| Author: | | New Member Registered: September, 2020 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 3
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 21, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $126.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Built like a brick outhouse; wide meter sensitivity range, will out live all mortal flesh, everything you need and nothing you don't | | Cons: | Viewfinder does not like slow lenses or over cast conditions but I am 56 years old so its probably my fault; dangerous if dropped on your foot or swung at someone | |
I've used a number of Pentax cameras as an owner - the MX, ME Super, MZ-M, MZ-5n - but do you know what 'KX' actually means? It means the King of PentaX that's what.
The KX was the last of the mechanical SLRs I tried and the last was the best it turns out.
There is no doubt that the camera is a bit of a beast - even more so than my FM2N and I thought that that was well built. The FM3a I have is so embarrassed that it cannot bring itself to look the KX in the eye (anyway, Miss Nikon had to have new mirror box assembly put in by Nikon recently and she was only built sometime at the turn of the century according to her SN, whereas Mr KX was built sometime around 1976!! And still works!).
The pluses for me are as follows:
1. A great meter sensitivity range - it can meter when others wimp out.
2. A proper mirror lock up.
3. Depth of field preview.
4. A really easy to use shutter speed dial - much smoother than the stiff one on the MX (please tell me why?) - it feels more like the one on the FM2N - in other words, as it should be.
5. A Judas window to see the aperture you've selected on the lens.
6. A shutter cocked indicator in case you forget.
I do not mind very much that you have to pull the wind on leaver out to activate the meter. There is also a battery check button that activates the meter needle to tell you that the battery is working (the batteries the KX use are still available widely BTW). And yes, sometimes you can lose the shutter/meter read out in some scenes.
The negatives are as follows:
1. The focussing screen does not like slow lenses. Lenses of f2.8 are OK, but f3.5 - no way - it's hard work and needs time for you to get used to. In fact is just about impossible with an f3.5 lens in bad light (but then again I am 56 now and getting on a bit). The best thing to do is focus hyper focally if you are doing landscapes on slow lenses. And don't bother doing close ups in dull conditions with 3.5 lenses unless you use a torch to set focus and use a tripod.
Yet..............even though the centre prism causes problems you can still focus off axis via the rest of the matte screen. I've used this technique with the 50mm 1.4A I have and I get lovely sharp results. You can also use the finer outer ring of the central prism too - sometimes much easier than the central area with careful framing.
I have recently bought a rather decent third party eyecup for the viewfinder and have found that this improves focussing by just controlling stray light and making the centre of the prism easier to see, so I'd recommend you try something like this yourself.
2. The combination of straight mechanical shutter speed (no intermediate speeds like the FM3a) and aperture controlled metering means that you have to be careful with hyper-focal settings and make sure you stay in the range of sharpness and correct exposure some how with the aperture. Watch out for this.
You also need to take care if ignoring the meter to over or under expose for some reason - just take the time to understand what you are doing and watch the relationship between the black meter needle and the blue aperture needle and the values. I have to say though that 90% of the time, the meter is sock on. And remember that old adage ' Expose for the shadows and let the highlights look after themselves'.
To meter, you do this:
1. Choose your scene
2. Meter the scene so that the blue shutter indicator needle and the black needle are aligned.
3. Then assess: I like to slightly under-expose slide film to get a 'pop' so I ensure that the black meter needle is always slightly BELOW the blue shutter arm where ever it ends up. If the scene is say misty or has snow, I ensure that over exposure is taking place by ensuring that the black meter needle is ABOVE the blue shutter speed needle. This is where you can find the apertures between the apertures on your SMC lenses come in useful.
4. Take your picture, ensuring of course none of the variables will give you camera shake etc.
Another thing is film loading? My advice is to get the film pressure plate looked at but also make sure that you engage BOTH sprockets on the film wind on mechanism when putting film in before closing the rear door - just like the manual says.. And make sure that you've wound the new film in so that the rewind lever goes around when you wind on to check and confirm proper film travel.
