Introduce your... film Pentax!

Michi Joel · 12-12-2014, 08:58 AM

lynnb · 12-21-2014, 11:47 PM

LesDMess · 12-22-2014, 05:54 AM

Originally posted by Cuthbert

Since you like the four kings and the jolly I add another picture that I found redundant:

The brochure is from 1976 and it's interesting, it clearly states the K1000 comes with the K55mm f2.0, while all the other Ks sport the 50 mm f1.2.

Also on the sleeve is written "discount" on all the models besides the K1000, that I assume was dirty cheap them adn couldn't discount, it mentions the "S" system and shows the difference between the four models, it also appears that the K1000 was introduced with all the other three, while the DMD is not mentioned, although the K2 is described as a "pro" model with a lot of explanations on the Seiko shutter and the metering system of both K2 and KX, perhaps I should scan it and make it public.

Never redundant!

And please scan and make public!

Dangermouse · 12-22-2014, 07:04 AM

Interesting, I'd always thought the K1000 arrived a year after the other three K-bodies (1976 vs 1975)?

I get the impression that they sold a lot of K bodies with M lenses. My Dad bought his K2 new in 1978 and it came with an M50/1.7, I have a K2 which came with an M50/2. Did they have lots of unsold stock when the ME/MX hit the market, so started selling them off at a discount? The K1000 was planned to remain in production so there'd have been no urge to clear them.

**monochrome** · 12-22-2014, 07:39 AM

Originally posted by Dangermouse

Interesting, I'd always thought the K1000 arrived a year after the other three K-bodies (1976 vs 1975)?

I get the impression that they sold a lot of K bodies with M lenses. My Dad bought his K2 new in 1978 and it came with an M50/1.7, I have a K2 which came with an M50/2. Did they have lots of unsold stock when the ME/MX hit the market, so started selling them off at a discount? The K1000 was planned to remain in production so there'd have been no urge to clear them.

My grandmother gave me a KX kit in 1977. It came with a K50/1.4. I can't recall whether it was a boxed kit or two separate boxes but it was just the lens and the camera. They were probably separate and probably from the store stock. My grandmother was the type who would have eschewed the MX and M50/1.4 in favor or negotiating a better price for the NOS camera.

She always maintained the KX was a 'thinking man's' camera. I presume she meant fully mechanical.

womble · 12-22-2014, 07:47 AM

A wise grandmother....

**gofour3** · 12-22-2014, 11:37 AM

Originally posted by Dangermouse

Interesting, I'd always thought the K1000 arrived a year after the other three K-bodies (1976 vs 1975)?

The K2, KX and KM were released in June, 1975 as part of the new "K Series" launch.

The first K1000 was released a year later in June, 1976.

The K2DMD came later the same year (1976).

Phil.

IHS · 12-22-2014, 04:01 PM

Nice light on the MZ5...interesting.

Cuthbert · 12-22-2014, 04:03 PM

Originally posted by gofour3

The K2, KX and KM were released in June, 1975 as part of the new "K Series" launch.

The first K1000 was released a year later in June, 1976.

The K2DMD came later the same year (1976).

Phil.

Strangely enough in my brochure there is no mention of the DMD, just four models.

There isn't any printing date too, just on the sleeve the seller wrote "discount" on the K2, KX and KM and "in stock" ont he K1000, I assume the latter was already dirty cheap and they couldn't offer any discount on it.

**arnold** · 12-22-2014, 04:49 PM

Originally posted by Dangermouse

Did they have lots of unsold stock when the ME/MX hit the market, so started selling them off at a discount? The K1000 was planned to remain in production so there'd have been no urge to clear them.

I had bought the MX in 1977 I remember feeling sorry for those who had to settle for this stripped down example in order to make it more affordable. Yet here we are today seeing K1000s often selling for more than the fantastic KX (or KM.) These days, it shows people gravitate to what is most popular rather than best value for money. Takes less thought.
P.S. I do own the K1000, and in no way am faulting it.

lynnb · 12-23-2014, 05:18 AM - **1 Like**

Here's a size comparison between the MZ-5 with Pentax-M 50/1.7, OM1 with Zuiko 50/1.8, and 5D with EF 50/1.4.

The MZ-5 is about the same size as the OM1, but it's easier to hold because of the grip and the thumb indentation on the film door.

The Zuiko 50/1.8 is a little smaller than the Pentax-M 50/1.7.

The MZ-5 is lightest because of more plastics, but it still feels quite substantial.

The MZ-5 makes the best street shooter - as inconspicuous as the OM1, and it allows both AF and auto-exposure.

by lynnb on Flickr

Cuthbert · 12-23-2014, 06:17 AM

Originally posted by arnold

I had bought the MX in 1977 I remember feeling sorry for those who had to settle for this stripped down example in order to make it more affordable. Yet here we are today seeing K1000s often selling for more than the fantastic KX (or KM.) These days, it shows people gravitate to what is most popular rather than best value for money. Takes less thought.
P.S. I do own the K1000, and in no way am faulting it.

