Review 2 of 123
Price Paid:
$100.00
from co-worker 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.
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