Think about the rating of the film you use too. I find that 400ASA film OUTSIDE in bright conditions frequently calls for higher shutter speeds than the metering system and shutter speeds can deliver (the King only goes up 1/1000 of a second). The metering and shutter system works great with 100/200ASA films outside and 400ASA is perfect with the KX for indoor lighting in my experience (taking pictures of my children when they were younger.)
Oh, and there is always filtration - yellow, orange and red for B&W or even ND filters you an use too and a polariser for when you use colour stock to curb the 400ASA issue.
Be that as it may, those are the only quibbles I have.
I love holding this camera and using it. I love the smooth 'clack' of the shutter when it fires, the bevelled bottom base plate that makes the weight seem weightless. Walking around with it is fun - its like heavy weight bling - it brings out reminiscent smiles from older people and quizzical looks from the young 'uns because they can't work out if its a camera, bling or a defensive weapon and should they get one too?
My advice is to get one if you can and enjoy it minor warts and all. It seems that they go on forever - a worthy antidote for our throw away society. Get one whilst you can. Remember - it's the King of PentaX manual cameras!! Right?
In the New Year, 'The King' is off to Harrow Technical for a bit of a TLC.
| | | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: February, 2017 Posts: 2,034
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 24, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | build quality, handling and features | | Cons: | none | |
I bought my KX in October 2015 not long after acquiring a KM (which I have also reviewed). Everything said about the KX in other reviews posted here is true. Its a wonderful mechanical machine that is very well built with all the features you need to take good pictures with.
It is relatively big and heavy when compared to the MX, but not massively so - take a look at Canon Ftb s, Nikkormats or Minotla SRTs for big and heavy! It provides a good amount of space to grip the camera with and balances well with bigger lenses - I like to use the 55mm f1.8, 35-70mm A f4,Tamron SPii 90mm and Tokina 70-210 f4-5.6. My m series lenses (20mm, 35mm 40mm and 50mm f1.7) I prefer to use on the MX.
I think that the KX and the MX actually compliment each other. If I know what photo I am going to take I generally use the KX. If I'm just going for a walk and may take a few pictures or so of something I come across I use the MX because its smaller and lighter.
When compared to the KM however I am of 2 minds:-
I prefer the KM's wind on and simple viewfinder display, but don't like the fact that the meter stays on whenever there is sufficient light to power it. I like the facts that the KX has a shutter lock and MLU.
My particular model is in black with just a little brassing showing through. There is some light scratching to the base plate but no dents showing anywhere on the body. I've replaced the light seals myself as there were none, not even goo, and at some point I will need to do the mirror foam. Although everything seems to work perfectly at present I may treat it to a professional service for my own piece of mind sometime this year. Its a camera that's certainly worth it!
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: December, 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 1,549
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 13, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $260.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Build quality, clockwork everything. | | Cons: | Not still in production! | |
My price above includes case, flash, K55 f/1.8 and cost of getting the light seals professionally replaced.
Build is just gorgeous.  There's also no mistaking that you've taken a photo - the shutter makes a really sharp 'Schunk!' noise that can surprise people.
Not as large and heavy a camera as I had expected, it's just right.
If you like the size and weight of a K-3, this is about the same, but without the deep grip.
Full featured viewfinder is great and 'match needle' metering is really easy to use and responds near instantly to changes in light.
Focus can be slightly hard to judge, as the focus matte is a bit subtle when it 'pops' into focus. On the other hand, the view is more clear than with more textured focus mattes.
The manual is excellent too - very clear.
Here are links to scans of my manuals:
http://pfpho.com/manuals/Pentax%20KX%20Manual.pdf
http://pfpho.com/manuals/SMC%20Pentax%20Lenses%20K.pdf
 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2006 Location: NJ USA Posts: 13,072
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 23, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $120.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | A K mount pinnacle | | Cons: | none | |
| Pros | A K mount pinnacle | | Cons | none | | Rating | 9 | | Price | 100 | | Years Owned | 6 |
I can recommend this camera: Yes
Value, Features, Performance & Size
Superb basic camera with some magic
One of the better Pentax viewfinders
Spotmatic like size and heft
Camera Review
The reviews above cover this camera rather well, so I'll just add some of my own observations.
