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07-30-2017, 12:11 PM   #16
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QuoteOriginally posted by gofour3 Quote
I would pick the KX over the MX as it's bigger and the matching needles are easier to use.

Phil.
I didn't pick one over the other . . .



07-30-2017, 01:12 PM   #17
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KX: Fixed focusing screen, glass. With microprism or split-image focusing aid.

MX: User interchangeable focus screen, plastic. Stock screen split w/micro.
Many other types were offered but they're difficult to find. LX screens fit, too.

Many rave about the big bright viewfinder image of the Pentax MX.
But others - myself included - find the KX easier and faster to focus.

Chris
07-30-2017, 04:59 PM   #18
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Thank you all for the responses!

I've read somewhere online (can't remember where) that the big seling point of the MX was it's huge viewfinder, roughly the same size as the Olympus OM1.

I've used a frined's OM! and, oh MY GOD!! It's amazing!


I've never used a MX, is that really true? Is the viewfinder that good????






QuoteOriginally posted by ChrisPlatt Quote
The MX apparent viewing distance is less. This forces you to move your eye about to see all areas of the image.
The KX screen appears slightly further away and is easier to see in a single glance.

The MX exposure LEDs sometimes seem to disappear in bright light and are an advantage only in near-darkness.
The KX analog match-needle and scale exposure display is more intuitive and far easier to see in moderate to bright light.

My major gripe with the MX finder is that semicircular shutter speed display intrudes deep into the screen,
obscuring part of the viewing area, thus making composing more difficult.

Size matters in this case. IMO the MX suffers over-miniaturization. For ergonomics the KX wins hands down.

Chris
07-30-2017, 05:20 PM   #19
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The MX viewfinder is VERY good and bright. Use one and you'll never like a dSLR. I even like the LED meter readout indoors, but in Texas, in normal sunglasses the LEDs are very hard to see at all for the contrast of the bright screen. The Leica M6 & R6 both have an over/under LED system, but are much easier to see in bright light. Of course, they are a generation newer...
Here's an MX- K-5 VF comparison
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/6-pentax-dslr-discussion/211157-my-reason-ff.html

07-30-2017, 05:54 PM   #20
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QuoteOriginally posted by stevebrot Quote

* Truth be told, I consider the Nikon FM2 to better than either the KX or MX except that it does not support K-mount.
Tank versus APC.
07-30-2017, 07:21 PM   #21
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QuoteOriginally posted by Viernes Quote
Thank you all for the responses!

I've read somewhere online (can't remember where) that the big seling point of the MX was it's huge viewfinder, roughly the same size as the Olympus OM1.

I've used a frined's OM! and, oh MY GOD!! It's amazing!


I've never used a MX, is that really true? Is the viewfinder that good????
Yoshihisa Maitani was a genius when he designed the OM-1 bestowing on it the largest viewfinder magnification on the smallest fullsize 35mm SLR . . . at the time of release. Well, Pentax released the MX later and made it even smaller and gave it an even larger magnification viewfinder. It is still the smallest full manual 35mm SLR with the largest viewfinder.



Unlike the OM-1, the MX shows aperture in the viewfinder, uses the newer available battery and has the shutter speed control in the more traditional location.

Last edited by LesDMess; 07-30-2017 at 07:27 PM.
08-24-2017, 04:25 PM   #22
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The K-series use the spotmatic platform for the bayonet mount, and added a slew of upgrades
The M-series was a step up in size while retaining the quality of the old asahi cameras
The MX, was the flagship until the arrival of the LX and according to Dimitrov
This is one of Pentax's simplest and most robust cameras. It features manual focus, manual exposure and fully manual flash operation. It is fully mechanical, and uses batteries only for its light meter. The MX does, however, offer DOF preview, self-timer, interchangeable screens, and interchangeable backs. The viewfinder offers an optical readout of the selected lens aperture and shutter speed as well as five LEDs that indicate how far the manually-set exposure is from the camera's recommendation: 1 EV or more under, 1/2 EV under, identical, 1/2 EV over, 1 EV or more over. The camera is extremely small, light, and easy to use. A winder and motor drive are available as optional accessories.
MX

KX KX

09-11-2017, 02:15 AM   #23
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QuoteOriginally posted by titrisol Quote
The MX, was the flagship until the arrival of the LX
I would not agree that the MX was the flagship. I would say that the K2 DMD was, as it remained in production until 1980 when the LX replaced it.

The MX was a suprb little camera with a full system aimed at those professionals and serious amateurs who at the time (and there were still many) disliked the idea of auto exposure so much that they did not want it even as an option, such as the K2 had. Also, while the MX was good for professional reportage and candid, its small size lacked the "profession presence" needed in many situations. When a professional does a publicity shoot, the client is not impressed if the pro has a camera that looks much like his own amateur SLR; and at weddings, where crowd control is part of the job, a big camera acts as a symbol of authority. TBH, bigging up a 35mm SLR is partly what motor drives were for (and today's DSLR battery grips), and it's why some pros shot weddings on 35mm in a film back on a Bronica or Mamiya 67.

The K2 DMD was Pentax's first foray into the professional world and, although I loved my MX, I think they went up a dead-end alley with the MX and its extensive accessories (which fitted no other M-series body I believe). I have a K2 and I'd love to have a K2 DMD as well as a collector's piece.
09-11-2017, 06:38 AM   #24
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In fact the MX was marketed as the Pentax professional system camera for years, prior to the debut of the LX.

