Source for a Pentax MX Focusing Screen

[Nando]

Hi,

I just received a Pentax MX SLR with the SMC 50/1,7, SMC 28/2,8 lens and a Soligor 500/8 mirror lens for free. According to the documents I received with the camera, it was purchased in 1986. Fortunately, save for the fading paint on the Pentax logo on the lens-caps, the lenses are perfect. The camera has quite a few bright marks and a ding but everything seems to be in working order except that the viewfinder was extremely dark with big brown patches.. After a little investigation, I found the culprit. The focusing screen is quite bad. It looked like somebody handled it with their fingers and I also saw evidence that somebody also probably rubbed it quite aggressively - probably trying to clean it.

I was wondering if anybody knew a good source for old Pentax parts. I've tried KEH, e-Bay, B&H and Adorama but the focusing screens are hard to come by and the few that I saw cost about 1/2 as much as an used MX body. I under stand that focusing screens for the Pentax LX also work on the MX.

Thank you for your time,
Fernando

 

[BillBingham2]

Might try keeping your eyes out for a fixer-upper or for parts body on EvilBay. Somebody made focusing screens for Nikon, Olympus years back might have made one for Pentax, cann't remember their name, but they were said to be brighter (could be used with slower lenses).

Do a search for Nikon, Canon, Olympus focusing screen and perhaps the word bright might find them.

Good luck. I'm in the hunt for a P screen for my Nikon F2 and a 14 for my OM-1.

B2 (;->

 

[rbiemer]

Nando,
You might try contacting Eric Hendrickson(http://pentaxs.com/index.html)
He is a very well respected Pentax service person. I don't know if he has(or sells) the screen you need but a quick email would tell you. He serviced my K2 and I can certainly recommend him if you want the MX CLA'ed! Quick and reasonably priced.
You might want to look at this site for lots of Pentax info:http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/ it may give you SLR GAS, though!
And our own Kim Coxon has manuals(PDF format) for most--if not all--of the Pentax SLRs. Here: http://www.pentax-manuals.com/manuals/manuals.htm.
Good luck!
Rob

 

[Nando]

Thanks. I'll search ebay and email Eric Hendrickson and see if he sells them. I'm eager to try this camera. I started with SLR's but I never had an all-manual one. I kinda like this one. The ergonomics aren't that great but its quite small.

Right now, its not very usable because of the dark focus screen. I had a photography friend come over a few minutes ago to take a look and he said that it looks like somebody used some sort of cleaning agent on it. I think I could manage with the 50/1,7 but its way too dark to use with the 28/2,8 - it's that bad.

 

[Nando]

I found some on e-Bay from $10-16. I should have looked for focusing screens for the Pentax LX as that seems to be a more popular model than my MX. There's lots of different kinds to choose from. I think I'm having focusing screen GAS - I want one of each!

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi, Be wary of the LX screens. They are the same size but Pentax has always said that you can fit MX screens to the LX but not vice versa. There is a similiar problem with the Beattie screens. The LX uses OTF metering so screen brightness is not a problem. However, many of the LX screens and the Beattie screens will throw the metering out in the MX. If you use a separate meter not a problem and you could work out a compensation factor by trial and error but you need to be aware of it. Which screen were you after? I may have a spare MX one around.

Kim

 

[zuikologist]

Nando

If Kim canot help, the screens come up on evilbay quite often, or try Harrow Technical in the UK. They apparently have an extensive parts supply and quote focusing screens as part of their stock.

http://www.harrowtechnical.co.uk

 

[Kim Coxon]

I think Robin has a reasonable stock of LX screens but only a few MX ones. He tends to keep those for "repairs" as the MX is one of the cameras he gets most. (Not because of reliability but cos people like them. 😉 )

Kim

Nando

If Kim canot help, the screens come up on evilbay quite often, or try Harrow Technical in the UK. They apparently have an extensive parts supply and quote focusing screens as part of their stock.

http://www.harrowtechnical.co.uk

 

[Nando]

Thanks Kim and Zuikologist. Last night I've read up on the metering issue of using LX screens with the MX. Some say it throws out metering quite a bit and others say it that it only throws it off by -1/3 stops. I do have a Sekonic L-558 meter so I can figure out what the margin of error is and compensate for it. I looked at Beattie screens but I think they're too expensive for me, especially for a camera that is a bit of a beater.

I'm looking for a Pentax MX SC-1 screen or the SC-21 Pentax LX equivalent. It's the standard screen with the split-image in the centre and microprism collar.

Thanks again.

 

[Kim Coxon]

I will send PM tonight.

Kim

 

[zuikologist]

There is an evilbay auction ending in a few hours that might be of interest:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-Pentax-focu...ryZ15240QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Bryce]

Kim-
Got another one? I'm looking for a screen to modify for use in my *ist Ds, one with a split prism and micro-prism for focusing shorter lenses. I've sworn off the Bay...

 

[Kim Coxon]

I have a reasonable stock of the earlier large domed screens from the Spot/K era which are superb for collimating lenses as they cover the full 36x24 area and sit nicely on the film guide rails but these would be unlikely to fit the DSLRs. I am bit short of the later ones but I may still have a couple of A/P series ones. Will have a look.

Kim

Kim-
Got another one? I'm looking for a screen to modify for use in my *ist Ds, one with a split prism and micro-prism for focusing shorter lenses. I've sworn off the Bay...

 

[Bryce]

Kim-
Much appreciated. FWIW, I've read that the screens from the ME/ME Super series work beautifully. I don't know if that's the same item as the MX or not.

 

[Kim Coxon]

As far as I understand it, the A series ones are closer to the ME etc series. The MX/LX ones had to be made slightly thicker and with the tab for the interchangeability. The "factory" fitted ones are more delicate as they don't have to withstand the handling (and abuse) by us mere amateurs. 😀

Kim

Kim-
Much appreciated. FWIW, I've read that the screens from the ME/ME Super series work beautifully. I don't know if that's the same item as the MX or not.

 

[Nando]

Sorry for the late response. I cannot access RFF.com at work. I would like to thank you Kim for looking.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I too recommend Eric Hendrickson to anyone with a sick Pentax.
Eric told me LX screens fit the MX and no meter recalibration is required.

LX screens are much easier to find than MX screens on *Bay.
I got a bargain on a brand new LX screen from Cameta Auctions.

Fernando, I will send you my stock MX screen (split-image/microprism)
as a gift if you like, when I finally get around to replacing mine...

Chris

 

[Nando]

Hi Chris,

Thank you very much for the generous offer. If you do this, I will definitely compensate you for any costs you incur.

Its nice to know that there is a reputable repair person in North America. I noticed some gooey foam bits inside the body and got rid of them with a blower. I'm hopeful that I can take photos with this camera for some time before requiring new seals.

Cameta Auction does list many different LX screens. Unfortunately, no SC21 listed yesterday. I tried contacting them to ask if they had any but I got an automated message back telling me that they cannot answer customer queries at the moment. I'll keep observing their listings though.

Thanks.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

The SC-21 was standard equipment included with the LX body.
Other LX specialty focusing screens are indeed easier to find.

Chris

 

[Kim Coxon]

I wish this were always the case. I have a supply of spare SC21 screens which came trying to get some of the others. The box may have said something different but the screen inside has been the standard one. I suspect that someone in the past has changed theirs, put the normal one in the box for safe keeping and someone else has sold it on not knowing the difference. 😱

Kim

The SC-21 was standard equipment included with the LX body.
Other LX specialty focusing screens are indeed easier to find.

Chris