Why is the black Pentax MX worth a lot?

Pentaxcollector7987 · 08-08-2013, 09:45 AM

I was just wondering why it is worth a lot because I found one in my storage space, with two lenses, an original strap, and a lens cap. It is in near mint condition, too!

**tlong423** · 08-08-2013, 09:58 AM

Well, black bodies were produced in far fewer numbers than chrome. Inasmuch as black bodies were disproportionately acquired by professional photographers, they tend to not be in as cosmetically good shape as chrome cameras; that means that your "near mint" black body ought to fetch a very nice price, I would think. Before you list it, however, you might consider investing about $75 in sending it to Eric Hendrickson for a CLA as it probably needs a lubrication and the seals and mirror bumper replaced (and who knows what the battery chamber holds).

stevebrot · 08-08-2013, 11:36 AM

Welcome to the Pentax Forums!

What a great "find". You must have friendly elves in your storage space. I don't know if the black MX has a higher value than any other black-bodied camera. Back-in-the-day the black body was available as a relatively inexpensive ($15-$20) upgrade and they are not particularly rare. If yours is in excellent condition, that might be a consideration for a collector, though it is hard to say how much of a premium the color might represent.

If you decide you want to sell, the marketplace on this site might be a good place to start. (Forum rules forbid selling or promoting an item for sale from the forum itself.) A black MX body in excellent condition with CLA in a shop here in Portland would go for about $250 USD with 1 year warranty. The same camera in a private sale will sell for about $100 or so less. There are also several eBay auctions currently running that you might want to reference. Ignore the BIN prices.

Steve

**TomB_tx** · 08-08-2013, 11:37 AM

Also, the MX has developed a reputation as a "pro" camera, and so tends to bring higher prices than most other model Pentax. In many ways I prefer the MX to the LX.

LesDMess · 08-08-2013, 06:42 PM

Nice find! Just how close to mint is it . . . is the passed sticker in great condition too . . .

No doubt condition and functionality can really drive the price high!

wombat2go · 08-08-2013, 07:36 PM

I used the loupe to look at some cameras.
My MX is well worn with some of the black paint rubbed off from use and I think top and base are of brass plate.

The Canon A-1 top and base also brass plate under its black paint.

The ME Super here has some dings, and I think it is Aluminum and not painted,

The later Ricohs here appear to have plastic bases and tops ( KR-10 and KR-5(2)

Pentaxcollector7987 · 08-08-2013, 07:58 PM

Originally posted by LesDMess

Nice find! Just how close to mint is it . . . is the passed sticker in great condition too . . .

No doubt condition and functionality can really drive the price high!

Mine looks soooooooooo close to that, except it had the strap, and no PASSED sticker. However, there is a PASSED sticker on one of the lenses

Pentaxcollector7987 · 08-08-2013, 08:08 PM

Originally posted by Pentaxcollector7987

I was just wondering why it is worth a lot because I found one in my storage space, with two lenses, an original strap, and a lens cap. It is in near mint condition, too!

Oh and it also had the ORIGINAL case

**tlong423** · 08-08-2013, 08:18 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by wombat2go

My MX is well worn with some of the black paint rubbed off from use and I think ( fairly sure) it it is of brass plated steel.

I can definitely attest to that. One of my black MXs had that, too. I get all dreamy when I hold my MX. What a perfect camera.

stevebrot · 08-08-2013, 08:37 PM

Originally posted by wombat2go

The Ricoh XR-2 here looks like it is bare steel but with a heavier paint coating.
The later Ricohs here appear to have painted steel bases and plastic tops ( KR-10 and KR-5(2)

Interesting. My XR-2s (same body as XR-2 and KR-5) has painted plastic top and bottom plates over cast/machined metal (unknown type) chassis. My XR7s (next generation after the XR-2s and same body as KR-10) (I have three*) also has painted plastic top and bottom plates over cast/machined aluminum chassis. I pulled the bottom plates just to make sure. The plastic is a very dark gray. Due to the use of paint over plastic these cameras don't really "brass". They will take a scratch, but with no bright metal underneath.

This is not an indication of poor quality, but merely a common construction of the time. The Ricoh's metal chassis was a bit unusual since many other makers had switched to plastic there as well. This was called out in the various reviews as an indication of quality construction.

Steve

* One parts body and two working bodies...the second a gift from a forum member.

