...

The sea right before sunrise

Arecibo lighthouse right before sunrise (one of my favorites of the roll)

...and a little after sunrise (one of my favorites of the roll)

A sister from a different mother. I have a picture of 22 years old me back in early 1993 with these exact same 2 cameras hanging on my neck: The then 3 years old K1000 and the Mat124G

then moved to chase waves in Camuy beach

One of my favorites of the roll

and met one of the owners of the place

Sorry for the flood, but I'm very happy! I behaved. I was about to post the whole roll.

Thanks,

Astro-Baby · 02-05-2020, 11:57 PM

Ismael what do you use for scanning ? I have spun round like a top for scanning solutions. Currently I get some stuff scanned by the lab but its a real pain.

AAlfano · 02-06-2020, 05:11 AM

Originally posted by ismaelg

Hello,

If you would excuse me, can I flood my own thread?

Here are the results of the most recent outing, January 26, 2020
My beloved original Pentax K1000 which I bought new in 1989, a 50mm prime, my trusty A70-210 f4, a roll of Proimage 100 and a beach...

The sea right before sunrise

Arecibo lighthouse right before sunrise (one of my favorites of the roll)

...and a little after sunrise (one of my favorites of the roll)

A sister from a different mother. I have a picture of 22 years old me back in early 1993 with these exact same 2 cameras hanging on my neck: The then 3 years old K1000 and the Mat124G

then moved to chase waves in Camuy beach

One of my favorites of the roll

and met one of the owners of the place

Sorry for the flood, but I'm very happy! I behaved. I was about to post the whole roll.

Thanks,

Lovely shots Ismael.

My K1000 dates, IIRC, from 1979, although it has only been with me a couple of years. If I had bought the K1000 first, I rather doubt I would have the Nikon cameras and lenses I have today.

01-06-2020, 09:32 PM - 10 Likes	#1
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681	My beloved original K1000 Hello, Like a million others, my first real camera was a K1000. I was a 19 years old college student back in 1989. A few years before, my father had brought home a K1000 from his work. Little did he know it would ignite a spark in me. Browsing thru Popular Photography magazine, I finally ordered one to MIBRO in NYC. I ordered the least expensive kit with a single 50mm lens (or was it a 2 or 3 lens combo?), but they switched the lens to a Takumar 28-80 zoom. I remember they convinced me over the phone. I had no idea what I was doing. That camera has been with me ever since. It predates my college degree and my family. I was using it at the event where I met my wife. Now, 30 years later, I sent it to Eric for a CLA and re-calibration of the shutter speeds and meter. I just got it back and took it to my workbench for a good clean and polish job. This picture is from 2009 And these were today, Jan 6th, 2020 That yellow sticker has always been there. Multiple times I came close to remove it but somehow, it remains there as "original state" It shows signs of wear, as it should. The original zoom lens is isolated and tucked away. It is not the best lens out there and it started developing some fungus. Today, I have dozens of cameras (probably over a hundred), including 4 DSLRs, mirrorless, compacts, bridges, film (including 4 more K1000) etc. But this one will always be there as the first one. Now that it is back in top shape, it is time to take it out again. I just can't be objective when it comes to this camera. I just love it! Thanks, Last edited by ismaelg; 01-06-2020 at 09:38 PM.

01-07-2020, 06:52 AM	#8
Moe49 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz Mtns. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 874	I wish my original K1000, purchased in 1977, was still around. But, it was stolen during a house robbery in Feb.1986 To console me, I have since purchased a few more K1000s Last edited by Moe49; 01-07-2020 at 08:57 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Help me not to part with my beloved K-01	Penta	Pentax K-01	51	06-25-2019 02:57 PM
My beloved 16-85 failure!	swhang	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	24	11-15-2017 06:21 PM
My beloved Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 is damaged - please help	sharepointalex	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	4	07-01-2013 10:19 PM
Help! Bizarre problem with my beloved K5!	hsu1	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	7	12-26-2011 06:40 AM
In Memory of my beloved Marmaduke who passed away yesterday...	Mark Morb	General Talk	17	08-25-2009 01:11 AM

01-06-2020, 09:44 PM	#2
kthornsberry Junior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Luanda, Angola Photos: Gallery Posts: 48	I have one too, bought used in 1982 from a friend upgrading to go to journalism school. I will never get rid of it.

