The Pentax K1000 35mm SLR is one of photography's greatest, most popular, and longest-lived cameras. This film camera is completely mechanical and requires no battery to operate, although a single A76 or S76, or LR44 or SR44 battery is necessary to power the light metering information system.

The K1000 is an almost-all metal, mechanically (springs, gears, levers) controlled, manual-focus SLR with manual-exposure control. It is 91.4 millimetres tall, 143 mm wide, and 48 mm deep, and weighs 620 grams. The body is finished in black leather with chrome trim, although early production Pentax K1000 SE bodies have brown leather with chrome trim.

The camera's light metering system consists of a centre-the-needle exposure control system using a galvanometer needle pointer that moves between vertically arranged +/– over/underexposure markers at the right side of the viewfinder. This system indicates the readings of the built-in full-scene averaging, cadmium sulfide (CdS) battery light meter versus the actual camera settings. However, the meter does not have a true on/off switch, and the lens cap must be attached to the lens to prevent draining the battery when the camera is not in use.

The K1000 uses a horizontal travel, rubberized silk cloth focal plane shutter with a speed range of 1/1000 second to 1 second, along with Bulb and a flash X-sync of 1/60 second. In 1983, a K1000 with SMC Pentax-M 50 mm f/2 lens listed for $220.

The Pentax K1000 is an extraordinary simple camera that forces the user to think about their picture instead of the camera itself. As a result, it is recommended by most photography teachers, instructors, and professors to be used in their classes. Unlike other SLR and DSLR cameras, the K1000 has a simple and straightforward interface with only three shooting controls: aperture, shutter speed, and focus. The user sets the film speed when they load it, and the camera is always ready for instant picture taking, as the meter and camera are always on.

In conclusion, the Pentax K1000 is a brilliant and iconic camera that has become a staple in the world of photography. Its simplicity, durability, and mechanical design have made it a favorite among photographers of all skill levels, from beginners to professionals.

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