Pentax K1000 - Best Intro to Shooting Film
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- A question that I answer on a weekly basis is "I wanna start shooting film, but what camera should I start with?"
My answer is ALWAYS the Pentax K1000. There are numerous reasons why I consider this the best beginner camera for shooting film and that's what I go over in this video. If you're looking to pick up your first film camera, look no further.
Hey, this is Matt Day and thanks for visiting my channel! I'm just a photographer from southern Ohio that's passionate about what I do and I wanna share that with as many people as I can. As a subscriber to this channel, you can expect all kinds of content from the photography world that no other channel is giving you. You're not gonna see me reading specs on the latest Canon or Nikon cameras when they're announced. You're gonna see a lot of videos on shooting film, as well as some tutorials in both the digital and analog world. I'll be answering YOUR questions that you send in on a regular basis. I'll be sharing some general thoughts and advice I have for other photographers and creatives, and so much more. So make sure you subscribe and join all of us here!
Thank you! I'm 78 days sober and started going back to my old hobbies. I just got a pentax!
hey! don't know you but happened to see this old comment and was curious how things are with the camera and with sobriety
I hope 3 years later you are still strong stranger and i hope your photos are fire :)
Who knew the light at the end of the tunnel would take place through a lens..
Stay strong brother.
Bought mine in 1979, still going strong.
Oh yeah. It is one of best camera I ever found.
hows the quality when you use newer lense on this cmaera?
No you didn’t
Just found one for $10 at a charity shoo for my partners first film camera. Keep your eyes open for the good deals.
Are they expensice to fix ?? I hear they light meter tends to go put in these
I just got a K1000 in one of those "hey do you want this before I throw it away" exchanges. Looks to be in good shape!
damn man youre lucky. im gonna go ahead and buy it like for a full price. i wish i had one of those exchanges ever. lmao
I am 20, and I am currently working as a videographer, amongst other things. I am also going to school for cinematography, and yesterday evening my father said he had something he wanted to give me. I didn't have a clue as to what it was, but he comes out with an old, but tough case. It was this very camera. Only difference being it is a Honeywell model. He insisted I should have it, and I was happy to do so. I saw how much this meant to him, considering he was given this camera at a young age, and traveled Japan, Korea and the US, during his time in the military. It is because of him that I wanted to pursue filmmaking and that side of creativity, due to him introducing me to movies and pop culture, when I was two.
Just wanted to say this. This camera already means a lot to me, and I hope to find as much use and inspiration out of it, as my father did.
Awesome! My Dad passed me down his Pentax ME which was my very first SLR camera. I remember it being quite the investment for him when he bought it sometime around 1978 if Im not mistaken. I still shoot it on a regular basis until today.
My dad bought a k1000 for his high school photography class and now I'm using it for my college photography class
Just got the same camera. This video is incredibly helpful with learning the basics of film photography. Thank you!!!
my first camera in 1984. shot 3 highschool yearbooks with it.
In 2018 it looks like they’re using AR15’s for that
My uncle recently passed and I was given his k1000. Never knew about it before and I have no previous experience but I’m really excited to start getting into photography. Great video thank you so much for the info
my grandad recently gave me his old k1000, probably the best present i've ever received
As referenced in the vid, this was the standard High School newspaper camera and was the platform that I learned the basics of photography back in the late 70s. A rugged no frills work of art, still have my original from 1978 with a 135mm lens somewhere in my basement. This video has inspired me to dig it out and run through a couple rolls or T-Max or Ilford.
Bought mine on eBay for 25 dollars with a lens, lady had no idea what she was selling
Lucky you
I also got a good deal, it was at an antique shop for only $95 with a standard lens, and a flash module, all with original instructions/warranty info
I wish there were more people like that on eBay lol
Your so lucky man.
Damn! Thats a steal.
This is my first and current camera and I have made wonderful stuff with it! After two rolls I understood exposure more than never before and I love the way it feels every time I press the shutter...
If you are starting, GET-THIS-CAMERA
and also it's really inexpensive:)
Another quality video. I swear they get better every time. I love my Pentax k1000. It was my first serious camera and first film camera. I have the brown leatherette version. The Volkswagen Bug of the film camera world; everything you need and nothing else.
