The Pentax MX

[nickthetasmaniac]

Jan | Kingston Beach

MX, Super Takumar 28/f3.5 and Tmax400

 

[Doug]

...Cosmetically, the metal shell is thinner on the MX than on the earlier 'K' series Pentax's, and you often see them with dented prism housings.

I hadn't heard that, but it could very well be true, going by my experience. I got a black MX from eBay that turned out to have a dent in the right side of the top cover near the wind lever, right on the upper corner, an awkward spot for repair. So I found a spare black MX top with a small dent in the pentaprism, and a friend who owns an auto body shop straightened it for me no charge, re-spraying the affected area with matching black paint. So there's two dented tops, could be fairly common!

 

[Huss]

I hadn't heard that, but it could very well be true, going by my experience. I got a black MX from eBay that turned out to have a dent in the right side of the top cover near the wind lever, right on the upper corner, an awkward spot for repair. So I found a spare black MX top with a small dent in the pentaprism, and a friend who owns an auto body shop straightened it for me no charge, re-spraying the affected area with matching black paint. So there's two dented tops, could be fairly common!

Dented prisms are super common on Nikon F3, FM and FE2 from what I have seen on ebay. Also many dented Nikon Fs.

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

Dented prisms are super common on Nikon F3, FM and FE2 from what I have seen on ebay. Also many dented Nikon Fs.

Yeah it’s certainly not an issue unique to the MX...

 

[chrism]

One from an MX, 50/1.2, XP2 @100 in HC-110:



Fork by chrism229, on Flickr

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Surely dented pentaprism covers are not unique to the Pentax MX, but you will see an inordinate number so afflicted compared to other popular models.
The top and bottom covers are made of particularly thin metal (brass) and they most definitely do dent more easily than previous Pentax models.

Remember when introduced Asahi Optical Co. was out to create a professional body smaller and lighter than the Olympus OM-1, a goal they achieved.

Chris

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

MX, SMC-K 50/f1.2 and 400TX

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

Monolithic | Sydney

MX, SMC-K 50/f1.2 and Tmax100

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

Two from home

MX, SMC 85/f1.8 and Fuji Industrial 400

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

Pulau Ketam, Malaysia

MX, SMC-M 28/f2 and Tmax400

 

[zuikologist]

I think this is more like the Rollei 35 syndrome - the MX is relatively small and light for an SLR and on the end of a wrist strap or neck strap easily mistreated like a Rollei 35.

Surely dented pentaprism covers are not unique to the Pentax MX, but you will see an inordinate number so afflicted compared to other popular models.
The top and bottom covers are made of particularly thin metal (brass) and they most definitely do dent more easily than previous Pentax models.

Remember when introduced Asahi Optical Co. was out to create a professional body smaller and lighter than the Olympus OM-1, a goal they achieved.

Chris

 

[Huss]

Nice pics Nick!

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

Thanks Huss!

The cranes of Port Klang | Malaysia

MX, SMC-K 85/f1.8 and Tmax400

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Thanks Huss!

The cranes of Port Klang | Malaysia

MX, SMC-K 85/f1.8 and Tmax400

That reminds me of when I was stationed on the USS John C Stennis and we pulled in to Klang in early 2000, pretty close to a huge line of cranes like in your photo. Good times... Holy cow, I *almost* got in so much trouble there. It was a great port visit.
Phil Forrest

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

MX vs OM1n

 

[Huss]

MX vs OM1n

Not a fair comparison. To even the playing field, the Olympus has to be black.

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

Not a fair comparison. To even the playing field, the Olympus has to be black.

I’d love a black one but the chrome popped up locally and I couldn’t resist...

 

[ChrisPlatt]

For you 28mm shooters the SMC Pentax-M 28/3.5 lens is very good
and more compact that the other Pentax 28mm models.
It makes an excellent combo with the MX.

Chris

 

[ForestCap]

MX + auto revuenon 50mm/1.4 + ilford hp5

 

[Huss]

For you 28mm shooters the SMC Pentax-M 28/3.5 lens is very good
and more compact that the other Pentax 28mm models.
It makes an excellent combo with the MX.

Chris

The 2.8 is smaller. Which is weird cuz normally faster lenses are bigger. Apparently the 3.5 is better, but I have been very happy with my $20 like new 2.8!