General Description
The K1000 is a big, heavy, and fully mechanical camera that offers no automation of any kind. It offers only the most basic features: a light-tight box, a film advance, a tripod socket, and a built-in light meter — all that one needs for learning the basics of photography. It features a split-image/matte focusing screen.
The weight of the K1000 varied over the years — from 620 gramm down to 525 gramm. This is due to the replacement of some metal parts with plastic ones. The older bodies have "Asahi" engraved just above the Pentax logo on the viewfinder prism.
| Product Variations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Exact Name | K1000 | K1000 | K1000 |
| Color | silver-black | gold-brown | gold-black |
| Years of Production | 1976 ~ 1997 | unknown | unknown |
| Availability | used, several times a month | used, once in several years | used, once in several years |
| Catalog Number | 04500 | unknown | unknown |
| Sold with Case | — | — | — |
Technical Specifications
| General | |
|---|---|
| Lens Mount | K |
| Mount Limitations | correct exposure only when the lens is set to a numeric aperture |
| Self-Timer | — |
| Cable Release | mechanical (with standard thread) |
| Width x Height x Depth | 143 x 91.5 x 49 mm |
| Weight | 620 g |
| Exposure System | |
| Exposure Modes | M |
| Metering Modes | full-frame |
| Meter Material | CdS |
| Meter Range | 3 ~ 18 EV |
| Manual Film ISO Speed | 32 ~ 3200 ASA |
| Shutter | |
| Construction | mechanical (horizontal-run) |
| Material | rubberized silk |
| Shutter Speeds | 1 ~ 1/1000, B |
| Mechanical Speeds | all |
| Viewfinder | |
| Magnification [Coverage] | 0.88 x [unknown%] |
| Shutter-Speed Indication | needle |
| Aperture Indication | — |
| Power Source | |
| Batteries | 1.5 Volt silver-oxide (A76, SR44) or alkaline (LR44) |
| Film Transport | |
| Type | fully manual |
| Flash Operation | |
| Command Protocol(s) | analog |
| Flash Automation | — |
| Synchronization Speed(s) | 1/60 ~ 1, B |
| Built-In Flash | no |
| Accessories | |
| Fitting Case(s) | unknown |
Subjective Evaluation
The K1000's total lack of convenience features might explain the cult status of the camera among photo students worldwide, but it fails to explain its popularity with Pentax enthusiasts. I mean, do you people not miss viewfinder information on aperture and shutter speed, a self-timer, a DOF preview lever or minimal flash automation? Wouldn't an MX, KX or a KM be a better choice?