I will definitely be forwarding this video to my friends who keep asking me what camera they should get to get started in film. Thanks you for this!
I appreciate the kind words and the support! Really enjoyed doing this video.
I could tell! Probably why it is as good as it is. Just keep doing what you love, man!
As a former owner of both a K1000 and VW Beetles (3 of them), I concur.
Just bought this exact camera setup from a peddler mall for $45. I don’t know much about cameras but nearly shit myself when searching it online and saw they go for $130-300. This video is teaching me so much
Matt, After subscribing to your channel the urge to shoot film has bitten this old man again. Today 9/6/2015 I picked up a absolute prime k1000 that appears it has never been used. I owned one of these more than 30 years ago a trip coming down memory lane. Thank you for relighting the film flame a break from digital coming up.
A really solid, reliable camera. I've had one for many years. YMMV with the meter. There are reports of the meters having become inaccurate. Mine has. A user may have more success with the sunny 16 rule or a simple hand-held meter. With an adapter, M-42 screw mount lenses work very well on this frame. The stock lenses were good and had excellent coatings.
I have had mine since the early 80s... One thing, maybe I just developed my own unique loading technique, but I see everyone load the cartridge first, then drag the film to the take up spool... My method is backwards! I first put the tab into the takeup, advance a few to get it started on, then drag the cartridge over & load it in, and then shut the back... I often get an extra shot or two out of it...
Thanks Matt! My k1000 is coming in the mail soon and can't wait to shoot with it!
had a pentax k1000 when I took a photography class at Houston Community College a few years ago. I used it for Black and White photos.. Class was good and so was the camera! I miss the camera.
SLR cameras are just the true art of engineering, it's not looking cheap like many DSLRs these days. I remember, as a kid I wanted to have this model so much. Thanks for the video. 👍
My late grandpa used a K1000 when I was a kid back in the late '80s and early '90s. We have several photos of him with it. My family was recently cleaning out his closet and found it in its case, along with its flash and a telephoto lens. And they offered it to me. :) I haven't used a film camera in probably 20+ years, so I'm really looking forward to taking it out and using it! Pa loved that camera.
That was incredibly helpful. My mum just found her Pentax KM, which used to be her dad's camera before hers, and gave it to me as I'm starting to get into photography but didn't want to spend my life savings on a camera to learn on. This video just cleared so much up! Thank you so very much!
The K1000 was a KM with some features (incl the self timer) removed for cheapness. The KM in turn was a 1970 Spotmatic but given a bayonet mount. Not many people realise the KM was a better camera so a KM can be cheaper than a K1000.
My dad had one of these, it was the first camera I ever used as a kid. But no idea where it ended up. Trying to get one now to bring back those good old memories of film days. Thanks for the video. Very informative.
I went to an antique store a couple years ago and came across a backpack with this camera in it (in excellent condition) with two 50mm lenses and one 200mm lens, as well as other accessories. $70. Seller’s only request was that I would use it and care for it.
I started with a k1000 30 years ago, and just now returned to it because it's the best.
Great advice. I learned on one in 1987 and after going back to film and having used most manual cameras, Ive just gone back to the K1000. Anything else is not needed in term of features. The needle on the K1000 and KM is my favourite. So simoke. I mean on my first day in college our tutor explained the basics. All automation just complicates matters
Picked up a K1000 with the original manual and straps today at a flea market for $15! It has dents and dings, but it came with the 28mm, 50mm, and 105mm, some filters, a roll of Velvia, a really cheap JCPenny flash and a really nice leather camera bag! The camera had the battery inside so loaded up a roll of HP5 and it works like a charm! So excited! Thanks for the info matt!
My first camera was a pentax spotmatic. Basically the same camera but a decade or so older. It looks pretty much the same, but it has a m42 screw lens, no hot shoe on top, and an insane build quality. I think you could probably use it to nail nails into the wall and it would still work. But since it is older (and it is a bit harder to find lenses for it) you can often get them for even less money.