LesDMess · 08-09-2013, 04:45 AM

Originally posted by Pentaxcollector7987

Mine looks soooooooooo close to that, except it had the strap, and no PASSED sticker. However, there is a PASSED sticker on one of the lenses

If it doesn't have the PASSED sticker then that could hurt the price . . .

Originally posted by Pentaxcollector7987

Oh and it also had the ORIGINAL case

Correct accessories definitely add to the value.

I went to KEH and their quote to buy a black MX in EX condition is $156 and the chrome is $69.30 so at least to them the black MX is worth a lot more than the chrome.

I don't intend to sell mine as it feels good to use a camera that not only works correctly but also in good shape!

**TomB_tx** · 08-09-2013, 05:14 AM

Most of the cameras up to the mid-70s used top and bottom plates of formed brass which was plated or painted. Back then brass parts were usually cheaper overall, as the easier forming and machining made up for the material cost. So I doubt if the MX has brass-plated covers - probably just brass.

wombat2go · 08-09-2013, 05:15 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Interesting. My XR-2s (same body as XR-2 and KR-5) has painted plastic top and bottom plates over cast/machined metal (unknown type) chassis.

I agree, after using a smaller magnet, and I changed my post above.
It would be interesting to know why they used the various top and base materials while the sides and rear doors appear to be of painted steel on all cameras of that era.

I think TomB is correct, MX is of brass plate , not plated steel.
I was fooled by using a strong magnet which attracted to steel inside the camera

**Pål Jensen** · 08-09-2013, 02:50 PM

Originally posted by wombat2go

The Canon A-1 top and base also brass plate under its black paint.

Not reallly. The A-1 has a plastic body: one of the first. It has brass paint under the black one to "hide" the plastic. If you wear it further you'll see it is grey (plastic) under the "brass".

tim60 · 08-09-2013, 02:57 PM

Originally posted by LesDMess

Nice find! Just how close to mint is it . . . is the passed sticker in great condition too . . .

No doubt condition and functionality can really drive the price high!

And that was a very fashionable lens back about 81-82. Australian Photography always seemed to make a big deal of the lens.

08-08-2013, 09:45 AM	#1
Pentaxcollector7987 New Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 3	Why is the black Pentax MX worth a lot? I was just wondering why it is worth a lot because I found one in my storage space, with two lenses, an original strap, and a lens cap. It is in near mint condition, too!

08-08-2013, 11:36 AM	#3
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Welcome to the Pentax Forums! What a great "find". You must have friendly elves in your storage space. I don't know if the black MX has a higher value than any other black-bodied camera. Back-in-the-day the black body was available as a relatively inexpensive ($15-$20) upgrade and they are not particularly rare. If yours is in excellent condition, that might be a consideration for a collector, though it is hard to say how much of a premium the color might represent. If you decide you want to sell, the marketplace on this site might be a good place to start. (Forum rules forbid selling or promoting an item for sale from the forum itself.) A black MX body in excellent condition with CLA in a shop here in Portland would go for about $250 USD with 1 year warranty. The same camera in a private sale will sell for about $100 or so less. There are also several eBay auctions currently running that you might want to reference. Ignore the BIN prices. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 08-08-2013 at 12:16 PM.

08-08-2013, 07:36 PM	#6
wombat2go Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	I used the loupe to look at some cameras. My MX is well worn with some of the black paint rubbed off from use and I think top and base are of brass plate. The Canon A-1 top and base also brass plate under its black paint. The ME Super here has some dings, and I think it is Aluminum and not painted, The later Ricohs here appear to have plastic bases and tops ( KR-10 and KR-5(2) Last edited by wombat2go; 08-09-2013 at 05:12 AM. Reason: Changed after Steve's post below and using a smaller magnet

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08-08-2013, 09:58 AM	#2
tlong423 Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Kansas City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 194	Well, black bodies were produced in far fewer numbers than chrome. Inasmuch as black bodies were disproportionately acquired by professional photographers, they tend to not be in as cosmetically good shape as chrome cameras; that means that your "near mint" black body ought to fetch a very nice price, I would think. Before you list it, however, you might consider investing about $75 in sending it to Eric Hendrickson for a CLA as it probably needs a lubrication and the seals and mirror bumper replaced (and who knows what the battery chamber holds).

08-08-2013, 11:37 AM	#4
TomB_tx Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,446	Also, the MX has developed a reputation as a "pro" camera, and so tends to bring higher prices than most other model Pentax. In many ways I prefer the MX to the LX.

