Pentax K1000

Chan Tran · Aug 22, 2015

Although the Pentax K1000 is often recommended as the first choice in manual camera, I think it's easily the worst Pentax manual camera. It works reasonably well but most if not all other Pentax manual cameras are better I think.

Nathan King · Aug 22, 2015

It's light on features, but many other very nice cameras share the same range of capabilities. I certainly don't think using one would lower the quality of my prints. It's not a bad camera but it's not outstanding either.

Les Sarile · Aug 22, 2015

The K1000 was a minimalist camera and all that is needed to make a photograph leaving it all to the photographer.
Isn't the Leica MP similar in specs/features but cost considerably more?

Nathan King · Aug 22, 2015

Les Sarile said:
The K1000 was a minimalist camera and all that is needed to make a photograph leaving it all to the photographer.
Isn't the Leica MP similar in specs/features but cost considerably more?

Yep. I use the M6, which has less features than the K1000 as it is a rangefinder and cannot show depth of field at all and doesn't correct for parallax perfectly at all distances.

Chrismat · Aug 22, 2015

I've taken some of my best images with the K1000. As long as it's light tight and the shutter speeds are accurate, a camera body is less important than the lens that's put on it.

Les Sarile · Aug 22, 2015

The K1000 even has more features than the original Asahi Pentax.

Even though more features have been added since Pentax first pentaprism slr, I still wouldn't consider the AP as the worst in the Pentax lineup either . . .

Gerald C Koch · Aug 22, 2015

The K1000 was intended as an entry level camera. What features that the OP must have are missing? I also have an Alpa 2000i with more bells and whistles that quite frankly I never use.

Xmas · Aug 22, 2015

Mine rarely see a battery, ...

BradS · Aug 22, 2015

I think the OP must have gotten one of the later plastic bodied K-1000 models. The **real** (metal body) "Asahi Pentax" K-1000 was a fantastic student camera....still is.

Xmas · Aug 22, 2015

Only the cladding is plastic, the chassis is the same.

Paul Howell · Aug 22, 2015

The K1000 is K mount version of the Spotmatic F, it became popular with students as it is all manual which was or is required for some introduction classes. At this point I think it has obtain a sort of cult status and is overpriced. The KX, KM, P3, Chinon CM4 all very good entry level K bodies.

I have a K1000, I don't remember the last time I use it. If I am shooting non AF K mount I will use a SF1 in manual or aperture mode.

cliveh · Aug 22, 2015

BradS said:
I think the OP must have gotten one of the later plastic bodied K-1000 models. The **real** (metal body) "Asahi Pentax" K-1000 was a fantastic student camera....still is.

+1 and it was probably the best Pentax design ever. Built like a tank and will last you a lifetime.

Theo Sulphate · Aug 22, 2015

Saying the K1000 is the worst gives the impression that there are other bad Pentax cameras. I don't think Pentax has ever made a bad camera, 35mm or otherwise.

I consider the K1000 to be the MiG-21 of Pentax film bodies: ubiquitous, a bit dated, but highly capable.

Chan Tran · Aug 22, 2015

Theo Sulphate said:
Saying the K1000 is the worst gives the impression that there are other bad Pentax cameras. I don't think Pentax has ever made a bad camera, 35mm or otherwise.

I consider the K1000 to be the MiG-21 of Pentax film bodies: ubiquitous, a bit dated, but highly capable.

The K1000 is decent but it's the worst so I really meant Pentax made good camera.

Les Sarile · Aug 22, 2015

Theo Sulphate said:
Saying the K1000 is the worst gives the impression that there are other bad Pentax cameras. I don't think Pentax has ever made a bad camera, 35mm or otherwise.

I consider the K1000 to be the MiG-21 of Pentax film bodies: ubiquitous, a bit dated, but highly capable.

So from your previous response quoted below, would you consider the LX the worst manual focus Pentax?

Theo Sulphate said:
As for the LX -- sorry, guys, it's an ugly camera to me despite its features. Wouldn't take one for free.

Xmas · Aug 22, 2015

PDH said:
The K1000 is K mount version of the Spotmatic F, it became popular with students as it is all manual which was or is required for some introduction classes. At this point I think it has obtain a sort of cult status and is overpriced.

Supply and demand controls price, the Olympus OM1(n) is a similar all manual camera at a similar price in UK.

