Retro is all the rage, and a Pentax K1000 could be the modern classic to put the company back on every creator’s map.
Like many photographers, I first cut my creative teeth on the Pentax K1000. This was many years ago, and talking about it makes me feel old. Still, I have fond memories of the camera. The Pentax K1000 had a classic design, the controls were simple and intuitive and it was incredibly reliable. It just worked all the time. The Pentax K1000 also felt great in hand. So if you wanted a fuss-free shooting experience, you got a Pentax K1000.
I took that camera with my young self everywhere I went. I still have a Pentax K1000 in my camera collection today, too. The Pentax K1000 positively impacted me so much that it forged the Pentax brand into my brain.
The allure of Pentax
Many of my early years in photography were powered by Pentax cameras, including a Spotmatic and many Pentax Espios. I still use Pentax cameras today. I have owned the Pentax Q7, Pentax K-1 II and the KS-2. Over the years, I have enjoyed pairing them with the glorious Pentax Limited and Star lenses. When I reviewed the Pentax K-3 III (read our review here), I fell in love with it. Contrary to popular belief, Pentax knows how to make solid cameras that are photography centric and reliable.
Many think I’m crazy when I say that Pentax cameras offer a unique user experience. Only two other manufacturers make me feel this way, Hasselblad and Leica. Of course, everyone is different here. I might be the only one to feel this way. Still, for me, if you want a pure photography experience but can’t afford Leica or Hasselblad, Pentax is where I would steer you.
Pentax does its own thing
Over the years, Pentax has incorporated video modes into its modern cameras, but the heart and soul of the cameras are photography all the way. You can see this in the way the grips are perfectly contoured, the layout of the controls and the insistence on still using technology that supports gorgeous Pentaprism optical viewfinders.
Pentax’s desire to make the best cameras for photography hasn’t changed in over 100 years. While many question the company’s insistence on sticking with DSLRs, I applaud it. They’re a company that’s not afraid to do its own thing.
Pentax marches to the beat of its own drum, and they have no issues sprinkling a little weird here and there every once in a while. These reasons are why I think that Pentax should release a digital version of the classic K1000. In a world of retro plastic wannabes, the K1000 (at least the way I envision it) would melt hearts.
The digital Pentax K1000
I don’t think Pentax understands how many people want to see a digital version of the K1000. The market for this camera would be huge. Just look at how the market responded to the Nikon Z fc and how much success Fujifilm has had. The market is there; honestly, I don’t think any camera company is better equipped to build a retro-inspired camera than Pentax.
I want a digital K1000 that looks identical to the original. The camera would be made from metal that will patina over time. The digital Pentax K1000 would have the same leatherette covering, the same style of controls and the same layout.
The digital Pentax K1000 I’m envisioning would have a tiny LCD like the one found on the Fujifilm X Pro 3 and a small d-pad on the back to scroll through menus. There would even be a film advance lever that needs to be cocked before you can shoot your next image. Imagine the immersion. This would be a camera that offers a tactile, manual experience protected by Pentax’s industry-leading weather sealing. It would be stellar.
A fuss-free shooting experience
In terms of specs. A full-frame sensor, like the 36-megapixel variant in the Pentax K-1 II, would be excellent. Still, I think an APS-C sensor would be fine, too, because many Pentax APS-C Limited lenses render magical images. Pentax could re-release an easier-to-use K to M42 mount adapter so that we can use gorgeous Super Takumar lenses too. Finally, a 100% coverage optical Pentaprism for the viewfinder would top this camera off nicely.
For me, Pentax wouldn’t need to make an overly complicated camera. Instead, the goal would be simplicity. The digital Pentax K1000 I envision would be a fuss-free camera that’s incredibly approachable. Users would have an old-school experience while using it and still enjoy the benefits of modern sensors, image processors, IBIS (or shake-reductions as it’s known to Pentaxians) and storage media.
I know that on a scale of 10, the chances of this happening are -1. However, we know it would sell like hotcakes and open up the doors to the incredible line of Pentax lenses to many creators. Those who grew up using a Pentax K1000 would swoon over this camera. New photographers who want a taste of retro action would flock to it too. So I’ll keep on dreaming about it, Pentax. Hopefully, one day, you’ll deliver the retro digital camera many of us are yearning for.
As you said we won’t all agree, for me the Fuji, Xt range, the Pro range and the X100 range all offer a unique user experience.
My thoughts exactly! And how about only having match-needle manual mode with centre-weighted metering and bulb mode! Simple and effective!
👍☺️👍
I’m right there with you, this would be amazing and super fun. I’m totally cool with a digital adapter for my k1000 film body as well!
I agree they should make a retro Pentax DSLR. My first DSLR was a Pentax Me Super. I’ve thought it would be Cool if Pentax made a Me Super D. Pentax makes some great cameras.
I too have fond memories of shooting my k1000. I like where your going with a digital version. Only I would like to see full frame and some 4k or better video. But as you said Pentax not only beats to its own drum, but will take the drum and not play it. I love my Pentax k3ii, but I often feel lonely. Untill I see my images. The world is video now. Catch up Pentax!