08-08-2013, 06:42 PM	#5
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Nice find! Just how close to mint is it . . . is the passed sticker in great condition too . . . No doubt condition and functionality can really drive the price high!

08-08-2013, 07:58 PM	#7
Pentaxcollector7987 New Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 3 Original Poster	Originally posted by LesDMess Nice find! Just how close to mint is it . . . is the passed sticker in great condition too . . . No doubt condition and functionality can really drive the price high! Mine looks soooooooooo close to that, except it had the strap, and no PASSED sticker. However, there is a PASSED sticker on one of the lenses

08-08-2013, 08:08 PM	#8
Pentaxcollector7987 New Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 3 Original Poster	Originally posted by Pentaxcollector7987 I was just wondering why it is worth a lot because I found one in my storage space, with two lenses, an original strap, and a lens cap. It is in near mint condition, too! Oh and it also had the ORIGINAL case

08-08-2013, 08:18 PM - 1 Like	#9
tlong423 Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Kansas City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 194	Originally posted by wombat2go My MX is well worn with some of the black paint rubbed off from use and I think ( fairly sure) it it is of brass plated steel. I can definitely attest to that. One of my black MXs had that, too. I get all dreamy when I hold my MX. What a perfect camera.

08-08-2013, 08:37 PM	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by wombat2go The Ricoh XR-2 here looks like it is bare steel but with a heavier paint coating. The later Ricohs here appear to have painted steel bases and plastic tops ( KR-10 and KR-5(2) Interesting. My XR-2s (same body as XR-2 and KR-5) has painted plastic top and bottom plates over cast/machined metal (unknown type) chassis. My XR7s (next generation after the XR-2s and same body as KR-10) (I have three) also has painted plastic top and bottom plates over cast/machined aluminum chassis. I pulled the bottom plates just to make sure. The plastic is a very dark gray. Due to the use of paint over plastic these cameras don't really "brass". They will take a scratch, but with no bright metal underneath. This is not an indication of poor quality, but merely a common construction of the time. The Ricoh's metal chassis was a bit unusual since many other makers had switched to plastic there as well. This was called out in the various reviews as an indication of quality construction. Steve One parts body and two working bodies...the second a gift from a forum member.

08-09-2013, 04:45 AM	#11
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Originally posted by Pentaxcollector7987 Mine looks soooooooooo close to that, except it had the strap, and no PASSED sticker. However, there is a PASSED sticker on one of the lenses If it doesn't have the PASSED sticker then that could hurt the price . . . Originally posted by Pentaxcollector7987 Oh and it also had the ORIGINAL case Correct accessories definitely add to the value. I went to KEH and their quote to buy a black MX in EX condition is $156 and the chrome is $69.30 so at least to them the black MX is worth a lot more than the chrome. I don't intend to sell mine as it feels good to use a camera that not only works correctly but also in good shape!

08-09-2013, 05:14 AM	#12
TomB_tx Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,446	Most of the cameras up to the mid-70s used top and bottom plates of formed brass which was plated or painted. Back then brass parts were usually cheaper overall, as the easier forming and machining made up for the material cost. So I doubt if the MX has brass-plated covers - probably just brass.

08-09-2013, 05:15 AM	#13
wombat2go Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	Originally posted by stevebrot Interesting. My XR-2s (same body as XR-2 and KR-5) has painted plastic top and bottom plates over cast/machined metal (unknown type) chassis. I agree, after using a smaller magnet, and I changed my post above. It would be interesting to know why they used the various top and base materials while the sides and rear doors appear to be of painted steel on all cameras of that era. I think TomB is correct, MX is of brass plate , not plated steel. I was fooled by using a strong magnet which attracted to steel inside the camera

08-09-2013, 02:50 PM	#14
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Originally posted by wombat2go The Canon A-1 top and base also brass plate under its black paint. Not reallly. The A-1 has a plastic body: one of the first. It has brass paint under the black one to "hide" the plastic. If you wear it further you'll see it is grey (plastic) under the "brass".

08-09-2013, 02:57 PM	#15
tim60 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 8,745	Originally posted by LesDMess Nice find! Just how close to mint is it . . . is the passed sticker in great condition too . . . No doubt condition and functionality can really drive the price high! And that was a very fashionable lens back about 81-82. Australian Photography always seemed to make a big deal of the lens.