Lens suggestion for Pentax K1000?

johnha · Apr 8, 2021

warden said:
I did change the batteries and keep a lens cap on the lens so I think something is amiss, unless the new batteries I installed were duds. I'll check out Eric, thanks.

Check the battery has been installed the right way round - it is easy to do and different Pentax cameras require different polarities.

As mentioned, the K1000 was more 'feature light' than 'less well built', even after the switch to plastic top & bottom plates (and therefore lighter weight), they were still very well built cameras. Even the late ones from the late '80s were still the best built camera you could buy for less than £200 (many wondered how Pentax managed to keep that price down for a mechanical SLR).

The lack of DoF wouldn't really worry me (only really useful for visualising the effect of some filters/masks in such a small format), the lack of a self-timer significantly reduces the complexity of the shutter release mechanism, and 40-50 years down the road, means it's something that can't jam the shutter if it breaks (which I've seen happen on other similar cameras). As for the KM, KX comparison, the KX is a really well specified camera (and I prefer it to an MX), but almost all K1000s are younger than almost all KM/KXs. Many K1000s have been heavily abused and still keep clicking, however many haven't and are now only 30 years old (as opposed to 45).

gone · Apr 8, 2021

My standard answer on this question is, just put a Leica lens on it and be done w/ it. An R 50 2 Summicron or R 90 2.8 Elmarit w/ adapter are well within your budget. The lenses have to be used in stop down mode, but that's easy enough on a K1000.

warden · Apr 8, 2021

momus said:
My standard answer on this question is, just put a Leica lens on it and be done w/ it. An R 50 2 Summicron or R 90 2.8 Elmarit w/ adapter are well within your budget. The lenses have to be used in stop down mode, but that's easy enough on a K1000.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

warden · Apr 8, 2021

Anyone use this repair outfit before? A pal of mine just had his Pentax 67 repaired there and was very happy with the work and turn-around time.

http://lezot.com/pentax-k1000-repair/

warden · Apr 8, 2021

johnha said:
Check the battery has been installed the right way round - it is easy to do and different Pentax cameras require different polarities.
.

Strangely the meter started working today and I didn't touch the battery after installing it. Oh well, I'll have whoever does the CLA check it out.

johnha · Apr 9, 2021

The K1000 meter has a few idiosyncrasies, and only covers a range of +3 to +18 EV, in low light it is less responsive. Without a battery, mine centres the needle and on one occasion (IIRC) it has wrapped from full under to full over whilst stopping down (or vise versa - can't remember). Due to the long production run, it's likely there are variations of the electronics over time and production facilities.

Ces1um · Apr 9, 2021

warden said:
Hi all,

My dad gave me his old Pentax a while back and it has a 50mm kit lens with sticky aperture blades. I looked up the lens and it's not worth the cost to fix it so I'm looking to replace it. I normally use Zeiss ZM lenses in 35mm and don't know anything about Pentax K mount lenses.

I plan to use this camera as a fun occasional camera after it gets a CLA and don't need to match the modern ZM lenses in terms of quality or coatings, but something with good or unique rendering would be appreciated. So,
.

I'd recommend their 55mm f1.8. It's just a little tighter in resulting in more intimate photos I find. I know this is out of your focal length requested but I have found the smc pentax 100mm f 4 macro lens is just a real performer of a lens. It would be the last one I sold if I was selling off lenses.

warden · Apr 9, 2021

Just closing the loop - I chatted with Lezot's today and they will be rolling out the red carpet for the camera and lens. They expect a five week turn-around and I will report back when I receive the camera. They say they maintain a lot of Pentax K1000s and expect no difficulties here.

The camera has a light leak and the lens is definitely not right (the apertures smaller than f/11 don't work and the blades don't seem to be tracking properly as the lens is adjusted.) It is also difficult in the extreme to attach or remove the lens.

Still there were a few decent images from a Tri-X test roll that I developed today, even with my botched sunny sixteen covering for the non-functional light meter. It'll get better, and I look forward to having the family camera back soon.

Iodosan · Apr 14, 2021

No one recommends the pentax 40mm 2.8 pancake? I don't understand this bad reputation. It's not the most perfect and don't have the 50/1.7 sharpness but have a contrast like a tessar. I think it's a fantastic lens

Huss · Apr 14, 2021

Iodosan said:
No one recommends the pentax 40mm 2.8 pancake? I don't understand this bad reputation. It's not the most perfect and don't have the 50/1.7 sharpness but have a contrast like a tessar. I think it's a fantastic lens

It is a fantastic lens, I use it a lot:

But it wouldn't be the lens I would recommend if you only have one, because it's max aperture is 2.8. That limits its use on film once the light gets low.

Nitroplait · Apr 14, 2021

No need to put a Leica lens on a Pentax. The 50/1.4 is as good as it gets - in any of its many incarnations. I would rather have that on my Leica M than my Summicron (was it only possible).

Huss · Apr 14, 2021

Nitroplait said:
No need to put a Leica lens on a Pentax. The 50/1.4 is as good as it gets - in any of its many incarnations. I would rather have that on my Leica M than my Summicron (was it only possible).

Here you go:
https://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Adapter-Pentax-Camera-M-Monochrome/dp/B0073AC3DM

Nitroplait · Apr 14, 2021

Huss said:
Here you go:
https://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Adapter-Pentax-Camera-M-Monochrome/dp/B0073AC3DM

Ha! If you can find an adapter that adds RF coupling I’m all in.

GRHazelton · Apr 14, 2021

If you find you like the handling, etc, of the K 1000 watch for a KX. It has the same form factor, so to speak, as the K 1000 but adds a more sensitive center weighted meter, match needle, shutter and aperture visible in the view finder, an on off switch, mirror lockup, self timer, and depth of field preview The K 1000 is today badly overpriced due to its promotion as a good learner camera, which it is! But I scored a KX with a 1.4 SMC, both in lovely condition, for about $120; I've seen K 1000s offered for as high as $150. Too much, IMHO. Yes, I have a K 1000, given to me by my former father-in-law, but that's another story.

grain elevator · Apr 14, 2021

Nitroplait said:
Ha! If you can find an adapter that adds RF coupling I’m all in.

Search rangefinderforum (with Google)! It can be done fairly easily with that lens because it happens to have the exact same FL as leitz "50" mm lenses

titrisol · Apr 15, 2021

Forgot about that one!
yes great lens

Iodosan said:
No one recommends the pentax 40mm 2.8 pancake? I don't understand this bad reputation. It's not the most perfect and don't have the 50/1.7 sharpness but have a contrast like a tessar. I think it's a fantastic lens

waynecrider · Apr 16, 2021

I love my F1.7 Rikenon P.I did a test years back and was impressed. Plus it's cheap.

warden · May 22, 2021

I'm finishing this thread with the good news. I received the camera from Lezot's a few days ago and all is well. They did a CLA on the 50mm lens and camera in four weeks and everything is spotless and functioning properly.

While waiting for the CLA I decided to get a "better lens" for this camera and decided to follow the advice from @Pioneer and got a slow 35mm lens. It arrived in a few days from Japan and is indistinguishable from a new lens. It cost less than a hundred dollars and the lens is a crackerjack. Outstanding value there.

I took the camera and Pioneer lens for a walk in Philly today and all is well. Good times. Thanks for all the advice!

Lens suggestion for Pentax K1000?

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