K1000 vs MX? —is this a silly comparison?

**filoxophy** · 01-06-2014, 03:51 PM

I have a K1000 and I don't plan on selling it, but I reach for my ME Super or LX much more often. The ME is my jacket-pocketable point and shoot, and the LX is my full-featured me-time body.

Love the simplicity of the K1000 though...you make me want to get out there and finish that roll of Delta 100 that's in it!

builttospill · 01-06-2014, 06:39 PM

Originally posted by filoxophy

The ME is my jacket-pocketable point and shoot

Speaking of the pocket cameras, I use the DA 40 XS on my Super Program for a small, lightweight combo. The *ist film body with the 40 XS also makes a compact camera I love to carry in my pocket.

**filoxophy** · 01-06-2014, 07:15 PM

Love that 40mm focal length! Never thought to use my 40 XS on my P30T...no way to control the aperture, though--pure Program mode, I guess. Will have to get an AF or at least aperture-control-from-the-body model. But I do have the M40/2.8, so maybe that's just too much trouble...

builttospill · 01-06-2014, 07:23 PM

I don't need AF with the 40 XS on the Super Program, and I just adjust the shutter speed to move the camera's aperture setting. I looked at the M 40 for a long time, but couldn't pass on the XS when it was released.

keyofnight · 01-07-2014, 07:20 AM

Originally posted by Nesster

+1 on that. Plus, while not the largest and brightest, the KX screen pops things into focus better IMO than the MX screen.

I bought a KX, got it CLA'd, and love it to death. But it isn't on the frequent flyers on my camera rotation.
I've bought two MX's. One after the CLA I gave to my nephew for his 21st birthday. The second one (KEH EX on sale) my daughter seems to own now - she's shooting college photo classes with it, and loves it to bits. Doesn't want the Nikon, doesn't want the Pentax autofocus, and even gave up her previous favorite, the SP1000. So that MX will see hundreds of rolls through it in the next two years.

Ha! You must have an awesome family.

So the KX screen is better than the MX screen? Is it ground glass with a microprism circle? Or does it have a split prism focusing aid?

titrisol · 01-07-2014, 07:48 AM

The KX screen in on my post above.
It is similar to the Spotmatic; microprism circle, besides the meter needle (black) there is a speed needle indicator (green) and the judas window to see the aperture on the lens

I do not have a MX, but I assume it is like the ME Super, with a spli-circle and amazingly bright; however you could change screens on that one

GibbyTheMole · 01-07-2014, 07:54 AM

Originally posted by keyofnight

This big, heavy, and fully mechanical body offers no automation of any kind.

LOL... I'm guessing he hasn't used a Nikon F2. Now there's a big ol' brick of a camera! (and one of my all-time faves)

You're not nuts for liking what you like. Whatever you're comfortable with, and whatever best fits your style is the camera for you. Personally, I preferred my old Nikon F2, Nikomat FT2 & Pentax K1000 to a lot of the more modern automated SLRs I've owned. There's also some comfort in knowing that if the battery conks on an all-mechanical camera you can keep on shooting at all shutter speeds.

Use what ya like & enjoy yourself!

**gofour3** · 01-07-2014, 09:44 AM

Originally posted by keyofnight

So the KX screen is better than the MX screen? Is it ground glass with a microprism circle? Or does it have a split prism focusing aid?

Both were available, though the microprism is more common.

I have two KX’s with the microprism screen and one KX with the split.

Phil.

**monochrome** · 01-07-2014, 09:59 AM

[EDIT: Phil beat me by a few minutes, but I'll leave my post anyway.]

Originally posted by keyofnight

So the KX screen is better than the MX screen? Is it ground glass with a microprism circle? Or does it have a split prism focusing aid?

It really is a matter of preference. Of all the viewfinder information arrangements of all the cameras I've ever used I like the match-needle of the KX the best.

The KX came standard with the microprism circle centered on a matte focusing screen. It was also available as a factory-order or dealer-service item with a split-prism center spot, but those are quite uncommon today. I have one of each version in black. Frankly I prefer the microprism version - it just "snaps" into focus.

The MX has a very bright viewfinder - there is much debate whether the MESuper or the MX has the brightest Pentax ever released - with the aperture indicator in the Judas window and the clear wheel to indicate shutter speed - but the colored LED's to indicate exposure just don't do it for me. I have an MX with a tiny dent on the right rear shoulder that I picked up at a yard sale. It was a rear cap for an M50/1.7. Because of the dent and a sticky mirror I was able to talk the seller down to $25 cash. I actually felt bad about that after I got in my car.

For about a minute.

mrNewt · 01-07-2014, 10:24 AM

Originally posted by monochrome

For about a minute.

I bet it wasn't even a full minute though...

**monochrome** · 01-07-2014, 10:38 AM

Originally posted by mrNewt

I bet it wasn't even a full minute though...

Actually it was the full minute. But that's because the $25 included the lens.

I really need to get this sent off to Tennessee but then I would hjave something like ten working film cameras and I just can't admit to myself that I have a double digit working camera collection.

jakeblues · 01-07-2014, 11:16 AM

Originally posted by monochrome

the colored LED's to indicate exposure just don't do it for me.

Definitely my least favorite part of the MX viewfinder. However, I do like the split-circle focus screen better than the KX's microprism.

keyofnight · 01-07-2014, 12:27 PM

Originally posted by monochrome

For about a minute.

Evil. (;

Alright. Since this thread is all about preferences, here are a few of my own.

I am easily distracted, so I've found that I don't like seeing anything in the viewfinder beside the meter and the image. For that reason, I like the centering needle over the match needle system—I don't want to see the speeds, and I would rather look at a single needle.

I also don't like the MX LEDs as much because they're sometimes ambiguous; I confuse +1 and -1 for a split second sometimess. (On more modern SLRs and dSLRs, there is often an LED "scale" that is always illuminated, so there is no ambiguity.)

The K1000 feels like it has the right size, heft, and grip. I like that there are no controls for me to fiddle with (remember: I am easily distracted, so I do fiddle), and that also means a better grip.

The biggest problem with the K1000: it doesn't come in black.

titrisol · 01-07-2014, 12:45 PM

Originally posted by keyofnight

The biggest problem with the K1000: it doesn't come in black.

Nothing a sharpie can not fix

titrisol · 01-07-2014, 12:46 PM

I'll be darned!

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01-06-2014, 03:51 PM	#31
filoxophy Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 1,133	I have a K1000 and I don't plan on selling it, but I reach for my ME Super or LX much more often. The ME is my jacket-pocketable point and shoot, and the LX is my full-featured me-time body. Love the simplicity of the K1000 though...you make me want to get out there and finish that roll of Delta 100 that's in it!

01-06-2014, 06:39 PM	#32
builttospill Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,398	Originally posted by filoxophy The ME is my jacket-pocketable point and shoot Speaking of the pocket cameras, I use the DA 40 XS on my Super Program for a small, lightweight combo. The *ist film body with the 40 XS also makes a compact camera I love to carry in my pocket.

01-06-2014, 07:15 PM	#33
filoxophy Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 1,133	Love that 40mm focal length! Never thought to use my 40 XS on my P30T...no way to control the aperture, though--pure Program mode, I guess. Will have to get an AF or at least aperture-control-from-the-body model. But I do have the M40/2.8, so maybe that's just too much trouble...

01-06-2014, 07:23 PM	#34
builttospill Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,398	I don't need AF with the 40 XS on the Super Program, and I just adjust the shutter speed to move the camera's aperture setting. I looked at the M 40 for a long time, but couldn't pass on the XS when it was released.

01-07-2014, 07:20 AM	#35
keyofnight Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Seattle, WA Photos: Gallery Posts: 128 Original Poster	Originally posted by Nesster +1 on that. Plus, while not the largest and brightest, the KX screen pops things into focus better IMO than the MX screen. I bought a KX, got it CLA'd, and love it to death. But it isn't on the frequent flyers on my camera rotation. I've bought two MX's. One after the CLA I gave to my nephew for his 21st birthday. The second one (KEH EX on sale) my daughter seems to own now - she's shooting college photo classes with it, and loves it to bits. Doesn't want the Nikon, doesn't want the Pentax autofocus, and even gave up her previous favorite, the SP1000. So that MX will see hundreds of rolls through it in the next two years. Ha! You must have an awesome family. So the KX screen is better than the MX screen? Is it ground glass with a microprism circle? Or does it have a split prism focusing aid?

