It's About Time! My Pentax K-1 Review After Three Years of Use - Affordable Full Frame Camera

I bought the Pentax K-1 three years ago on a whim. While I jumped to full frame without knowing much of what I was getting into (don't recommend) the Pentax K-1 has proven to be an incredible camera. I still own and use APS-C bodies, and I am not of the opinion that one is better than the other. That seems like a silly argument to have - both have advantages, and certain cameras can be good or bad on their own regardless of sensor size. I am downsizing my camera collection right now though, and decided to keep the K-1 as one of my cameras.

Nowadays, you can buy a used Pentax K-1 for around $1k USD. That is an exceptional deal. Just don't forget to think about what lenses you want/need and adjust that into the cost. It's definitely not a no-brainer to move from APSC Pentax to FF Pentax. Your K5, K3, KP, K-70 or whatever is going to be a fantastic camera. Just look at my recent K-3 video last year and compare my favorite photos there. Were my K-1 photos "better"? No! :P Don't worry so much with what you got and what you want and just keep shooting.

Let me know your thoughts on the Pentax K-1 if you have one. Or, let me know whatever you're shooting and up to these days. I would love to hear from you.

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[snappiness]

What is the camera that just *clicks* with you?

[mogbaba]

From 2006 and K10D, I have been waiting for a Pentax FF camera. On the road, I was so hopeless, that I considered changing brand. But one lens, stopped me, the FA 77/1.8 Ltd. I updated to K5, and god! How much I love that camera! The K1 came in 2016, but then, my life had been changed so much, that I could not afford it. Five depressing years passed, until yesterday, finally I got my hands on a Pentax K-1 Mark II, Limited silver edition.
So, it was the time, put the 77 ltd, my most beloved lens on, and take the first picture with this beautiful beast, of my most beloved person in life, my son.
A lot of thanks to Ricoh, for keeping the Pentax brand alive, and for giving us this fantastic camera.
Thanks for your great video.

[dukenukem]

I've also had mine for 3 years. It is a brilliant camera with far more functions than I ever want or need. It is a shame that most reviewers now are only interested in using their camera for video; I'm not interested in that and I'd get a real camcorder if I was. Glad that Pentax are concentrating on making solid, weatherproof, kit and not trying to keep up with the Canon/Sony mirrorless video-making crowd.

[photovideomusic]

As someone who jumped off the Pentax bandwagon in 2013 when I really needed to go full frame and it looked like they'd just never deliver, and then eventually fell away from photography altogether... I've recently gotten back into it big time and when I realised that there is not only this but the K1-II... I think I have to get it out of pure nostaligia and completionism.
Great review!

[SummersSnaps]

I proud to say I learned photography on the K-1, and in the years to come I think history will look back at this camera as being an absolute classic.

[markusesslinger]

It's refreshing to see a photographer with a nuanced opinion. So many "influencers" tell us that full frame is the best and mirrorless is the future - and many buyers adopt this opinion without thinking.
In reality, there is no definitive truth on either point, and it all depends on personal needs and preferences. I hope it pays off in the long run for Pentax not to follow the hype and instead build on enthusiasm for photography.
For a professional, in the end it's all about having a decent image, and things like eye autofocus can help with that. However, most people are not professional photographers, and if the camera does everything right automatically, the challenge dwindles and with it the fun.

[BrettADay]

The Pentax K1 will go down as one of my favorite cameras of all time. It felt like an extension of me. It made me slow down and appreciate the art of photography more than any other camera. In the line of work I do, I get to use every camera from every manufacturer under the sun and I can honestly say that for stills, the K1 is incredibly hard to beat. Unfortunately for work, I had to move on from mine. It will be sorely missed. Nice review.

[cameronboyd]

Older video, but I've watched it three times now heading up to my purchase of a barely-off-the-lot K1 Mark II. This video makes me emotional. I've forwarded it to my family. Love your work. (Also getting the Pentax 150-450 in with this deal. Can you imagine how stoked I am? Three more sleeps!) Have a K-70, and an excessive amount of vintage glass, mostly Takumars. I feel blessed to now be getting this camera and lens.

[mursejoyy]

Thank you for making this video, it is such a great camera that needs more recognition out there. Love my K-1 and look forward to shooting Pentax for many years to come.

[tonygarrett]

Excellent review: honest, informative and entertaining. You have a gift for making the complex simple. Very rare in most camera reviews. I was once an ardent film Pentaxian but although I recently bought a Canon EOS 6D mark 2, I’m sorely tempted to return to the Pentax fold!

[EM]

Man...this video was food for my soul. I feel the way you conveyed in your detail of what the Pentax K-1 means to you and how it makes you feel. The way one feels when handling a camera can inspire and coax the highest expression of what lies within. I have been admiring the K-1 and now the K3iii. Only several cameras I have owned have made me feel this way, my Leica Q, Sigma DP2 Merrill, and Fuji XH-1. Don't get me wrong...I enjoy the images that my Nikon z7 produces. It doesn't inspire me to pick it up the way I did with those cameras.

[tjompen]

The K-1 is a favorite. It is with me a lot, got it when it was released in 2016. It has been banged up a lot but still gives perfect results. I also have my Canon 5D MK1 with a 50/1.8 that I use often because it is fun and gives impressive IQ for beeing so old.

[lelanddyer]

Bought my K1 used. Had 11K actuations and saved me $500 off the list price of a K1 II. I can't agree with you more on how freaking awesome the K1 is. It could only really be surpassed, IMO, by the very best Canon (1D) or Nikon (D6) has to offer. Paired with the battery grip and my Asahi 50 1.4, it's a match made in heaven.

[stevecox]

I’ve been very intrigued with Pentax DSLRs (though I’ve mainly shot with Canon and Nikon). I really like their extremely rugged, weather-resistant builds, and with their pleasingly old-school design. I’m totally convinced, after watching your very enjoyable—and pleasantly non-technical—video, that that Pentax K-1 (Mk II) I’ve been contemplating would be a capable photographic tool. (By the way, I LOVE your imagery. And, further, your low-key narration wonderfully conveys your appreciation for Pentax.)

[Paddy]

I've only had my K-1 since November '20, although there hasn't been much opportunity to get out it's been a pleasure to use when i have. Beautiful images, feels great and easy to use.

[geocubano]

I have been shooting with Pentax since the K1000 which I got forty years ago! Now as a working Professional Photographer I have a Pentax K1 & the K1 mk2 and I love them. I also have in my Pentax Collection the K10, K20, K7, K3 & K5 and use them all. IMHO, for me and what I do (Portraits, Wedding & Concert Photography) the Pentax FF totally fits my shooting style!

[wabisabiprod]

Really cool to watch this juxtaposed with the K3 Mark III announcements

[SokolHazizi]

No mister, you are not exaggerating! The display mechanism is just from another world. I mean no other manufacturer has done anything comparable to it. In fact, I wish there was some article about how they came by it.
That said, your love for the K1 is totally justified.

[ivanlupi]

Perfect description of how I feel about my k1, holding a Sony is just awful, but also necessary when you need eye autofocus and writing speed, otherwise, it’s back to the k1 and 15-30.

[LeeIveson]

Great video bud, there's no denying the K1, its just a beast. One day I may own one.