Pentax K1000

Review Date
August 22, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Reviewed by
amhildreth , Intermediate

Price Paid
$100.00 at co-worker

Photography Experience
11-20 years , Fine Art

Summary
The K1000 is an excellent "all-around" camera that is at home in the hands of a student, as well as in those of a seasoned professional. The camera has no automatic settings (not such a bad thing), and is a tool that can be used to take great photographs.. The K's have a steel body and are able to withstand a ridiculous amount of punishment without complaint. The K1000's have a staunch following, and earned a place as one of those camera that everyone should own at least once in their lifetime. If you've never owned one, you are missing out on one of the best used bangs-for-the-buck still available in photography.

Strengths
No automatic settings means you have to think about the picture before you take it.
Lenses are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. An excellent student camera. The steel body is well-suited for outdoor or extreme photography, and can take a great deal of bangs and scrapes while still performing well. In-camera light metering works well in most situations and will last for several years between battery changes. Battery affects light meter only, and the K will continue to shoot even with a dead battery. Classic looks. All necessary controls are easy to use. Most available lenses are of a high quality.

Weaknesses
No automatic settings - may intimidate or confuse those with a limited knowledge of photography. Light metering needle is non-illuminated, has no on/off switch, and is almost impossible to read in dark shooting situations. Lens cap must be kept on when camera is not in use, or the light metering battery will die prematurely. No autowind or self-timer. Shutter type dictates a 1/60 setting only for flash photography.
Camera has a "dated" look to it (although some prefer the term "classic"). Button battery compartment door screws in to bottom of camera, and can become lost if not occasionally checked for tightness. Due to camera design, available accessories are somewhat limited as compared to other SLR's. Proper focus can be hard to acheive in low-light situations.

Similar Products Used
Canon A-1, Mamiya C220, Olympus Infinity Twin, Fuji SLR

Customer Service
I can't comment on Pentax customer service, as I've never had a problem with my K1000 that required repair.

Review Date
June 23, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Reviewed by
kurttarvis , Professional

Price Paid
$0.00 at My mom gave it to me

Photography Experience
2-5 years , Outdoor

Summary
A simple beginner's camera yet also good enough for the serious amateur. This is a fully manual and fully reliable SLR. It's so basic yet to awesome.

Strengths
simple and easy to use, good features, long lasting shutter, this camera is built like a tank.

Weaknesses
fully manual

Similar Products Used
Pentax ME Super, Canon EOS 1N

Review Date
March 20, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.80 of 5, 5 votes

Reviewed by
hacaden , Intermediate

Price Paid
$125.00 at department store

Photography Experience
21+ years , Outdoor

Summary
The K1000 is a great, basic, simple, camera. I don't know of any camera in it's genre that can top it.

Strengths
fully mechanical (battery dies, keep on shooting)
match needle metering (no LEDs. gives a much better feel for adjusting exposure)
solid as a rock
scads of lenses available

Weaknesses
no depth of field preview

Similar Products Used
other Pentax 35mm cameras

Customer Service
never needed any

Review Date
February 8, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
kingkong21 , Intermediate

Price Paid
$0.00

Photography Experience
2-5 years , People

Summary
i had to try this camera after reading abouts how everyone enjoyed using it. well, i am a fan now also. :)
pictures came out great on my first roll of film, clear and clean. i will not be selling this camera, its a keeper.

Strengths
solid feel, there is weight to camera
makes one think, rather than just snapping away.
dependable
simple

Weaknesses
hmmmmmm, would have to say better remember to replace lense cap otherwise batteries will be kaput when you try to get reading from meter.

Similar Products Used
nikon fe, nikon fg, nikon fm, pentax mef, pentax me and pentax super program

Customer Service
none needed still working like a charm

Review Date
January 1, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 3 votes

Reviewed by
B J , Expert

Price Paid
$0.00 at Michael's Camera - M

Photography Experience
11-20 years , Outdoor

Summary
A tough camera that will take just about anything you throw at it, it's built like a brick. A great camera to learn on and also a pleasure to use. Can't say much more about it, it is simply brilliant.

Strengths
-Simplicity.
-Toughness.
-Reliability.
-Availibility.
-Lens Selection.

Weaknesses
-?.

Customer Service
Never needed.