CameraWorth.com

Asahi Pentax K1000

The Asahi Pentax K1000 is a 35mm manual-focus SLR using the Pentax K bayonet lens mount, introduced in 1976 as an entry-level, fully mechanical body with a simple centre-the-needle match-needle meter. It stayed in production for over two decades and was widely adopted as a student and beginner camera because of its stripped-back feature set and all-mechanical shutter.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the K1000 have generally sat between roughly £60 and £130, with a median close to £85 across the last two years of sales. Older results show the body can sell for more when clean and cosmetically sharp — a 2022 sale reached £200 and a 2021 result hit £211 — so condition and cosmetics are the main price drivers in today's market. Because these are wholesale saleroom results, what the camera is worth to a retail buyer on the high street or online is typically higher than the figures shown here.

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Sales History

Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.

Prices updated: January 2026

Date Price Source
Jan 2026 £38 Flints Auctions
Oct 2025 £62 Flints Auctions
Aug 2025 £81 Flints Auctions
Jul 2025 £88 Flints Auctions
May 2025 £62 Flints Auctions
Apr 2025 £62 Flints Auctions
Mar 2025 £75 Flints Auctions
Feb 2025 £125 Flints Auctions
Jan 2025 £81 Flints Auctions
Jan 2025 £100 Special Auction Services
Oct 2024 £100 Flints Auctions
Feb 2024 £100 Flints Auctions
Nov 2023 £88 Flints Auctions
Nov 2023 £88 Flints Auctions
Aug 2023 £60 Special Auction Services
Jan 2023 £69 Flints Auctions
May 2022 £94 Flints Auctions
Mar 2022 £200 Flints Auctions
Feb 2022 £138 Flints Auctions
Feb 2022 £60 Harper Field Auctions
Jan 2022 £105 Flints Auctions
Dec 2021 £25 David Duggleby
Jan 2021 £211 Flints Auctions
Aug 2019 £20 Harper Field Auctions

Frequently asked questions

What is a Pentax K1000 worth today?

In 2026, clean working K1000 bodies typically sell for around £60 to £130 at UK auction, with exceptional examples occasionally pushing past £200.

How much does a Pentax K1000 sell for at auction?

Recent UK hammer prices cluster around an £80–£90 median, though the range over the last few years spans from about £60 up to £211 depending on condition and whether a lens is included.

Is the Pentax K1000 a good value buy?

For a fully mechanical 35mm SLR with a standard K-mount, the K1000's price at saleroom level is modest, but factor in a likely CLA cost if the meter or slow speeds need attention before judging the true value.

Does the Pentax K1000 need a battery?

The shutter is fully mechanical and works without power; a single small battery is only needed to run the built-in light meter.

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