How to buy zoom lenses for Pentax K1000?

Question

I just bought a Pentax K1000 camera for my friend's birthday. I have a very limited understanding of photography, but the camera I bought has a 35 mm lens (picture attached). This means it doesn't zoom, right? If that's true, is the lens removable? Could I buy a zoom lens for it? How would I search for one that would work on this camera? Sorry if this is confusing or poorly phrased, I have no idea how any of this works but I'd like to get as good of a gift as I can. Thanks!

Answer 1

Advice so far is good. You need to specify the focal lengths of the zoom, maybe 55mm to 200mm, or 70mm to 300mm for slightly more reach. Indeed you must specify that the lens is for a Pentax K1000.



I agree with Fhotoace - the lens on that camera looks more like a 50mm, which is considered "standard" for cameras using 35mm film. Indeed it does not zoom.



I know that you want to make the present a surprise, but just consider the idea of consulting the camera's owner before buying the lens - you will be spending quite a bit of money, and he/she may have definite ideas about the sort of lens he/she next wants - which might not be what you, with limited knowledge, might buy. There are many choices in buying lenses for that sort of camera - just saying "zoom" is very indefinite, and might lead to disappointment (carefully disguised, we hope!) by the recipient .

Answer 2

It's an SLR. All SLRs have interchangeable lenses.



The camera takes Pentax K mount lenses.



A 35mm lens is a prime lens. It doesn't zoom. You can zoom with your feet however!!

Answer 3

The K1000 is the standard "student" all-manual film camera. Likely for many years the standard item beginning serious photographers bought to learn the basics of photography. All you get is a very basic light meter.



Sure, you can still buy all manner of lenses for Pentax K-series cameras. Likely any camera shop will have a fine selection of used lenses in any configuration you'd like. None of these will be autofocus lenses, of course, you have to do all that manually.

Answer 4

Search on eBay for "Pentax zoom lenses for K1000"

There should be loads available at cheap prices.