The viewfinder - excellent information, really a joy to use. While not the largest or brightest Pentax ever, the KX excells in focusing: the image pops into focus better than with any other Pentax I've used.
I like the manual metering, very accurate, and I get to pick what to measure.
Finally, there's something intangible with this camera that has resulted in a bigger 'hit' ratio in my photography than with other cameras. I suppose it's the balance of all features and controls, the beautiful view finder, and the size and heft overall. Or maybe it's the Pentax pixie dust
The incredible Pentax KX (1976) by Nesster, on Flickr
| | | | | | | Forum Member Registered: February, 2015 Posts: 93
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 13, 2018 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Overall quality, size, features | | Cons: | Meter hard to read in low light | |
I bought in a package deal 2 KX's, a Spotmatic F, a K 50 1.4, a K 28 3.5, an M 135 3.5, a Yashica rangefinder and numerous filters for the embarrassingly low price of $120 CAD. One of the KX's and the SP F came with the bonus of split screen finders. And all in excellent shape!
Considering I was looking for a good KX and was willing to pay $120, I'd say I had a pretty good day.
This is a great camera! Substantial and well built with almost every option you could hope for to take great photos. I say almost because I wish it was easier to read the meter in low light. But for that I have an MX so no big deal.
It's been interesting comparing the KX to my Nikon FM, the Pentax feels much more robust.
Highly recommended.
| | | | | Inactive Account Registered: March, 2015 Posts: 6
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 8, 2015 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
|
This camera is really a perfect 135 SLR.
All the controls are easily accessible. The shutter speed dial can be readily turned with just the index finger, unlike the dial on the MX.The viewfinder is bright and large, with plenty of eye relief for those who wear glasses; the entire field of view is easily visible. The aperture-setting window is a great touch, and makes all your key settings visible through the view finder.
The meter is accurate, even at low light levels. The match-needle system is extremely easy to use, and allows the user to easily set exposure compensation. Furthermore, the batteries are standard watch-batteries, which makes the KX relatively future proof (compared to Olympus OM-1 or Nikon Photomics, which require battery modifications to use in contemporary times).
Try one out if you get a chance; it's wonderful.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: August, 2012 Location: Queensland Posts: 4,299
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 22, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $70.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | The best, last, full-size pure manual Pentax camera | | Cons: | A removable screen would have been good | |
I have read the previous well done reviews so won't go over what has already been well stated about the mechanics. Rather I will talk about how one relates to the camera. When I bought my Pentax MX in 1976, I figured I had the ultimate Pentax. I still have that one along with two others, but fast forward 35 years, and I went on to become more acquainted with the original K series. What I had dismissed as 'practice cameras' until they made the MX, gave way to a new appreciation. I first came across the KM, and immediately thought of it as a beefed-up MX, wonderful. That set me going up one more step, the last pure manual step in the K series - the KX. (The K2 had left the pure manual world and and was in the land of the battery dependent).
Do I love the KX as much as my MX? Almost, but that is just the long term relationship coming through. The KX is fabulous, and only the fixed viewing screen is a subtraction. Here is the strange part. The K1000 which was a bare bones stripped down KM, had been dismissed by me as made for beginners. Now I began to appreciate it's solid simplicity as an asset, and that beginners were best suited to the automatics that did their thinking for them. The new appreciation for the K1000 only strengthened my love for the more sophisticated KX.
There you have it: K1000, KM, KX and K2, the K family in order of price and ability, but not quality. To me, the KX is the sweet spot, without more gizmos on it than most will need, but not so many that it will spend time in the shop getting them fixed.
