Pentax K1000 film camera: My son is asking for a Pentax K1000 film camera for Christmas. Does anyone know of a reputable place to buy one? I have looked at Ebay and Etsy, and I am a...

Fotoholic Loc: Austin, TX

My son is asking for a Pentax K1000 film camera for Christmas. Does anyone know of a reputable place to buy one? I have looked at Ebay and Etsy, and I am a little nervous! Thank you for any help that you can offer.

Cheryl

tramsey Loc: Texas

I don't know what you think of Ken Rockwell or even if you know of him. He gives reviews on photography equipment and has been around for a long time. Here's a link to what he has to say about that camera. I had one way back when. I think it's a great camera.
Here's Rockwell's link http://www.kenrockwell.com/pentax/k1000.htm

Fotoholic Loc: Austin, TX

tramsey wrote:

I don't know what you think of Ken Rockwell or even if you know of him. He gives reviews on photography equipment and has been around for a long time. Here's a link to what he has to say about that camera. I had one way back when. I think it's a great camera.
Here's Rockwell's link http://www.kenrockwell.com/pentax/k1000.htm

Thank you Tramsey, I think it is awesome how the kids are getting back into film. Do you know of a good reputable place to buy one?

tramsey Loc: Texas

I was poking around a little bit with Google and found this

http://www.adorama.com/searchsite/default.aspx?searchinfo=pentax+K1000

Funny thing B&H another good photography store has them for $189.95! I didn't look at KEH. They specialize in used equipment. Don't be afraid of used from this three places. They are all reputable and will make it right if things go wrong. Many from the UHH have used all three. Good luck :thumbup: :thumbup:

Fotoholic Loc: Austin, TX

tramsey wrote:

I was poking around a little bit with Google and found this

http://www.adorama.com/searchsite/default.aspx?searchinfo=pentax+K1000

Funny thing B&H another good photography store has them for $189.95! I didn't look at KEH. They specialize in used equipment. Don't be afraid of used from this three places. They are all reputable and will make it right if things go wrong. Many from the UHH have used all three. Good luck :thumbup: :thumbup:

You are awesome, Tramsey, thanks so much!!

farmerjim Loc: Rugby, England

I'd get one off ebay, there's quite a few there. The K1000 is a great camera, v reliable and robust. Great choice for a student.

Ambrose Loc: North America

I would second going with eBay, but watch the sellers feedback score and only go with the best. Also, it would be a bonus if they specialized in photography equipment. That combination would probably be reliable.

A.J.R. Loc: Devon, UK

The K1000 is an great camera to learn the basics of photography. That is why it was used by many colleges throuout the UK. But do get an earlier model that was made in Japan. They were well built to last. The later ones were made in China and did not stand the sort of use that was expected of them as a teaching tool. The construction of the lenses on these later models was prticualry poor.
Have a look at this site which discribes the difference.

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-film-slr-discussion/82649-k1000-how-tell-japan-made-version.html

jmccl Loc: Western Shore of Utah Lake

A.J.R. wrote:

The K1000 is an great camera to learn the basics o... (show quote)

Anybody remember way back to when we used to knock the poor quality of the Japanese products?

Fotoholic Loc: Austin, TX

A.J.R. wrote:

The K1000 is an great camera to learn the basics o... (show quote)

Thank you so much for your help, this is great to know

Fotoholic Loc: Austin, TX

farmerjim wrote:

I'd get one off ebay, there's quite a few there. The K1000 is a great camera, v reliable and robust. Great choice for a student.

Thank you so much for your help

Fotoholic Loc: Austin, TX

Ambrose wrote:

I would second going with eBay, but watch the sellers feedback score and only go with the best. Also, it would be a bonus if they specialized in photography equipment. That combination would probably be reliable.

Thank you so much, great idea about the photography equipment specialization

GeneB Loc: Chattanooga Tennessee

I have one that I would be glad to send to you. send me a private message on this board. You will need to go on ebay to get a lens with the K-mount. I hate to see the camera just sitting idle and he can get good use of it. All I ask is that you pay for shipping. I do not need to make money on it.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Adorama and B&Hvideophoto on-line sells used cameras and they have great return policies. They are reputable.

Retina Loc: Near Charleston,SC

If you come across an Asahi or Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic F, this was a predecessor and nearly identical, but with screw-mount lenses. The Takumar lenses were superb. My only gripes were light bleeding from behind through the viewfinder could affect metering, and if you wore glasses, count on scratching up the right lens.