Another difference previously unmentioned is the thickness of the camera body covers.
To reduce weight Pentax M-series top and bottom covers were made thinner than previous models.
Consequently the thinner metal is more prone to damage, i.e. dings and dents.
Normally these do not affect function.

Chris
04-22-2019, 12:29 PM   #25
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QuoteOriginally posted by Lord Lucan Quote
I would not agree that the MX was the flagship. I would say that the K2 DMD was, as it remained in production until 1980 when the LX replaced it.

The MX was a suprb little camera with a full system aimed at those professionals and serious amateurs who at the time (and there were still many) disliked the idea of auto exposure so much that they did not want it even as an option, such as the K2 had. Also, while the MX was good for professional reportage and candid, its small size lacked the "profession presence" needed in many situations. When a professional does a publicity shoot, the client is not impressed if the pro has a camera that looks much like his own amateur SLR; and at weddings, where crowd control is part of the job, a big camera acts as a symbol of authority. TBH, bigging up a 35mm SLR is partly what motor drives were for (and today's DSLR battery grips), and it's why some pros shot weddings on 35mm in a film back on a Bronica or Mamiya 67.

The K2 DMD was Pentax's first foray into the professional world and, although I loved my MX, I think they went up a dead-end alley with the MX and its extensive accessories (which fitted no other M-series body I believe). I have a K2 and I'd love to have a K2 DMD as well as a collector's piece.
I was looking to by a MX, trough my search for a MX I found a K2 in a very good condition an on a good deal. I was wondering how much better MX is than the K2? (if it is). People are saying that ASA ring around the mount is problematic sometimes and this fact that the K2 is not a completely mechanical camera like MX is another reluctant factor I got. how reliable is the K2? does really larger viewfinder in the MX noticeable?
04-22-2019, 05:06 PM   #26
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QuoteOriginally posted by AmirYalchi Quote
I was looking to by a MX, trough my search for a MX I found a K2 in a very good condition an on a good deal. I was wondering how much better MX is than the K2? (if it is). People are saying that ASA ring around the mount is problematic sometimes and this fact that the K2 is not a completely mechanical camera like MX is another reluctant factor I got. how reliable is the K2? does really larger viewfinder in the MX noticeable?
I think if you were shopping for these two 40 years ago, there would be a different set of quantifiable answers...

I think I've read that the K2 can occasionally be difficult to repair due to a lack of parts (I can't remember if that was the K2 or the newer one).

But there are fans of the larger body, and there are reasons you might want auto exposure.
I love the big viewfinder of the MX, but after it was pointed out, it does sometimes take longer to compose a photo because the viewfinder is so large...

If it came down to a fantastic deal on one vs. regular price on the other, I think I could be happy with either one and would probably shop by price.
For a film camera supplementing a digital for the occasional hobby work, either will make a fine choice.

-Eric
04-22-2019, 09:15 PM   #27
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QuoteOriginally posted by Viernes Quote
Does anyone know the difference between the Pentax KX and MX?

So far, all I've found is the size and match-needle vs. led light.
Both are very capable cameras with differences that are either minor or mostly down to subjective preference.

I think the key deciding factor is going to be ergonomics due to body size. I love the MX and find the KX (and other K-series bodies) too clunky. Other's love the KX and find the MX too dinky. How it feels in the hand is going to be the single biggest difference, and that's purely down to personal preference.
04-23-2019, 12:12 AM - 1 Like   #28
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QuoteOriginally posted by Viernes Quote
Does anyone know the difference between the Pentax KX and MX?

So far, all I've found is the size and match-needle vs. led light.


Thanks!!
I have both, and a KM. As others have said, it really all boils down to personal preference regarding ergonomics. I find the KX and KM balance better with the bigger K series lenses, or a small zoom. The MX is better with smaller lenses from the M (or A) series primes from 20mm to 50mm. The power winder of the MX does make handling better with larger lenses, but it also makes the camera noisy and to be honest a bit plastic.
I have never had a problem with the viewfinder displays in any of these cameras. On a mechanical manual camera I consider a full information viewfinder a bit unnecessary.
04-23-2019, 07:39 AM   #29
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QuoteOriginally posted by richard0170 Quote
I find the KX and KM balance better with the bigger K series lenses, or a small zoom.
Yes that's very true. While hand holding bigger heavy lenses, my K Series bodies always balance better than my M/A/P/LX bodies.

Phil.
05-05-2019, 03:55 AM   #30
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I can't say from any personal experience - I own a KX and its built like a tank. Quite heavy, very solid. I have heard that the MX can be swinish to repair and also heard that reliability is sometimes an issue with early MXs. The advice I got was skip the MX unless you get a late production model. The story told to me was that Pentax rushed the MX into production in response to the OM1 release and as a consequence there was some sloppy work done both in design and production - towards the end of the production of the MX they implemented changes which fixed some of its shortcomings whether thats true or not I can't say.

Harrow Techical list the following headaches with various Pentax cameras here Pentax Camera Repair Specialists - Typical Faults - Harrow Technical

They say that late model MX units can be identified by the memo holder being plastic rather than metal.



Might be worth a read.
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