kxl
Social Documentary
I will always have a special connection with the K1000, my first ever camera at age 17. It's what got me into photography, which I've been enjoying now for over 30 years.
Pioneer
Veteran
I own a couple K2 bodies that work just fine but when I am in the field they are too fiddly for me. I just never got used to the ISO adjustment dial and plus or minus compensation adjustment around the lens mount.
I think that the things that attract me to the K1000 (and SV) are also what has attracted me to Leica. The camera just does not get in the way. In both cases the cameras are absolutely dead simple and instead of worrying about what I am going to do with the camera I can concentrate on my photography.
And believe me...it needs lots of concentration.
I think that the things that attract me to the K1000 (and SV) are also what has attracted me to Leica. The camera just does not get in the way. In both cases the cameras are absolutely dead simple and instead of worrying about what I am going to do with the camera I can concentrate on my photography.
And believe me...it needs lots of concentration.
The only problem I have with the K2 is the ISO and EC control ring around the lens mount... hard to see, fiddly and tends to be sticky. If I just stay with the same-speed films, it's not an issue!
Edit: Ha, beat me to it, Pioneer!
Edit: Ha, beat me to it, Pioneer!
Swift1
Veteran
I own a couple K2 bodies that work just fine but when I am in the field they are too fiddly for me. I just never got used to the ISO adjustment dial and plus or minus compensation adjustment around the lens mount.
I think that the things that attract me to the K1000 (and SV) are also what has attracted me to Leica. The camera just does not get in the way. In both cases the cameras are absolutely dead simple and instead of worrying about what I am going to do with the camera I can concentrate on my photography.
And believe me...it needs lots of concentration.
I never had any issues with the ASA ring, and found it to be quick and intuitive. I know that it was a troublesome part though.
FWIW, the SV is probably my favorite 35mm SLR ever
My 3 favorite 35mm Pentaxes (in order) are the SV, K2, and SP-F.
Khunyapan
Member
I own a couple K2 bodies that work just fine but when I am in the field they are too fiddly for me. I just never got used to the ISO adjustment dial and plus or minus compensation adjustment around the lens mount.
I think that the things that attract me to the K1000 (and SV) are also what has attracted me to Leica. The camera just does not get in the way. In both cases the cameras are absolutely dead simple and instead of worrying about what I am going to do with the camera I can concentrate on my photography.
And believe me...it needs lots of concentration.
That's precisely why I chose the M6 out of all the Leica bodies out there. It very closely resembles the K1000 in the fully mechanical body, plus a light meter. They never get in the way and just do exactly what you want them to do.
In my mind, that is the perfect camera. They just work!
peterm1
Veteran
When I was shooting film the bulk of my shots too predominately came from Pentax cameras and lenses. In my case I mainly used a venerable Spotmatic and later various earlier "pre Spotmatics - s1, s1a etc. The lenses were sublime with superb optical and build quality. Towards the end of my film days I also acquired a K1000 and whilst I liked it for some reason I had a soft spot (sorry about the pun) for the Spotmatic, I think I just liked screw mounts. There was certainly nothing wrong with the K1000 as it was a fine camera. I still use Pentax lenses on M4/3 cameras as they give wonderful results, especially the 50 f1.8, 50 f2 and 50 f1.4. But as stated in this thread its mainly the photographer that counts, not the kit.
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
In a nutshell, the K1000 had a shutter like the Leica M's and a needle at the side of the VF meter. So a battery for it but everything else was mechanical; K bayonet and very little plastic. No frills like a mirror lock or DoF pre-view but so what.
It had a long production run and was best summed up as pure and simple. And a very neutral camera like (say) the Soligor TM that didn't get in the way or even notice when being used.
Although it looked like an old design it was modern enough to take SR44's and not mercury batteries. It was discontinued in the late 90's from memory. If you see one grab it, although I'll stick with my Spotmatic, fttb...
Regards, David
In a nutshell, the K1000 had a shutter like the Leica M's and a needle at the side of the VF meter. So a battery for it but everything else was mechanical; K bayonet and very little plastic. No frills like a mirror lock or DoF pre-view but so what.
It had a long production run and was best summed up as pure and simple. And a very neutral camera like (say) the Soligor TM that didn't get in the way or even notice when being used.
Although it looked like an old design it was modern enough to take SR44's and not mercury batteries. It was discontinued in the late 90's from memory. If you see one grab it, although I'll stick with my Spotmatic, fttb...
Regards, David
oftheherd
Veteran
Was the ME different from the ME Super? I have a couple of Supers and there is a manual setting.
BillBingham2
Registered User
Simplicity is a quality that is highly under rated by many.
B2 (;->
B2 (;->
Yes, the plain ME was a lower-end model without the M setting and the up/down shutter speed buttons that the Super had. (And the first P645 had the same buttons too).
The ME Super's replacement for the usual shutter speed dial had L (lock), Auto, M, 125x, and B.
leicapixie
Well-known
The similarity to a certain RF camera, was made abundantly clear, when i used them, professionally.
Services,repairs, all manner of trouble!
The SPOTMATIC saved me.
The SV was made for amateur usage.
I never looked back.
The K-1000 is less refined, noisier but Reliable.
David Hughes
David Hughes
HI,
I often think that the ME super is a sleeper. No one seems to want them, I picked one up recently for some accessories with it for a fiver - meaning five pounds. And I've noticed several on ebay unwanted and ignored.
You get a centre weighted TTL metering, those lovely Pentax lenses and manual focussing and manual settings and aperture priority. The shutter goes up to a 2,000th second and the screen is bright and clean with a usable shutter speed read-out beside it. And the little lights change colour to warn of slow speeds. And it takes SR44's and not some exotic mercury battery.
Sorry, I seem to have digressed a little.
Regards, David
I often think that the ME super is a sleeper. No one seems to want them, I picked one up recently for some accessories with it for a fiver - meaning five pounds. And I've noticed several on ebay unwanted and ignored.
You get a centre weighted TTL metering, those lovely Pentax lenses and manual focussing and manual settings and aperture priority. The shutter goes up to a 2,000th second and the screen is bright and clean with a usable shutter speed read-out beside it. And the little lights change colour to warn of slow speeds. And it takes SR44's and not some exotic mercury battery.
Sorry, I seem to have digressed a little.
Regards, David
Michael Markey
Veteran
Its always been one of my favorite cameras , David.
Sold all of my Pentax gear in a mad clear out but still have an ME Super body somewhere.
Sold all of my Pentax gear in a mad clear out but still have an ME Super body somewhere.
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
Well, if you want to fire it up there's bargain lenses around at the moment. There's a nice standard 50mm lens for it that's often overlooked as it's f/2.
There's also the classic 40-80mm (f/2.8 to f/4) zoom Pentax made for the ME but I'd look for a 1980's Tokina AT-X 28-85mm zoom, which punches well above its weight but is only f/3.5 to f/4.5; even so it's my favourite one lens & one body zoom.
Plus our friends in China and Hong Kong do adapters for the Pentax K bayonet so that they can use M42 lenses and there's millions of them around, being given away in some cases. The adapter and tool usual cost three pounds or so but make the aperture manual only...
And, lastly, two SR44's for the ME super aren't going to break the bank.
Have fun. Regards, David