Should I buy a Pentax Spotmatic or the Pentax K1000?

elekm · Apr 15, 2009

I would get a K1000 (or maybe a KX) if only for the reason that you can mount either an M42 or a K-mount lens.

mudman · Apr 16, 2009

I had both, sold the K1000. The lack of a DOF preview and a couple of other traits were the key ingredients for me and why I didn't like it over my spottie.

JRJacobs · Apr 16, 2009

elekm said:
I would get a K1000 (or maybe a KX) if only for the reason that you can mount either an M42 or a K-mount lens.

I would agree with the vote for a KX, or even better, an MX.

darinwc · Apr 16, 2009

I dont know if the M series is in the same class as the spots in regards to reliability. I've bought a couple me supers with mechanical issues. but then the 1 spot i had also had issues so I guess i am not one who should comment.

pellicle · Apr 16, 2009

Hi

FilmOnly said:
and M42 lenses are a superb value, usually going for pennies on the dollar.

I'm not sure if you are looking in different places to me, but I find that is no longer the case. Soon after Pentax *ist camera adaptors happened on the market the prices seemed to go up. Several years ago I considered selling an EOS outfit (which I still have) for the Pentax system (I already owned an MX for instance). I found that the better m42 lenses were just as dear as SMC or even FD lenses.

Presently I'm using FD lenses on a Panasonic G1 and finding them the best value for money on the market.

to get around to the OP's questions I'd go the K1000 over the Spotmaitc as I prefer the feel and "modern" features. One thing my MX taught me is that its very nice to see aperture (via a cunning opitcal link) as well as shutter speeds (via a transparent plastic wheel) all in the view finder at once. I'd perhaps go for a K2 now-a-days as I like things like

mirror lockup
depth of field preview
self timer (for when I forget the shutter release cable)

If I was going to re-gear up in Pentax that's what I'd do

pellicle · Apr 16, 2009

Hi

darinwc said:
I dont know if the M series is in the same class as the spots in regards to reliability. I've bought a couple me supers with mechanical issues. but then the 1 spot i had also had issues so I guess i am not one who should comment.

M series and MX are a little different. The MX should more rightly be compared to the LX. As I understand it (never had GAS) my MX did not share any accessories with the ME (for instance) bud did with the LX

MX's have their Achilles heels (like the cable that runs the visual display of the shutter speed) but they are all non-critical to operation. If you like compact cameras the MX is just the bees knees. I personally love the way the self timer pushes the other way to activate the DoF preview.

such a sweet camera.

now, if I can get my hands and a few cable ties on the SOB who stole mine I'll be putting aside my Christian values for a little while while we discuss "thou shalt not steal" (with perhaps a practical on why).

Steve Smith · Apr 16, 2009

filmamigo said:
If you go to the K-mount, pick a later body than the K1000. The "cult" status means you pay $100 more than a slightly later (and often better) camera.

Last year one of my friends expressed an interest in starting film photography and asked me to find him a suitable camera.

I got him a Pentax KM with a 50mm lens. I think the KM is practically the same as the K1000 but with a DOF preview. But as you point out, now cheaper than the 'cult' K1000. I think I paid around £30 for it. Similar K1000s were selling for around £100+

When it turned up I looked at it for quite a while seriously thinking about keeping it for myself. Then I remembered how many cameras I already had!

Steve.

ricksplace · Apr 16, 2009

Prices are so low, why not get both. Try the adapter with the screw mount lenses on the k1000 and decide which one is easier for you to use. I have a Spotmatic, sp1000, K1000, KX, two Mamiya Sekor 1000 DTL, and a searsMX500. I enjoy using all of them. Some no-name screw mount lenses are really great, and some are really awful. At about $10-20 for a no-name lens, they are great fun. I bought a Hervic Zivnon (how's that for a weird name?) 75-205/3.5 that is tack sharp throughout its zoom range. Paid $15 for it. Go figure.

Shangheye · Apr 16, 2009

I'm not here to tell you which is better, only that I recently bought a Spotmatic SPII with an attached S-M-C Takumar 50mm f1.4 for GBP50 in very good condition (I also bought a Carl Zeis Flektogon 35mm f2.4 to go with it), and I put three films through it in the last week. Still need to develop them. The camera is a dream, the meter a joy to use, and I hope to be buried with it

John Koehrer · Apr 16, 2009

Mentioned above, the KM is that orphan child in the Pentax K series. More features than the K1000 & less than the KX. The MX is also a great little camera.

