I need to chose between a Pentax k1000 and a Canon AT-1.

[PaulaTrounce]

Hi There.
I have a Pentax K1000 that i have used for years and i do like it. However my Dad has just given me a Canon AT-1. The Canon looks great and when i look through the viewfinder it looks sharper than my Pentax. I think the lenses are better quality? I want to decide which to keep.
Do i sell the Canon and buy better lenses for my Pentax or vice versa?
I see no point in keeping both as they are very similar as far as i can tell.
Does anyone have experience of both?
Thanks Paula.

 

[limr32 1]

Have you shot the Canon yet? Don't make any decisions until you've put a few rolls through each. Shoot a roll in the Pentax and then try to duplicate the shots - subject, light, settings, etc - with the Canon so you can have a more direct comparison of lenses and cameras.

There's no telling which one you like better until you do more than just look through the viewfinder and dry-fire the shutter. Use both for a little while and decide which one helps you make better pictures.

You also need to look down the road a little while and consider what system you'd rather be "stuck" with when it comes to new bodies or even a switch to digital.

 

[Derrel]

I suspect, like Cher, Wayne Newton, and cockroaches, after the Big Nuclear Holocaust, that the Pentax K1000 will remain alive, vibrant, ever-so-annoying, and functional, for the ensuing three decades.

 

[PaulaTrounce]

That's a great idea.
I might just take a couple of pictures on each and get them developed straight away. i have used them both but i forget which camera i used for what picture!
This is my Second K1000 but it just doesn't seem to be as good as my previous one that i sold. it's so hard to tell when it could be me that's being inconsistent!
In my memory the K1000 Pentax 50mm lens was stunning, but this one doesn't wow me as much.
I know i took this with the K1000 and i'm pretty proud of it.

But i need to do exactly the same subject in the same light.
Then get them processed, expensive but better than regretting getting rid of the wrong one. Then i will take fab pictures of Cher, Wayne Newton, and cockroaches forever!
X

 

[robbins.photo]

I suspect, like Cher, Wayne Newton, and cockroaches, after the Big Nuclear Holocaust, that the Pentax K1000 will remain alive, vibrant, ever-so-annoying, and functional, for the ensuing three decades.

Not sure if that really counts - I mean I'm pretty sure Cher and Wayne Newton are actually the same person, Cher is just Wayne in drag. As to which to keep, I'd probably say both. Neither camera really has that much in the way of resell value.

 

[PaulaTrounce]

Or Wayne is the one in drag????
I only really need to know so i only take one with me and i'll get £200 for either one with their 3 lenses on ebay. i could then spend that on a really good 50mm lens. that needs to be my next question. What's the best 50mm lens to buy for them?
X

 

[robbins.photo]

Or Wayne is the one in drag????
I only really need to know so i only take one with me and i'll get £200 for either one with their 3 lenses on ebay. i could then spend that on a really good 50mm lens. that needs to be my next question. What's the best 50mm lens to buy for them?
X

Ok, well extra lenses will help a lot with the resell value. If you don't really have a huge preference after shooting with them maybe price the 50 mm lenses for both and see if maybe one is a much better value than the other.

 

[PaulaTrounce]

Sounds like a plan. Cheers!

 

[limr32 1]

I don't know about Canon lenses, but I love love love my Asahi Pentax 50mm/1.7.

I would check ebay and look at sold listings to get an idea of what you could realistically get for either camera. Even with extra lenses, I think 200 GBP might be a stretch. I browsed through the first 2-3 pages of sold listings for the K1000 and I only saw one that went over $100 (it sold at $109). Even listings with extra lenses were going for $75-85. In fact, it might be cheaper to buy lenses that way - on keh.com, an Asahi Pentax 50mm f2 lens is listed at about $75 and there were listings on ebay for the body PLUS the same lens for less money.

My guess is you'd probably get more money for the Canon system. But after shooting it, you might decide you like it better, so then you'd have to figure out how to get the most money out of the K1000 system as you can.

 

[PaulaTrounce]

Your right. Prices have really gone down on both cameras. Probably because of processing costs these days.
Unfortunately now i've looked on ebay i'm now thinking of selling both and buying a Nikon FM2! I've always wanted a Nikon!
Oh Jeeeez

 

[minicoop1985]

If you look hard enough on eBay, you'll find all kinds of things for $5 or so. Ebay is the king of deals on that stuff.

 

[18.percent.gary]

My trusty old K1000 is on the shelf staring at me as I type!

As Limr said the 50mm 1.7 SMC that came on most K1000s is an awesome lens. Super super sharp and has really pleasing colors and contrast. It seems to have more soul than the new Canikon varieties.

 

[PaulaTrounce]

Just bought one. £25.

 

[PaulaTrounce]

I'm not very good at this cutting down on equiptment

 

[DougGrigg]

K1 is my favourite of the two