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Tech head-to-head

Nikon FM2vsPentax K1000

6 years between them: the 1982 Nikon FM2 at 8.3, the 1976 Pentax K1000 at 7.9. The older one still holds Value and Ease of use.

Nikon FM2

Nikon

8.3

A fully mechanical shutter to 1/4000 that fires without a battery. The used SLR built to outlast its owner.

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 FM2 ahead 8.6 to 7.0. They come closest on Ease of use, 8.4 to 8.2. Left of center is Nikon FM2, right is Pentax K1000.

Nikon FM2 versus Pentax K1000 — axis scores out of 10Horizontal bar chart of editorial scores out of 10 across 5 axes. Bars for Nikon FM2 run left from the axis labels, bars for Pentax K1000 run right. Nikon FM2: Performance 8.6, Value 7.0, Durability 9.4, Ease of use 8.2, Design 8.4. Pentax K1000: Performance 7.0, Value 7.8, Durability 9.0, Ease of use 8.4, Design 7.2.Nikon FM2 (left)Pentax K1000 (right)PerformanceNikon FM2 — Performance 8.6 out of 108.6Pentax K1000 — Performance 7.0 out of 107.0ValueNikon FM2 — Value 7.0 out of 107.0Pentax K1000 — Value 7.8 out of 107.8DurabilityNikon FM2 — Durability 9.4 out of 109.4Pentax K1000 — Durability 9.0 out of 109.0Ease of useNikon FM2 — Ease of use 8.2 out of 108.2Pentax K1000 — Ease of use 8.4 out of 108.4DesignNikon FM2 — Design 8.4 out of 108.4Pentax K1000 — Design 7.2 out of 107.2Editorial score out of 10 — higher is better

Which one to pick

Take the Nikon FM2

Leads on Performance, Durability and Design.

  • You want a camera that keeps shooting if the battery dies in the cold
  • You might move to Nikon digital later and want lenses that carry over
  • Bright-sun shooting with fast film, where 1/4000 lets you open the aperture

Take the Pentax K1000

Leads on Value and Ease of use.

  • 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 FM2

  • You want the camera to set exposure for you
  • The premium over a K1000 or AE-1 Program is money you'd rather spend on film

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 FM2Pentax K1000
ShutterMechanical, 1 s to 1/4000 s, BMechanical, 1 s to 1/1000 s, B
Flash sync1/200 s (FM2n: 1/250 s)1/60 s
MeteringCenter-weighted, LED readoutCenter-weighted CdS, match needle
PowerTwo SR44 cells, meter onlyOne SR44 or LR44 cell, meter only
MountNikon F (AI)Pentax K

Rankings they both appear in

Questions

Is the 1982 Nikon FM2 the safer pick over the 1976 Pentax K1000?
Nikon FM2 leads on Performance, Durability and Design. If Value and Ease of use matter more to you, take the Pentax K1000 instead. The 6-year gap shows in the totals as 8.3 against 7.9.
What does the 1976 model still win?
On Value and Ease of use, yes. Those axes still go to the 1976 model. The 1982 one answers with Performance, Durability and Design.
Which one ranks higher in "35mm film SLRs still worth buying used"?
Nikon FM2 sits at #1 in "35mm film SLRs still worth buying used", Pentax K1000 at #4.