01-06-2020, 10:21 PM - 2 Likes	#3
garywakeling Moderator Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,760	Nice story and great timing, I came across my own beloved K1000 just yesterday, I opened it up, worked the shutter at multiple speeds to check all sounded "right" and then when I looked up my wife was smiling at me and commented that I looked very pleased with myself. It wasn't just holding the lovely old camera, it was all the memories that touching it brought back to me.

01-06-2020, 10:52 PM	#4
Silent Street Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Castlemaine, Victoria, AUS Photos: Albums Posts: 1,151	A super trooper! Old cameras have character, far removed from the digital do-it-all-for-you toys that are dominant forces in today's world. Yes you can take the weather-beaten JCII sticker off now. Two of my XAs have the original JCII gold stickers on them.

01-06-2020, 11:05 PM	#5
arnold Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,294	Good to see appreciation of a camera that served you well. Some just discard their possessions when something new and bright comes along.

01-06-2020, 11:10 PM	#6
beachgardener Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,842	Nice one, I have a spottie F have thought of sending it to Eric for a service, but it might be ok, maybe go better with a service?

01-07-2020, 02:25 AM	#7
Dartmoor Dave Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Dartmoor, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,883	I've still got my very first K1000 that I got for Christmas back in 1980, and I try to run a roll of film through it at least once a year. No other camera has ever felt so right in my hands.

01-07-2020, 08:03 AM	#9
ChatMechant Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Matsuyama Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,284	Still have my first k1000 from when I was a kid. Still run a roll through it from time to time. Like an old pair of work boots that feels right and just somehow never wears out.

01-07-2020, 10:52 AM	#10
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	Nice story! Phil.

01-07-2020, 11:34 AM	#11
Astro-Baby Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Reigate, Surrey Posts: 764	Oh to have been in college in1989 its great you kept the camera though. My first camera was a Zenith E but as soon as I started work I blew my wages on an OM1 with a 1.2 lens.....sooooo wish I had kept it but I needed cash at the time so it had to go

01-07-2020, 05:18 PM	#12
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694	My wife used a K1000 in her Photo 101 class. After college it was lost or stolen. Before we were married I replaced it. She used that one for many years. Today due to her need for reading glasses she can no longer operate it easily, so it fell into disuse. I had Eric service it a couple years ago. Sadly our daughter isn't interested in it as hoped. Chris

02-05-2020, 06:54 PM	#13
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681 Original Poster	Hello, If you would excuse me, can I flood my own thread? Here are the results of the most recent outing, January 26, 2020 My beloved original Pentax K1000 which I bought new in 1989, a 50mm prime, my trusty A70-210 f4, a roll of Proimage 100 and a beach... The sea right before sunrise Arecibo lighthouse right before sunrise (one of my favorites of the roll) ...and a little after sunrise (one of my favorites of the roll) A sister from a different mother. I have a picture of 22 years old me back in early 1993 with these exact same 2 cameras hanging on my neck: The then 3 years old K1000 and the Mat124G then moved to chase waves in Camuy beach One of my favorites of the roll and met one of the owners of the place Sorry for the flood, but I'm very happy! I behaved. I was about to post the whole roll. Thanks,

02-05-2020, 11:57 PM	#14
Astro-Baby Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Reigate, Surrey Posts: 764	Ismael what do you use for scanning ? I have spun round like a top for scanning solutions. Currently I get some stuff scanned by the lab but its a real pain.

02-06-2020, 05:11 AM	#15
AAlfano Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 145	Originally posted by ismaelg Hello, If you would excuse me, can I flood my own thread? Here are the results of the most recent outing, January 26, 2020 My beloved original Pentax K1000 which I bought new in 1989, a 50mm prime, my trusty A70-210 f4, a roll of Proimage 100 and a beach... The sea right before sunrise Arecibo lighthouse right before sunrise (one of my favorites of the roll) ...and a little after sunrise (one of my favorites of the roll) A sister from a different mother. I have a picture of 22 years old me back in early 1993 with these exact same 2 cameras hanging on my neck: The then 3 years old K1000 and the Mat124G then moved to chase waves in Camuy beach One of my favorites of the roll and met one of the owners of the place Sorry for the flood, but I'm very happy! I behaved. I was about to post the whole roll. Thanks, Lovely shots Ismael. My K1000 dates, IIRC, from 1979, although it has only been with me a couple of years. If I had bought the K1000 first, I rather doubt I would have the Nikon cameras and lenses I have today.