Lots of practical people buy the minimalist camera for a reason.

The only Art Uni I know here just says 'system film camera'.

The last student that took my photo was using a Hasselblad CM.

Les Sarile · Aug 22, 2015

This is just like those other threads defining what is the best camera. Sometimes, those asking have a bad sample that definitely influences the experience.

Brian L · Aug 22, 2015

Les Sarile said:
This is just like those other threads defining what is the best camera. Sometimes, those asking have a bad sample that definitely influences the experience.

Maybe you're right. There are probably alot of good old full-manual cameras out there - and it's great to work with them. Nothing really distracts from concentrating on doing photography. That might be a (technical/psychological) reason why so many people get back to cameras like a K1000, and are surprised why they take/give better photographies with them, out of nostalgic reasons, too, i guess. Alot has to do with getting used to a certain kind of camera, habituation ( a very strong force!). A few month ago I was struggling with my Pentax MX, not only because I'm more or less a beginner (learning the very basics of the craft), but also for bodily reasons: where a the knobs, how to turn/push them, etc.
Anyway. There's an entertaining and worth reading little article on the K1000. Just replace 'K1000' with any other name of a similar camera:

http://www.theothermartintaylor.com/moveabletype/archives/cameras/000217.html

Greetings,
Brian (who's sadly missing his MX right now)

removed account4 · Aug 22, 2015

i have the pentax k1000 that was my first 35mm, purchased for $50 back in about 1981 from a local ( now bankrupt ) department store.
still use it from time to time, its a great camera ! i also have a M E super and use that from time to time, but to be honest i almost prefer the k1000
solid and works perfectly. it has a shutter dial, and the lens has an aperture dial, not really sure what else a camera is supposed to have if it is a basic camera ..
i expose tintypes ( ferrotypes ) in it as well as paper negatives .. it is STILL ( after all these years ) one of the cameras i go-to ..
but then again i use box cameras, 4x5 box cameras/ falling plate cameras, self made lumen print cameras .. and don't mind low ( really low ) tech ..

i guessi have to say YMMV

Hatchetman · Aug 22, 2015

I was (am) a Spotmatic guy. I bought a K1000 on a whim and immediately thought..."man this thing feels really cheap." Never used it.

RalphLambrecht · Aug 22, 2015

Les Sarile said:
The K1000 was a minimalist camera and all that is needed to make a photograph leaving it all to the photographer.
Isn't the Leica MP similar in specs/features but cost considerably more?

How does the K1000 cpmpare to the Nikon FM?:confused:

Theo Sulphate · Aug 22, 2015

Les Sarile said:
So from your previous response quoted below, would you consider the LX the worst manual focus Pentax?

No. To me, there is no 'worst' or bad Pentax. I just said I thought the LX was ugly - there are a few cosmetic design issues I don't like. As for the LX camera itself, it's either their best or close to the best.

I've been looking for a KX (35mm, not digital) for about two years. I like to buy in person rather than online. Every one I've seen so far has been a bit too grimy, to the point where I thought the owner didn't take care of it well.

John Koehrer · Aug 22, 2015

Xmas said:
Only the cladding is plastic, the chassis is the same.

Perhaps the chassis' the same but the last iteration used plastic gearing. Really a BIGg disappointment.

"How does the K1000 cpmpare to the Nikon FM?"

From a quality standpoint I'd say equivalent but the FM has a few more features.

frank · Aug 22, 2015

I have a couple of K1000's rescued from garage sales, and a black KM. Also a screw mount SV or something. They're not my primary cameras (Nikon) but they are so nice, I keep them around. One of these days when I feel like it, I'll load a roll of film in one.

Chan Tran · Aug 22, 2015

Theo Sulphate said:
No. To me, there is no 'worst' or bad Pentax. I just said I thought the LX was ugly - there are a few cosmetic design issues I don't like. As for the LX camera itself, it's either their best or close to the best.

I've been looking for a KX (35mm, not digital) for about two years. I like to buy in person rather than online. Every one I've seen so far has been a bit too grimy, to the point where I thought the owner didn't take care of it well.

I have a KX in excellent condition and with the 50mm f/1.4 lens. You have to pay me more than what you would pay for the K1000 to get though. The KX isn't like the K1000. It's not the worst mechanical camera Pentax made.

Pentax K1000

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency