Pentax MX and a DSLR guy

mulveyr · 06-19-2017, 07:10 PM - **3 Likes**

I recently saw an MX and pair of lenses ( 55mm and 100mm ) for sale super-cheap, so I decided on a whim to grab them and see how I liked shooting film instead of a DSLR. This weekend I shot a roll of Portra 400, and just had it developed and scanned today. This was the first time I'd shot film other than P&S cameras a 20 years ago...

People who were walking by were fascinated because it was clear that I was shooting an SLR due to the EXTREMELY loud shutter and mirror. The experience was a lot more satisfying than I expected, and certainly I had to take a lot more care with each shot. I found that focusing with the 100mm was quite challenging when wide open; it was definitely helped by being able to use the vertical lines of the glasses frames in my subjects. I expect it will be more difficult with people who don't need them. :-)

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nickthetasmaniac · 06-19-2017, 07:36 PM

Lovely shots and welcome to the bottomless rabbit hole that is the world of film

Out of interest, which 100mm version did you pick up?

Originally posted by mulveyr

I found that focusing with the 100mm was quite challenging when wide open; it was definitely helped by being able to use the vertical lines of the glasses frames in my subjects. I expect it will be more difficult with people who don't need them. :-)

Don't forget the microprisms for focussing - they're very effective, especially when your subject doesn't have a straight line to use with the split prism

Originally posted by mulveyr

People who were walking by were fascinated because it was clear that I was shooting an SLR due to the EXTREMELY loud shutter and mirror.

Really? I've never found the MX shutter to be noticeably louder than any of my dSLRs...

calsan · 06-19-2017, 08:22 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by mulveyr

I was shooting an SLR due to the EXTREMELY loud shutter

They probably think you can turn off the 'shutter sound effect' in the settings. ;-)

Robin CB · 06-20-2017, 04:44 AM

Great shots - looks like you got yourself a good cheap new toy :-)

it doesn't take long to get used to focusing with the split prism. That is the biggest thing i miss shooting manual focus with my DSLRs

LesDMess · 06-20-2017, 05:19 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Robin CB

That is the biggest thing i miss shooting manual focus with my DSLRs

The biggest thing I would miss is the gigantic and bright viewfinder in the MX especially when compared to the tiny ones in any DSLR . . .

mulveyr · 06-20-2017, 05:38 AM

Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac

Lovely shots and welcome to the bottomless rabbit hole that is the world of film

Out of interest, which 100mm version did you pick up?

The version I got is : SMC Pentax-M 100mm F2.8 Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database It has some nicks on the front element, they're not discernable in the final images.

Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac

Don't forget the microprisms for focussing - they're very effective, especially when your subject doesn't have a straight line to use with the split prism

I definitely need more practice with them; it wasn't aways immediately obvious to me that they were showing focus even when the split prism made it obvious when used against their glasses. I tried a couple of things I'd read about online--wiggling back and forth a smidge to look for a "shimmer", etc, but it didn't seem to help all that much.

Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac

Really? I've never found the MX shutter to be noticeably louder than any of my dSLRs...

Definitely loud. :-) Several people commented on it! I'm not seeing any shutter shock, even at some very slow speeds later in the evening, but you definitely know that something happened.

Overall I'm really pleased; there don't appear to be any light leaks, and the meter is quite accurate except for a tendency to under expose about 1/2 stop at 1/30.

---------- Post added 06-20-17 at 08:39 AM ----------

Originally posted by calsan

They probably think you can turn off the 'shutter sound effect' in the settings. ;-)

lol! I actually had one kid ask how I could see the pictures. :-)

---------- Post added 06-20-17 at 08:40 AM ----------

Originally posted by LesDMess

The biggest thing I would miss is the gigantic and bright viewfinder in the MX especially when compared to the tiny ones in any DSLR . . .

It's really quite nice!

Jonathan Mac · 06-20-2017, 08:07 AM

From the look of those sample photos film agrees with you.

The MX is loud? Buy yourself an SFXn and when you think that's loud when it fires the shutter, wait for it to rewind the roll...

The Pentax 55mm lenses are very good indeed. Presumably you got either the 55/1.8 or f/2 bayonet-mount versions. The 100mm f/2.8 is also pretty good.

LesDMess · 06-20-2017, 09:41 AM

Originally posted by mulveyr

It's really quite nice!

Comes in real handy when trying to get critical focus with an f1.2 lens wide open . . .

BTW, loud compared to what?

murrelet · 06-20-2017, 09:41 AM

Originally posted by mulveyr

EXTREMELY loud shutter and mirror

Great shots!

You might want to get the mirror damper foam checked out.

callumross · 06-20-2017, 01:34 PM

Originally posted by murrelet

Great shots!

You might want to get the mirror damper foam checked out.

I agree, my ME Super (which is supposed to have a pretty quiet shutter) was always very loud until I scraped away all the gunky old disintegrated foam and stuck a new bit on. Now I get the normal quick and inconspicuous ME Super 'click' upon shutter release.

I have read on this forum that the MX has a louder shutter than other Pentax SLRs however.

nickthetasmaniac · 06-20-2017, 06:19 PM

Originally posted by mulveyr

The version I got is : SMC Pentax-M 100mm F2.8 Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database It has some nicks on the front element, they're not discernable in the final images.

Good find, the M100/f2.8 is a lovely little bit of glass

mulveyr · 06-21-2017, 05:53 AM

Originally posted by callumross

I agree, my ME Super (which is supposed to have a pretty quiet shutter) was always very loud until I scraped away all the gunky old disintegrated foam and stuck a new bit on. Now I get the normal quick and inconspicuous ME Super 'click' upon shutter release.

I have read on this forum that the MX has a louder shutter than other Pentax SLRs however.

