Pentax MX, cuter than a button

[shadowfox]

Just want to share some test roll shots from the *black* Pentax MX (yes, these shots will be even lamer if they were from a chrome MX )

... sorry, I only have one lens...

 

[ChrisN]

What lens? I'm guessing it might be a 100mm?

 

[shadowfox]

Oops, I thought I mentioned it, it's a beat up 135mm/3.5 (beat up as in dented filter rim).

 

[Fred]

I still have my old *chrome* MX from when I bought it new back in 1981, I could not afford the black version. An incredible compact SLR. I really ought to dig it out and use it. I also have an old ME Super that I got as a backup a while back. I use RFs most of the time so it's not been used for a couple of years now.

 

[aad]

I prefer my MX to an M Leica, actually.

 

[Doug]

I still have my old *chrome* MX from when I bought it new back in 1981, I could not afford the black version. An incredible compact SLR. I really ought to dig it out and use it.

Tony, was the black finish more expensive for a new camera? Black sure carries a price premium for used ones, more demand.

I just received a black MX yesterday, in fairly clean condition but it'll need a CLA. My chrome one just underexposed a roll of Kodak BCN400 by about 1.5 stops, while trying the 100mm f4 Macro. Not sure what the problem is, there...

Nice handling little camera, for sure. Dig it out and use it!

 

[Ken Ford]

I had a pair of new black MX bodies with M motors that I bought in 1977 - sadly they were sold for Nikon gear shortly afterward when I got my first newspaper position. (All the pool gear was Nikon.)

IIRC, the black bodies were $18 more than the chrome, and not usually stocked by most dealers.

MXes are great bodies - I would seriously consider getting one again!

 

[nikon_sam]

I was going to guess that the price difference was about $15-$20...
When I bought my two black body MX's...

11-9-1979 Black Body MX $194.95
11-19-1979 MX Winder $99.95
7-12-1980 Black Body MX $188.00
2-26-1981 MX Winder $91.44

No, not a good memory...just found the receipts

Also found...

4-12-1980 Vivitar Series 1 35-85mm $299.95
1-17-1981 Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm $269.95

I had a full-time job, not married, living at home...

 

[Doug]

And now, Sam, you have a cute kitty to support, eh. Thanks for the antique pricing!

 

[wintoid]

From my limited experience of antique SLRs (Canon FTb, Olympus OM4, Pentax ME Super, Pentax MX) the MX is the one I like the best. That said, it makes a lovely pairing with an ME Super

 

[oftheherd]

I was going to guess that the price difference was about $15-$20...
When I bought my two black body MX's...

11-9-1979 Black Body MX $194.95
11-19-1979 MX Winder $99.95
7-12-1980 Black Body MX $188.00
2-26-1981 MX Winder $91.44

No, not a good memory...just found the receipts

Also found...

4-12-1980 Vivitar Series 1 35-85mm $299.95
1-17-1981 Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm $269.95

I had a full-time job, not married, living at home...

How did you like the two Series 1 lenses? I found the 35-85mm to be rather nice, if a bit heavy.

 

[Doug]

... the MX is the one I like the best. That said, it makes a lovely pairing with an ME Super

Danger! Danger! This pairing concept can lead to full photo cabinets... Next thing you know, one ME-Super seems like a good pairing with another ME-Super, and the same with a pairing of LX's, a chrome MX engenders a black MX, an ES leads to an ESII like a K2 calls for a K2 DMD, a P6x7 non-MLU needs a P6x7 MLU mate, and who can resist a pair of P67II or P645NII? Watch your six, as they say in the infantry!

 

[nikon_sam]

oftheherd,

I liked them both...might have used the 70-210 more...
The 35-85 is heavy and if I recall was a bit stiff on the zoom...Both lenses were of the One-Touch type...
Never liked the lens hood for the 35-85...it would fall off quite often...
Had to send the 70-210 for repairs...the zoom quit working...
As well as they were made back then...they did have a few plastic parts in there...

I gave the lenses to my wife but she has yet to use them...and that was about ten years ago...I know where they are...!!!

 

[zuikologist]

Nice photos, especially the spider shot.

IMHO the MX with a 40/2.8 is a great street combo.

The MX was my first "real" camera after an Instamatic and an Oly 35 Trip. Still have it and use it, especially for the wideangles. I have some of the accessories, like the vf magnifier, which will fit the DSLR bodies, as of course will the lenses.

 

[Marc-A.]

I'm very happy to see other enthusiast users of the Pentax MX. I don't understand why Pentax is less regarded than Canon or Nikon; I don't get why the MX hasn't been a best seller either. It is small (smaller than any Nikon SLR), well designed, well built, reliable ... that's a great SLR. And the lenses are pretty good.

Two pictures both taken with an MX+SMC 50/1.7

 

[shadowfox]

I'm very happy to see other enthusiast users of the Pentax MX. I don't understand why Pentax is less regarded than Canon or Nikon;

Now, now, don't be hasty

Others here may be Pentax enthusiast, but I still like the OM-1 more. It's more robust and solidly built, and the viewfinder is more spacious and brighter than the MX. Also the 135mm lens, while decent, I don't like the bokeh, it's no match for the Zuiko 85mm/2 for portrait.

Now, I don't want to be sucked into another splitting hair discussions, the MX is one cool camera, it took me by surprise and I end up liking it a lot. This thread is for you Pentax aficionados, enjoy

Oh yes, here's the obligatory shot of the camera itself:

 

[wintoid]

Danger! Danger! This pairing concept can lead to full photo cabinets...

Yeah! I hate it when things are lopsided. I suppose the MX, ME-Super and LX would make quite a nice triangle shape.

 

[wintoid]

Others here may be Pentax enthusiast, but I still like the OM-1 more. It's more robust and solidly built, and the viewfinder is more spacious and brighter than the MX.

Interesting. I came to the MX after dissatisfaction with how dark the OM-4 finder is (and just generally not getting on with the OM way of doing things). I'd also have said the MX is better built than the OM-4. Then again, I've never held an OM-1 (probably a good thing!).

Here's a shot from last night taken with my MX

 

[jbf]

Heh, I have a silver Pentax ME. I'd like to have an MX just because i have os many lenses for it. But oh well.

 

[nikon_sam]

That black body Pentax MX that I loaned out to a young photo student about three years ago was returned to me today...
Current Pentax count...2 black & 1 chrome MX's and a ME Super...