Ultimate Beginners 35mm Film Camera: Pentax K1000 - How To, Setup Guide, Tips, and History

[@katashley1031]

Some things never change, for good reason. When I was 15, in 1985, my mother asked a photographer we know which camera to get for me, as a gift and first camera. I still have my Pentax K1000 to this day. When I met my hubs, he was a photographer but had only ever shot digital. I gave him my trusty old Pentax to experience the real thing and now he shoots on film as often as we can afford it. The classics never go out of style. :)

[@ghettomist1575]

These old analog cameras are just such a joy to use. It is definitely an addiction to use, and film prices is the only limiting factor. Glad y’all love film as well.

[@robertknight4672]

I have a Pentax k1000 that my father gave to me he had it since it was new. I think he got it in the early eighties. I've gotten really good images with it.

[@Eileen1301]

I received my Pentax K1000 as a gift from my mom too. I had graduated from high school and wanted to start in photography. I also still have mine and decided to take it out for a spin. Nostalgic using this gift from my mom. :)

[@mikepxg6406]

@@ghettomist1575 They are not analogue simply because they are not digital.

[@ghettomist1575]

@@mikepxg6406 How profound

[@robinj.9329]

This is a very detailed and informative presentation. For today's younger people, who did not grow up with "film", I'm sure all this info is necessary. But, I'm 70 years old. I started taking photos with a simple "Box" camera at age 8. So I've been a "Film Photographer" all my life, over 60 years! I find it very sad that this fantastic technology, which began it's development in the 1830's and peaked out sometime in the 1980's or 1990's, could just be relegated to the trash can of History in such a short time. Film has many advantages over "digital". I've never stopped using film. Sure, I take an occasional shot with my cell phone "camera", but nearly all the images that I want to keep and to endure forever is shot on film!

[@richardrizzo_photography]

I purchased mine new in 1978 and still have it, it's been sitting on my shelf for the past twenty years and am now I'm preparing to use again for its 45th anniversary. A genuine workhorse.

[@ezequielbadillo1013]

That's Cool

[@pivotshot6121]

Wow! I bought mine in 1983 when I was a freshman in college. Every year I say going to use it. Hopefully this year.

[@messforever9979]

I’ve shot digital for 17 years and I just bought this! So freakin excited!

[@brooklynfilmcamera]

Enjoy!!

[@LootboyQ]

I'm a 27 year old guy and all I've ever really used is my smartphone to take photos, apart from the occasional use of a small digital camera and the disposable one-time-use film cameras back when I was a kid. However, I just bought my first film camera (of course the K1000). It was of course 2nd hand and seemed to be in good condition - I can't wait to try it out! Needless to say, but looking at a photo and memory captured from a camera, gives a whole different feeling than scrolling through photos on a smartphone. For a complete beginner like me, this video helped a lot. Thanks a bunch!

[@nicholaskalogris9985]

Pentax should put the K1000 back on the market! There is a big demand for this product!

[@Solomompage]

Yes I have it and I'm selling it

[@nicholaskalogris9985]

@ Would love more info

[@Solomompage]

K1000 asahi Pentax, made from honkong, metal film camera 50mm included body cover leather, strap with the leather round box for film and 2 lens made from Japan polarized filter 58mm perfect condition​@@nicholaskalogris9985

[@carsonsnowden9707]

Just got mine as an early Christmas present! Super excited to start shooting film. It’s my first camera!!

[@Lil-JensStudio]

I bought a used K1000 in 1980 but never used it much- spent most of my small amount of money on fishing gear rather than film and development. It continued to collect dust looking really cool on my dresser but rarely used. Not even sure what happened to it, just disappeared over the years. More recently and over the objection of my Canon EOS R5, I found a couple of K1000's at an estate sale. Took them both home for $120 total. One is the brown leathered SE model, the other is the original version. Both came with the 50mm f/2 lens and there were also a couple of other lenses along with a 2x teleconverter. As an unexpected bonus, the bag also held a half dozen different filters and a flash unit as well. Looking forward to some old-school, fully manual, black and white photo sessions which will begin as soon as the black and white film arrives!

[@jjbobby1969]

This is like the perfect video. No yelling, to the point but still interesting. Love it. Thanks for your help.

[@SonicBoominSEA]

Great quick tips for how to get started with this camera especially for finding the rewind button.

[@GirlSocks]

describing ringo starr as a social media influencer just shook me

[@ker.mister9650]

Same

[@bradbennett1420]

Welcome back dude! Very excited to see what you can do on this channel!

[@brooklynfilmcamera]

Thank you Brad, I'm elated to be here! Much more to come.

[@RobHardin-eu5vl]

I have a CR-5 Ricoh it works just like the K-1000. Owned since 1984. I currently use a Pentax K-70 and my backup K-50. All lenses work great.