Anway, I stuck a Rikenone 50mm lens on my KX and it was happy to snap me this "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" (top photo) The lower two are with M50mm/f1.4
  | | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: November, 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Posts: 12,385
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 29, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | All mechanical. Batteries only required for meter needle. Full view viewfinder including both shutter speed and aperture. | | Cons: | I recall none | |
When my original 1957 Asahi Pentax shutters got too worn, I sold it to a collector and bought a used KX with 55/1.8 lens and a mount adapter K to continue using my screw mount lenses until I could replace them with bayonet lenses. It worked hard for me, and it always worked. I traded it on an SF-1 when I was a stringer taking sports for a newspaper and discovered that my KX did not have the winder drive on the bottom. To this day, I regret not keeping it. I see that others say the viewfinder was dark, but coming from the old original, I did not find that. Perhaps the change from f/2.2 to f/1.8 compensated, but I never had troubles focusing with the camera. The screen was split prism. I frankly still prefer a viewfinder without focus aids, but with good grain, and my K10D is wearing an LL-60 screen for that reason.
I can recommend a KX to anyone who wants an excellent camera to shoot with film. For my stringer duties, I used print film, but I have a huge number of slides from my personal photography.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2011 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 328
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 9, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $108.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Everything | | Cons: | Don't make them anymore...shucks | |
I have owned a number of Pentax cameras: a Spotmatic, K1000, MX, K2, K20D and now the original KX. My new baby is up there with them all. I was lucky to snatch a beautiful, virtually pristine late production black body for a rediculous price of $65. It cost me $43 more for new light seals, which was the only thing "wrong" with it. All I can say it is a pleasure to use. If there is any criticism it would be the flash sync of only 1/60, but hey, I didn't buy it for flash work. My K20D is much better there. I do a lot of macro work, so the mirror lock-up was a must-have. It works really well. I suspect I'll be using this camera as long as there is film to put in it. I love the simplicity of the match needle metering, plus I can use all my old Pentax lenses...Hooray!
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: July, 2009 Location: Europe, Benelux, Zeeuwsch-Vlaanderen, Terneuzen Posts: 26
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 27, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $250.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | All mechanical, pleasant matte screen
| | Cons: | no connection for winder/motordrive (separate version, but rare) no interchangable screens
| |
| Pros | All mechanical, pleasant matte screen | | Cons | no connection for winder/motordrive (separate version, but rare) no interchangable screens | | Rating | 10 | | Price (U.S. Dollars) | ƒ 250 (dutch guilders) | | Years Owned | since 1994 |
I can recommend this camera: Yes
Value, Features, Performance & Size
For me the Pentax KX is the best camera I ever had. It is uncomplicated (yet full-featured), easily operated and runs very smooth.
1) Fast SPD (silicon photo diode) light-meter, contrary to the slow CdS meter of most contemprary competitors (including K1000 and KM).
2) Depth-of-field-preview, Mirror-Lock-Up (and Self-timer)
3) great matte focussing-screen and viewfinder with full exposure info (although not as bright as more recent camera's)
4) pleasant shutter-sound, although not as silent as many cloth-curtain-shutters. Just run it at 1/15 and you hear the same sound as that of the legendary Spotmatic-shutter.
Camera Review
For me the Pentax KX is the best camera I ever had. It is uncomplicated (yet full-featured), easily operated and runs very smooth.
This camera gives full controll to the user. I can fully confirm what Stevopedia wrote above here. I prefer it well above the MX and LX just because those miss the smoothness that the KX has. Despite MX has a motor-drive-connection and is more compact, I do not like it as much. The needle is more convenient as the led's and dials on the MX are way too difficult to adjust.
For me the best 35mm SLR's Pentax ever made are:
1) KX (this one from 1975, not the digital version of 2009)
2) LX not as smooth as the KX, but definately second and with so much extra I still regret not buying one in 1993 (instead of Z-1).
3) SV the most Elegant of all Pentaxes
Other competitors in the top 10: Super-A, K2(dmd), Z-1(p), SFXn, MZ-S.
