-doesnt require a battery -light meter very easy to use -takes a lot of great lens' -many many more

-kinda heavy for some people -sometimes it can be tricky to load/unload -DO NOT leave the lense cap off when you are not taking pictures or it will drain the battery for the light meter

This is a great camera I like its nice weight and durability. It is completely manual except for the light meter which is one of the best I've used. It is very simple to use although it takes a little bit to learn. It is great for a variety of picture types although I havent tried sports photos yet. It dosn't require a battery (battery runs the light meter only) so you can use it even if you dont have a battery although I wouldnt suggest doing that unless you really know what your doing. Not having to use the battery makes it ideal for time exposures and star photography. Overall it is one of the best cameras for a student or a fairly serious photographer. It will probobly be my only film camera cause if I get anything else it will be digital but I will always keepone of these around.

Durability, reliability. Excellent results if I do my bit. The metering is accurate, and I like the needle indicator much more than LCDs (Nikons' new FM3a has "gone back" to a match-needle). There's a vast number of good lenses out there too.

A bit heavy for some. Loading up can sometimes be a bit sticky. I place the film can in its' place , and, while holding it in its' place with my left thumb, draw the leader across to the take up spool and insert it in its'slot, then wind it on a little before lowering the rewind lever and closing the back.

These cameras are the real thing. Solid, reliable, simple and easy to use. No frills. No crap. What you see is what you get, and nothing else is needed for first class photos. I'm on my second one now, having had my first stolen some years ago. It went around the world with me, and was used for everything in all weathers. My current K does about two or three rolls a week and has done for the last couple of years with not even a service. It goes and goes, and if any shot's a dud it's my fault. I do mostly available light outdoor portraiture these days, but the things nearly always there if something special presents. It's a fair old lump of metal to lug about compared to the latest plastic fantastics I guess, but I like that in a camera and that's part of it's appeal. She's a brick, and I've no doubt it'll be delivering the goods long after most current camera's have had their day.They had a production run of something like 20 years, and saw off a lot of other good cameras. While ever there's film there'll be K1000's burning it. You can stick your digital!

Customer Service

First K was cleaned an checked once. Present one has not been back to the shop yet despite continuous use.

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Stone axe, spade, tricycle.

With the lense that lense that I have, I can only take photos of things closer than 60ft. The other weakness is its not doesn't take screw on lenses

I like this camera because its easy to use and is durable. My grandfather gave this one to me about three to four months ago. It was originally my grand mothers. I pretty much know what everything is and how to use it.

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I use a Yashica Super-T with a telescopic lense.

Simple to operate, rugged construction and dependable.

You must learn the basics to shoot really good pictures.

I've been using the K1000 for 20 years with a variety of lenses. This camera has taught me much over the years....This rugged camera has traveled with me almost daily and has never failed. I had it professionally cleaned a few years ago at a cost of @ $100 dollars because I had a single roll of film hang up on the spool. Other than that it's still tough and reliable. I've been looking at an auto focus for my future, but nothing will ever completely replace my K1000!

Customer Service

None needed

SOLID Controls well laid out Like the lite meter Will accept a wide variety of lenses

Wish it had a better way of securing the film. Lost some good pictures by the film not engaging properly in order to advance.

A rugged dependable camera. Will take clear shots of a variety of subjects ranging from my orchid collection to family and friends. Still getting the hang of action shots. This is the camera that never fails. Been thru at least 8 to 10 auto 35mm cameras in the last 20 years (and 2 digitals). They all broke. The K-1000 is the one I can pull out for a backup. Right now its the primary. My daughter will be using it this year for her photography class in high school. Glad she doesn't drink soda. I am hard on my equipment this camera is perfect for me. Only serviced once to replace foam stuff and lubricate ($75).

-No plastic junk here - solid, heavy, all metal construction. -Brilliant photographs; compareable to photos taken from 2 - 3, 000 dollar Nikon's and canons. -Takes breathtaking black & white photos. -Fun to use & easy to learn... operational simplicity is un-matched. -Takes pictures without batteries. -Most reliable camera I've ever used.

-Rather bulky, especially when flash & larger lenses are attached. -Manual focusing is sharp, but can be too time taking for action and spur-of-the moment shots. -Light meter seems to be rendered useless in very low lighting conditions. -Viewfinder is dark, making focusing very difficult at night. -Poor film rewind... takes practice and care.

Absolutely fantastic camera. It's durable, reliable, capable, and produces imaculate quality with the proper level of experience. The cost to quality ratio is second to none on this camera, and the lens options make it without a doubt one of the most versitile cameras of it's kind.

