Pentax MX camera
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lxmike
M2 fan.
always had a soft spot for the LX and the MX
raytoei@gmail.com
Veteran
hi, i have a MX with a vry nice 40f2.8 lens. Can i know what happens if i use the k-mount to M42 adapter, what does it mean by losing "open aperture metering" ? Also, how feasible is it to use M42 lens ? I have read of compatibility issues.
thanks
raytoei
nb. I currently am not using any battery but Sunny 16 rule.
thanks
raytoei
nb. I currently am not using any battery but Sunny 16 rule.
If you're not using the camera's metering, then losing TTL metering doesn't matter... it won't affect you. 🙂 Pentax K and M bayonet lenses (and later ones having an aperture ring) communicate the set aperture to the MX mechanically, and the camera then can calculate the exposure based on a wide-open reading. Of course more recent lenses having no aperture ring aren't usable on the MX.
The MX and other similar vintage cameras can't do this with M42 Super Takumar and SMC Takumar lenses adapted to fit them, as there's no aperture information communicated. So, to meter with these older lenses the Auto-Manual switch on the lens is used to manually stop it down to the shooting aperture for metering, previewing the depth of field, and ultimately making the exposure. The even older Auto-Takumar lenses are out of this as they have no Auto-Man. switch.
Doug
David Murphy
Veteran
OK, well I have to make a couple of honest observations about the MX and some other well loved SLR's at the risk of getting hell rained on me 🙂
I have always found it hard to see the meter LED's on the Pentax MX. They blank out from my peripheral vision, or whatever, I do not know. They also seem a little dim. This was a very early use of LED's in a 35mm film camera and maybe the technology was not quite there yet. I hate to say it, because the camera is such a little gem mechanically (and good looking too), but the viewfinder overall can be a challenge to use in my experience.
Not so with say the OM-1 which has a breathtakingly bright finder for a vintage SLR, or newer SLR's like the Contax SLR series from the 80's and 90's. I think one reason the K-1000 was a vastly bigger hit than the MX was not only it's reasonable price, but it's finder optics and meter; easy to see and super simple. The K1000, while larger than the MX, is still quite light and is large enough to grip easily, yet not a heavy beast of a camera like say the Nikon F2. Of course the K1000 was not a complete "system" camera, but neither was the MX really.
I have always found it hard to see the meter LED's on the Pentax MX. They blank out from my peripheral vision, or whatever, I do not know. They also seem a little dim. This was a very early use of LED's in a 35mm film camera and maybe the technology was not quite there yet. I hate to say it, because the camera is such a little gem mechanically (and good looking too), but the viewfinder overall can be a challenge to use in my experience.
Not so with say the OM-1 which has a breathtakingly bright finder for a vintage SLR, or newer SLR's like the Contax SLR series from the 80's and 90's. I think one reason the K-1000 was a vastly bigger hit than the MX was not only it's reasonable price, but it's finder optics and meter; easy to see and super simple. The K1000, while larger than the MX, is still quite light and is large enough to grip easily, yet not a heavy beast of a camera like say the Nikon F2. Of course the K1000 was not a complete "system" camera, but neither was the MX really.
David Murphy
Veteran
Pentax BTW, IMO made very good camera bodies, but their optics were even better - just incredible really - to this day - even their more economical lenses are special.
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
Using the K body to M42 lens adapter there's no meter or auto diaphragm coupling.
You must set M42 lens to manual, then meter and expose at shooting aperture.
Suggest you seek out the genuine Asahi Pentax brand adapter, which costs a little more.
As you have read many cheaper adapters have problems.
Off brands are often quite difficult to remove once mounted.
Chris
You must set M42 lens to manual, then meter and expose at shooting aperture.
Suggest you seek out the genuine Asahi Pentax brand adapter, which costs a little more.
As you have read many cheaper adapters have problems.
Off brands are often quite difficult to remove once mounted.
Chris
zuikologist
.........................
David, fair comment regarding LEDs, though I have never had any problems. I do think the MX is easier to focus - for some reason there is more snap to the focusing screen, at least on the MX and OM 1 have. Both are excellent cameras and coat-pocket sized with the right lenses.
Wulfthari
Well-known
Interesting...to be fair I find the leds of the MX even too bright and sometimes they are a little distracting, also because the lightmeter is very sensitive and sometimes it takes time to settle down to ONE single one.
And I agree, the K1000 and all the other Ks are the "perfect" camera size-wise,if you are looking for the K closer to the "complete" system you need to get a K2DMD, unfortunately it's pretty rare and it's almost impossible to find the motordrive and databack today...that was the closer thing Pentax made to a system camera until the introduction of the advanced LX.
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/8-pentax-film-slr-discussion/61210-pentax-k2-dmd.html
Everybody who got one (including me) loves it.