In fact, I like KX and LX more than the Z-1. Nowadays I use a K200d but still like to incidentally use my S1a and would do so with the KX if I hadn't made it's shutter lock. (I would also still use the LX, but the one I bought has a back that opens when a film is inside)
background
I started photographing with my father's Voïgtlander Vitoret D (viewfinder) and Agfa Colorflex (reflex, inherited from my grand-dad) which both had an uncoupled selenium-lightmeter. I preferred the Agfa because I could accurately focus (using split-image) instead of setting the lens to an estimated distance only. For my first camera I settled for a secondhand Ricoh KR-10 super. That is how I entered the K-mount world.
In the following years I had a couple of lenses including a Vivitar 400mm f/5.6 which I used for birding, mostly using a shoulder-mount. As I wear glasses, it is not possible to advance the film with the camera at the eye, e.g. while following a the moving subject. Therefore I purchased a winder for the Ricoh. Despite that I constantly hit the limitations of that camera:
the lack of a depth-of-field preview, lack of AE-lock and high sensitivity to bright skies being the most important. In 1993 I bought a Pentax Z-1 which would addres all these issue's.
The KX seemed to me the perfect addendum to the Z-1 and indeed, since then the Ricoh has hardly been used. | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: February, 2010 Location: Eerbeek Posts: 1,857
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 9, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $80.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Great viewfinder, aperture window, non-distractive finder, independence of batteries | | Cons: | only if you use your left eye to focus (I don't) | |
After a brief use of an ME, I bought a black KX in 1980s and frankly, the mere possession of the KX (with 2.8/35, 2.0/85 and 4.0/200 Pentax-M lenses) kept me from going digital. This camera is so rock solid, has indeed such a good design (the viewfinder info is spot on and not distractive, as I found the ME and MX ones), that I could never see myself part from it. I only ever coveted the LX after the KX, but not as a replacement—as an extra.
But this week I ordered a 645, as well as 2.8/55, 2.8/75 and 3.5/150, all of which are on their way. So I'm no longer that certain I'll do much with the KX (while I lost the ME which I rarely used). I may put them on sale, but still, even if I don't use the KX (and the 35/85 combo) it's hard to let go.
I liked the mirror lock-up possibility, which has come in handy (the mirror is indeed a bit noisy, although does give you that feeling of confidence that it isn't going to break down, ever). Well it never did so far.
EDIT:
I sold my KX in 2010 or 2011. Occasionally regretted the decision, although I received more for it than when I bought it.
EDIT 2:
I repurchased a black KX in great condition (new old stock) in 2018. Together with the 3.5/24-35mm zoom, the 2/85mm and various normal lenses it is a great set.
I purchased a second KX to be able to vary film.
| | | | | Otis Memorial Pentaxian Registered: March, 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Posts: 42,007
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 30, 2010 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | build, handling, full information viewfinder, other features | | Cons: | fragile film speed dial | |
I have to start this review by stating that I am truly fond of my Pentax KX and shopped for a long time before I finally bit the bullet to purchase. As a full-featured, all-mechanical film SLR, it is a great camera and one of the best Pentax products of the last 40 years.
Notable Features:
Many of these may not seem remarkable, but the full package was unusual at the time.- Wide ASA/ISO range (8-6400)
- Center-weighted SPD meter
- Full information (optical) viewfinder showing both shutter speed and aperture
- Self-timer
- Mirror lock-up (MLU)
- Depth-of-field (DOF) preview
- Hot shoe
Build:
My overall impression is that the KX is very rugged. This is not surprising given its all-metal construction and shared elements from the M42 screw mount bodies that preceded it. It does have at least one short-coming...the ASA/ISO setting dial. The lock tab and dial are fragile and easily damaged. The horizontal run cloth shutter is somewhat noisier (in my opinion) than previous models and other cameras I own, but it is based on established design and easily serviced/adjusted if need be.
To expand on the noisy shutter matter, I took delivery of my KX not long after spending two weeks with a Pentax SV. The difference in build precision, feel, and "silkiness" is night and day between the two. I thought things would improve after a CLA by Eric, but such was not the case. The KX is simply "rougher" in execution than its older brother. Not clunky like a Zenit, just not smooth like the SV. Disappointing, but true.