The Pentax MX is essentially exactly the same but with LED indicators in the following sequence:
Red
Amber
Green
Amber
Red
For this reason I would suggest also recommending this to beginners. Nice video :)
The MX is only the same in being fully manual. The K1000 was aimed at amateurs, the MX at professionals and was greatly superior. The MX was part of a system with a motor drive and data backs, has a far better metering system, one of the brightest ever viewfinders in a SLR, with a Judas window for the aperture, and is smaller. The K1000 is an ugly box : the MX is a gem.
I literally love this thing. My mom bought it before I was born. 26 yrs old now. Besides gear lube was the only thing I've had to do to it. Used this all throught high school and now using the same camera for weddings!
I have it and it's my favourite, even if the others I have are better in terms of features. Bought it (Asahi old version) on ebay more than ten years ago for around 100€ with 50mm f2, original leather case and original Pentax red strap. It's still works perfect, a tank. It's so easy to use that is perfect for street ph.
🙋🏻♀️ Oui !
I am a beginner your video really helped!! I do have questions about using it... I am also hands on learner so it's quite difficult for me having to learn when I don't have someone in front of me showing me
This was also my first camera that I learned from back in High School. We took pictures of each other and then learned how to develop and print. I miss those days.
My literature teacher just gifted me her Pentax k1000 and I’m so excited to use it! Thank you for the help!
Bought one for a photo class at my college. This was a very helpful video, thank you.
I was given this camera by my aunt in freshman class of photography and i love it i found myself learning so fast and understanding lighting amazingly fast and than got more advance and started to understand lighting around plus using my meter so much better that i could find my perfect exposure in any condition. I got into photos into art shows and yearbook with this camera. I would definitely recommend. now I'm on the search for my next film camera.
I started out with a point and shoot camera about 8 years ago and although I later found my dad's old film camera and it seemed fascinating I didn't have the inspiration to put in a roll and try it out...
All this time I learned the basics and last year I bought myself a DSLR and was quite happy stepping up a level.
Last Christmas I received a Praktica MTL 5 (simple 35mm SLR) from a friend along with a roll of Fujifilm, so I had no more excuses not to give it a try :)
I've been hooked ever since and film made me discover a whole new world of photography, starting with the classics, aestheticism, photo books...
Now, my DSLR stays home most of the time.
Oh, and lots of great photos on a single roll of film. I really like the portrait.
These were indeed the go-to beginner cameras in the late 70's/early 80's. I used to see them everywhere!!
Just picked this camera up at a garage sale for $10 this video was super helpful I stopped half way to order film. Can't wait to shoot!
This was my first camera recomended by my bass player on the cruise ships in the Carribean 1979, bought in St Thomas US virgin islands...a brilliant camera, I now no longer have .. had an MX and still have an ME Super..All brilliant cameras.. On the K1000 I learnt all my basics and got some great pics.....great camera to learn all the fundamentals.
Thanks matt. I started slr photography with the pentax spotmatic 2 in about 1973. Have progressed through several pentax film and digital cameras..One of the great things is my whole collection of pentax lenses have continued to be useable on my digital cameras.The pentax KX film camera is very similar to the k1000 but has a couple of extra features.I use Canons and Nikons also these days but will always be a pentax fan including the medium format cameras.
Bought my K1000 from a flea market in Marion (maybe an hour north of Columbus). $37 and it came with a 135mm lens. Still on my first roll of film right now. Its tough getting shots with such a long lens but I'm loving it.
I still have mine. MIJ model. Light meter died, so I'll pick up a meter. I have the 50mm 1.4. Great little camera.
Still one of my favorite cameras to shoot with. Still prefer it over an AE-1, it's still my go-to!
My great grandpa gave me his if you yours back before he passed away and I never figured out how to work it but this video with everything now can't wait to defeat to Venice this weekend 💕💕
Very nice video. My beginner camera was the Minolta SRT.
Thanks! I have a soft spot for Minoltas.
This is a great video! It really broke down the basics of this camera. Thanks!
Great camera. I also have one, along with an Om 1, Minolta srt 202, a Leica 3f. I love the totally mechanical one. I also gifted a Minolta 202 to each of my daughters so that they can learn how to shoot film. Thanks for the review.
