Cameras similar to K1000

A popular question i'm sure, though i didn't find a thread while searching so

i'm reduced to posing my own. It's rather specific anyway.

 

So, a while back, I lent my girlfriend my Pentax K1000. She, of course, fell in

love with it. She's asking for a k1000 for christmas, but they're rather

overpriced because of their studentesque reputation. Now, it's not like she has

any lenses or anything so i'm thinking about showing her some alternatives. I've

done a little research but can't necessarily find enough out.

 

I'm looking for a fully manual slr with the same needle metering as the k1000.

it's alright if it has extras, but the main thing is it to be fully manual and

have the same non-led balanced needle metering as the k1000.

 

What cameras have this metering system and fully manual exposing?

Well, the most closely related would be the line of Pentax Spotmatic cameras with screw-mount lenses that came just before the K1000.

The Pentax KM is a K1000 with the addition of a depth of field preview and self-timer, but it's still often cheaper because it isn't as well known.

 

There are also options in the Ricoh and Vivitar families, but I'm not sure which are match-needle metering, and which are LED.

Of that generation and MUCH better cameras are the K2, KX, and KM cameras all K mount (incredibly they are often cheaper than the K1000). You can check them out at http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/

The KX has mirror lockup, DOF preview, self timer and flash sync (1/60sec). Other specs are similar to the K1000.

I believe it's the "center-the-needle" system that is most important. I've seen this in the Olympus OM-1/OM-2 and the Nikkormats, but am trying to find something a little more "known/trusty/popular".

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=006yu6&tag=

The OM series is pretty trust worthy. As a matter of fact outdoor adventure photographers (mountaineers, climbers, skiers) all rave of the quality of the OM series. Solidly built mechanical cameras. The OM 4 looks impressive to me. it has a unique 8 point spot metering system that I really like. However, I don't have the cash to invest in multiple systems. I've played with earlier OM models that my climbing friends use and they are solid cameras. Zuiko lenses are also very high quality.

 

I remember my friends used to make fun of me for the "Old School" needle metering. I thought it was funny cause the model year of my K1000 (probably from the mid 80's) was in more recent then the LED meter guide they had on the minoltas.

 

Anyway, don't discount the OM series. Also, Nikon had some great mechanical cameras but tend to be much pricier used then the OM series.

 

The K1000 is rediculuously over priced for a manual camera with few bells and whistles. Nevertheless, it's a nice camera to shoot if you already have one.

Pentax MX. It is everything the K1000 is, but in a smaller, more reliable body, with a better viewfinder. It also shows the shutter speed and aperture in the viewfinder. The amazing thing is it does all this without any electronics. It's fully manual and fully mechanical except for the battery powered meter. And the batteries for that are easy to find. I think it's the best all around mechanical body made by Pentax. Well, maybe the LX is better, but it still commands too high a price tag.

Ryan, I fear you should write your K1000 off and grab something else for yourself. - It's a diplomatic challenge to wrap it as a x-mas present, but I hope you're able to get along, especially if that GF is as reasonable as her taste in cameras.

 

For yourself I'd suggest all those K#s mentioned by Douglas or a MX all of them on the higher end but maybe affordable. Cheaper: a Vivitar 2000, which offers 1 stop faster shutter and synch, light weight and a shutter release lock operated with the winding lever but a meter with traffic light LEDs. Or as el cheapo a Ricoh KR5 with limited shutter speeds, but needle reading of the light meter. All of them allow the use of uncaped lenses.

 

Maybe the Minolta SRTs have needle metering? - They might be bulky and I don't understand why I see lots of Minolta glass in the store windows but hardly ever a camera.

 

I wouldn't suggest a Spotmatic; probably too much hassle with Weincells as mercury substitute.

 

Anyhow if that GF might be a keeper, I'd suggest to build up a common camera system. Maybe this way you'll get along with half as much backup in the long run.

Ricoh KR-5: needle meter disply, takes Pentax K-mount lenses, usually go for under $30 on Ebay. Very similar to the K1000. It was my first 35mm SLR.

I recently bought an <a href="http://www.1point4photography.com/blog/2006/11/02/om-1-md-mechanical-gothic-lives-on/">OM1</a>with a 50 1.8 from KEH for something like $65. It's not going to win any beauty pageants, but it does the job.

Let the GF have the K1000, get yourself an OM-1n with a 50 f1.8. Cheap, reliable, interchangeable screens, DOF preview on the lenses. The OM mount is differant than the K mount and the lenses are not interchangeable between the two systems, but maby thats not a bad thing considering the likelyhood of you ever getting back any thing you lend her.(smile)

I second the recommendation on the Pentax MX. I have had mine for over 25 years and just recently had it overhauled by Eric Hendrickson at www.pentaxs.com for a VERY reasonable fee. It will now go another 25 years.

 

It is not "needle match", instead using LED's in the view finder - very nice in low light.

 

A truly great full frame, but small Pentax manual SLR. Probably fine one for a reasonable price on eBay, just go with sellers with very good feedback and you should do OK.

<P>Checking the <A href="http://www.pentax-manuals.com">manuals</A>, the Pentax KM is probably the only K-mount body other than the K1000 with a simple +/- needle in the viewfinder. The K2 and KX have needled viewfinders that include the selected shutter speed--so instead of centering the needle you match the meter needle with the shutter speed needle. With the MX and some other slightly newer bodies you're centering the colored LEDs rather than a needle. So either give her a KM or get yourself a K2 or KX and let her keep the K1000.