waynecrider · Apr 16, 2009

From what I have read in the past as well as experienced, the meters in these cameras are not that rugged. I have the older (and some think better) version K1000 and it now needs it's third meter (if I would want one), but probably not for the price, and the Spotmatic's definetly had their problems as well. So between the two your asking about I think I would pick the K1000 with a handheld if needed. I don't believe the meter is that sensitive in low light anyways and surly it's not a fast acting meter compared to other brands. The simplicity of the camera tho is a real draw. If they had put a MLU in it it would be my preferred camera.
The screw mount lenses are plentiful and you could buy yourself a drawer full of mediocre glass fast, not discounting that there is good stuff out there, but if you were to look for the K mount SMC's just for a particular great lens you'll find them really in demand by the digital crowd still, and prices for the best glass is not generally cheap. Just view the KEH ads. I really wanted to expand into the Pentax system (any body) and get longer lenses and put together a nice semi-pro kit, but the performance price ratio was just not there so I went elsewhere and got better mechanical bodies and I think glass as well. If you just want to have fun shooting the old screw mount lenses don't expect too much in the way of reselling the dog's. There are very few people out there (comparitively) that want to take the chance of buying something that is performance questionable, but if it's all about having fun with it and your not worried about spending the oft times little cash, or the pictures, it can be a nice hobby. Unfortunetly I have drawfulls of nice hobbies and one is a K1000 looking for a home.

dmr · Apr 17, 2009

I've owned both, liked both. Performance wise, they are more similar than different.

The main reason I sold the Spotmatic and went with the K1000 was the speed of changing lenses, which was a pain in the toosh! I had the normal, the 28mm wide, and the 135 semi tele.

(Yeah, I know, go figure ...) Shortly after I got the K1000 I got a 28-135 zoom instead of the primes. Still, the K1000 is my main camera for semi serious work. I apparently have one of the "real ones", early vintage, before they moved the factory and started making them with shortcuts.

I say if you plan on using one lens, get either, but if you plan on changing lenses, go with the K1000, and see if you can tell if the K1000 is the more sturdy older one or the newer one with plastic parts before you buy it.

Trond · Apr 17, 2009

Hi,

I have used Spotmatics, in addition to the older SV, for a few years now, and they are very fine cameras. As others have mentioned already about the meter, it works fine with common silver oxide batteries. The downside is that the meter is pretty primitive and not very sensitive. It is also somewhat fragile. I prefer using an external meter.

The old Pentax lenses are usually good. The newer versions of the very wide and very long lenses are often (much) better than the older ones. The SMC-Takumars are more contrasty and handles backlit scenes better than the Super-Takumars. I have mostly Super-Takumars, and use them with hoods, and am very pleased with the results.

Pumal · Apr 17, 2009

Nobody has mentioned the Pentax Super Program. Coupled with a Pentax-A lens it has: Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Full Manual. ( I have a couple of them). If you use a Pentax-M lens; you loose Program.

darinwc · Apr 17, 2009

the op: "I want a reliable, fully manual (no electronics!) workhorse that will last me a long time. "

firecracker · Apr 18, 2009

At some point in school back when I was there, I was recommended K1000 but I ended up getting Spotmatic, and that was alright. And that one and the other one I got later worked fine as good manual cameras.

But when I discovered Nikon FM, I knew that was something I'd be holding for a long time. I've had three FMs since then, and I'm still very happy with this camera and happier than using other cameras!

Markok765 · Apr 19, 2009

I'm selling my pentax! (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Pumal · Apr 19, 2009

firecracker said:
At some point in school back when I was there, I was recommended K1000 but I ended up getting Spotmatic, and that was alright. And that one and the other one I got later worked fine as good manual cameras.

But when I discovered Nikon FM, I knew that was something I'd be holding for a long time. I've had three FMs since then, and I'm still very happy with this camera and happier than using other cameras!

I'va had an FM since it's inception and is an excellent camera, but I love my Spottie.

elekm · Apr 19, 2009

Markok765 said:
I'm selling my pentax! (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Didn't you just start a thread in which you said you enjoy using and abusing your Nikon F5? Does that apply to this Pentax as well?

Markok765 · Apr 19, 2009

elekm said:
Didn't you just start a thread in which you said you enjoy using and abusing your Nikon F5? Does that apply to this Pentax as well?

Nah, the pentax was not abused at all. I even kept it in a bag while walking around! I have only abused my F5. The Pentax is perfect, apart from the meter broken, which was always a weak point in the Pentax screwmount series.

removed account4 · Apr 19, 2009

i have and use my k1000 - bought in 1981 or so.
never had a problem, never been cla'd ...

good luck

MurrayMinchin · Apr 20, 2009

I had to buy a 35mm camera when I went to photography school and ended up buying a K1000. In the intervening 25 years or so I've treated it with shameful disrespect and it's never let me down. It even spent six months of a sea kayak trip in a cheap Tupper Ware container while the 4x5 gear traveled in Pelican Case style. The hot shoe got pretty rusty, but that didn't faze it one bit, and it's been happily grabbing family snapshots for years now with no battery.

One kick-ass solid camera!

Murray

Shangheye · Apr 20, 2009

Just got my films back and the negas are spot on...the spotmatic is a work of genius...almost 40 years old, and a quality camera. As for changing over screw lenses, I am an advocate of one lens on the camera for the day and make it work...it's amazing how that can inspire...K

altair · Apr 20, 2009

Wow, it seems that I've stirred up a hornet's nest here, haha. Thanks all for the replies & very valuable info...I'm currently bidding on a Spottie SP500 on evil bay...wish me luck!

haziz · Mar 21, 2017

Spotmatic.

Should I buy a Pentax Spotmatic or the Pentax K1000?

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