| Author: | | New Member Registered: March, 2012 Location: Berlin Posts: 9 | | Review Date: September 12, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Compact, elegant design, all manual essentials. Big bright viewfinder. | | Cons: | shutter shake? wish it had an AV mode... | |
It's tiny! And it's a lovely looking camera, and pairs perfectly with the compact little M 50/ƒ1.7. A great camera to throw in a bag and travel with.
There really nothing on this camera to get in the way - its a stripped back fully manual camera with depth of field preview, a huge, bright finder and a really clever LED meter in the viewfinder - it's simple and intuitive. It would be a hell of a camera if it has an AV or TV mode on it...
It might be too small! It gets unbalanced pretty quickly with anything longer or larger than a 50mm lens on it and I do believe that camera shake impacts the pictures. I just get more sharp photos from my Spotmatic and my KX.
Here's one taken with my mx and the M50/1.7
 | | | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: August, 2012 Location: Queensland Posts: 4,294
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 10, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | The perfect robust manual SLR | | Cons: | None, for it's era | |
I thought I had already reviewed the MX, since I have had a love affair with it since buying it in 1977. (I now own four, correction, 5 of them, and the price is for the latest body bought).
Since the good qualities of the MX have been well covered, I would like to address my comments to what others see as negative qualities.
1) Too small. This is subjective rather than objective, since it falls easily into my fingers, as if they and camera were designed for each other.
2) Magic finger take up spool. It is different, but not difficult to use. Again this is more subject to personal taste.
3) Speed dial stiff for one finger use. True, it is stiff, but I usually set the speed before composing. Otherwise it is not a big problem lowering the camera to change it.
4) Speed limited to 1000 sec. Again true, but that was the standard of the time when 400 ASA was quite new on the market. So choose an appropriate film speed.
5) Light meter hard to read in bright light conditions. That may be so, but I did not find this a problem. Besides, it was easy to read in poor light, and half-stop accurate.
6) No mirror lock-up. My understanding (correct me if I am wrong) is that Pentax considered the MX didn't need it due to the design of vibration damping. In any event, with a 50mm lens, I considered 1/15 second hand held as a usable option and even 1/8 possible.
I have all the K (and Spotmatic) versions, and love them all. My LX is minty and Eric CLA'd, - nothing can match the sensuous feel of it. Yet it is the MX I am most comfortable with in it's simplicity and compactness. It is my ultimate SLR.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: December, 2012 Location: Wild-Nord-East Hungary Posts: 149 | | Review Date: August 5, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $70.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Precision instrument. | | Cons: | none | |
More than 10 years I have used full satisfaction.
Non-automatic machine, not thinking instead of the photographer;
the photographer must be able to think about.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,437
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 4, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $12.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Light meter, construction quality, reliability, durability, longevity | | Cons: | Smallness, all the interface elements feel squished, excessive shutter noise | |
I've warmed significantly to this camera since my first review. I do, now, understand why its so well liked. The MX has an amazing light meter that returns great results even in highly complex lighting situations. I am no fan of how small the camera is. Nor do I like how loud it (or any M series body) is. A lot could have been done to make this camera quieter. As I ran some more film through my MX, I got to liking it a bit more. I think, now, that this earns the reputation it has as the best Pentax body ever made. I don't, personally, share that view but I can understand why people assert it.
Since my previous review, I've revised my overall rating from two to seven and revised the pros and cons list. I also changed my recommendation from no to yes. It's no small feat for the MX to have converted me so drastically from my previous opinion. For reference, I left my original review below intact.
I've heard endless accolades for this body. ELI5: Why is this a great camera? Is it just that it's great compared to the rest of the M line (which I would believe -- this is the best of the M bodies.)
This camera's reputation as a great camera is truly lost on me. I don't like the way it feels -- small, too light, and cheap compared to other Pentax bodies. And the sound. THE SHUTTER! This camera's shutter could cover the sound of a 10-gauge shotgun. And the shutter shake that accompanies it is terrible. Typically, I can hand-hold a 35mm SLR to 1/30th (with a 50mm lens) and some heavier ones I've held at 1/8th without detectable camera shake. This camera introduces shake at 1/125th. The instruction manual says not to hand hold it slower than 1/30th. It should say not to hand hold it.
Is it possible I just have a bad copy? Sure. The one roll of film I've processed from it so far was about two stops underexposed across the board. And looking at the camera's condition, I would believe it has been neglected. (For the record, I had to break the corrosion bond between the lens and lens mount.) I'm going to give it some more tries, but I'm not expecting this to be a body I keep.