01-07-2014, 07:48 AM	#36
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,853	The KX screen in on my post above. It is similar to the Spotmatic; microprism circle, besides the meter needle (black) there is a speed needle indicator (green) and the judas window to see the aperture on the lens I do not have a MX, but I assume it is like the ME Super, with a spli-circle and amazingly bright; however you could change screens on that one

01-07-2014, 07:54 AM	#37
GibbyTheMole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Iowa Photos: Albums Posts: 2,275	Originally posted by keyofnight This big, heavy, and fully mechanical body offers no automation of any kind. LOL... I'm guessing he hasn't used a Nikon F2. Now there's a big ol' brick of a camera! (and one of my all-time faves) You're not nuts for liking what you like. Whatever you're comfortable with, and whatever best fits your style is the camera for you. Personally, I preferred my old Nikon F2, Nikomat FT2 & Pentax K1000 to a lot of the more modern automated SLRs I've owned. There's also some comfort in knowing that if the battery conks on an all-mechanical camera you can keep on shooting at all shutter speeds. Use what ya like & enjoy yourself!

01-07-2014, 09:44 AM	#38
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,092	Originally posted by keyofnight So the KX screen is better than the MX screen? Is it ground glass with a microprism circle? Or does it have a split prism focusing aid? Both were available, though the microprism is more common. I have two KX’s with the microprism screen and one KX with the split. Phil.

01-07-2014, 09:59 AM	#39
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	[EDIT: Phil beat me by a few minutes, but I'll leave my post anyway.] Originally posted by keyofnight So the KX screen is better than the MX screen? Is it ground glass with a microprism circle? Or does it have a split prism focusing aid? It really is a matter of preference. Of all the viewfinder information arrangements of all the cameras I've ever used I like the match-needle of the KX the best. The KX came standard with the microprism circle centered on a matte focusing screen. It was also available as a factory-order or dealer-service item with a split-prism center spot, but those are quite uncommon today. I have one of each version in black. Frankly I prefer the microprism version - it just "snaps" into focus. The MX has a very bright viewfinder - there is much debate whether the MESuper or the MX has the brightest Pentax ever released - with the aperture indicator in the Judas window and the clear wheel to indicate shutter speed - but the colored LED's to indicate exposure just don't do it for me. I have an MX with a tiny dent on the right rear shoulder that I picked up at a yard sale. It was a rear cap for an M50/1.7. Because of the dent and a sticky mirror I was able to talk the seller down to $25 cash. I actually felt bad about that after I got in my car. For about a minute.

01-07-2014, 10:24 AM	#40
mrNewt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ON, RH Posts: 2,181	Originally posted by monochrome For about a minute. I bet it wasn't even a full minute though...

01-07-2014, 10:38 AM	#41
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by mrNewt I bet it wasn't even a full minute though... Actually it was the full minute. But that's because the $25 included the lens. I really need to get this sent off to Tennessee but then I would hjave something like ten working film cameras and I just can't admit to myself that I have a double digit working camera collection.

01-07-2014, 11:16 AM	#42
jakeblues Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Los Angeles Photos: Albums Posts: 167	Originally posted by monochrome the colored LED's to indicate exposure just don't do it for me. Definitely my least favorite part of the MX viewfinder. However, I do like the split-circle focus screen better than the KX's microprism.

01-07-2014, 12:27 PM	#43
keyofnight Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Seattle, WA Photos: Gallery Posts: 128 Original Poster	Originally posted by monochrome For about a minute. Evil. (; Alright. Since this thread is all about preferences, here are a few of my own. I am easily distracted, so I've found that I don't like seeing anything in the viewfinder beside the meter and the image. For that reason, I like the centering needle over the match needle system—I don't want to see the speeds, and I would rather look at a single needle. I also don't like the MX LEDs as much because they're sometimes ambiguous; I confuse +1 and -1 for a split second sometimess. (On more modern SLRs and dSLRs, there is often an LED "scale" that is always illuminated, so there is no ambiguity.) The K1000 feels like it has the right size, heft, and grip. I like that there are no controls for me to fiddle with (remember: I am easily distracted, so I do fiddle), and that also means a better grip. The biggest problem with the K1000: it doesn't come in black.

01-07-2014, 12:45 PM	#44
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,853	Originally posted by keyofnight The biggest problem with the K1000: it doesn't come in black. Nothing a sharpie can not fix

01-07-2014, 12:46 PM	#45
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,853	I'll be darned!