Solid construction. Ease of use (except for film loading). Great lenses Pentax 50mm 1:1.4 and Pentax SMC 28mm 1:2.8 Body gift in 1980''s lens 50mm $125.00cdn and 28mm $80.00cdn

The think that stops this camera from being the all time best manual is it''s film roller mechanism. I have lost many a roll due to it''s poor design.

If you take your time with this camera and use some of the excellent Pentax lenses few compare to it''s results. My beef which stops this manual camera from reaching 5 stars is it''s film loading mechanism. Lost a few valuable rolls due to this flaw.

Customer Service

Never Used

Similar Products Used:

Numerous automatic SLR''s and P & S''s. Had a friend who managed a popular chain of camera stores and got to play with the toys.

Great Beginner Camera.

Totally Manual. Sometimes it is nice to have an Automatic Mode.

Excellent camera. Hey I has some metal on it.
Still in use.

Wife hates the total manual function.

Customer Service

Lightmeter Faild in 92 Pentax did not return calls. - Ind Repair shop fixed it for $50

Similar Products Used:

Pentax P30T
Nikon N80
Canon Demi EE17

solid frame, indestructible body, accurate light meter. Fantastic learners camera!

ISO selection not easy to change

This is my first, and so far, only camera. Started using in high school and have moved up to wedding and architectural photography. This camera has been able to adapt with me every time. While a majority of the new cameras will make aperature, f-stop, etc. changes for you automatically, there is no better feeling than being able to make those changes yourself with your photography knowledge. I even sought out a second camera body in an auction to have as a back up. Wouldn't get rid of this camera for anything!

Customer Service

not needed in 9 years!

Similar Products Used:

None

the most basic manual camera. And you have the total control!!

Its simple... straight forward.

Sturdy body.

Camera still will click without battery.

It's not automatic at all. It's pure manual.

It's extremelly great beginners camera. Or as backup camera. Just about anything san automatic.

You can use camera without battery. Metering is not needed when using long exposure like in astrophotgraphy.

I've been using it for a long time as a learning tools until I gradutated to "Automaitc camera" Nikon N70. But I still use it for black and white photography. Or astrophotography.

I probably will be keeping it for a long long long time.

Customer Service

Never needed on....

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N70

Strong build, very durable.
Very sharp.
Excellent performance
Battery optional
Manual operation
Low cost!!

Loading film will be an adventure but can be mastered with practice. Very loud mirror slap.

The K1000 is an excellent camera on which to learn the basics of photography. I would recommend that photo students and casual photogs take a hard look at this camera before running out dropping some big money on aprofessional SLR . Remember you have to walk before you can crawl. Hands down the best totally manual camera I've ever used.

Customer Service

None

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F4, N90s, N70 Camera QD Body

Simplicity at it's finest. If you want total control, than this is your camera. It is an excellent entry-level camera at a low cost.

A little unbalanced in my opinion.

If you are looking to get started in photography or just want to practice total camera control without on-board computers helping your photographs look great than this is your camera. For the price you can't afford not to get it!

Customer Service

Never had to use it!

Similar Products Used:

I've never used another fully manual camera. This one is the best out there!

I purchased an older K-1000 from a pawn shop with a 50mm lens for US$120, and I must say I'm quite impressed with the overall quality of the camera. It is built well, the light meter yields good exposures, and is moderately sharp. Having no electronic functions other than the light meter is great, because you can't be screwed over by a dead battery.

First, the film loading mechanism is quite difficult compared to the KR-5 I borrowed from my sister. The focusing screen is also somewhat peculiar. I would prefer a screen like the one in my mother's AE-1. This one works, but it takes me quite a bit of time to do a good job.

I plan on learning the basics of photography with this fine, fully manual body. I must pay full attention to composition and light with this body, where a beginner AF like the Rebel 2000 would take that experience away from me. This camera is great for someone who plans on learning photography, and doesn't want to break the bank.

Customer Service

My friend was able to get a manual for his K-1000 through Pentax with ease.

Similar Products Used:

Canon AE-1: my mom's trusty body, which I've had the pleasure of using.
Ricoh KR-5 Super II: a cheapy manua

Fully Manual. Built like Russian military hardware. Very good for outdoor / still life.

Fully manual (film selection and all). Kind of a heavy bugger.

My father bought me this camera in 1980 when I was 13, probably so I wouldn't trash more desireable units. I have abused it savagely, gone through a lens or two (a 28mm succumbed to sand poisoning from the camera being buried on the beach spring break). You get the idea. Terrible camera for "people shots" (throw a manual flash on it and use really becomes a moment-stealing job), but unbeatable for a teacher and beater camera.

Customer Service

Never needed.

Similar Products Used:

Argus, Voightlander, ME Super, AE1, lot o crummy point & clicks.

I Love it... Takes picture after picture all of good quality and then takes MORE!! Very reliable...

Loading film is sometimes tricky but not sure if that is not human error!!

I would like a smaller camera to take on short trips but have yet to find something that I am happy with so I will keep my Pentax K1000

Customer Service

Used once... Very quick to responded and repair the camera

Similar Products Used:

Lots of different point and shoot and HATE the quality I get from them

I bought mine second-hand. I got it because it takes K servies lenses I already had for a Ricoh body and because it NEEDS NO BATTERY! I use it exclusively in the studio to shoot slides of paintings and other art. The viewfinder crops of the usual 20% of actual image, but the 80% you see is surprisingly well-centered in the actual image. Shutter speeds tested very close to indicated speeds, although I use only a 30th of a second to sync with strobes. Sync speed is indicated at a 60th, but I was seeing about 15% unexposed at one end of each slide, so dropped to a 30th.

Hard to load, especially in darkened studio.

Rugged, and you don't get screwed by a dead battery (unless you depend on the meter).

Customer Service

Haven't needed it.

Similar Products Used:

Ricohs, Mirandas, Leica M series