1975
35mm SLR
All-mechanical

Pentax KM

Name: Pentax KM
Brand: Pentax
SKU: SHOP_CAM_VINT_PENTAX_KX_2055
Price: 1000.0 AED
Availability: OutOfStock

Pentax's first K-mount body. Still working fifty years on.

The KM was the body that introduced the Pentax K-mount in 1975 — the bayonet that replaced the M42 screw mount and is still in use today. Mechanically, it's the cousin of the more famous K1000: shutter is fully mechanical, meter takes a single button cell, no auto modes. Where it earns its keep over the K1000 is the small things — self-timer, depth-of-field preview, hot shoe with X-sync.

What you get: a body that doesn't need batteries to fire (the meter does, the shutter doesn't), a viewfinder that's actually pretty bright, and access to the K-mount lens system — which means just about every Pentax lens made between 1975 and now will fit, including modern smc Pentax glass.

What it gives up: any kind of automation. You read the meter, you set aperture and shutter yourself. For a learner who actually wants to learn, this is the point. For someone in a rush, look at the X-700 or P30 instead.

Match

Who this is for

Good for

Learning the basics
Manual shooting
Pentax K-mount lens collectors
Travel that won't replace a battery for a week

Not for

Auto-mode shooters
Sports / fast action

Character

What it feels like to shoot

Heavy in the hand by today's standards — closer to a brick than a plastic SLR. The shutter is a clean, unhurried clack. There's a single needle in the viewfinder that tells you whether your settings match the light; that's the only readout, and after a roll or two that becomes the point. You stop reaching for shortcuts because there aren't any.

Born 1975

History of the Pentax KM

Released in 1975 alongside the KX (higher-end) and K1000 (stripped-down), the KM was Pentax's mid-range introduction to the K-mount era. The K-mount itself replaced the M42 screw mount that had defined Pentax (and Praktica, and many others) since the 1950s. The KM ran for about two years before being superseded by the M-series; the K1000 outlived it by 22 years and became the default film-school camera.

Technical specifications

MFG. 1975 – 1977

Format

35mm SLR

Manufacturer

Pentax · Japan

Production

1975 – 1977

Lens mount

Pentax K

Metering

TTL CdS center-weighted, full-aperture

Viewfinder

Pentaprism, ~93% coverage, 0.88x magnification

Shutter

1/1000s – 1s + B (mechanical, cloth focal-plane)

ISO range

ASA 20 – 3200

Flash sync

1/60s X-sync

Exposure modes

Manual

Dimensions

143 × 92 × 51 mm

Weight

750 g

Power

1 × A76 / LR44 (meter only — shutter is fully mechanical)

Original manual · Pentax KM

Get the factory user guide as a PDF. We'll also drop you a note with film + dev tips for this body.

Thanks. → Download the Pentax KM manual (PDF)

Backed by GPP

Service & guarantees

Every analog camera ships through our bench

This unit has been bench-tested by GPP. Shutter speeds verified across the range, light seals replaced where age had taken them, meter calibrated against a known reference. Cosmetic condition is reflected in the listing photos — knicks and dings consistent with a working camera body. Mechanically, it's good to shoot.

Comes with our 7-day functional return policy: if anything we declared isn't working as described, we'll exchange or refund.

CLA'd by GPP — shutter speeds checked, light seals replaced where needed, meter calibrated against a known reference.
7-day functional return — if it doesn't work as we declared on this listing, we exchange or refund. Wear-and-tear consistent with the listed condition isn't returnable.
UAE & worldwide shipping — Domestic next-day, international tracked. Insurance can be added to any order on request. Customs and import duties are the buyer's responsibility on international orders.
Walk in to inspect — Warehouse D36, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai. Mon–Sat, 10am–7pm. Bring a roll if you'd like to test-fire on the spot.

Questions

Things people ask

What film does it take?

Standard 35mm film. We carry the widest selection in the Middle East — colour, B&W, slide — across consumer, professional, and cinema stocks. Need a recommendation for this body? Just ask us.

Is the camera serviced before sale?

Yes — every analog camera at GPP goes through our bench before it goes on the listing. Shutter speeds verified, light seals replaced where needed, meter calibrated against a reference.

What's your return policy?

7-day functional return. If anything we declared isn't working as described, contact us within 7 days of receipt for a full refund or exchange.

Can GPP develop and scan the photos I shoot with this?

Yes — our in-house film lab handles colour, B&W, and slide development with scanning. 24-48 hour rush available. More on the film lab.

Can I see the camera before I buy?

Always welcome. Visit Warehouse D36, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai. Open Monday to Saturday, 10am–7pm.

Reading

Further reference

Camera-Wiki entry on the Pentax KM

Wikipedia article on the Pentax K-series