So, why do I give it two stars? +1 for being the best M series camera (that's kind of like being the star of a porno movie, though. Sure, you're the star, but you wouldn't brag about it at Christmas dinner.) +1 for having a clever light meter display.
| | | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: January, 2011 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,060 | | Review Date: February 23, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $75.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | compact, solid, reliable with full manual functionality | | Cons: | none for me | |
This is my favourite of all Pentax film cameras especially with my smc 55mm f1.8 attached. It is a pleasure to use, feels right in my hand and has a wonderful large bright view when held up to the eye. It looks great, always gets attention and most importantly it is a fun but serious camera to use. I have a second MX in case anything ever happens to my main one.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: August, 2011 Location: Kansas City Posts: 194
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 4, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $125.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Ergonomics, elegant minimalist design, perfect 35mm manual camera, tough and reliable | | Cons: | Can be a challenge to find one still in good shape | |
I have owned seven Pentax MX bodies in my life, buying my first one in 1978 with my first paycheck from McDonald's when I was a teenager. I have owned lots of other cameras over the years, too, but no other camera is as wonderful to hold and use as the Pentax MX. This is a rugged little thing, and it gives you everything you really need in a manual film SLR.
There are a few things to watch for when buying a used one. First, the hot shoe is a little more exposed than on most SLRs, and the plastic base of the hot shoe is prone to cracking and breakage; unless you can see it is firmly attached to the prism housing and unless it appears properly aligned, then you should keep looking. As with all film cameras, make certain the back door appears properly aligned. The shutter speed ring (in the viewfinder) should match the shutter speed dial on top (you'll have to ask the seller to verify that is what they are seeing), and the meter LEDs should display and react properly to light changes. For an SLR of its era, Pentax really packed a lot into this little camera, so if the top or bottom body caps are dented, you should look for a different camera as the chances are fairly good there could be problems. And finally, as with any camera of this age, be prepared to spend an additional $75 or so to have the camera cleaned, lubricated, and adjusted (usually referred to as a CLA) by a professional camera repair person; that service should include new foam light seals and mirror bumper. Don't rely on do-it-yourself mirror bumpers, either, as this camera had interchangeable focus screens and you'll want the appropriate mirror bumper piece for this camera so that you can still get at the focus screen tab if you need to.
That sounds like a lot of things to watch for, but most of that is true for any camera of this age. It is all worth it, though. In my opinion, the Pentax MX is far and away the most comfortable to use -- and the most fun -- film SLR ever made by anyone. I consider it to be an SLR companion to my Leica M6 rangefinder -- it is simply that good. Pentax optics were and are comparable to Zeiss and Leitz, and the MX makes a splendid platform for K, M, A, or FA lenses. All of this assumes, of course, that you are comfortable with shooting a fully manual exposure, manual focus SLR. If that is the case, you will not find another camera body as good as the Pentax MX. Period.
It is the perfect camera.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: August, 2013 Posts: 66 | | Review Date: January 3, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $85.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Size, Weight, Build Quality, Sound, Metal, Appearance, Handling, Features, Viewfinder, Mechanical | | Cons: | None | |
This can easily be called the best 35mm SLR ever made. I recently purchased this as a slight upgrade from my K1000, after reading about it. It's smaller than a Leica, just as simple as one, and beautifully crafted and made. The overall feel, quality, and personality of the camera is amazing. The solid metal build feels great, and the leatherette is nice feeling in the hands. It's not too small, but it's much smaller than most 35mm SLR's. Honestly, I believe the best camera is one that is simple, doesn't get in your way, has everything you need, but nothing you don't. This is exactly like that. It's fully manual, and operates entirely without batteries except for the meter. The viewfinder is bright and big. The shutter sound is lovely. Winding it is easy. Did I mention that it's small and light? That's one of the most important qualities of this camera. Overall, this is HIGHLY recommended for anybody interested in shooting film. Trust me, you'll love it. None of the annoyances with the K1000 apply to the MX; the meter on this camera turns off when you close the advance lever. This is nice for me, since I always, without fail, lose my lens caps. With the K1000 the battery will run down fairly fast unless you have a lens cap on hand. This camera is great though, and doesn't require you to have a lens cap to avoid that annoyance. Always replace your light seals though, too many people try to avoid replacing these even though it's easy as hell. I bought mine for $85, which was a great price, but of course, the seals were in awful shape. I replaced them myself for $10 with a kit from Jon Goodman. This camera is a joy to use and I'm so glad I got it.
| | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2013 Posts: 17 | | Review Date: October 14, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Small, well built, quality Pentax | | Cons: | I prefer needle instead of led for the light meter | |
My new camera after using the Pentax K1000 for almost 20 years.
Like any other manual Pentax, it is really a joy to use. On the flat note, it is hard to find a genuine pentax everready case because of its size.
| | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2013 Posts: 3 | | Review Date: October 14, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $400.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | This camera takes good pictures, has an awesome style, good lenses, well made body | | Cons: | Jittery advance lever | |
This camera is awesome!!!!! I have the black variant, and I used it for many, many years. This camera has helped me take awesome and scenic photos around the U.S. It was just recent that I found it lying around in my storage space, with everything complete, except the box.  It was a great find, and it still takes great pictures. Now, it is my camera of choice. I use it almost every day, except when I have to get the film removed. This is one awesome camera.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: December, 2012 Location: Kristiansand S Posts: 250 | | Review Date: August 18, 2013 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Totaly manual, solid | | Cons: | None | |
My first SLR and i loved it from day one. Got it with M 40mm f.2.8 and it brings a lot of good memories. Learned me a lot in photography.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2006 Location: NJ USA Posts: 13,072 | | Review Date: August 15, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Small, accurate, solid | | Cons: | | |
I have to give the MX a 10, even though it is neck-and-neck with the KX as my favorite Pentax camera. Reason being, it's small and light and nice to carry around, it has all the features one can possibly need to make excellent photographs.