Dirk
Privatier
I couldn't have said it better and agree with everything Dan says. I prefer my ME Super and then the MX with either the Pentax-M 50mm 1.7 or Pentax-A 50mm 1.7 to my Leica M3. Smaller, lighter, easier use and great results. I can't justify keeping so much money tied up in the M3 with Summicron when the results from the Pentaxes are so good and I prefer them in use, with preference to the ME Super. BTW, the aforementioned lenses are better than the SMC-K 55mm 1.8, but not better than the SMC Takumar (screw-mount version) 55mm 1.8
sc_rufctr
Leica nuts
I met a young lad through work and who was into film... I had this in storage for years so I thought why not and gave it to him.
Last used just before I got divorced, 12 years ago. He reported back that with a new battery it works perfectly.
Pentax = Very underrated IMO.
Last used just before I got divorced, 12 years ago. He reported back that with a new battery it works perfectly.
Pentax = Very underrated IMO.
Laviolette
Established
I am lucky enough to have received a free MX with 50mm F2 and 100mm 2.8 lenses. Beautiful viewfinder, and the 100mm lens is most excellent. It is an excellent choice if you want a simple, light and competent camera. SMC lenses are impressively small.
However, the shutter on mine is quite loud, with a metallic ping. I would say it is as loud as my Minolta SRT-101. When I watched Youtube videos about the Pentax MX I was under the impression that the shutter was not very loud, so maybe my camera needs a check-up.
Other than that, my only problem with the camera is that it is almost too small for my hands (which are normal sized). I prefer slightly larger cameras like Minolta XD11 and Leica M.
However, the shutter on mine is quite loud, with a metallic ping. I would say it is as loud as my Minolta SRT-101. When I watched Youtube videos about the Pentax MX I was under the impression that the shutter was not very loud, so maybe my camera needs a check-up.
Other than that, my only problem with the camera is that it is almost too small for my hands (which are normal sized). I prefer slightly larger cameras like Minolta XD11 and Leica M.
Wulfthari
Well-known
Ehm, the K55 1.8 and the Takumar 55mm 1.8 are the same lens optically speaking...different package, though.
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Maybe the foam rubber mirror bumper has deteriorated and crumbled. Installing a new one is a matter of minutes and might make a huge difference.
Happy shooting!
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
A member on Pentax Forums recently had the same complaint about his MX.
Eric Hendrickson, Pentax repair expert in Knoxville Tennessee fixed it.
Eric does excellent work on these cameras for a very modest price.
He has serviced numerous Pentax bodies and lenses for me in the last fifteen years.
I recommend him heartily and without hesitation.
Eric's webpage: http://pentaxs.com
Chris
Laviolette
Established
Thank you both Johan Niels and Chris!
I changed all the foam when I got the camera but it didn't remove the problem. I will ask a quote from Eric!
I changed all the foam when I got the camera but it didn't remove the problem. I will ask a quote from Eric!
Dan Daniel
Well-known
Re: the mirror PING. If you set the shutter for 1 second or so, you'll hear that the PING happens when the mirror returns after the shutter closes.
I recently had Eric Hendrickson work on a sticking MX. On its return, the PING is as loud as when I first bought the camera used a year ago. Much louder than, say, a Pentax ME Super. I'm trying to contact Eric to see if this is normal, and regarding another problem that has emerged (mirror sometimes doesn't rise for the shutter opening- will admit this solves the PING problem!).
I recently had Eric Hendrickson work on a sticking MX. On its return, the PING is as loud as when I first bought the camera used a year ago. Much louder than, say, a Pentax ME Super. I'm trying to contact Eric to see if this is normal, and regarding another problem that has emerged (mirror sometimes doesn't rise for the shutter opening- will admit this solves the PING problem!).
Laviolette
Established
I just contacted Eric about the mirror ping, and here's what he wrote back :
«The spring on the bottom of the mirror mech. has lost it's foam bumper and it will start making that pinging sound. I need to take it apart and will also clean and lube at the same time.»
«The spring on the bottom of the mirror mech. has lost it's foam bumper and it will start making that pinging sound. I need to take it apart and will also clean and lube at the same time.»
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
I've probably had a half dozen Pentax MX bodies over the years.
FWIW I don't recall any exhibiting the "ping" sound mentioned.
But it's good to know Eric can fix it easily and inexpensively.
Chris
FWIW I don't recall any exhibiting the "ping" sound mentioned.
But it's good to know Eric can fix it easily and inexpensively.
Chris
mister_ju
Newbie
As a pentax user with some Pentax FF lenses, when I wanted to try film photography, after some research, I bought a Pentax MX (black) : instant love : I love the feeling, the size, the weight, the look.... everythng.
Few months later, I bought a second (silver) body, just because I love it, and it was a bargain.
Few months later, I bought a second (silver) body, just because I love it, and it was a bargain.
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