Is Pentax K1000 still being issued?

Question

i'v beein searching this camera both online and in camera stores, but i've only found used ones..

Answer 1

No, there are no more new Pentax K1000 cameras being made.



About the only new film, manual focus SLR being made is the Nikon FM10, which is also hard to find.



Pentax is now focusing on digital SLRs; their least expensive SLR is the Pentax K2000. Bundled with a lens, it's about $560.



For comparison, about 25 years ago, I was selling Pentax K1000 cameras for around $300.

Answer 2

Pentax stopped making the K1000 in 1997. They've been out of the 35mm film camera business for several years now.



Something like the vivitar V3800N or Cosina C1s might be a good fit, especially if you have Pentax lenses you want to use.



On the other hand, there's nothing wrong with a well cared for used camera - and there are plenty of them out there just wishing for a good home.

Answer 3

Hi Tam,



There is no updated version of the K1000, and probably never will be.



It would help to understand why you want a K1000:



Is it because it has a reputation for being a good camera to learn on? If so, you can easily find a used one in good condition on eBay or KEH. KEH is a very reliable place to buy used equipment:



http://photography.shop.ebay.com/items/Film-Cameras__Pentax-K1000-K-1000-as-is-repair-parts-broken_W0QQ_nkwZPentaxQ20Q28K1000Q2cKQ2d1000Q29Q20Q2dasQ2disQ20Q2drepairQ20Q2dpartsQ20Q2dbrokenQQ_catrefZ1QQ_flnZ1QQ_fromfsbZQQ_sacatZ15230QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em282?_trksid=p3286.c0.m282



http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/ProductList.aspx?Mode=searchproducts&item=0&ActivateTOC2=false&ID=&Size=&BC=PK&BCC=1&CC=2&CCC=1&BCL=&GBC=&GCC=&KW=K1000



Is it because it's all mechanical except for the meter, so it will work even without batteries, and even in extreme cold conditions where batteries don't work? If so, again I'd look at a used one.



Is it because it was known as a good inexpensive starter camera? If so, any of today's entry-level DSLRs generally make better starter cameras. Pentax has the K2000, which is nothing like the K1000 (except for compatibility with Pentax lenses, flashes, etc.) despite the similar name:



http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/585958-REG/Pentax_17314_K2000D_SLR_Digital_Camera.html



Or you could go with a used DSLR to keep the cost down. Any Pentax DSLR is a great place to start:



http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/ProductList.aspx?Mode=searchproducts&item=0&ActivateTOC2=false&ID=&Size=&BC=DP&BCC=3&CC=2&CCC=1&BCL=&GBC=&GCC=&KW=



I see that KEH doesn't have many used Pentax DSLRs at the moment. Usually they have a lot more.



To keep the cost to a minimum, a used Pentax *ist DL (pronounced as if the asterisk were not there) is probably the least expensive good starter DSLR model:



http://photography.shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQProductQ2520TypeZSLRQ252CQ2520ProfessionalQQBrandZPentaxQQMegapixelsZ6Q252E0Q2520toQ25206Q252E9Q2520MPQQ_dmptZDigitalQ5fCamerasQQ_sopZ15?_nkw=%28DL%2CD-L%29+-as-is+-parts+-repair+-broken&_sacat=31388&_fromfsb=&_trksid=m270.l1313&_odkw=%28DL%2CD-L%29&_osacat=31388





Good luck and have fun!



Greg