This is the Jessops Centon K100, a Chinese-made SLR that uses the Pentax K-mount system of interchangeable lenses. The camera came with a Centon MC Zoom lens which met an untimely demise due to my camera desk serving dual purpose as my work-from-home desk (I am looking at you, swivel lamp). My Pentax ME Super was more than happy to donate its f2 lens and the shots at the end of this post are the result.
The Jessops logo as it would have appeared at the time the K100 was sold.
Provenance of the K100 development is hard to discern as opinions as to its origin vary. I have seen arguments that it is essentially a Pentax K1000 made in China using original manufacturing equipment, but have also read that it is based on Cosina designs. If anyone has definitive information and would like to pass it along, I will update this post.
| Make | Jessop |
|---|---|
| Model | Centon K100 |
| Year | c1997 |
| Format | 35mm |
| Shutter | Metal Focal Plane |
| Speed | B, T, 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60, 125, 250, 500, 1000 |
| Lens | Centon MC (Pentax interchangeable K-mount) |
| f3.5-4.5 28-70mm | |
| Focus | 0.5ft – ∞ |
| Aperture | f1.4 – 16 |
| Light Meter | Yes (TTL) |
| Rangefinder | SLR |
Functionally the K100 is OK, though cameras like the ME Super or OM-1 surpass it, both in a smaller form factor. Thought there is nothing exceptional about the K100, it works. As a starter camera, similar to the Pentax K1000, it is more than adequate but a “cheap” feel to the overall build quality hampers the user experience.
Sample images on Bergger Pancro400. Stand-developed HC-110, 30 minutes.
Cool post! Thanks!
Mine was delivered with an MC Centon f:1.7/50 mm lens. Pretty soft.
Some pics and info: https://www.instagram.com/p/CCgCLYbHfpR/
I’ve just got hold of one of these, unfortunately without a battery cover.
I’ve managed to test it briefly using some foil. That’s made the shutter speed change, but there’s no hint of any metering display.
Could you advise what it looks like? Information seems very scarce.
Thank you!
Hi, to my knowledge as long as the battery is good, you should see LEDs light up in the display, if there are none then it may be that the battery is bad or the connection is not strong enough. Here is a link to the manual that I have found very useful. Check out the “Exposure Setting” section on page 4. https://www.cameramanuals.org/pdf_files/centon_k100.pdf
Been after one of these since I did the black and white part of the photography course. Could have had one for a tenner a few years back, but missed the opportunity as no one I was with had any cash on them…
Just bought one on eBay for £15.75. Looking forward to adding it to my collection