Pentax K2 vs K1000

Ivan Glisin · 03-02-2009, 09:05 AM

Originally posted by Douglas_of_Sweden

But its big brothers now goes for the same price or less!

True, however K1000 did not gain good reputation over the past several years, but a long time ago when it was indeed much cheaper then KX and KM and that's what I was referring to. It just carries over that fame to these days. And having handled K2, KX and MX I agree they are all fine and equally robust cameras, no doubt about it.

But I am with you on current prices, K1000 should go for $40-50, not $100-150 like these days, but hey, all is relative: some much less useful things are being sold for insane amounts, like a piece of clothing worn one time by a celebrity -- plain ridiculous! So K1000 even at $200 makes much more sense to me! :-)

**Douglas_of_Sweden** · 03-02-2009, 09:08 AM

Originally posted by Ivan Glisin

True, however K1000 did not gain good reputation over the past several years, but a long time ago when it was indeed much cheaper then KX and KM and that's what I was referring to. It just carries over that fame to these days. And having handled K2, KX and MX I agree they are all fine and equally robust cameras, no doubt about it.

But I am with you on current prices, K1000 should go for $40-50, not $100-150 like these days, but hey, all is relative: some much less useful things are being sold for insane amounts, like a piece of clothing worn one time by a celebrity -- plain ridiculous! So K1000 even at $200 makes much more sense to me! :-)

Mmh, perhaps I should have kept my K1000 and sold it on e-bay as the only (?) K1000 that has been on the north pole?

B Grace · 03-02-2009, 11:21 AM

One of my Pentax guide books backs up the comment about the K2 being packaged with the 50/1.2 when new. I wouldn’t mind having a K2 myself but I wouldn’t say it is a better camera than my K1000. It simply offers more features in a more rugged chassis. A better comparison might be between a K1000 and a Nikon FM – they are priced similarly today even though the FM was vastly more expensive back in the day. I’m sure the most common reason people purchased new K1000’s was price.

As for the prices K1000’s command today they can only be explained by supply and demand. Of the thousands produced I suspect the majority are either still in use by folks shooting film or sitting in camera bags in the back of closets. The few that are on the market today are quickly snapped up by students and folks like us.

I agree that a nice K1000 should sell for $40 to $50. The same logic would dictate that a nice Leica M3/50 Summicron kit would sell for $250 today. I guess a guy can dream anyway.

Nesster · 03-02-2009, 11:42 AM

In the Pentax introduces the K mount article I posted here, from the September 1975 Popular Photography magazine, it states the K2 will be sold with your pick of 50/1.2, 50/1.4, or 55/1.8 lens. The 1.2 would be available as a standard lens on all three bodies, Pop Photo says.

When I find a '76 camera store ad I'll post the actual prices and whether the 1.2 was advertized with the bodies.

Ivan Glisin · 03-02-2009, 02:13 PM

Originally posted by Douglas_of_Sweden

Mmh, perhaps I should have kept my K1000 and sold it on e-bay as the only (?) K1000 that has been on the north pole?

Hahaha, good one! (And something like "touched once by Britney Spears" may have added another several $1000 on top of the "North Pole" fame....)

Cheers!

jgredline · 03-02-2009, 10:33 PM

I love my K1000's...Very much..Almost as much as my ME super.

jgredline · 03-02-2009, 10:35 PM

Originally posted by Douglas_of_Sweden

This image kicks butt!!!

**Douglas_of_Sweden** · 03-03-2009, 01:54 AM

Originally posted by jgredline

This image kicks butt!!!

Thanks!
You know I posted it before on your thread.
It came out realy nice, thanks to the exrtra light bulbs around the mirror that work perfectly as a ligth source for their faces and gave much better contrast than the overall light in the in door shopping center would have given.
Very hapy with that lens. It does not compare to the A*135/1.8, but it must be the 2nd best Pentax 135 (together with the m42 version).

jgredline · 03-03-2009, 07:53 AM

Originally posted by Douglas_of_Sweden

Thanks!
You know I posted it before on your thread.

Yes, I know. There are some images that every time I pass by them I need to pause and admire it and this is one of them. Everything about it is good from the composition to the grain to the tones to the contrast. Well done!

artobest · 03-03-2009, 02:43 PM

Originally posted by Douglas_of_Sweden

Thanks!
You know I posted it before on your thread.
It came out realy nice, thanks to the exrtra light bulbs around the mirror that work perfectly as a ligth source for their faces and gave much better contrast than the overall light in the in door shopping center would have given.

That or the one on the escalator belong on the film grain thread!

Blue · 03-04-2009, 03:12 PM

I replaced one of my K1000s with a K2 about 8 months ago. That was one of 2 K1000s that I bought new in the early to mid80s to replace my 110 with.

Ira · 03-05-2009, 12:42 PM

I just paid 20 bucks U.S. for a mint K1000 made in Japan (body only).

Could that also be a reason they're so popular?

Blue · 03-05-2009, 12:46 PM

Originally posted by Ira

I just paid 20 bucks U.S. for a mint K1000 made in Japan (body only).

Could that also be a reason they're so popular?

In their hey day, the K1000 sold for $125 with a 50mm f2 SMC A or M lens.

Edit: The K1000 was only made in Japan for 2 years in the 70s. You got a gem.

Ira · 03-05-2009, 12:51 PM

That one is arriving today (already have a Spotmatic), but from what I read, it's the made in Japan one, based on the top markings. I just know it isn't CHINA, so don't hold me to the Japan for sure.

Blue · 03-05-2009, 06:07 PM

Originally posted by jgredline

I love my K1000's...Very much..Almost as much as my ME super.

The officer on the sidewalk looks like he's not thrilled about you taking pictures. He is probably telling his partner to not go "Rodney-King" on the driver.

