The Downsized SLR Revolution of the ‘70s and ‘80s

[p.giannakis]

The thing that makes the MX/ME so amazing is the very high viewfinder magnification.

Here is an ME Super compared to Contax 139 and FM. So tiny!

Pentax also made small lenses, their standard filter size was 49mm as compared to Nikon 52 and Contax 55.

View attachment 4819786View attachment 4819787View attachment 4819788

Contax SLRs is the only system that I've never handled. I never managed to persuade myself pulling the trigger on one. I am pretty sure I will love them though.

 

[p.giannakis]

An MX was the first film camera I bought with my own money and I've owned four over the years. My current body is a lovely black-paint serviced by the legendary Eric Hendrickson, and it remains my favourite SLR to use.

I've since put together a nice little OM1n kit, but as lovely as it is I always find myself coming back to the MX.


Olympus OM1n + Pentax MX by Nick Clark, on Flickr

Lovely cameras both, there is a reason why they are still popular 40+ years later.

 

[telenous]

I bought an OM-1 last year and all I am kicking myself for not trying one sooner. I added an OM-2 with which I am shooting some slide film but the OM-1 has MLU, which for slow speeds can be very useful. I also have an ME Super, and it's a tiny little package, but steady handholding is a menace below 1/60th".

Overall, I 'll echo the comment made many times before, the OM-1 is the SLR Leica should have made in the 70's.

 

[Out to Lunch]

Shouldn't the Nikon FM3A feature in the 'shrunk SLR' category?

 

[Freakscene]

Shouldn't the Nikon FM3A feature in the 'shrunk SLR' category?

The Nikons that meet the category are the EM, FG and FG20. The FM, FE, FA series are substantially bigger than the ‘shrunk’ SLRs.

The FG is pretty nice with a small lens.

 

[Out to Lunch]

The Nikons that meet the category are the EM, FG and FG20. The FM, FE, FA series are substantially bigger than the ‘shrunk’ SLRs

Thanks, Freakscene for this clarification. I just loaded the FM3A with some Agfa APX 400 and will take it out for a spin when the temperatures in Saigon drop. I've decided to sell my F3HP since I find it too heavy and have trouble reading the meter output. Cheers, OtL

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The FM/FE series is about the same size as the Nikon Rangefinder cameras. Much smaller than the Nikon F/Nikkormat series.

 

[splitimageview]

The Nikons that meet the category are the EM, FG and FG20. The FM, FE, FA series are substantially bigger than the ‘shrunk’ SLRs.

For reference. I like the size of the ME Super, but the FM being slightly larger, for me is pretty much Goldilocks.

 

[Jason Schneider]

Do you mean 1.75 inches for the Nikon F camera body depth? 3.75 seems a bit of a stretch unless you include a lens.

You're right. The measurements I posted for the Nikon F body were taken from the Nikon site and it evidently includes a lens (not specified) which I should have noted, Sooo, I got out my trusty Nikon F and measured it with a steel ruler (sorry no calipers) and the depth of the naked body from the front surface of the lens mount to the back is 1-15/16 inches or a bit over 49mm. Mounting a meter prism adds an additional 5mm to the overall depth since the eyepiece surround stick our by that amount. I will change the dimensions in the text and thanks very much for your correction.

 

[Jason Schneider]

The Fujica ST705 and 801 always impressed with their small size and great finder.

I agree. These Fujis are both worthy cameras and as compact as several others I mentioned. In all there are perhaps half a dozen more SLRs that would have merited inclusion in the piece. Food for thought.

 

[agentlossing]

I think I like the OM-1 a tiny bit better than the MX, but while I like the OM lens lineup a lot from the little I have used it, I like the ongoing compatibility of the K-mount with my modern FF DSLR even better... not to mention, great SMC Pentax glass is just wonderful.

It is very cool to put a current D FA 35mm f2 autofocus lens on the MX and for it to function just as well as a contemporary MF Pentax lens.

 

[MrFujicaman]

Were these clones of the Cosina CSM/CSR. I like the CSR very much.

yes

 

[dmr]

My current go-to SLRs are the MG and the MX, the former being a yard sale find and kind of an oddball, and the latter being a lucky find at a thrift shop by a cow-orker.

I find both of them to be easier to carry than the K1000. I would prefer more of a usual match-needle on the MX but I can live with the LED thing. The MG is (aperture priority) auto-exposure.

Anyway, great article, Jason. Thanks!

 

[Pál_K]

Now I know why I can’t ever find an MX: all of you guys have them.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

The Pentax KX has an excellent SPD match-needle exposure meter.
It is slightly larger and so more ergonomic than the Pentax MX.

Chris

 

[kshapero]

I've had the Pentax's and the Olympus's, but have always come back to the baby Nikon F's. Solid reliable and built like the baby tanks they are. Own an FE and a FM3a currently.

 

[Zuiko-logist]

The Pentax KX has an excellent SPD match-needle exposure meter.
It is slightly larger and so more ergonomic than the Pentax MX.

Chris

I have a nicely brassed black KX. Fantastic camera.

 

[Pál_K]

I haz KX, but am enthralled with the clever viewfinder of the MX in how it displays shutter speed and over/under exposure.



EDIT: The strap orientation on the 6x7 is how I got it. Totally unusable. I moved it to the other side.

 

[shawn]