35mm SLR

Pentax K1000 Value and Price Guide (1976–1997)

Condition-adjusted values, full specifications, production history, and live links to current listings.

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Low (good)

£60

Median (excellent)

£100

High (mint)

£180

Market value by condition

ConditionRange

Mint

As-new, full kit, original box

£150 to £180

Excellent

Clean cosmetics, fully working

£100 to £150

Good

Honest user, minor signs of use

£60 to £100

For parts

Not working, sold for spares

£15 to £40

Values are estimates based on real sale data and are not formal appraisals.

Price history

Median value, last 12 months

Sourced from sold listings

Specifications

Format
35mm SLR
Mount
Pentax K
Country
Japan
Production
1976–1997
Type
35mm SLR
Mount
Pentax K bayonet
Shutter
Mechanical cloth focal-plane, 1s to 1/1000s
Meter
Centre-weighted average, needs battery only for meter
Weight
620g body only

Production history

A 21-year production run made the K1000 the default photography-school camera of the 1980s and 90s. It has no autoexposure, no self-timer on early models, and a single match-needle meter, which is exactly why it survived: nothing to go wrong. Asahi-built examples (pre-1990) are noticeably better made than the later Hong Kong and China builds.

Frequently asked

How much is a Pentax K1000 worth?

A Pentax K1000 in working condition typically sells for £60 to £180, with a median around £100. Mint or boxed examples can exceed the top of this range; non-working "for parts" bodies sell well below it.

When was the Pentax K1000 made?

The Pentax K1000 was produced from 1976 to 1997 in Japan.

What format is the Pentax K1000?

It is a 35mm SLR camera using the Pentax K mount.

Are these values formal appraisals?

Values are estimates based on real sale data and are not formal appraisals. For insurance or auction-grade appraisals, consult a specialist.

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