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Tech head-to-head

Nikon FE2vsPentax K1000

7 years between them: the 1983 Nikon FE2 at 8.2, the 1976 Pentax K1000 at 7.9. The older one still holds Value and Durability.

Nikon FE2

Nikon

8.2

The FM2's sibling with aperture priority. Easier to shoot, but it needs a battery for everything except 1/250.

Price and availability change constantly, so we don't quote them here — the link opens current listings on eBay. eBay listings come from individual sellers: condition, battery health, and what's in the box differ from one to the next, so read the listing and the return terms before you buy.

Pentax K1000

Pentax

7.9

The film-school standard. Nothing to break, nothing to learn twice — and priced up by its own reputation.

Price and availability change constantly, so we don't quote them here — the link opens current listings on eBay. eBay listings come from individual sellers: condition, battery health, and what's in the box differ from one to the next, so read the listing and the return terms before you buy.

Where they diverge

The widest gap is Performance, Nikon FE2 ahead 8.8 to 7.0. They come closest on Ease of use, 8.6 to 8.4. Left of center is Nikon FE2, right is Pentax K1000.

Nikon FE2 versus Pentax K1000 — axis scores out of 10Horizontal bar chart of editorial scores out of 10 across 5 axes. Bars for Nikon FE2 run left from the axis labels, bars for Pentax K1000 run right. Nikon FE2: Performance 8.8, Value 7.2, Durability 8.4, Ease of use 8.6, Design 8.2. Pentax K1000: Performance 7.0, Value 7.8, Durability 9.0, Ease of use 8.4, Design 7.2.Nikon FE2 (left)Pentax K1000 (right)PerformanceNikon FE2 — Performance 8.8 out of 108.8Pentax K1000 — Performance 7.0 out of 107.0ValueNikon FE2 — Value 7.2 out of 107.2Pentax K1000 — Value 7.8 out of 107.8DurabilityNikon FE2 — Durability 8.4 out of 108.4Pentax K1000 — Durability 9.0 out of 109.0Ease of useNikon FE2 — Ease of use 8.6 out of 108.6Pentax K1000 — Ease of use 8.4 out of 108.4DesignNikon FE2 — Design 8.2 out of 108.2Pentax K1000 — Design 7.2 out of 107.2Editorial score out of 10 — higher is better

Which one to pick

Take the Nikon FE2

Leads on Performance, Ease of use and Design.

  • You want to set the aperture and let the camera pick the shutter speed
  • Long exposures, since the automatic mode runs as long as 8 seconds
  • You'd like the FM2's lens mount and shutter range with less thinking per frame

Take the Pentax K1000

Leads on Value and Durability.

  • You're learning exposure and want every setting to be your decision
  • You want a body that independent shops can fix cheaply and quickly
  • You'd like lenses that also fit a current Pentax DSLR

What each one gets wrong

Nikon FE2

  • You'll shoot in deep cold, where weak batteries leave only 1/250 and B
  • You want the fully mechanical body, which is the FM2

Pentax K1000

  • You expect a self-timer, depth-of-field preview, or a meter switch
  • You can find a Pentax KM or KX with more features for similar money

Specs, side by side

SpecNikon FE2Pentax K1000
ShutterElectronic, 8 s to 1/4000 s; mechanical 1/250 s and BMechanical, 1 s to 1/1000 s, B
ModesAperture priority, manual—
Flash sync1/250 s1/60 s
MeteringCenter-weighted, needle readoutCenter-weighted CdS, match needle
PowerTwo SR44 cellsOne SR44 or LR44 cell, meter only
MountNikon F (AI)Pentax K

Rankings they both appear in

Questions

Is the 1983 Nikon FE2 the safer pick over the 1976 Pentax K1000?
Nikon FE2 leads on Performance, Ease of use and Design. If Value and Durability matter more to you, take the Pentax K1000 instead. The 7-year gap shows in the totals as 8.2 against 7.9.
What does the 1976 model still win?
On Value and Durability, yes. Those axes still go to the 1976 model. The 1983 one answers with Performance, Ease of use and Design.
Which one ranks higher in "35mm film SLRs still worth buying used"?
Nikon FE2 sits at #2 in "35mm film SLRs still worth buying used", Pentax K1000 at #4.