Batteries are'nt essential to make it work,
Cheap as dirt to get good lenses.
could probably withstand Armageddon...

No Depth of Field,
Flash use is limited, I hear.
Light meter's a bit slow to react.

simply put, I've used this camera in preference to equipment 10 times the cost. it feels "right", it weighs just enough to be steady and strong but it's not too bulky (I hate the F5 for that flaw), and it really is great value for money. It's lacking every imaginable feature and that's what makes it good - I concentrate on the image, instead of the operation of the camera.

it's good for learning on, but it's also a reliable workhorse for any other users too.

and last but not least, it works in a 100 mph, minus 25 degree centrigrade gale in midwinter at the tops of mountains in the highlands of scotland and comes out fine... unlike motor-drive electronics that freeze up within 5 mins...

Customer Service

it has never needed any service, even after arctic conditions in the scottish highlands.

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I use a Nikon F5 (and prefer the K1000), use a Rank Maimya RF, and a Leica M6 too.

umm, and I've used Canon EOS's plenty of times. Hate 'em.

Simplicity.

No auto focus.

I have used this camera to shoot Division II college basketball almost exclusively as part of my business, Hoop Match Photography, and it has served me very well. I usually get about 15 pictures I can sell out of a 24-exposure roll of film. That's not to say I get 15 great pictures, which is why a fast auto-focus camera would probably help.

Customer Service

Never needed it.

Similar Products Used:

Cosina SLR

Excellent focussing for creating a real depth of field. It produces incredibly sharp, finely detailed pictures, and although the light meter is often accused of tending towards under exposing pictures, ive not found this is a problem at all. In fact, it merely enhances the quality ;) And you can easily compensate by overexposing slightly. Colours are strong and rich and I've proved this isn't just down to the film used, because I've tested it on other cameras. Easy and incredibly cheap to maintain - batteries are inexpensive, readily available, and required infrequently. In this respect it's perfect for students, lightweight, and is highly durable (I've dropped mine on the floor several times and it's still yet to look any different ;)

Film loading is awkward. Some films haven't wound on properly and pictures have been exposed on top of one another.

Fantastic. Does what I want it to perfectly, and despite occasionally not winding on properly, some of the effects have looked quite artistic all the same!

Customer Service

What? It hasnt needed any, and I doubt it will.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax SP.
Canon EOS 500.
Canon Sureshot 80 Automatic.

Fully manual
Strong body

Heavy
The focusing screen is not enough bright to take pictures in dark places, cause its almost impossible to focus in dark conditions
The focusing screen is not removable to change it for a brighter one.

A great camera to start in the world of photography.

Customer Service

Never

Similar Products Used:

None

Indestructable, and simple. Can find used lenses CHEAP! As a beginner it is in my opinion the easiest to use versus some others i have tried.

As ya'll who own one know, the film takes patience to load, but it is not as bad as the Pentax ME Super.

I love this silver and black box. Popular and parts are plentiful. If you want a manual camera, then this is the one I recommend

Customer Service

None yet...

Similar Products Used:

Pentax ME Super (own), some Minoltas, some Nikons.

This camera teaches me to be careful with my photography. The 50mm f1.7 lens is super sharp. Absolute reliability.

One of the worlds hardest cameras to load (an exaggeration I know, but I have lost shots due to miss loaded film). Lack of a DOF preview. Dark viewfinder with very little information. Imagine one with the old motor drive like its KX fore runner.

I like all of my cameras, even my wife's Maxxum, but the K1000 has that feel of solid quality reserved for fine swiss watches. I was not impressed with the last variation of this camera, but both of mine were made in Japan. It is too bad that plastic and electronics are so much cheaper than metal and precision mechanicals. One last comment, remember the rangefinder Leica M series have most of the same limitations of the K1000 (except the noise) and we don't seem to mind at all.

Customer Service

Never had a K1000 problem (the company was swift and efficient with an MEII winder problem however). Unless you try can you break one?

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Own 2 K1000s and an ME Super (also a great camera). Minolta Maxxum 5000 (simple and more substantial feeling than the latest crop of AF cameras, but focus is slow)

Will not die. Parts are common as germs. Made for metal lovers.

No Depth-of-Field preview.

This camera will last longer than me. It's good because you have to make the picture, not the camera. Makes every shot count.

Customer Service

Never have, never will.

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Never needed any others.

Indistructable!!! The sort of tool that could be used to stop you car from rolling down a hill, and still work, to take the pic of the car crashing afterwards...

The view finder needs one to be found, very dark, plus with addition of a split prism focus, would have been nice. Would be better if to had option for motor wind, ttl flash's & a self timer. (Pentax must have thought that these were to much like "automatic" functions. Have not found the loading film to be problem (its in the way yu hold you mouth!!) how ever under exposing has been an issue... over come with an viewfinder sheild.
As for noise... not the sort of thing to take to church... but it is cool in that it has MAN sound about...!!!

Ideal collectors peice, (like my Carl Zeiss, Contessa) in a few years will be worth$$$
Very very good to learn with (I did) yes very suitable for many different applications.
I am proud to own one!!

Customer Service

Never need to have the product service, but I want a manual for it (The history thing...) and ask pentax via email for one & two months later, still no show.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta, Cannon, Ricoh,
The K1000 is easyer to use than these...they have to be relied!!

A'powerhouse'camera, a manual machine, indestructible, sturdy, and reliable. A 'dream' come through camera for me. It's GREAT. My pictures have been a pleasant surprise, and I am still learning with this "BEAST"

Loading the film is a "TRIP", but you just have to work with it a little patience PLEASE.But the trials are worth the finishing product.

GET ONE!!!!!, and you will see what you are missing. The K-1000, is exellent, from the construction, to it's all out great popularity, and most of all, it's MANUAL excellence. This is truly a great camera. A true "workhorse" for a beginner as well as a seasoned expert. It fits in any photographer's bag, and it fits well.

Customer Service

None at all.

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Nikon 5005, Nikon Pronea 6i, APS SLR, a real marvel, a N70, in cognito. And the Olympus XA, aperature-priority marvel.

Built like a tank, cheap lenses available secondhand (plus wide choice). A 'Proper' camera - not like the modern 'plasticky' compacts. Can be dropped down a mountain and survives - don't try this, it was an accident!

A little heavy + bulky. Also a little odd to use if all your previous experience is of compacts

Design classic! Have taken this on school/college trips - mode of operation is very different to compacts, and it makes proper noises - no mysterious whirrings here. Potentially a bit of a shock if previously used to compacts - but once you get used to it you'll never want to go back. - I now find friend's compacts way too delicate and fiddly to operate. Advised for those with basic understanding of photography - this is not a 'point and shoot' machine, but if you learn to use it (takes about 10 mins) it is very worthwhile. Ability to operate without batteries is a good response to the 'flashy, all-automatic modern camera' brigade, as is solid build.

Customer Service

Never needed - only thing I've had to replace is the battery

Similar Products Used:

K2