Is the Pentax K1000 Actually the Finest Pupil Digital camera?

Pentax K1000 overview

The Pentax K1000 was launched in 1976 and remained in manufacturing till 1997. An estimated three million (plus) models had been bought. Manufacturing shifted from Japan to Hong Kong in 1978 and to China in 1990. To maintain labor prices down, the Chinese language cameras had been made out of a variety of cheaper parts. Chinese language K1000s will be recognized by the absence of the “Asahi” title and emblem on the pentaprism cowl. The non-Asahi cameras are greatest averted.

What you get with a K1000 is a totally handbook digital camera with a microprism spot focus help. Publicity management is decided by way of a battery-powered onboard mild meter that makes use of an open-aperture center-the-needle system. Shutter speeds vary from 1 to 1/1000 second, together with Bulb and a flash X-sync at 1/60 second.

The K1000 accepts all handbook focus lenses with the Pentax Okay bayonet mount (launched 1975) and KA mount (launched 1983) and primarily all subsequent Okay lenses with a separate aperture ring. As well as, there are a lot of independently manufactured Pentax-compatible lenses.

The next is a listing of 35mm handbook SLR cameras from different producers which have equal specs, are broadly out there, and are usually inexpensive. In different phrases, these cameras are absolutely handbook, with open aperture metering and a shutter pace vary of 1 to 1/000 second. In lots of instances, the choice cameras have further options and a better specification. This checklist is incomplete.

canon

The FTb has nearly equivalent performance, however for fractional metering (an space equal to 12% of the middle of the viewfinder). As well as, it has a self-timer and a mirror lock-up. The FTb-N digital camera added a viewfinder shutter pace indicator. The lens mount is Canon’s FD mount.

Fujika

Exceeding the specs of the K1000, the ST705 and ST705w profit from a quicker, extra delicate silicon photocell metering system, a brighter viewfinder with the addition of a slit picture rangefinder, a 1/1500 sec high pace timer and depth-of-field preview. It is also smaller and lighter.

The ST801 is much like the ST705/w, however with the addition of a 1/2000 sec high pace and a viewfinder that compares LED-type mild metering data as a substitute of a needle pointer.

The lens mount is Fujica’s variant of the M42 screw mount and requires Fujinon automated lenses for open-aperture metering.

Minolta

The SR-T101 (and its SR successors) is specified equally to the K1000 however has the additional advantage of matrix metering, which briefly is a system that makes use of two separate metering cells positioned at completely different factors on the pentaprism and the sunshine meter falling on completely different components of the viewfinder display to offer a studying that accounts for distinction in a scene. It additionally has a shutter pace displayed within the viewfinder, mirror lock-up, depth-of-field preview and a self-timer. The lens mount is a Minolta “MC” (Meter Coupled) bayonet.

Pentax

The KM is equivalent to the K1000 in each respect, besides that it advantages from the added options of a self-timer and depth-of-field preview.

The Spotmatic F was the predecessor of the KM and is analogous in each manner besides that the lens mount is an M42 screw mount which requires SMC Takumar lenses or equivalents from different producers.

Work out

Praktica produced a bewildering array of cameras with barely completely different specs, however I imagine the closest match to the K1000 was the LLC. Lenses use the M42 screw mount.

Yashica

The FX-2, FX-3/FX-7 and FX-3/FX-7 tremendous all match the K1000 profile, with the later fashions utilizing LED viewfinder shows as a substitute of a matchstick. As with Fujicas, the measurement is carried out utilizing a quicker and extra delicate silicon picture cell. These cameras are identified for his or her reliability. Its sturdy steel housing with a plastic outer shell makes it lighter and smaller than the K1000. The lens mount is a Contax/Yashica bayonet.

Different Yashica alternate options embody the Contax cloned FR and FX-1, with their electronically managed shutters and aperture and shutter pace shows within the viewfinder; however these fashions usually are not quite common.

Conclusions

The K1000’s vital attraction lies not a lot within the digital camera physique as in its lens mounting system and the ensuing simple lens availability. This isn’t to say that the associated fee/availability of different lens techniques is a matter; They will simply generally take a bit of further effort to seek out.

The open aperture metering utilized by the K1000 is not an important function, it is merely nice to make use of. Cease-down metering cameras (which means the lens shutter have to be closed whereas taking a lightweight measurement) are equally acceptable for college students or different customers. In actual fact, many of the different cameras listed above are additionally able to stop-down metering.

If digital camera our bodies with aperture metering are additionally thought-about as an alternative choice to the K1000, the checklist of appropriate candidates turns into even bigger. Moreover, many aperture metering cameras date from an earlier period when use of the usual M42 screw mount lens mount was widespread.

When it comes to lens design, older lenses are typically heavier and fewer compact. The draw back is that newer lenses will be far much less sturdy attributable to their reliance on plastic parts.

In abstract, I am not an enormous fan of the K1000 as a result of it is so primary, and if I had been on the lookout for a digital camera that might meet the calls for of faculty, the K1000 could be fairly low on my checklist of choices. Contemplating the relative value, I discover it ridiculous that the K1000 will be bought for twice the value of its superior stablemate, the KM.