Pentaxians... Any out there?
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nickthetasmaniac
Veteran
Barry Kirsten
Established
What does Eric typically charge for a CLA? I considered sending my SV and Spotmatic to Kanko for service, but at around AU$320 each plus freight, I've reluctantly decided to try my own. I assume Eric is in USA?
kshapero
South Florida Man
That's a real beauty.Yep 🙂
My 'Eric'd' black MX remains one of my all time favourites.
nickthetasmaniac
Veteran
Hi Barry, Eric is great and I can't recommend him enough. But if you are in Aus I suggest contacting Alan at F16 Camera Service in QLD. He knows his way around Pentax's and recently did a fantastic job doing a full overhaul on two SV's, including fabricating new shutter curtains from scratch. This cost $145 for each body.
Eric was $90usd plus shipping when I had my MX done in 2017.
$320 for a regular service on an Pentax S series is ridiculous.
http://www.f16cameraservice.com.au/
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
I have had numerous Pentax bodies and several lenses serviced by Eric Hendrickson.
I recommend his work without reservation. His rate for CLA aka "standard repair" is very reasonable.
Most Pentax bodies I have had serviced cost under $100 including domestic return shipping.
For overseas customers international shipping cost will be an important consideration.
Chris in New York
I recommend his work without reservation. His rate for CLA aka "standard repair" is very reasonable.
Most Pentax bodies I have had serviced cost under $100 including domestic return shipping.
For overseas customers international shipping cost will be an important consideration.
Chris in New York
Ron (Netherlands)
Well-known
Have some of those nice Pentaxes too and did some work on them:
One of the curtains was loose and the wiring had to be renewed:
Someone before asked about a comparison with a Leica:
Some advertisements:
One of the curtains was loose and the wiring had to be renewed:
Someone before asked about a comparison with a Leica:
Some advertisements:
Barry Kirsten
Established
Thanks for the info, Nick. When I look at camera tech websites in Australia, I shudder at their emphasis on digital cameras, and that saps my confidence in them. it's understandable, of course because we dinosaurs who use only film are becoming rarer. I inquired at Kanko because of a recommendation in another thread here. Yes, their quote is ridiculous, but that's what they quoted me - 28000 JP Yen for a standard CLA. And it gets worse... because Japan Post is not doing international parcel delivery, Kanko quoted AU$150 for air freight! And they have a 4 month turn around. I've decided to have a go at my own CLA on the SV, and if I hit a brick wall I'll send it to F16. Thanks again.
charjohncarter
Veteran
I just had Eric do my Spotmatic, I don't really remember the total cost, but $120.00 for the CLA, parts I can't remember but say around $20, and then a reasonable shipping charge. It was well worth it. But shipping from OZ would eat into that greatly.
nickthetasmaniac
Veteran
Yes Kanto are very highly regarded, but I think they're more used to the Leica repair/repaint market and charge accordingly.
Not a bad idea having a go at servicing the SV yourself. If you're comfortable with tools they are a fairly straightforward design.
agentlossing
Well-known
How is the MX size and weight, and viewfinder size, compared to something like an Olympus OM-1?
Very similar, differences are so small as to be irrelevant, although technically MX is a tiny bit smaller. Nearly life-size magnification (0.97x) Viewfinder shows aperture and shutter speed, unlike the OM-1.
nickthetasmaniac
Veteran
I have 2x MX and 2x OM1n.
Size, weight and viewfinder are close enough to be identical in use. The difference between the two is really down to personal preference and taste, as the user interface has some key differences.
Do you prefer the shutter dial around the lens or on the top plate?
Do you prefer a meter needle or lit LEDs?
Do you want to be able to use regular batteries?
Do you want a shutter lock, film advance indicator and film reminder sleeve?
Do you want mirror lock up (as a designed feature, not a hack)?
agentlossing
Well-known
I do think I'd prefer the LEDs of the MX, I have found my OM-1 needle is a bit sluggish and just somehow not satisfying to read off of. Also sound slike the MX can use more readily sourced batteries. I do like the Zuiko glass a lot, though...
nickthetasmaniac
Veteran
Yeah I prefer the LEDs (although I know some don’t). They remain visible in lower light, whereas the OM1 needle disappears. The MX viewfinder is also great for meterless/batteryless shooting, as the LED display doesn’t intrude into the VF when not activated.
Regarding lenses, both have excellent options. The Pentax K and M series are mechanically lovely and have fantastic ergonomics.
agentlossing
Well-known
I am currently using a KP DSLR, it's tempting to look for an MX and an FA L prime like the 31mm which would be a compelling focal length on both 35mm and APS-C, but that's easily up there in the $$$ category.
nickthetasmaniac
Veteran
Disappointed_Horse
Well-known
I've never even held an MX, but I had an OM-1 for a while and, while it's a nice camera, I felt like I could never get a really good grip on it because the self-timer lever was exactly where the tips of the second and third fingers of my right hand needed to be. The above picture illustrates the problem. Also, the OM-1 relies on the obsolete 625 mercury battery. They can be converted to use modern batteries, but that is something you never have to worry about with Pentax.
I did like a lot of things about the OM-1, though. I liked the shutter speed ring around the lens mount, as if you get used to it you can set your shutter speed by feel without looking at a dial on the top plate (of course the MX tells you the shutter speed in the viewfinder so not that much of an advantage for the OM-1). Also, the OM-1's film speed setting dial on the top plate is much larger and easier to see than any other manual focus SLR I've tried.
They're both great cameras, but if I was going to buy one or the other, I'd buy an MX.
D
Deleted member 65559
Guest
Olympus offered some spectacular lenses but, like the Nikkormat, I never cared for the shutter speed dial around the lens. I just didn't bond with it. In retrospect, even though i used Nikons for far more years, Pentax had the eye for ergonomic body design. From the Spotmatic, to the KX, MX, LX.... they just feel great. On the other hand, blown up, the Pentax 67 not so much.
I use the 43/1.9 on an ME Super, what a great and tiny combo, as is the MX.