I am a Pantex lover since the days of Pantex Spotmatic and have large collection of SLR Cameras and Pantex SMC Lenses. I had once suggested that Pantex can turn a whole lot of its vintage SLR Cameras into digital by simply replacing the backs of Cameras with the digital backs, since the backs are removable. There is enough space available inside the camera, where we put the film cartridge and the film transport system, to use for the suggested digital back components. This way they can retain the original shape of the camera.
Hope they look into it.
I still got my Pentax Me super, Program plus and K10d. Although I’m using mostly my Sony RX100 iii now a days, I may go out someday with the K10d.
Ho una Pentax MX e una Pentax K-S1. Mi piacerebbe un nuovo corpo, APS-C da 26MP,bastano e avanzano,stile retrò con tutte le ghiere a disposizione.
This will never happen. Pentax has limited resources and getting a K1ii replacement and K70 replacement (if any) not to mention a 645z update is more than they can handle. On top of that, the need to replace obsolete screw drive lenses and sdm (fault prone) lenses. At 1-2 lenses per year it’ll take them 10 years just for that. Aside from that, I wouldn’t buy a digital K1000. I only own a K1000 (in 1977) for no more than 6 months and couldn’t wait to replace it with a more capable camera, like the MX or KX. I currently… Read more »
I found this page because I asked Google “Is there a digital version of the Pentax K1000?
I am so frustrated with cameras needing a 300 plus page manual just to describe the meany bells and whistles which I can’t remember and rarely use. All I want is manual mode, full auto mode and the ability to shoot RAW.
Please Pentax. Heed the call.
I have left a comment below but I have a question for Brett and anyone else please.
Is there a digital with auto mode, manual mode and the ability to shoot RAW and very few other bells and whistles? Is there a decent simple digital.
I have several Lumix cameras and I like them, but I want something that doesn’t confuse me with hundreds of options.
I’ve described the old Canon XS as being as close to that as I can imagine. It’s simple and gets out of your way. Ya, it’s ‘limited’ but if you want something to hold the lens and let you take pics-
I purchased my k1000 in the late ’70s. I still have it. And I loved using using it with Konica film in the blue box. I knew exactly how to adjust the the shutter speed and the f-stop for the exact amount of light I needed and the right amount of focus. I had a basic telephoto and a wide-angle lenses. I wish I could do all that on a digital format with through the lens viewing. I thought I could do it but the digital models they’re too clunky for me with way too many options.
I have been dreaming of that day for at least two decades. I’ve got the OM-D EM1 and Lumix G85, and barely use them. I get totally lost in the menus, make one adjustment for one scene, the forget to reset it in the complicated menu system, then lose time figuring out why consecutive photo’s are bleurgh, to use a technical term. I don’t want a computer, I want a camera. Set the [digital] film type, the aperture/shutter speed, focus, press shutter button. I simply want the animal based film replaced by a digital sensor. Let the electronics sort themselves… Read more »
Cool idea; dream on,
I’ve been obsessed with this idea since I got my first DSLR, but my dream is that there are no automated features at all (except for viewing the image right away so I can adjust settings as needed) I want to use a needle-in-the-circle light meter to set the fstop and shutter, manual focus, etc. just like the film version.
Oh Man!!!!! I never thought of of it, but I’m on Exactly the same page now! I started with the K1000 in “78” at the age of 12. Still have it and it works like the day it was new. Have accumulated 7 Pentax cameras over the years, the most modern being the K-5 and the K-70. A sumple back to Amazing Pentax Basics in a Digital K1000…..maybe a KD1000 or aK1000D…..that would be Incredible!!!! Come on Pentax. I’ve always gone to bat that you have always had the best cameras on the market.
You might be on to something!
https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/pentax/filmproject/?utm_source=rim_top_4bnrs_e&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=filmproject_e
I understand the impulse to wax nostalgic over the K1000, don’t forget the K1000 was itself essentially a bayonet lens mount, open-aperture metering update of a 1960’s Spotmatic. But the Pentax line has moved so far beyond in the past 45 years, that a digital version would be a very different shooting experience from the original. Of the truncated Pentax K-mount lens line-up, hardly a handful still have an aperture ring – those only full frame. All are auto focus, with just a few having a manual focus ring that offers anything in the way of haptic feedback. Unless you… Read more »
100% Would line up a midnight like an Apple fanatic for a digital K1000! All manual PLEASE!!!
Never happens. It’s impossible to build anything like K1000 without shifting to mirrorless due to all the required digital circuitry, and this contradicts your applauses to Pentax’s decision to stick with DSLR. It’s either mirrorless, or digital K1000 never happens. And mirrorless would also need shorter flange distance, new mount and therefore a whole new lens system.
I’m so here for this. I just want the simple controls: ASA, ISO, and aperture with the internal light meter. That’s all I needed back in the day.