How do you manage to get a battery for OM-1? 🥺
This was so great to find. I shoot digital and am starting to find it unsatisfying in some respects. I picked up the K1000 with 3 lenses, bag and 2 flashes. at a thrift store for $30. It looks brand new. The lenses are a 135/3.5, 50/2 and a 70-200/4.5 zoom. I can't wait to put my first roll of film through this camera.
Back when I was buying a new film camera. I wanted to buy a K-1000, but they had just stopped making them. The camera they had that was as basic to it was the Nikon FM-10, which I got. I have two lenses. The 35-70 zoom and a 50 mm lens. Which has a 1.2 f-stop that is better for low light.
im at the beginning-most stage of photography and currently own a nikon d3500 that i got for my 16th birthday and i was interested in shooting in film, and my grandfather just gave me his pentax k1000 today, with a couple lenses and everything i could need to start, so i'm glad to hear this is such a good beginner camera(: i hope i can give him some good photos to add to his collection from this camera!
I just got an olympus m-1, having owned several sony digitals. I collected a lot of takumar m42s because I prefer shooting with vintage lenses, so I might get one to teach my gf to shoot film. She liked stranger things on Netflix so that might give her an added boost (this camera was used by an actor on the series)
My dad is sending me his 40 year old K1000SE, I am super stoked!!
This was the first film camera I used when I was in high school!
My first real 35mm camera. Being totally manual, if you can learn to make good shots with this camera, you can make beautiful prints with any camera. Only needing a battery for the meter, built like a tank, it is a great camera, which is why I never got rid of mine, even though now I have a very modern dslr.
My first camera in 1983. I was just 19 and in the military. I still have it. I wore it out and actually bought a 2nd one way back when.
Aaaaah I just got my first film camera and it is this one! I am so excited to start. Thank you for this video :)
Looks like a very fun camera to use. I started long ago on a similar but big old Minolta SRT 101 SLR.
My first camera at 12 yrs old. Man, was I excited!
Pentax sold boatloads of them and for good reason: Cheap, solid, no nonsense simplicity. Brilliant!
Bought mine off a retired couple for $20. Love this camera, still use it all tbe time. Thanks for the great review.
AAAAhhhh!, my very first 35mm from the 80s. I shot with this for 10 yrs before the film advance broke & I couldn't find anyone to fix it (by then DSLR were coming out and local camera repair shops were nostalgia). If I could find someone to fix mine, I'd be one happy camper (sigh).
Nancy Macklin For what you would spend to have it repaired, I’ll bet you could find a replacement camera on eBay. These K1000s can be found at some really good prices if you look around, as some people don’t have any idea what they have and they just get rid of them cheaply. If you’ve already got the lenses and accessories, just look for a K1000 body only. I’ve seen them for as low as $25 in decent shape on eBay.
Thank you so much for this video. My dad has had this camera for 40 years and I found it recently, this video answered some questions I had and now I think I'm ready to go!
I have a k1000 with the 1.7 50mm lens. The battery door won't unscrew on mine, seized solid, so I removed the baseplate off with 4 screws, 2 of which are smaller than the others.
I gave it to my son who loves it.
I still use my Pentax Spotmatic with the great 55mm f1.8 super takumar lens which I have had since the 1970s. I managed to get a battery for it from a specialist supplier.
My first SLR was an Asahi Pentax SL. No light meter, no hot shoe, nothing. Lots of mistakes but that helped a lot not having anything done for me. I still have the camera and I use it every few months.
The simplest cameras are often the most enjoyable ones
I have this camera, so cool and so easy to use. I'm professional photographer and i love that one so much, the best camera to have fun shooting film without hurting your brain about settings
I've had mine for over a year and the light meter is broken but I still take great shots with it! Highly recommend it!
Have an Asahi Pentax K1000 that was my moms. Just needs new battery, film and cleaning up. still in great shape! Looking forward to learning film photography with it.
My first and for 18 years only SLR, I still use, love and recommend it. One small thing though - keep a lenscap on if you don't use it, the light meter in this camera is always active and will drain the battery whenever light falls into the lens.
