Refuses to quit. Used it all over the world. Survives abuse that that would kill cameras costing 10 times as much. Produces sharp crisp pictures. Allows the photographer to control the light, focus,and depth of field. Used it for 20 years, and plan on using it at least twice that many more.

Viewfinder hard to focus in poor lighting. Superman couldn't handle kryptonite either, so nobody is perfect.

This is a fully manual camera that makes the photographer think about what he or she is doing. It takes about 5 minutes to learn to use,and then it will become a friend that lasts a life time. No whistles, no bells, no fancy gadgets, nothing to break. It produces beautiful pictures - period. Indestructable, takes great pictures, hundreds of lenses and attachments available - what more could you want. This is a workhorse, and my favorite. Get one - you can't go wrong.

Customer Service

Based on my experience so far his camera may never need customer service. Unless I drive over it with a truck.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax MV and ME Super, Ricoh, several Voigtlanders, and several antique cameras.

You can do just about anything with this camera. My father gave it to me after using it for 20+yrs at the Kentucky Derby, the Masters, and doing portraits for competition. Took about 20min to learn how to use and I felt really confident with it. The manual usage is good, leave nothing to chance. Strong, solid, lasted 20yrs and still going strong

I haven't found any at all. Loading the film takes some time to learn but the camera works great and the battery has lasted years (with the cap off!!!!)

Strong, durable camera for beginners and up. If you like to be in full control of every aspect of your photography this is definately the camera for you. I am a beginner and I feel very confident and assured using the k1000.

Customer Service

I didnt know I could get it, never needed it!

Similar Products Used:

Cannon, Advantix

Metal Body
All Mechanical

Film loading

The camera is undestructible. I droped in the snow. Picked up the camera, wiped it with my gloves and kept shooting. I'm telling you this thing is a tank. Ive bought a modern auto camera but the K-1000 is my favorite very simple. What I enjoy is hering my laud shutter sound and getting the look from the pros around me. If you run into one of these cameras get one you will have fun with it.

Customer Service

After 20 years it stilldoes not needed

Similar Products Used:

None

Solid, indestructable, easy to use, predictable

Minor: Depth of field preview

My first camera, it taught me all that I know about photography. Even with a couple of dents in the sturdy frame, it still continues to work perfectly today (as my backup). I still use it for my nightime (astro-) photography (how many cameras can keep a shutter open for over three hours and have a battery that still works?). Can take unlimited multi-exposures (holding the film lock on the bottom of the camera).

A great camera for beginners and experts alike, incredibly tough and relatively inexpensive with many new and used lenses available.

Customer Service

Never needed to, even when dropped on rock, fallen into snow, and covered with dust.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax MZ-5N
Canon Rebel G

Indestructable. Takes great still and Black & White.

I've found that loading takes a little tme.

After 20 years of using this camera it takes excelent pics. I use it for promo shots of bands and a little modleing shots. My dad and I have used it for all sorts of shots and in all light conditions. takes excellent shots of storms!

Customer Service

Not ever used.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax ZX7 (auto everything).
minolta8000si

Started using it in 1984 when my father got it from USA. Haven't stopped using it since. It has been involved in couple of accidents. Once my brother fell off a bike with the flash attached to it. Broke the flash mount, dented the lense. A worksman fixed the flash mount and it worked like new again. Recently, the flash mount came off again. But now I use it with the flash in hand using a flash sync cable :-).

Still takes great pictures. Don't know when I changed the battery the last time. It's reaching it's age though. My wife finds it difficult to adjust everything and hold the flash in hand :-) and has been pestering me to buy a new camera.

Have won couple of awards with the photos from this camera.

Love to take multiple exposures on the same snap. Can get interesting results quickly!

Loading film. Initially lost two important rolls because they were not loaded correctly. Now I always check if the flim advances when I load the next snap.

Very good if you know how to use it ;-)

Customer Service

Haven't used it

Similar Products Used:

Pentax ZX-50.

Workhorse camera- never fails! I still pack my original body in the gear bag on photo shoots. That body is 27 yrs old now.

One repair only, this body is always ready to perform.

Ultra "no tech" body will serve you for many years to come. No batterys required to work shutter. Older bodys are metal and will stand some abuse. This camera and its normal lens is my recommended system to begin the lifetime study and enjoyment of traditional photography.

Customer Service

n/a

Similar Products Used:

I have shot all major lines and have been true to Pentax 35mm all thru my career.

A very simple camera, hard and strong body, very reliable, a easy to understand.

None at all.

I still Stick around PENTAX very much, 10 yrs in photography and I have not found a good excuse to switch to another brand.

Customer Service

PENTAX Equipment has been so good and simple that I have not needed to use customer service.

Similar Products Used:

Other than PENTAX , I tried a MINOLTA XG-7, and I was very disapointed about quality.

It is tough! Bought it for my young son about 15 years ago and it's still going strong!

None - except loading film could be easier.

This camera has allowed us to learn the basics of photography and get great pictures at the same time.

Customer Service

Haven't needed it!

Similar Products Used:

None

This Camera is the best Camera on the market for the beginner all the way through advanced. It never dies, never hangs up, and you can all but beat the thing with a bat and it will still work. Makes you UNDERSTAND photography and there is no LCD's or buttons to waste your time on.

Film loading stinks, no depth of feild preview.

Fantastic, Eveyone should own one - last "old reliable" ever!

Customer Service

everyone knows it and anyone can fix it - even good for fix it yourself... problem is, it never breaks.

Similar Products Used:

cannon pellex, A1, and Nikon.