In Use:
It is not unusual to read comments regarding the KX being "large" or "bulky". As compared to the later "M" body cameras, the KX is larger, but it is hardly a hulk. Its dimensions are virtually identical to earlier Spotmatic bodies and on the small side for SLR cameras of the time. The KX's weight is appropriate to its size for an all-metal body. I find that the camera is well-balanced and handles nicely. Controls are well-placed and operate dependably. Overall, the camera has a quality and precision feel.
I should note that the KX is particularly easy to use with earlier M42 lenses using stop-down metering. Once activated by partial press of the shutter release, the meter stays on until turned off by returning the wind lever from its "ready" position. This makes it very easy to adjust the shutter and aperture as needed without having to futz with keeping the shutter release "just so" as with certain other cameras using similar match-needle metering. Come to think of it, I guess that feature is nice with K-mount lenses as well.
In regards to the left-eyed user vs. wind lever standout to meter issue noted in the general description...I frequently shoot left-eyed and can't say that I have ever had a problem. I suppose if the user has a very flat nose there is some chance of bumping the lever with cheek or eyeball. In defense of Pentax, this approach was common in cameras of the day. I have three bodies from three makers that work that way.
As for its other features, even though I seldom use one, it is nice to have a self-timer. Ditto for the MLU. We take expanded ISO for granted, but after spending sometime with cameras that max out at 800, it is nice to have the option of going higher with the KX. I should also mention the SPD (silicon photo diode) metering. It was a top-shelf feature at the time (shared with the K2) and delivers excellent sensitivity and very quick response.
Viewfinder:
It might seem strange to call this one element out for special emphasis, but the KX viewfinder is worth extra attention. Allowing the user to view both shutter speed and set aperture from the viewfinder was somewhat unusual for the day. While the viewfinder is not as bright nor does it have as good a coverage (only 93%) as those on later models, I have found my KX stands out in terms of showing a realistic DOF and focus accuracy. My camera has a microprism focus aid as opposed to a split-image (they came both ways). Sometimes I wish it had both, but they did not come that way. Too bad the screens are not interchangeable.
The match-needle (follow-needle) meter display is a pleasure to use. You can instantly see your current shutter speed/aperture settings and how many stops over/under you are from the recommended setting. Exposure compensation is a breeze with no surprises. I cannot overemphasis the superiority of this approach (shared with the K2 and with various Nikon and Ricoh models) to center needle and over/under electronic displays.
Other:
The KX shares most accessories with the K1000 and other K-series bodies. It also has a degree of compatibility with earlier Spotmatic models as well. My camera, for example, fits nicely into a much older ever-ready case made for a spottie.
Summary:
It is tempting to draw comparisons between the KX and its competition from back in the day. I will resist and let the camera rest on its own laurels. It is a competent tool and pleasant to use...a great camera in almost every way. For a fully-mechanical K-mount body, I don't believe that you can do better short of the LX, regardless of brand. This is particularly true when matched with the excellent K-series Pentax lenses sold at the time it was made. While current pricing (2010) places the KX a little higher than many film cameras, it is still less expensive than comparable MX and even many K1000 bodies.