Recently I purchased another camera that might rival the K1000 as the perfect beginners camera though - the East German Praktica MTL 5 by Pentacon Dresden (or similar models, in the West it was sold as "Revue") is as simple, dirt cheap, built to last forever and has one advantage - the depth of field preview button which also activates the light meter so it's not always active. Also, they feature a quick loading mechanism for film and a metal shutter. The Prakticas might even have inspired the Japanese cameras, they introduced the M42 standard which was adapted by Pentax too and were the first European cameras with TTL metering. Otherwise they are quite similar, simple needle for metering and absolutely easy to use. The Pentacon lenses are really great too and glass for this camera - or any M42 - is probably even cheaper than Pentax K lenses (which are already dirt cheap).
I remember when I was in high school, a Jr, and took up photography (1980) the Pentax k1000 was the first I was introduced to… then I went to Art School, this camera was recommended.
Plans haven’t gone well (yet) but hoping to get back into my art.
Wonderful camera. Perfect to start out with. Then move on to the FM2... :)
Got a m50 coming today to get into photography. Looked around the house trying to find my old cheap digital camera from the hs days and came across one of these that was my grandfather's.
I've been shooting film with a k1000 for a while now and I plan on keeping. such a fun camera to learn and just go shoot love your Chanel keep it up :)
The important thing to remember to fully depress the rewind button on the bottom plate ____because if you start winding back without that your sprocket can damage .
This video is amazing! I’m receiving my k1000 this week I’m so so excited!
The Pentax spotmatic, its smaller and lighter predecessor, is also a good choice. The early asahi lenses were excellent and I can remember (as a young professional) tackling countless weddings using 50mm f2. 0 and 35m f3. 5 lenses - very basic optics but capable of brilliant results. The other outstanding film camera from that period (early 1970s) was the minolta srt 101. A true legend. Superb metering and lens quality to rival Leica or rather very similar image characteristics. I would use the Pentax for my colour images and hasselblad 500 with zeiss 70mm semi wide for monochrome shots. Happy days before the arrival of the digital sensor and a new era of a new breed of photographer, obsessed with the technology and dynamics of digital photography and pursuing the perfect pixel - Alas!
I first learnt film photography using this camera I own a fully manual zorki 4, rollei b35 and a few others this is an exceptional video and really helps others get a more understanding of film cameras great work
Great video, I started out with a Petri 7s, a Japanese rangefinder with a selenium cell.
Good thing I already used my DSLR all on manual and Manual focus, so it wasnt that much of a difference. Too bad the selenium cell had its best time, so exposure readings were incorrect.
After this I got a Pentax ME Super, fitted with a Tokina 28mm f2.8, with Auto mode (with certain lenses). I really like that camera, but now it's not really used anymore since I've got my M6 and Mamiya 645.
The only thing I want to add, is that I would be afraid that when you say: "Just get the needle in the middle", that new people, unaware what they are doing, are going to shoot handheld at 1 second, or trying to make a landscape photo at f1.8 or something. Of course they will get a good exposed picture, but because they dont really know what aperture and shutterspeed actually do, they might get blurry and unsharp pictures, which could ruin the fun for them.
Totally understandable. Also, I addressed the slow shutter speed issue you mentioned at about 9:55 in the video. ;) Thanks for watching!
highly recommended. i got mine over 40 years ago. it looks like it went through a wall (it did). works just fine.
It's what I began with in the 80's. Great learning tool.
I usually have my K1000 by my side in my car. In spite of having a few other film cameras, including 3 Spotmatics, the K1000 is my go-to. It's a friggin' TANK!
Love my K1000. I bought a couple of other film SLRs and the K1000 is still my favorite.
Nice touch withe shutter sound effects towards the end. I love that sound.
Great video bro! I use the Pentax ME (the little brother of k1000) and I love that shutter too..
Those cameras are so compact, great for every day shooting.
This was my first SLR in 1995 and I still use it today. Granted I use DSLR now but I will still hold on to film.
Good show. I could point out, that the K1000, has both MIRROR FLIP UP, in two stages, and you can also check your DEBTH of FIELD, before you shoot. It s very easy, and a lot of people don t know about those features......
