Camera Talk

In this video, I look at the Pentax K1000 and try to explain its popularity. When I was looking for a new 35mm camera back in 1978, I looked at the K1000 briefly. However, I wanted more than an entry level camera and never gave it serious consideration. 40+ years later, it was fun to give it another look. I also think that the Pentax SP1000 and the KM are really great alternatives if you want a full-size basic SLR.

The K1000 came out too late for me to take an interest as I was already invested in the Nikon system. I had tired of screw mount cameras with a Sears clone of a Ricoh and thought of the Pentax line as being a more expensive version of it. Not that the Nikkormat was cheaper, but I figured it was an entry point into expanding later on to an F2. I did however sometime much later come into ownership of a K1000 through purchase of a boxed lot and found it to be a competent camera, but I didn't want to start using another system as I had done that too many times already, only to always go back to my Nikons. It made a nice gift one year in a Christmas Giveaway on another forum I belong to.

PF

Thanks for this video, about an old favorite.I bought my K1000 with the basic 50/2 new back in 1980, against the advice of friends that were fans of the Olympus OM series on one hand, and of the newly released Canon AE-1 on the other. The deciding factor for me was lower price, which seems surprising when you look at current market value! Maybe simplicity has its own value. I never expected to have made such an investment!

The K1000 was my main camera for more than 20 years, and during that time the lens set gradually increased, starting from a basic no-name 28mm up to several Pentax SMC lenses, much later on. It followed me in many trips in all weather conditions and never failed. I drifted to the Nikon side after inheriting the Nikon F of my late father, but the K1000 is still alive and being used a few times each year.

My version was made in Japan. It has the split image focusing aid in the center of the microprism ring, but otherwise it is exactly like the model shown in your video.

The meter is a bridge type, so any battery of the 76 size will give correct measurements, irrespective of the type, while it has enough juice. It may be silver, alkaline or whatever. I believe the same is true for the Spotmatics and other Pentax 35mm gear.