Pluses- Great full-information viewfinder
- SPD meter
- Uses readily available silver or alkaline batteries
- Rugged
- MLU
- DOF preview
- All mechanical, not battery dependent
- Easily serviced when needed
- Handling, particularly with larger hands
Minuses- Flash synch at 1/60s max
- Noisy shutter
- Fragile ASA/ISO dial
- Brighter viewfinder screen would be nice
Steve
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: August, 2009 Location: Wandering the Streets Posts: 1,411
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 10, 2009 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: N/A |
|
I was lucky enough to find my Pentax KX, complete with a Pentax 50mm f/1.2 lens, in a pawn shop in Reno, Nevada, back in 1979. It was used, but just barely, and over the years it has sealed the deal for me on Pentax. I can't imagine myself without a Pentax camera. Since then I've added three more Pentax cameras to my slowly growing collection, but I still use this one because it is so easy to work with. In fact, if it wasn't for trying to keep up with children, and now grandchildren, with a manual focus lens (it is possible to do but it takes serious concentration), I may never have bought an autofocus camera at all. Well...I probably would have anyway
This Pentax KX, with it's 50mm lens, has been the perfect companion. The viewfinder is sharp enough that I can still use it, even though my eyes are no longer nearly as good as they were when I bought it. The meter reading is simple to use and tells you in a minute whether your exposure is good or not. With this camera I can change shutter speed and aperture and see exactly what they are in the viewfinder. When shooting wildlife or kids (very close to the same in terms of having to keep a close eye on them when you are trying to take a picture), being able to track them in the viewfinder while you're adjusting exposure is a great advantage. In fact, I was seriously disappointed when I found out my first autofocus camera didn't have that little window to show me the aperture setting. Even though this camera uses batteries, it is possible to take pictures without any batteries in it. I know because I've done it. The light meter won't work but you would be surprised to know how many pictures turn out just fine by using only the Sunny F16 rule. They probably won't get accepted by Arizona Highways or similar magazines but most of us won't be getting any pictures in those magazines anyway, even though we are using $1,000 plus digital cameras with $1,000 lenses.
I have recently gotten more serious about my photography and I should note that, until a few months ago, I had never used the mirror lockup or the depth of field on the KX. (I probably should have read the manual but that wasn't something I was known for doing back then, or even now for that matter.) I probably have thousands of pictures of kids, pets, birthday parties, hunting and vacation trips that were all taken handheld with this camera using nothing but Kodak ISO 400 and 800 film, and most of those pictures turned out great. I admit, a lot of the kid shots came back a little blurry but that wasn't the fault of the camera and a tripod would not have made any difference. I actually didn't even know the camera could lockup the mirror or tell you the depth of field, and I know I didn't know what those features were used for. I actually had to go find the user's manual (I am so glad my wife knows where everything is) when I read my first photography book about a year ago and learned what those controls could do for me. Here it is, 30 years later, and this camera is still advanced enough that it does everything I really need to take great pictures, some of which might get into a magazine someday.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my new digital Pentax, especially being able to see the picture as soon as I take it, but I still love looking at the results I get from this camera. I only hope that my digital is as tough as this KX, but I'm afraid it probably isn't. This KX has been used in the back country of Nevada since I brought it home from the pawnshop in 1979, on backpacking trips and 4-wheeling, and it has never required any professional service in all that time. In fact, I've learned the hard way, that if I am headed for the hills, I am far better off carrying this camera then bringing my digital. Shortly after buying my K200D I took a bike trip into the back country. Naturally, I left the "old" KX home and took my digital with me instead. Imagine my surprise when I returned home and found that several of my digital pictures had visible dust spots. I repeated this same exercise twice more (I'm a slow learner) and I learned that I can get dust bunnies on that digital sensor in nothing flat, even though I carry it in a ziplock bag. In three months I've had to have it cleaned twice. But the KX just shrugs off the dust and keeps on putting out great pictures. I do keep it in a ziploc bag now, but that is a fairly recent practice I adopted with my autofocus camera (it wasn't quite as resistant to dust as the KX seems to be although it is lots better then the digital). A good dusting outside with some canned air (formerly a camel hair brush), and a little careful cleaning with a Q-Tip inside, has been all the maintenance this camera has ever needed. I have recently found a pretty good camera repair service in Reno (when I needed to get my digital sensor cleaned) and I'll be taking this KX in for it's first professional cleaning.
I am not by any stretch of the imagination an expert on cameras, and I'm barely a semi-competent amateur photographer, so take this for what it's worth. This is a great camera! If, for some reason, I found out tomorrow that I could only keep one camera, and all the rest had to go, this is the one I would keep.
I scanned in one of the recent pictures I have taken with this camera to give you a sample of what it is still capable of. This was taken with my KX and my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 lens (another fairly recent purchase.) Please forgive the scanner (it is my first try at this) and the photographer.
 | | | | | Senior Member Registered: July, 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Posts: 273
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 5, 2009 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: N/A |
|
I am a relative newcomer to the world of photography, having started in the summer of 2006, borrowing my father's K1000 (what else?)
