But fashions quickly changed to smaller lighter bodies so the original Ks were replaced within a year or two by the smaller M series. So they used the facility to re-launch the KM, stripped of all "superflous" features, as the cheapest SLR on the market - this was the K Among the "superflous" features removed were the self-timer and depth of field preview.
Nevertheles its popularity was and still is of almost cult intensity. One reason was that during its time it was invariably recommended as the camera for students starting art courses. To others, its stark solid simplicity appealed; it is the VW Beetle of the camera world. It was produced until to a design which in pedigree was a Spotmatic of the early s. There is no doubt that, once the exposure and focus are set correctly, the K can take pictures as good as any Pentax 35mm film camera ever made, even the mighty LX.
It uses the same lenses and was made with the same precision - except for the later years when manufacture was outsourced to China with increased use of plastic. People keep recommending it for beginners on the basis that it forces you to learn about exposure, and their assumption that it is inexpensive. It was indeed inexpensive originally, but since about K prices been inflated due to having a cult or nostalgic appeal. There are other manual-only cameras for much less money, and most auto cameras have a manual mode too - you could probably buy two or three of them for the price of one K Review Date: October 24, Robustness, simplicity, low cost and fully mechanical.
A split-image focussing aid would have helped. Okay, what do I mean by robustness? I mean a strength and reliability that made it suitable for teenagers The simplicity and low price made it very suitable for absolute beginners. Compared with the slightly later MX it lacked the depth of field preview, self-timer and system accessories. As for the price, it was the only big five camera for under a ton. Review Date: January 19, Classic feel, match-needle meter, shutter clunk.
There's not much left to be said about the K, but I'd like to come at this review from a slightly different angle: before I owned one, I was very sceptical about the K's appeal - it seemed like an overhyped, overpriced, lesser-featured version of my Spotmatic F and I didn't understand why people kept paying the higher prices for them that are often demanded here in the UK when there are so many other similar cameras out there.
Six months on and I love my K I love the way it feels, the way it sounds and the lovely pictures it takes when combined with old Pentax glass. Review Date: January 2, Built like a tank. Utterly reliable in bad conditions. I bought mine new in and carried it for a year of student travel in India, Nepal, Burma, and Thailand. It has been as high as 17, ft in the Himalayas and a couple of miles underground in the mud of unmapped Eastern U.
It has proven to be completely reliable for 30 years of use. The K is also a fantastic bargain for students who are learning photography. It is a completely manual SLR which forces the user to really learn the basics of aperture, shutter speed, etc if one wants to get the great shots. Review Date: April 28, Very simple light-tight box. Utterly reliable. Great haptics. Great learning tool. No DOF preview, no split screen in basic version.
This was my first SLR, bought in new in or so. I still have it, and still use it. It's been totally, utterly reliable. I think I've replaced the meter battery once or maybe twice since I bought it. But it keeps going and going and going It's a great way to learn the basics of photography, with no gimmicks or unnecessary features: just a reliable light-tight box with a meter needle in the viewfinder.
It allows you to learn and concentrate on the bare basics of photography: subject, composition, exposure, focus. It's good enough to disappear and stay out of your way. That's all you really need. Review Date: October 30, Wow, just wow, for a very simple answer, no matter who you are, you should buy this.
Okay, onto the detail. This thing is built like a tank, no matter how hard bang mine or how much I drop it, this camera is a beast. It lasts and lasts and lasts.
It is priced cheaply and is such a great beginners camera because there are only three settings, not an endless amount of digital menus like today or things like self timers back then. It feels lovely in hand with a solid metal build and a nice leatherette it feels like a luxury camera. Anyone and everyone needs this camera, there is a good reason for it being the longest produced SLR ever.
Review Date: September 14, My very first film camera. My dad bought it in the late 70s to use while he was in college. It was used after that to take pretty much every family photo until they got a digital camera in My dad gave it to me in when I started taking photography classes.
So my rating may be skewed because this camera holds a lot of sentimental value. But lets talk more about the camera. This camera is full manual, meaning you set all of the settings yourself. This is the best way to learn the relation of shutter speed, aperture, and film speed iso. I highly suggest that if you are new to photography that you grab one of these and put a few rolls of film through it. You will learn so much and it will help you slow down and really think about the pictures you are taking.
I really believe that this camera has helped me become a better photographer overall by not having auto modes and forcing me to learn how to do things the old way. The build quality of this thing is amazing, its heavy and big and feels substantial in your hands. Mine is the all metal version and I love it. It feels like you are holding something of value. Also these cameras were built to last. Mine has taken thousands of photos and hasn't had any work done on it since it was bought in the late 70's.
It still has the original light seals and I even have the two lenses that were bought with it and they both work like new as well. The only thing I've changed on it is the batteries and the leather. Its a great camera and every pentaxian should own one. TLDR This is a great beginner camera for learning on, it's solid and reliable, you should buy one right now.
Review Date: July 11, Brand new in box. I only offer this review to point out that the perfect price is falling. I have a working MX and sold this example at a profit. Edit: It was a black leather Special Edition. Review Date: June 2, An SLR that was perfect for beginners, the K was responsible for millions of photographers learning the basics, and for that it should be applauded.
Just be mindful that there can be issues that the seller may not even know about. He is an accomplished photographer, and specializes in shooting cycling and fast cars. Home Reviews. Our Verdict. For Simple to use Mechanical shutter Excellent range of lenses Keenly priced. Lots of photographers fell in love with the art form when they saw their images come alive before them. Instead, this camera evolved into something gorgeous.
We hope that the pupil who trained with it accomplished something similar. Further, the camera works fine.
A battery is needed for the light meter to work. However, it could use some new light seals. These cameras are super reliable and super simple to use. Students trained with them. They were used, abused, and always kept coming. More importantly, they were cheap. And unlike the Canon AE-1, which was also popular, it was properly made of metal.
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