 

<P>Another summary of these bodies can be found on <A href="http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/">Bojidar Dimitrov's Pentax K-Mount Page</A>

 

<P>-Andrew

KX. I have two of them. The match needle metering is very intuitive, and gives you good experience in adjusting and compensating your exposure. You have less than 30 shopping days left. Whatever you get, include a little certificate for a CLA, because cameras that old need some service. You'lll come out looking like a prince.

some of the ricoh/sears cameras are led metering functionally the same.

My ricoh was $25.00 and has a metal shutter that synchs at 1/125, and 1/2000 top speed. basic K mount camera.

 

watch out many early ones were screw mount.

Butkus.org has manuals to look at.

 

mine has no program or auto mode.

Is it necessary that the needle is mechanical?

Pentax MZM has a picture of the needle in an LCD display. It is the last manual focus SLR manufactured by Pentax and you may still find it on the market. It also has option for full automatic exposure and it contains all the essentials of a good old SLR (although it has plastic body and electrical drive).

 

With the money you save by buying MZM instead of K1000 you can buy one or two very fine M-series lenses.

<p><b><i>Jim Strutz - Anchorage, AK , nov 28, 2006; 03:49 a.m.</b></p>

Pentax MX. It is everything the K1000 is</i></p>

 

And a lot more. I'm not sure what the real benefit of match needle metering is, as you can get used to the LEDs very easily. I recently bought one and it's one of those cameras that just feels right.</p>

 

 

<b><i>Jochen Schrey , nov 28, 2006; 05:00 a.m.</b></p>Maybe the Minolta SRTs have needle metering? - They might be bulky and I don't understand why I see lots of Minolta glass in the store windows but hardly ever a camera. </i></p>

 

The SRT's have match needle metering that works really well. I still have an old SRT101, which I've had for 20 odd years, which has never given me any problems. It does what the K1000 does, as well as having DOF preview and mirror lock up and displays shutter speed in the viewfinder. Some of the later SRTs display aperture in the viewfinder as well. It's big and heavy bit feels incredibly solid.

</p>

One advantage I would see in the Pentax bodies is that you could end up with a system which remains compatible with itself. The new glass fits the old bodies (or will as long as they still have aperture rings), while the solution they have for old manual lenses works really well. My currrent "standard" lens on my K100D is an M 28mm f3.5.</p> Henk

I very much like the Spotmatics. Especially because of their lenses. The cameras themselves are sturdy (in fact built even more like the proverbial brick outhouse than the K1000) functional and cheap. The lenses are superb quality and despite the high reputation of the Nikons of the era these in many instances produce comparable results. Best of all the M42 pentax lenses are still plentiful and CHEAP. The quality of these lenses is in my estimation, just superb. I rate them easily as better than the later Pentax bayonet mount lenses in terms of build quality. The spotmatic also has a particular advantage - it is not bothered by what battery is used for the meter. They were designed for the mercury battery which is now unavailable. The silver equivalents have a slightly different voltage and different discharge curve which makes for metering problems in most cameras - but not with spotmatics. The typical lens set of the era (a 35mm f3.5, a 50mm f1.4 (or f 1.8) and a 135mm f 3.5) will give brilliant results. Better still the 28mm f 3.5 which is almost as cheap and readily available as the 35mm is one of the best lenses I have ever used. (And I am now mainly a Leica user.) There are only two very very slight disadvantages in my view. With the screw mount it is slower to change lenses than with a bayonet mount and with the earlier cameras they only have stop down metering. I am happy to live with this. Its a small price to pay for such a wonderful camera.

 

Spotmatics only significant design flaws are a slight tendancy for (a) the lenses to develop a certain stickiness in the diaphragm. Check closely for this when you buy a lens. It is easily fixed by a competent technician but needs to be factored in to the price you are willing to pay. (b) the metering switch on the side of the lens mount can sometimes break. Again check to make sure this is not a problem when you buy the camera. If the camera is lightly used the latter is unlikely although unfortunately if it is lightly used the former is more likely. So just be aware. (Cameras and lenses with these issues are really in the minority I must say.)

I should have thought to add that if you are not fussed about sticking with Pentax, consider a Nikkormat. I also have a late Nikkormat ftn from the mid 1970s and it's a superb beast. A bit heavier than the Spotmatics and K series and the lenses are a bit more expensive to buy than the Pentax ones even today but they are not really out of reach especially now - most digital cameras do not take non ai lenses so if you are willing to buy the earlier versions of these lenses you will get them at competitive prices especially on eBay. it ahs the exact speccs you are asking for.

Try to check if the Pentax KX or KM around, both are mechanical just like the K1000 and actually far more robust build. the KM's meter was not so advanced and reliable as the KX but none the less work just fine ...

"I wouldn't suggest a Spotmatic; probably too much hassle with Weincells as mercury substitute." No hassles necessary; agreeing with Peter, the Spotmatics have a bridge circuit that handles variations in voltage without affecting the accuracy of the meter.

 

The K1000 was the least expensive Pentax and with its solid reliability it thus became popular for college photo classes. It's so well-known that it sells for more than its better-featured contemporary models KM and KX. These three first K-mount bodies were I believe closely derivative of the last of the Spotmatic models. The top-of-the-line K2 has a shorter deck height and different shutter among other differences, and features AE. I too agree an MX would be an excellent alternative.