I gave my first one to my nephew for his 21st birthday; soon enough I was pining after one and bought an EX one from KEH during one of their sales. Have not regretted this at all.
You may be able to buy more automation (and then learn to deal with the quirks and gotcha's thereof) but not a better Pentax.
Pentax MX - The Smallest (1978) by Nesster, on Flickr
Pentax MX 1979 by Nesster, on Flickr
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: July, 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 24, 2013 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | It's just lovely... Fantastic VF | | Cons: | Finding batteries is becoming more difficult | |
I got this one in a badly listed ebay auction with a 50-1.4 'M' lens attached for £60...
The leather(ete) was in a bit of a state and the outside, including the bottom plate were a bit grubby but the inside was clean (although it needed new seals) and there were no dents...
I set to work cleaning it up and stripped the leather(ete) of before sending it to a local guy to have it checked over, seals replace and recovered...
It's a stunning camera to use... It slows me down and really makes me think... A joy...
The viewfinder is clear, bright and huge...
The operation is simple...
The meter is easy to see and understand...
My only gripe is that batteries for the meter are becoming harder to obtain in the UK; and more expensive...
That said... It will work without unlike some models...
If you want a really quallity manual focus Pentax SLR and can't afford an LX... The MX is the one to go for without a doubt...
Of the half dozen working film cameras I own this is my favourite!!!
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: May, 2010 Location: Hong Kong / Irvine, CA Posts: 636
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 18, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | small, well build, long lasting | | Cons: | The prism house is easily dented | |
The best 135 film camera I touched.
May be the LX is better but I don't have experience on that.
The camera is well build and the most important thing is all mechanical mean it's a work horse.
The viewfinder is large.
My only complain is the LED light meter, I would rather take a needle one like the one on K1000.
If not, please give me more stops between the steps... | | | | | New Member Registered: June, 2012 Posts: 1
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 17, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Feel, Quality, Sheer Pleasure of use | | Cons: | Difficulty of changing shutter speed | |
One of, if not the best camera I've ever used. Looks and sounds beautiful, feels great in the hand, easy to operate and reasonably cheap.
The shutter speed selection is tricky whilst looking through the viewfinder, however this isn't really much of an issue in practice. At the price they are going for just now I'd say get two and if one should ever break you won't be quite so devastated.
| | | | | Inactive Account Registered: June, 2010 Posts: 54
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 26, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $250.00
| Rating: 8 |
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This camera is famous for its compact size, dense high quality build, and of course the large beautiful viewfinder. Like any properly maintained mechanical body, the MX is a joyful experience for the senses: the bright clear image; the feel of the body and the winder; the whirr of slow shutterspeeds and the metallic clank of the mirror; even the smell of the leatherette.
However, there are a few quirks about the MX that should be mentioned, as they affect the overall user experience.
Eye Relief
The large size and high magnification of the viewfinder image, combined with the compact physical size of the body, means that the eye relief is relatively short. For users who wear glasses, this will mean that a slight turning of the head will be needed to actually see all of that wonderful viewfinder real estate.
Magic Needle
For this to work consistently, I found that the film leader needs to be shoved all the way through: i.e. into the cluster of rods, and all the way out the opposite side. Otherwise, the film will very likely slip.
Shutter Dial
The stiff detents on the shutter dial combined with the low-profile knurling means that it is extremely difficult to one-finger the shutter dial. If your finger is perfectly dry, you might be able to turn it one click. With even the slightest amount of skin oil or moisture, I found it impossible. In addition, since the film wind lever is in the way, it's not possible to reach up with the thumb to help grip the dial. The user has to either move the right hand up and turn the dial from up top, or reach across with the left hand. Either is awkward, and not suitable for quick adjustment of the shutter speed. I consider this a significant operational flaw in the design.
Meter
The meter has a limited operational range, making it literally useless in certain low light conditions. One strategy for metering in low light is to increase the ISO until the meter gives a reading. From there, the amount of time needed in bulb can then be calculated mentally. Unfortunately, the MX meter has a minimum sensitivity that bottoms out at 1 sec in ISO 100. Higher ISOs are of course available, but the minimum reading increases proportionally: at ISO 200 the minimum reading is 1/2 sec, at ISO 400 the minimum reading is 1/4 sec, etc. So for example at a setting of ISO 800, any reading that would be slower than 1/8 sec simply gives the bottom red LED (i.e. fully underexposed). There's no way of knowing if the reading should have been 1/4 sec or 1 sec. This of course limits the MX's usefulness for low-light work.
There's no doubt that the MX is fun to use. However, the issues listed above mean it's not quite as fun as it could be.
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