[@geotrick]

I bought my K1000 from my roommate when I was in the army in the 80's. I used it for 6 years. Around that time I switched to a Nikon MF2n another camera that the battery is just for the meter but will sync at 1/250. I was getting in to external flash as my primary light source so the increased sync speed seemed necessary at the time. I ended up selling my K1000 a few years later for the same amount that I paid for used $100. That K1000 with a 50-f2 was a very good learning experience. I put a 50mm lens on my Nikon D750 ever once in a while to recreate that experience. As a new user it first feels like a limitation. It forces you to get closer to you subject. A good flash to mate with the K1000 would be a Vivitar 283 or 285 with the thyristor cord for on camera or off camera flash photography.

[@Ace-du7vw]

I inherited my mom's Pentax KX from her college days and have been shooting on it for years, I adore this camera. Recently she found her old K1000 body. I know the K1000 is the more well-known and popular camera, but honestly, I like the KX's features more. Especially through the viewfinder. The light meter has numbers and two needles (one for the exposure, one for what your shutter speed is currently set as) and I can see my aperture setting above the frame. I can make my settings and not have to break away from my subject to double-check them. Now that I have two, though, I'm enjoying getting to experiment with different films and see how they compare with identical shots.

[@Henry-kr2iq]

I’m new to the firm game. My later grandmother gave it to me and I have no idea what I’m doing with it. I’m sending it off to get foxed up a big and I’m super excited to get started with it . Thanks for the quick guide…now I’m a little less lost in the woods haha

[@ezpoppy55]

I taught photography classes at the local community college for 20 years (now retired), including beginning photography, both film and digital. It was by far my favorite class to teach! These cameras were and are true workhorses. We had them in the photo dept to lend out to students. Anyone who has ever worked in such a setting knows you have to have sturdy, indestructible equipment, as students are really quite abusive to gear 😮! In addition to their sturdiness, as you say, the simplicity of design and ease of handling made them beginner friendly. Can’t go wrong with a clean, adjusted, and serviced K1000!

[@Gerard-hu6kp]

It became a popular camera in schools and colleges because of its ruggedness... Tutors didn't want a back log of cameras to be sent for repairs So it cut time and costs !

[@rocco_balboa54]

Beautiful, I just had one from my uncle as an inheritance... After an om2-n also. Thx for the great video, I'll test it soon!

[@BTTRSWYT]

Just got this thing for a Christmas present for 160 bucks from my local photography store. Looking it up on eBay that’s a helluva steal lmao

[@priscillawrites6685]

One of my first cameras in the 1970s - one of the best.

[@mikepxg6406]

Far from the best......

[@cheese_liker]

Great guide! Thanks so much for all of the detail you put in.

[@paiiwaii9658]

I live in salida Colorado!! Recognized the locations in some of those photos! Awesome

[@Nedski42YT]

Untermyer Gardens Conservancy @ 2:25 & 2:42. I've had two or three K1000's in my life. I never really liked them as much as the Pentax MX & LX I had. But since the K1000 was a little bit larger and had less complexity than the other Pentax SLR's it is more robust mechanically. Also a bonus feature is that used Pentax K mount lenses are very plentiful and much easier to adapt to modern DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. Pre 1990 Canon and Minolta lenses require adapters with additional lens elements to work properly on DSLRs.

[@JonnyEnglish-gu1cs]

Just added one to my film camera collection looking forward to getting out and shooting with it

[@bqdger]

man this video is so mutch better than reading the manual 💀

[@mikepxg6406]

I agree unless you can read.

[@Itzruthiee]

Very great and informative video thank you

[@jansinna9221]

This is a fantastic video!

[@HudsonSmith-w7b]

Can you please do a review on the Pentax program a

[@JCImagesBehindtheShot]

My son just gave me one and this video is fantastic!

[@ghettomist1575]

I always wanted one but got a Nikon FM and Minolta x-700 instead. One day I’ll get a Pentax hopefully. Also your background is nice.

[@germanshepherd13]

Got my K1000 in 83 then kind of fell into a Nikon fg20 shortly after. My Pentax is like new.

[@ricardorondan3091]

great video, what flash can i used in this camera

[@schedulingadventure]

And the ease/fun of double exposure with these!

[@yuckyuck8129]

can you suggest a video about that?

[@colinknowles9191]

Are there any other film cameras like the K1000 that have that warm vintage look to the film? I'm looking for one a tad bit more on the affordable side.

[@kevinashley478]

I bought 2 of these after my dad's got stolen. I gave him one and I kept one. I plan to try something insane, and see if I can image the April 8th eclipse and hopefully get the comet to show up too. Curious, can you use an intervelometer with this camera, or is it too manual for that? Also, if I go bulb mode, is there a way to get an accurate time, say, if i wanted to take a 3 second exposure?

[@Pay_kha]

How to use a grey card for this type of camera

[@sazner]

Benny's back baby!!!

[@brooklynfilmcamera]

OOOOWEEEEE

[@jasonyu72]

great video! are there any other film cameras that fit the similar build that you recommend?