Not long after I started wanting something more, and soon settled on the KX, and purchased one not long after.
Long story short, the KX has become my favorite, even after an ME super and an AE-1 were added to the family.
The KX has everything. It's weighty, but it's the weight of quality. The fit and finish on this camera is amazing; it's built more solidly than any other SLR I've held, and its smoothness and precision and operation are second only to the SV I used for a period (the Sightseeing Screwmount on the film forum--thanks woof!) It's big, but that means there's enough room for people like me who have big hands to have a good, solid grip on the camera. You'll definitely want a strap for it if you carry it for any extended period, however.
The viewfinder is excellent. It's not the biggest or the brightest on a Pentax SLR, but a viewfinder does not have to be big or bright to be good. It's a full-information viewfinder. A large translucent blue needle points to the currently selected shutter speed on a scale on the right-hand side of the viewfinder, and a smaller needle moves with the amount of light and the aperture setting. Match the two and you've got a good exposure. It's an intuitive system that works well everywhere except dim light. A window above the viewfinder allows for direct optical viewing of the aperture setting by a periscope-like system (you can see the window on the prism just above the lens mount in the pictures above.) These are apparently easily knocked out of alignment, and mine was when I first got the camera (a CLA by Eric fixed that, and many other problems--the camera was like new when I got it back. He does wonderful work.) When it was available new it came with a choice of focusing screen: microprism or split image with microprism collar. The screens are the same as the K1000 screens, but can only be changed by a technician.
The meter is very accurate, and the available film speeds are 8-6400. The meter is activated by pulling the fild advance lever out to the pre-advance position and half-pressing the shutter button. You'll hear and feel the button click. The meter will stay on until you push the advance lever fully inwards against the body.There is a memo holder on the back of the film chamber, which I've always found to be a useful feature. It's also got a DOF preview button, mirror lock-up, a self-timer, and a real battery check button. Speaking of batteries, it takes 2 SR44/LR44/357 cells.
The only real issue I have with the camera is that the shutter's loud, but it's a mechanical camera and that happens. I don't really shoot in areas where I have to be unobtrusive, so it's not that much of an issue. Also, before the camera was CLA'd, I took it on a field trip with my photography class to Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia (really neat place, it's an abandoned prison now run as a park-like place). It was below freezing that day, and the KX literally started to freeze and lock up. But it might not have those issues now that it's CLA'd. YMMV.
I think the KX is the king of all the Pentax mechanical bodies. People keep talking about the MX, and I'm sure it's a great body--it's a Pentax mechanical camera after all. But I think the KX comes out on top. Give it a try, and I think you'll fall for it too.
| | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2016 Location: Arnhem, Netherlands Posts: 1 | | Review Date: November 22, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $80.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | built like a tank, fast metering, DOF preview | | Cons: | Weight and size | |
This beautiful beast puts you in full control of the picture. The light meter instantly flicks to a specific shutter time and all you have to do is change the settings of the shutter or the aperture to match the colored needle in the viewfinder with the black one of the meter. Then forget about it.
Press a knob on the front of the camera and you get a perfect DOF preview.
It shares the attraction of the widely available K-mount lenses with the K1000-model and the later ME and MX's. Still I leave it at home too often and take my ME instead not because of the ME's auto exposure, but for its lighter weight, its bigger viewfinder, its smaller size and quiet shutter (making the camera less obtrusive - I like street photography).
I paid €70 for my black KX, including a smethless 1.7/50 PK lens and poor light seals. Both sides of the ground glass badly needed cleaning since the mirror cushion seal had desintegrated before migrating all over the place. Opening the top had a surprise for me. A peculiar black metal ring that sticks downward into the darkness of the camerabody and operates the light meter switch, escaped before I knew it. Somehow I got the little bugger back in its proper position, but don't ask me how.
| | |
;)
;)
;)
