Originally posted by pathdoc This I take to mean a single-lens-reflex camera which:
1) Has shutter speeds B, 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60, 125, 250, 500, 1000
2) Has a flash sync speed of 1/60 as a general rule (rarely 1/125)
3) Is typically seen fitted with a 50mm prime lens with marked apertures (1.4), 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, (22)
Non-essentials but usually seen:
1) Self-timer
2) Flash hotshoe
3) Cable sync for side-along flashbulb unit (if you're rocking it really old-school).
Inside the viewfinder:
1) +/- exposure at the very least; match-needle if you want to be fancy.
2) central focusing aid (whether split prism, fresnel, microprism circle or what have you).
Helpful extras for geeks in the know:
1) DOF preview (as a dedicated switch).
2) Mirror lockup.
What do you have which fits? My two candidates for best match are my Spotmatic F and my MX, the former probably a better pop-culture match because of the manual needle rather than the LEDs.
The MX and Spotmatic F are nice enough, but its probably best to firstly decide whether you want to go for bayonet or screw mount. If the former then look no further back than the K series. The K1000 is popular with students, but lacks dof preview plus some other nice touches. Taking your last two criteria to heart - and all the rest - there are only four manual focus cameras you need to consider:
- KX; modes M B, with aperture window, 1/60 sync, match needle exp, black or silver, affordable: This if you want manual exposure only.
- K2; modes Av M B no aperture window, 1/125 sync, match needle exp, black or silver, affordable: This if you want manual and Av exposure.
- K2 DMD; modes Av M B with aperture window, 1/125 sync, match needle exp, black only, quite expensive and hard to find: This if you're a collector.
- and the lovely LX; modes Av M X B with aperture window, higher spec, e.g. 1/75 sec flash sync, LED + needle exp, 1/2000 shutter speed, WR, interchangable viewfinders, etc, black only, price quite high but good value for money i.m.o. This if you want the best.
The K series are similar sized to the Spotmatic, the LX is slightly smaller, and all are distinctly larger than the your MX.
There are other nice cameras out there, but I tend to limit myself to Pentax. My favourite manual focus ones from the many I have are the three Xs: KX, MX, and LX. Taking your criteria to heart, and for the sake of simplicity, I would plumb for the KX (although my alter ego wispers, "LX - you know you want it!).
Hope you find what you're looking for.