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03-02-2009, 09:05 AM	#16
Ivan Glisin Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Belgrade Posts: 656	Originally posted by Douglas_of_Sweden But its big brothers now goes for the same price or less! True, however K1000 did not gain good reputation over the past several years, but a long time ago when it was indeed much cheaper then KX and KM and that's what I was referring to. It just carries over that fame to these days. And having handled K2, KX and MX I agree they are all fine and equally robust cameras, no doubt about it. But I am with you on current prices, K1000 should go for $40-50, not $100-150 like these days, but hey, all is relative: some much less useful things are being sold for insane amounts, like a piece of clothing worn one time by a celebrity -- plain ridiculous! So K1000 even at $200 makes much more sense to me! :-)

03-02-2009, 09:08 AM	#17
Douglas_of_Sweden Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,374	Originally posted by Ivan Glisin True, however K1000 did not gain good reputation over the past several years, but a long time ago when it was indeed much cheaper then KX and KM and that's what I was referring to. It just carries over that fame to these days. And having handled K2, KX and MX I agree they are all fine and equally robust cameras, no doubt about it. But I am with you on current prices, K1000 should go for $40-50, not $100-150 like these days, but hey, all is relative: some much less useful things are being sold for insane amounts, like a piece of clothing worn one time by a celebrity -- plain ridiculous! So K1000 even at $200 makes much more sense to me! :-) Mmh, perhaps I should have kept my K1000 and sold it on e-bay as the only (?) K1000 that has been on the north pole?

03-02-2009, 11:21 AM	#18
B Grace Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 429	One of my Pentax guide books backs up the comment about the K2 being packaged with the 50/1.2 when new. I wouldn’t mind having a K2 myself but I wouldn’t say it is a better camera than my K1000. It simply offers more features in a more rugged chassis. A better comparison might be between a K1000 and a Nikon FM – they are priced similarly today even though the FM was vastly more expensive back in the day. I’m sure the most common reason people purchased new K1000’s was price. As for the prices K1000’s command today they can only be explained by supply and demand. Of the thousands produced I suspect the majority are either still in use by folks shooting film or sitting in camera bags in the back of closets. The few that are on the market today are quickly snapped up by students and folks like us. I agree that a nice K1000 should sell for $40 to $50. The same logic would dictate that a nice Leica M3/50 Summicron kit would sell for $250 today. I guess a guy can dream anyway.

03-02-2009, 11:42 AM	#19
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	In the Pentax introduces the K mount article I posted here, from the September 1975 Popular Photography magazine, it states the K2 will be sold with your pick of 50/1.2, 50/1.4, or 55/1.8 lens. The 1.2 would be available as a standard lens on all three bodies, Pop Photo says. When I find a '76 camera store ad I'll post the actual prices and whether the 1.2 was advertized with the bodies.

03-02-2009, 02:13 PM	#20
Ivan Glisin Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Belgrade Posts: 656	Originally posted by Douglas_of_Sweden Mmh, perhaps I should have kept my K1000 and sold it on e-bay as the only (?) K1000 that has been on the north pole? Hahaha, good one! (And something like "touched once by Britney Spears" may have added another several $1000 on top of the "North Pole" fame....) Cheers!

03-02-2009, 10:33 PM	#21
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	I love my K1000's...Very much..Almost as much as my ME super.

03-02-2009, 10:35 PM	#22
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	Originally posted by Douglas_of_Sweden This image kicks butt!!!

03-03-2009, 01:54 AM	#23
Douglas_of_Sweden Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,374	Originally posted by jgredline This image kicks butt!!! Thanks! You know I posted it before on your thread. It came out realy nice, thanks to the exrtra light bulbs around the mirror that work perfectly as a ligth source for their faces and gave much better contrast than the overall light in the in door shopping center would have given. Very hapy with that lens. It does not compare to the A*135/1.8, but it must be the 2nd best Pentax 135 (together with the m42 version).

03-03-2009, 07:53 AM	#24
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	Originally posted by Douglas_of_Sweden Thanks! You know I posted it before on your thread. Yes, I know. There are some images that every time I pass by them I need to pause and admire it and this is one of them. Everything about it is good from the composition to the grain to the tones to the contrast. Well done!

03-03-2009, 02:43 PM	#25
artobest Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Swansea, Wales Posts: 455	Originally posted by Douglas_of_Sweden Thanks! You know I posted it before on your thread. It came out realy nice, thanks to the exrtra light bulbs around the mirror that work perfectly as a ligth source for their faces and gave much better contrast than the overall light in the in door shopping center would have given. That or the one on the escalator belong on the film grain thread!

03-04-2009, 03:12 PM	#26
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	I replaced one of my K1000s with a K2 about 8 months ago. That was one of 2 K1000s that I bought new in the early to mid80s to replace my 110 with.

03-05-2009, 12:42 PM	#27
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	I just paid 20 bucks U.S. for a mint K1000 made in Japan (body only). Could that also be a reason they're so popular?

03-05-2009, 12:46 PM	#28
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Ira I just paid 20 bucks U.S. for a mint K1000 made in Japan (body only). Could that also be a reason they're so popular? In their hey day, the K1000 sold for $125 with a 50mm f2 SMC A or M lens. Edit: The K1000 was only made in Japan for 2 years in the 70s. You got a gem.

03-05-2009, 12:51 PM	#29
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	That one is arriving today (already have a Spotmatic), but from what I read, it's the made in Japan one, based on the top markings. I just know it isn't CHINA, so don't hold me to the Japan for sure.

03-05-2009, 06:07 PM	#30
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by jgredline I love my K1000's...Very much..Almost as much as my ME super. The officer on the sidewalk looks like he's not thrilled about you taking pictures. He is probably telling his partner to not go "Rodney-King" on the driver.