I was at my grandson's school today and I spotted ...

[Sirius Glass]

I was at my grandson's school today and I spotted this on a mural:

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Nice. The K1000 has earned its place in history and culture.

 

[AgX]

I never held a Pentax K 1000 in hand, I'm not even sure I ever came across a sample...

 

[locutus]

I think Pentax might have been far more common in the US then it was in Europe.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

I never held a Pentax K 1000 in hand, I'm not even sure I ever came across a sample...

Interesting. I think more K1000 cameras have been made and sold than any other camera.

 

[TerryMcC]

I started photography courses in 3 high schools, Pentax K1000 the Camera of choice. One even survived being thrown out of a school bus ( a jealous young student).

 

[kivis]

Had one, too clunky. Give me a Nikon FM2n any day.

 

[AgX]

The K 1000 was advised as beginner's camera in the USA. I have not come across such advise in my german literature. Maybe that is one reason that it is not omnipresent here.

 

[AgX]

I think more K1000 cameras have been made and sold than any other camera.

I guess KMZ Zenits and Canon A's are those leaders.

 

[fdonadio]

Here in Brazil, the most remembered cameras from the 70’s and 80’s are the K1000, Zenit (not sure which model) and Olympus (Pen and Trip).

Even in the 90’s, my Nikon F-3 stood out as an expensive professional camera.

 

[Billy Axeman]

That's a nice mural, Sirius Glass. In a Soviet-Union style.

Kivis said: "Had one, too clunky. Give me a Nikon FM2n any day."

That's comparing apples with oranges, but I get your point.
Perhaps a better comparison is the FM2n and the Pentax LX (I have both), the latter looks unsophisticated side by side indeed.

Theo Sulphate said: "I think more K1000 cameras have been made and sold than any other camera"

The Pentax ME was sold as much. Some production numbers:

K-1000, Made in Japan, 1975-1978, 350,000
K-1000, Assembled in Hong Kong, 1978-1990, 2,000,000
K-1000, Assembled in China, 1990-1997, 970,000
ME, 1976-1980, 1,600,000
ME Super (Super SE), 1980-1987, 2,300,000

The K1000 is a reliable camera (contrary to the ME), notably the Asahi version made in Japan, and it is attractive from a minimalistic point of view.

 

[BMbikerider]

I think Pentax might have been far more common in the US then it was in Europe.

There was a comedian in England who once said you could always tell who was an American visitor because of their Pentax stoop! .........Well a couple of bodies and a few lenses were quite heavy.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

I never held a Pentax K 1000 in hand, I'm not even sure I ever came across a sample...

Think of a Spotmatic F with a bayonet mount.

 

[eddie]

I started photography courses in 3 high schools, Pentax K1000 the Camera of choice.

Same when I taught HS photography. We supplied the students with the cameras, and the students weren't exactly gentle with them, yet they held up well to the abuse.

 

[ciniframe]

Unfortunately because of a cult reputation they will often sell for as much as or even more than a KM or KX. I have a Sears KS500, a rebadged Ricoh KR5 that cost $5 and will do basically the same thing. For that price it came with a 50 f2 Rikenon and even working meter batteries.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Unfortunately because of a cult reputation they will often sell for as much as or even more than a KM or KX. I have a Sears KS500, a rebadged Ricoh KR5 that cost $5 and will do basically the same thing. For that price it came with a 50 f2 Rikenon and even working meter batteries.

Really?? I find them at yardsales, the most I've paid is $5 and that one came with some kind of cheap zoom as well as the 50. A few were on the free table.
They usually work, so I clean them up, replace the foam if needed, and bring them to the community college about 40 mi. north of here, they still teach film

Maybe I should repair the not so good ones and sell them.

 

[Alan Gales]

The K 1000 was advised as beginner's camera in the USA. I have not come across such advise in my german literature. Maybe that is one reason that it is not omnipresent here.

Photography teachers commonly recommended the K1000 for their students here. It was reliable, manual exposure, easy to find, and it was less expensive than most other SLR's. Even a student could hopefully find a way to afford a used one.

 

[ciniframe]

Really?? I find them at yardsales, the most I've paid is $5 and that one came with some kind of cheap zoom as well as the 50. A few were on the free table.
They usually work, so I clean them up, replace the foam if needed, and bring them to the community college about 40 mi. north of here, they still teach film

Maybe I should repair the not so good ones and sell them.

I was going by ebay prices, haven't seen any at garage sales or flea markets, at least around here.

 

[Helios 1984]

I was at my grandson's school today and I spotted this on a mural:
View attachment 189113

I wouldn't be surprised if they'd be a religion based around this painting in some distant post-apocalyptic future.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

...
Some production numbers:
...

I didn't realize Pentax published production numbers. Do you have any info about the Spotmatic series?

Unfortunately because of a cult reputation they will often sell for as much as or even more than a KM or KX ...

I'm still looking for a clean, working, KX. Can't seem to find them at the camera shows.

I wouldn't be surprised if they'd be a religion based around this painting in some distant post-apocalyptic future.

Let's start it now. I'm ready.

 

[mshchem]

My first "Good" camera was a SP-500, I loved that camera. I found a mint example recently. Picked up for next to nothing, it works great. I went Nikon in 10th grade. My Nikon F2S was worth more than my car. I worked in a grocery store, spent every nickle at the local camera store.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

My first "Good" camera was a SP-500, I loved that camera. I found a mint example recently. Picked up for next to nothing, it works great. I went Nikon in 10th grade. My Nikon F2S was worth more than my car. I worked in a grocery store, spent every nickle at the local camera store.

My two favorite Pentaxes are an SP 1000 and an H1a, I like the uncluttered lines with no timer, no shoe. The SP came with the 55 f:2, the H1a came as a body, but then a 55 f:2.2 auto Takumar came along and I just came across a 55 f:1.8 Auto Mamiya, both are smallish lenses that complement the body nicely.

 

[Sirius Glass]

In the 1960's I really like Pentax but I ended up with a used Minolta SR-7 instead.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

My first serious camera: a Pentax SP500 bought new in 1971 with its 55/2 Super Takumar. $147.

It was my only camera and lens for 15 years. I still use it and am more comfortable with it than any other camera.

Due to what I consider is its fragile meter switch (I had to have it replaced within the first month), I stopped using the meter within the first few months of ownership.

 

[winger]

and an H1a

Still have and use my dad's H1a. It's got a roll of HP5+ in it right now.

I've had a couple of K1000s cross my path over the years, but I always seem to resell them 'cause I have what I want in 35mm gear.