Customer Service

Ha! You'll never need it. Unless, of course, you drop it off a dam.... it'd take about that much to break this workhorse.

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A host of point & shoot crapcans varrying in age as well as several consumer and professional SLRs from Nikon. This camera keeps up with the high end beautifully.

#1: Construction... all metal body, well built to survive almost anything. Although heavy and bulky to hold, it is a workhorse, that just won't die! #2: Simplicity: All manual focus and function... no automatic features here. You're all your own with your photography knowledge. #3: Lenses: Easy to come by, and quite inexpensive by today's standards. Although a 24mm wide angle is VERY expensive. #4: Cost: Although Pentax doesn't sell them new anymore, you can find them at almost any pawn shop for less than $100! #5: Batteries: You don't need them with this camera! Unless you like the light meter.

None really... other than the weight of the camera. But that is understandable.

I'm beginning to think most people LIKE spending thousands of dollars on sophisticated cameras, like the F100, EOS V, and Maxxum 7. I'm just so sick and tired of hearing about how great and lovely Nikon and Canon are, and in truth, all your paying for is the name brand. I am a professional photographer, and have stuck by my very first camera ever since I began photography. This camera is the K1000, probably the best camera to ever hit the market. The K1000 is a true workhorse. It's all metal construction protects it against almost anything. This poor little thing has been dunked in a creek, dropped onto asphalt, tormented by the elements, and even ran over... and it's yet to be phased! The best thing about this camera, is it's simplicity. It's all manual, allowing the amateur and student photographer to actually take CONTROL of their photography, instead of leaving it up to a computer chip. If your photos turn out bad, then it's your errors and mistakes that you learn by, making it simply excellent to grasp the fundamentals of manipulating light, DOF, and motion. Pentax is an excellent brand camera, that is sadly underrated. It's overshadowed by Canon and Nikon, which in turn, lack the simplicity, and construction that Pentax offers. Simply put... if you have a K1000, chances are you won't need another camera again. It's just that good, and I promise... it will be a dedicated friend to the end. Plus... you can't beat the classic shutter noise! =)

Customer Service

Never needed to use it!

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Canon AE-1 Pentax ME Super Nikon FM-3

Allmost all if you want to enjoy and learn the true basics of making pictures,a real LEARNER BY DOING !***** works almost under all conditions(i have not tried it UNDER water yet) Truly strong and versatile

A little heavy Needs DOF Doesnt come in black(But Nikkormats does he he*) A little indescrete(CLONCK) But somehow discrete looking*LOL Need motor,DOF,self timer...but who cares?

This is the AK-47 and Toyota Ke Corolla type of undestructable camera,a Fortis watch of a true quality photographic instrument,it is a CULT object famous and reliable,ask policeforces ,millitar and other officials,schools and even Pro users and they all say Thanks! Of course i can think of other products costing double or more,but thinking of the combination Takumar lenses/k1000,its in a class of its own. You can even take photos without batteries! when those new EOS and F5 e.q. are dead and cant be restored,U can be sure it will still work. it takes excellent sharp pics ! For a pro or learner/beginner,anyone can have the joy of this special Thump >clonck>of Quality ! Enjoy Pentax !Viva!

Customer Service

Never need it,i guess.

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Many Types from Canon Nikon Minolta Pentax.

Fully manual except for meter. Solid, can take a punch. All you need for nocturnal photography or if you're afraid to damage your 1V.

Light meter dies at about EV3. Heavy.

Currently I use this camera for nocturnal photography, and I choose it above my MZ5 for this type of photography. I attach it to my 055SS/029, plug in an old cable release, put it on bulb and shoot. It's a very simple camera with only basic controls, but what else do you need for nocturnal photography? Depth of field would be useless since what can you see with EV2 @ f16? Bracketing can just as easily be done by turning the diafragma, and TTL flash is unnecessary. Using a light meter, it's an excellent camera for a night job and it doesn't need batteries.

Customer Service

Pentax Netherlands is friendly but lazy.

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Only BX20, Super TL3 and MZ5.

Easy to use. Durable. Easy to get lenses for.

no motor drive

I recieved my K1000 as a gift when I took a black and white photo class in high school. This is a great camera to learn on, and it takes awesome pictures. While I'm not sure exactley how old my camera is, I'd say at least 15 years and I've never had any problems with it. I've been working in a camera shop for the past four years, and even with all the cool new camera models that are out I have still not considered replacing mine. I would highly recommend this camera.

Customer Service

Never needed

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Nikon, Canon, New Pentax, Minolta, Ricoh