Pentax K1000 35mm Film Camera

Pros: Very easy to use, durable, can add extras.
Cons: Have to use up a roll of film before seeing your photos.

First off let me say that I am not an electronics wiz or a photographer in any way shape or form. Half the time my kids have to teach me how to program the phone, answering machine or the DVD Player. But I do have quite a bit of very amateur ...

Pros: Teaches photography; flexible; durable
Cons: No one uses film anymore

I've been reminded lately how much I miss my old Pentax K-1000. Back when I was a reporter, I had a Pentax K-1000 back in the days before digital everything when we shot a lot of black and white photos, rolled our own film and developed our photos. My ...

Pros: Super solid construction, inexpensive, accepts top quality Pentax optic, forces quick learning of photography
Cons: Also accepts some really junky aftermarket optics, no self-timer or mirror lock-up.

About 12 years ago, I bought a brand new Pentax K1000SE with the Pentax 50mm f/2 lens for my first serious camera. Before that, I only had point & shoot cameras. Boy, was it ever a shock to see the quality of the images that came out of this camera! ...

Pros: Does perfectly what an SLR camera should do.
Cons: Out of production.

The Specs: The K1000 is a through-the-lens, all manual, spot metering 35mm SLR. Speeds: B - 1000th sec. Lens: My particular camera uses the Pentax M series bayonet mount lenses and was sold stock with an Asahsi SMC Pentax 1:2 55mm "normal" lens. ...

Pros: Sturdy,high quality,reasonable price.
Cons: Heavy,not a point and shoot.

I have owned a K1000 for over twenty years. Tank like build. Match needle light meter is easy to use and lets you bracket your photos. I bought this camera to take birth pictures of my daughter over twenty years ago and it still works like new. You have to set all parameters but once you get used to it it becomes natural. I've had the battery on the light meter go out and taken pics anyway.The thing I love most is its durability. I'm over 200 lbs and I've fallen on this camera while skiing and fortunately not broke anything(on me)! It was in its case.
The only thing I don't like is the weight and bulk of it. This is a great camera with excellent optics and the versatility to take interchangeable lenses.

Pros: Manual everything, really teaches photography.
Cons: None

This is THE 35mm SLR camera. It has no advanced features, no automatic settings, and almost nothing to break.

Except for the light meter, everything on this camera is controlled by the operator. The pictures you take are yours, with no one to blame but yourself for those bad pictures.

This camera really teaches you photography, because you are forced to learn how what you do affects the picture.

A classic camera.