Just picked one up for 12.50 with a 50mm f2 and flash. Excited to start taking some photos! Thanks for the rundown
Great video, this is what I tell everyone to start with or when I was teaching a film class in college. It's a great camera. And the fact it's so easy to get a hold of as well. I'll be sending this around to some friends!
The K1000 was my first camera. Bought it in '84. It was and still is a great camera. Very basic. Wonderfully basic! Best of all, you don't need a battery to use it. And, it still works!
What a great video and very helpful! Now I'm confident when I go out and take some cool pics! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
That shutter sound is so familiar to me. I've been using mine since 1985. I also have a KM and KX which basically sound the same...
Great video!! I did not start with this camera when I got into film photography but it is today my go to camera. I really enjoy its simplicity and versatility. Thanks for putting this video.
Thanks for the support! After borrowing this one for the review, I'm convinced I'll buy one just to use from time to time.
Bought my Pentax K1000 SE a few months ago, couldn't be any happier with it! To anyone on the market for one: look for the ones marked "Asahi Opt. Co" (should be in the pyramid-ish part above the lens), and bonus points if it says "SE" (special edition). The ones made by Asahi aren't much more expensive than the others, but the quality is far greater. They're made of real metal and have that truly sturdy feel. I got mine, Asahi SE and all, for ~$65, though i'm sure I could have found something cheaper if I looked a little harder. Happy hunting!
very well done video ...
have a few criticisms to share here though, hoping Matt Day wouldn't mind seeing them as well:
1. you need more ECU (extreme close up) shots when talking about / showing some very small stuff such as the lens release lever ... or the film loading slot on the takeup spool and so on ...
2. the CORRECT way of loading a film into most 135 SLR format cameras (except the fully automatic motorized ones perhaps) is by putting the film's leader into the takeup spool's slot FIRST, holding it FIRMLY with your right hand's thumb, and then pulling the film canister way back and placing it into its chamber ... (that is exactly opposite what you did, which is also what most photographers, including many professionals, appear to be doing btw!)
2a. then it's a good idea to VERY GENTLY rewind the film a little bit back into the canister so that the rewind knob and film 'engage tightly' (not too tightly though!) so that when the camera's backdoor is closed, whenever we wind the film forward after taking a shot, the rewind knob also turns and 'tells us' the film is actually advancing forward as well and we're not capturing new photos on a single frame at the start of the roll ... (believe me you: been there, done that, losing some 'masterpieces' i'd shot so dearly!) :-(
yes, the above may sound of minor importance to many people but believe it or not, they are among those 'tiny little details' that make the difference between a careful and capable 'advanced amateur / professional' photographer with a clumsy newbie! ;-)
(my background in photography in case you're interested: enthusiast photographer since the 1960s; pro photog/cameraman AND a Pentax lover since the 1970s; have used MANY other camera brands and models in various workplaces as well ...) :-)
btw, a suggestion for your little nice video's name: please, if possible, add the words '135 format camera' next to the word 'intro' in the title ... Pentax K1000 - Best Intro 135 Format Camera to Shooting Film :-)
loved the photos you took of the little toddler btw! miss film photography so badly! (eyes full of tears: not only is film dying, but me too!) :-(
I still have and still use my K1000. Workhorse! Rugged, tough and extremely simple after using digital cams for quite a while.
I bought mine a good will a couple weeks ago with a flash. For 9.00 I'm looking forward to learning how to use it.
Bought a Sony a6000 mirror-less recently, but upon a trip to a thrift store while on vacation I found this camera with an Asahi 50mm 1.7, an Albinar 135mm 2.8, "remote" shutter cable, and one heck of a psychedelic camera strap; it even came with some old Albinar lens tissue paper lol. Really inspired by the old technology. Definitely looking more into this hobby. Great video thanks
Thank you so much for this video! I just bought a Pentax k1000 I have no photography experience and you really made it easy for me to figure out my camera :)
I gave mine to my little 9 year old cousin. She's intrigued by film photos.
I used one as a backup camera when I was an Army photographer. I had the batteries die in the cameras I was using in the field during winter and the camera wouldn’t function. The K-1000 didn’t have that problem. I was always able to get the shot after that. I usually had two to three cameras with me on a shoot.