I assume that most of the K1000 buyers today don't know about the KM/KX/K2, he or she just knows that the K1000 has been the suggested student camera for 20 years and that's it, most of them are young people that weren't around (like me) when the K series was introduced.

Also, the other Ks were discontinued in 1980 if I remember correctly so they are more difficult to find than the K1000, of course I prefer the KM/K55mm f1.8 combo to the K1000/K55mm f2.0,

LesDMess · 12-23-2014, 07:46 AM

Originally posted by lynnb

Here's a size comparison between the MZ-5 with Pentax-M 50/1.7, OM1 with Zuiko 50/1.8, and 5D with EF 50/1.4.

The MZ-5 is about the same size as the OM1, but it's easier to hold because of the grip and the thumb indentation on the film door.

The Zuiko 50/1.8 is a little smaller than the Pentax-M 50/1.7.

The MZ-5 is lightest because of more plastics, but it still feels quite substantial.

The MZ-5 makes the best street shooter - as inconspicuous as the OM1, and it allows both AF and auto-exposure.

by lynnb on Flickr

Thanks for the side by side as I didn't realize that AF SLR bodies could be so small.

There is no denying the impactYoshihisa Maitani had on camera development with the design and release of the OM-1. History shows that most - if not all, camera manufacturers scrambled to revise their lineup to provide a smaller camera body. Although the OM-1 was the smallest full frame 35mm SLR at the time of it's release, Pentax did it better with an even smaller and lighter SLR with full info viewfinder.

**gofour3** · 12-23-2014, 09:55 AM

Originally posted by Cuthbert

Strangely enough in my brochure there is no mention of the DMD, just four models.

There isn't any printing date too, just on the sleeve the seller wrote "discount" on the K2, KX and KM and "in stock" ont he K1000, I assume the latter was already dirty cheap and they couldn't offer any discount on it.

I’ve never seen a K Series camera brochure that had all five bodies. Just ones that had the KM/KX/K2 or K1000/KM/KX/K2.

This is most likely because the K2DMD came out around the same time as the first M Series bodies, ME & MX.

By the end of 1976 Pentax was shifting focus to the M Series and the KM/KX/K2 were all discontinued in 1977. (The K2DMD lasted till 1980 and the K1000 V3 MIC 1997)

Phil.

Dangermouse · 12-25-2014, 03:38 PM

I can remember the K1000 still turning up in a camera magazine's mini reviews section when I bought mine (1996-ish). At the time I didn't know that there were multiple versions, or that mine was older than I am!

If I'd known the KX existed I'd have wanted one of those instead. Still have the K1000 but my KXs get a lot more use.

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12-12-2014, 08:58 AM	#2896
Michi Joel Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Catalonia Photos: Albums Posts: 441

12-21-2014, 11:47 PM	#2897
lynnb New Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 10

12-22-2014, 05:54 AM	#2898
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Originally posted by Cuthbert Since you like the four kings and the jolly I add another picture that I found redundant: The brochure is from 1976 and it's interesting, it clearly states the K1000 comes with the K55mm f2.0, while all the other Ks sport the 50 mm f1.2. Also on the sleeve is written "discount" on all the models besides the K1000, that I assume was dirty cheap them adn couldn't discount, it mentions the "S" system and shows the difference between the four models, it also appears that the K1000 was introduced with all the other three, while the DMD is not mentioned, although the K2 is described as a "pro" model with a lot of explanations on the Seiko shutter and the metering system of both K2 and KX, perhaps I should scan it and make it public. Never redundant! And please scan and make public!

12-22-2014, 07:04 AM	#2899
Dangermouse Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 283	Interesting, I'd always thought the K1000 arrived a year after the other three K-bodies (1976 vs 1975)? I get the impression that they sold a lot of K bodies with M lenses. My Dad bought his K2 new in 1978 and it came with an M50/1.7, I have a K2 which came with an M50/2. Did they have lots of unsold stock when the ME/MX hit the market, so started selling them off at a discount? The K1000 was planned to remain in production so there'd have been no urge to clear them.

12-22-2014, 07:39 AM	#2900
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by Dangermouse Interesting, I'd always thought the K1000 arrived a year after the other three K-bodies (1976 vs 1975)? I get the impression that they sold a lot of K bodies with M lenses. My Dad bought his K2 new in 1978 and it came with an M50/1.7, I have a K2 which came with an M50/2. Did they have lots of unsold stock when the ME/MX hit the market, so started selling them off at a discount? The K1000 was planned to remain in production so there'd have been no urge to clear them. My grandmother gave me a KX kit in 1977. It came with a K50/1.4. I can't recall whether it was a boxed kit or two separate boxes but it was just the lens and the camera. They were probably separate and probably from the store stock. My grandmother was the type who would have eschewed the MX and M50/1.4 in favor or negotiating a better price for the NOS camera. She always maintained the KX was a 'thinking man's' camera. I presume she meant fully mechanical.

12-22-2014, 07:47 AM	#2901
womble Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hertfordshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,324	A wise grandmother....