I did check out the foam for the rear seals as well as the the mirror bumper, and they all look almost new, for what it's worth, so I'm guessing that at some point it had a CLA.

For the noise level, my main basis of comparison is my K3 and recollections of SLR's used by other people in the past, and my MX is definitely much louder than that. But, since it doesn't seem to actually be affecting anything, I'll live with it. :-)

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06-19-2017, 07:36 PM	#2
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361	Lovely shots and welcome to the bottomless rabbit hole that is the world of film Out of interest, which 100mm version did you pick up? Originally posted by mulveyr I found that focusing with the 100mm was quite challenging when wide open; it was definitely helped by being able to use the vertical lines of the glasses frames in my subjects. I expect it will be more difficult with people who don't need them. :-) Don't forget the microprisms for focussing - they're very effective, especially when your subject doesn't have a straight line to use with the split prism Originally posted by mulveyr People who were walking by were fascinated because it was clear that I was shooting an SLR due to the EXTREMELY loud shutter and mirror. Really? I've never found the MX shutter to be noticeably louder than any of my dSLRs...

06-19-2017, 08:22 PM - 1 Like	#3
calsan Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,548	Originally posted by mulveyr I was shooting an SLR due to the EXTREMELY loud shutter They probably think you can turn off the 'shutter sound effect' in the settings. ;-)

06-20-2017, 04:44 AM	#4
Robin CB Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Sussex Posts: 92	Great shots - looks like you got yourself a good cheap new toy :-) it doesn't take long to get used to focusing with the split prism. That is the biggest thing i miss shooting manual focus with my DSLRs

06-20-2017, 05:19 AM - 1 Like	#5
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Originally posted by Robin CB That is the biggest thing i miss shooting manual focus with my DSLRs The biggest thing I would miss is the gigantic and bright viewfinder in the MX especially when compared to the tiny ones in any DSLR . . .

06-20-2017, 05:38 AM	#6
mulveyr Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 26 Original Poster	Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac Lovely shots and welcome to the bottomless rabbit hole that is the world of film Out of interest, which 100mm version did you pick up? The version I got is : SMC Pentax-M 100mm F2.8 Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database It has some nicks on the front element, they're not discernable in the final images. Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac Don't forget the microprisms for focussing - they're very effective, especially when your subject doesn't have a straight line to use with the split prism I definitely need more practice with them; it wasn't aways immediately obvious to me that they were showing focus even when the split prism made it obvious when used against their glasses. I tried a couple of things I'd read about online--wiggling back and forth a smidge to look for a "shimmer", etc, but it didn't seem to help all that much. Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac Really? I've never found the MX shutter to be noticeably louder than any of my dSLRs... Definitely loud. :-) Several people commented on it! I'm not seeing any shutter shock, even at some very slow speeds later in the evening, but you definitely know that something happened. Overall I'm really pleased; there don't appear to be any light leaks, and the meter is quite accurate except for a tendency to under expose about 1/2 stop at 1/30. ---------- Post added 06-20-17 at 08:39 AM ---------- Originally posted by calsan They probably think you can turn off the 'shutter sound effect' in the settings. ;-) lol! I actually had one kid ask how I could see the pictures. :-) ---------- Post added 06-20-17 at 08:40 AM ---------- Originally posted by LesDMess The biggest thing I would miss is the gigantic and bright viewfinder in the MX especially when compared to the tiny ones in any DSLR . . . It's really quite nice!

06-20-2017, 08:07 AM	#7
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,894	From the look of those sample photos film agrees with you. The MX is loud? Buy yourself an SFXn and when you think that's loud when it fires the shutter, wait for it to rewind the roll... The Pentax 55mm lenses are very good indeed. Presumably you got either the 55/1.8 or f/2 bayonet-mount versions. The 100mm f/2.8 is also pretty good.

06-20-2017, 09:41 AM	#8
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Originally posted by mulveyr It's really quite nice! Comes in real handy when trying to get critical focus with an f1.2 lens wide open . . . BTW, loud compared to what?

06-20-2017, 09:41 AM	#9
murrelet Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Portland, OR, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 506	Originally posted by mulveyr EXTREMELY loud shutter and mirror Great shots! You might want to get the mirror damper foam checked out.

06-20-2017, 01:34 PM	#10
callumross Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: London Posts: 34	Originally posted by murrelet Great shots! You might want to get the mirror damper foam checked out. I agree, my ME Super (which is supposed to have a pretty quiet shutter) was always very loud until I scraped away all the gunky old disintegrated foam and stuck a new bit on. Now I get the normal quick and inconspicuous ME Super 'click' upon shutter release. I have read on this forum that the MX has a louder shutter than other Pentax SLRs however.

06-20-2017, 06:19 PM	#11
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361	Originally posted by mulveyr The version I got is : SMC Pentax-M 100mm F2.8 Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database It has some nicks on the front element, they're not discernable in the final images. Good find, the M100/f2.8 is a lovely little bit of glass

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06-21-2017, 05:53 AM	#12
mulveyr Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 26 Original Poster	Originally posted by callumross I agree, my ME Super (which is supposed to have a pretty quiet shutter) was always very loud until I scraped away all the gunky old disintegrated foam and stuck a new bit on. Now I get the normal quick and inconspicuous ME Super 'click' upon shutter release. I have read on this forum that the MX has a louder shutter than other Pentax SLRs however. I did check out the foam for the rear seals as well as the the mirror bumper, and they all look almost new, for what it's worth, so I'm guessing that at some point it had a CLA. For the noise level, my main basis of comparison is my K3 and recollections of SLR's used by other people in the past, and my MX is definitely much louder than that. But, since it doesn't seem to actually be affecting anything, I'll live with it. :-)