[@brooklynfilmcamera]

The Nikon F3 is our other fav SLR 😍

[@angeltellez5963]

Theres a loooooot, a big part of them remain so unpopular, eventhought the're as good or better than the k1000 or ae1. I could recomed you the Ricoh kr5, it can use the same lenses as the k1000 and has a better metering system, the only con would be that it doesnt have the 1/1000

[@YeahRightWm3]

What happens if you don't set the ASA/ISO speed correctly? Ex: Kodak 400 but setting the ASA/ISO at 200?

[@londonpendleton2945]

Just got my first film camera the Pentax K1000! I have never shot film before so I was wondering, can I switch out different lenses on the camera while there is some unused film in it, or will that ruin the roll?

[@elk3407]

You probably know the answer by now, but for anyone looking through the comments you absolutely can swap out the lens with film inside because the shutter is closed protecting the film

[@Wetknees]

"so I guess this will sort of help me develop my skills more because my meter has always been broken...." me two minutes later "yeeeaaah..... from the first time I set it up in high school I don't think I ever thought it took batteries 😂

[@GuysAGoose]

Ain’t no way you called ringo star a social media star instead A GOD DAMN BEATLE

[@pradiptabanerjee6513]

MY FIRST CAMERA AS A CAMERA LOVER. LONG AGO IN THE EIGHTYS. EXCELLENT CAMERA.😂😂😂❤❤❤❤

[@mikepxg6406]

Stop shouting........

[@devroombagchus7460]

It was a brilliant camera. It could/can do about the same as my Leica, at a fraction of the price. It is even a lot better with long focus lenses and accepts zooms. The only downside is that the user must know a little bit about photography and that already was/is too much for many. For them, long live the mobile phone!

[@alibitawa17]

Great camera i have one pentex k1000

[@chuckchico]

What film was being used @ the 5:27 mark?

[@stevengeorges9046]

So, it's basically a Minolta SRT 102 or 201. (With a Minolta lens mount instead of a Pentax lens mount)

[@Fullclearence]

How do I find a flash for this?

[@mikepxg6406]

You look under a willow tree.........

[@PiotrGiernalczyk]

Great camera, have one :)

[@alibitawa17]

I want to sell it, what is the market price?

[@KayWizz]

Social Media influencer Ringo Starr? You mean Mr Conductor from Shining Time Station?

[@philipslighting8240]

Avoid the plasic Chinese and Taiwan versions of K1000. If it doesnt say Asahi Opt Co. Japan on back avoid. Better still get a KX or KM

[@LewisVinyl]

Thank you!

[@LyudmilaRGVK]

There are several hundred PENTAX k1000's on eBay. I've not been able to find one that actually says Japan behind where it says Asahi Opt Co on the back. Are the ones that say assembled in Hong Kong Plastic?.

[@mikepxg6406]

@@LyudmilaRGVK You are not looking very hard.

[@Jerry10939]

Pentax should bring it back or one of their other film cameras instead of reinventing the wheel.

[@smythe555]

When being a “social media influencer” is more important than being a Beatle. And it’s a review of a film camera. Weird world.

[@Gerard-hu6kp]

The facts are... Many examples haven't been operated for years ______yet will work fine ! I used to sit pressing the shutter and winding on. People do that and never put a roll through. They cosset their camera But it's good to keep operating the camera constantly! However until you put a film in and start shooting _____you are not a photographer obviously

[@GasStationSushiiii]

I have to ask where you got your glasses from, you look fresh as fuck

[@DacMan777]

Overated and over priced. The later K1000 were made in China and some internal parts were substituted for plasic to save on cost, these fail much faster than the original made in japan versions.. The Pentax 35mm KM and KX are far better cameras and have more features.

[@LyudmilaRGVK]

How do you know if it's the Japan version?.

[@rauliflemington7045]

​@LyudmilaRGVK These days, it is almost impossible. The overwhelming majority of K1000's where made in Hong Kong comparatively few made in Japan. Nevertheless, there is no quality issue. The Hong Kong made models are in every respect as good and indeed indistinguishable from Japanese ones. There are many unscrupulous sellers out there attempting to gain a premium of an already greatly overpriced camera. The later Chinese made ones are obvious and don't fool anyone. All KM and KX models are Japanese made.

[@mikepxg6406]

@@LyudmilaRGVK It has Asahi opt co Japan on back...

[@mikepxg6406]

@@rauliflemington7045 Definitely not impossible. Plenty on eBay in UK.

[@mikepxg6406]

Definitely NOT the ultimate beginners camera. It has no depth of field button. The Pentax KM or Spotmatic F is far better for a beginner. The K1000 is far too over hyped and generally has inferior build quality especially the later Hong Kong and Chinese made copies.

[@mark_midmark]

I had no idea about the white/black and orange indicator! This is great, thank you!