12-22-2014, 11:37 AM	#2902
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,092	Originally posted by Dangermouse Interesting, I'd always thought the K1000 arrived a year after the other three K-bodies (1976 vs 1975)? The K2, KX and KM were released in June, 1975 as part of the new "K Series" launch. The first K1000 was released a year later in June, 1976. The K2DMD came later the same year (1976). Phil.

12-22-2014, 04:01 PM	#2903
IHS Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 175	Nice light on the MZ5...interesting.

12-22-2014, 04:03 PM	#2904
Cuthbert Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,740	Originally posted by gofour3 The K2, KX and KM were released in June, 1975 as part of the new "K Series" launch. The first K1000 was released a year later in June, 1976. The K2DMD came later the same year (1976). Phil. Strangely enough in my brochure there is no mention of the DMD, just four models. There isn't any printing date too, just on the sleeve the seller wrote "discount" on the K2, KX and KM and "in stock" ont he K1000, I assume the latter was already dirty cheap and they couldn't offer any discount on it.

12-22-2014, 04:49 PM	#2905
arnold Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,299	Originally posted by Dangermouse Did they have lots of unsold stock when the ME/MX hit the market, so started selling them off at a discount? The K1000 was planned to remain in production so there'd have been no urge to clear them. I had bought the MX in 1977 I remember feeling sorry for those who had to settle for this stripped down example in order to make it more affordable. Yet here we are today seeing K1000s often selling for more than the fantastic KX (or KM.) These days, it shows people gravitate to what is most popular rather than best value for money. Takes less thought. P.S. I do own the K1000, and in no way am faulting it.

12-23-2014, 05:18 AM - 1 Like	#2906
lynnb New Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 10	Here's a size comparison between the MZ-5 with Pentax-M 50/1.7, OM1 with Zuiko 50/1.8, and 5D with EF 50/1.4. The MZ-5 is about the same size as the OM1, but it's easier to hold because of the grip and the thumb indentation on the film door. The Zuiko 50/1.8 is a little smaller than the Pentax-M 50/1.7. The MZ-5 is lightest because of more plastics, but it still feels quite substantial. The MZ-5 makes the best street shooter - as inconspicuous as the OM1, and it allows both AF and auto-exposure. by lynnb on Flickr

12-23-2014, 06:17 AM	#2907
Cuthbert Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,740	Originally posted by arnold I had bought the MX in 1977 I remember feeling sorry for those who had to settle for this stripped down example in order to make it more affordable. Yet here we are today seeing K1000s often selling for more than the fantastic KX (or KM.) These days, it shows people gravitate to what is most popular rather than best value for money. Takes less thought. P.S. I do own the K1000, and in no way am faulting it. I assume that most of the K1000 buyers today don't know about the KM/KX/K2, he or she just knows that the K1000 has been the suggested student camera for 20 years and that's it, most of them are young people that weren't around (like me) when the K series was introduced. Also, the other Ks were discontinued in 1980 if I remember correctly so they are more difficult to find than the K1000, of course I prefer the KM/K55mm f1.8 combo to the K1000/K55mm f2.0,

12-23-2014, 07:46 AM	#2908
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Originally posted by lynnb Here's a size comparison between the MZ-5 with Pentax-M 50/1.7, OM1 with Zuiko 50/1.8, and 5D with EF 50/1.4. The MZ-5 is about the same size as the OM1, but it's easier to hold because of the grip and the thumb indentation on the film door. The Zuiko 50/1.8 is a little smaller than the Pentax-M 50/1.7. The MZ-5 is lightest because of more plastics, but it still feels quite substantial. The MZ-5 makes the best street shooter - as inconspicuous as the OM1, and it allows both AF and auto-exposure. by lynnb on Flickr Thanks for the side by side as I didn't realize that AF SLR bodies could be so small. There is no denying the impactYoshihisa Maitani had on camera development with the design and release of the OM-1. History shows that most - if not all, camera manufacturers scrambled to revise their lineup to provide a smaller camera body. Although the OM-1 was the smallest full frame 35mm SLR at the time of it's release, Pentax did it better with an even smaller and lighter SLR with full info viewfinder.

12-23-2014, 09:55 AM	#2909
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,092	Originally posted by Cuthbert Strangely enough in my brochure there is no mention of the DMD, just four models. There isn't any printing date too, just on the sleeve the seller wrote "discount" on the K2, KX and KM and "in stock" ont he K1000, I assume the latter was already dirty cheap and they couldn't offer any discount on it. I’ve never seen a K Series camera brochure that had all five bodies. Just ones that had the KM/KX/K2 or K1000/KM/KX/K2. This is most likely because the K2DMD came out around the same time as the first M Series bodies, ME & MX. By the end of 1976 Pentax was shifting focus to the M Series and the KM/KX/K2 were all discontinued in 1977. (The K2DMD lasted till 1980 and the K1000 V3 MIC 1997) Phil.

12-25-2014, 03:38 PM	#2910
Dangermouse Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 283	I can remember the K1000 still turning up in a camera magazine's mini reviews section when I bought mine (1996-ish). At the time I didn't know that there were multiple versions, or that mine was older than I am! If I'd known the KX existed I'd have wanted one of those instead. Still have the K1000 but my KXs get a lot more use.