The Pentax MX

[Swift1]

Thanks Colton, I’ll check those out.
I agree this is not a perfect camera, the eye relief is so shallow that I would not be able
to see the sides of the vf if I was wearing glasses.
But it is a very nice camera...

This was shot with my black MX and a SMC Pentax-M 28/2.8, on Arista EDU 100

 

[p.giannakis]

Ok peeps. I have no idea... what is an excellent small 24 or 28mm lens for the MX?

I use the Sigma Super-wide 24 f/2.8 with the ME and like it. Small combo and i use it as a point and shoot.



Here are some pictures taken with it.

 

[6x7]

What I like about the MX is the built-in TRI-X grain preview screen 🙂

 

[zuikologist]

I always found the MX screen to have more snap than say the OM screens, and therefore easier to focus. It’s basically a 1:1 screen with a 50mm lens so great for street photography.

 

[johannielscom]

Even though the MX is pretty small, the smallest SLR is the Fujica ST605 and ST605n.
And also a Petri model that I forgot the model number of, that's equally small.

 

[leicapixie]

I have small hands and yet, the Pentax MX was too small to hold easily!
I added the power wind that made it easy to hold, without cramp.
One fault is the shutter dial, very hard to move..
Loved the meter, so superior to my Nikon F3..

 

[EA4BL]

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=108269&d=1551394562


No, actually the Fujica st605n is quite larger than the MX.

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

What I like about the MX is the built-in TRI-X grain preview screen

I always found the MX screen to have more snap than say the OM screens, and therefore easier to focus. It’s basically a 1:1 screen with a 50mm lens so great for street photography.

Given that the MX has interchangeable screens, you're going to need to be more specific 😉

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

Ok peeps. I have no idea... what is an excellent small 24 or 28mm lens for the MX?

I second Colton's suggestions. If you want small and affordable, the M28/f2.8 is hard to go pass. It's a bit of a lost child amongst Pentaxians, which means excellent examples can be found for ~$50...





Here is it on Tmax400







The SMC-K 28/f3.5 has excellent image quality but it's slow (which also means dim VF) and it's reputation is pushing prices up.

The SMC-K 24/f2.8 is great, but more expensive that I think it deserves.

If money isn't an issue and you have the time to search, the SMC-M 28/f2 is one of the best wides I've used.

 

[kuuan]

The SMC Pentax-M 28/2.8 is small and is a decent lens.
The SMC Pentax 28/3.5 is larger and slower, but is maybe a bit better optically.
The SMC Pentax 24/2.8 is a very good 24mm

I second Colton's suggestions. If you want small and affordable, the M28/f2.8 is hard to go pass
The SMC-K 28/f3.5 has excellent image quality but it's slow (which also means dim VF) and it's reputation is pushing prices up.

The SMC-K 24/f2.8 is great, but more expensive that I think it deserves.

If money isn't an issue and you have the time to search, the SMC-M 28/f2 is one of the best wides I've used.

All mentioned lenses above I own and have used (however on digital ) but the M 2.8/28mm and agree with all assessments ( though my Pentax K f2.8/24mm did not cost me much. )
I do have the Pentax-A f2.8/28mm which some say is equal to the M lens, other say it's not ( see more below ) and I find it to be excellent! ( Aperture ring on my A lens is much less smooth than those of any other, earlier made lens by Pentax. It's the only Pentax A lens I own, therefore I can't be certain but that made me believe that, because on an A lens aperture can be set on the camera, Pentax saved on the making of the manual aperture ring )

Extensive lens reviews at Pentaxforums,
of the Pentax M 2.8/28: https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-M-28mm-F2.8-Lens.html
of the Pentax-A 2.8/28: https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-A-28mm-F2.8-Lens.html
Some say they are optically identical, others say the A is quite superior, here quite some disagreement on how they compare 😉 https://www.flickr.com/groups/40939305@N00/discuss/72157624640805669/


The f2/28mm Pentax lenses are said to be fantastic, of the highest rated lenses they are pricey
https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-M-28mm-F2-Lens.html
even higher rated, most likely also even rarer and more expensive again, also bigger and heavier is the Pentax K f2/28mm. There are a number of articles on the net that the say that it is a Zeiss Distagon clone.


For a cheaper alternative recommendable Vivitar f2/28mm. Mine is the one made by Kiron and on this infinity test of mine on Sony A7 it fares very well, both center and outer corner:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kuuanslenstests/collections/72157670043721223/

though not tested, at least by me, same line Vivitar f2/24mm made by Kiron is said to be very good too
( there are also Vivitar f2/24mm and f2/28mm made by Komine. Komine is said to have made the Series 1 lenses for Vivitar and said to be superior, also smaller. The Kiron made have a floating element and are difficult to service. I do not have experience with the ones made by Komine. Serial numbers of those made by Komine will start with 28, those made by Kiron with 22 )

 

[ChrisPlatt]

The SMC Pentax-M 28/3.5 lens is the true sleeper.

Chris

 

[kuuan]

The SMC Pentax-M 28/3.5 lens is the true sleeper.

Chris

now this is not fair Chris! with one short sentence you outdid my litany of an attempt of elucidation 😎

 

[Deleted member 65559]

Great camera. My friend
Pat Morrow took his to the summit of Everest & other high mountain places.

 

[StanMac]

The chrome version looks good too 😀

I haven’t seen a camera that spiffy except when it came new outta the box! Is that a NOS MX you found in a storeroom somewhere?

You’re right, the chrome one is a jewel!

Stan

 

[BillBingham2]

Huss, wonderful new little friend.

Congratulations!

B2 (;->

 

[creenus]

I am testing out an ME Super with f1.7 50mm right now. Seems sturdy, it's tiny but it sure is clackety loud!

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

even higher rated, most likely also even rarer and more expensive again, also bigger and heavier is the Pentax K f2/28mm. There are a number of articles on the net that the say that it is a Zeiss Distagon clone.

There’s actually a K28/f2 for sale on Pentax forums at the moment. Only ~700euro...

 

[kuuan]

There’s actually a K28/f2 for sale on Pentax forums at the moment. Only ~700euro...

which, if I remember right, is not much more expensive than it was selling some 5 to 10 years ago

 

[kshapero]

Fell in love with these rigs 2 different times ( I wanted to love them) but the quality control just wasn't up to Nikon FE/FM level, which I consider the standard bearer of that era (late seventies and eighties). That being said if you find one in very good condition, you will have a ball.

 

[Gregm61]

This Kiron 28mm f2 (made by Kino optics, which produced some of the original Vivitar Series 1 optics), should be one heck of a 28mm f2 lens for any Pentax SLR..

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kiron-28mm...h=item4d8d19fd08:g:sJwAAOSwgiRZ3AQb:rk:2:pf:0