Guidance with the MX

nickthetasmaniac · 09-23-2018, 04:14 PM

Originally posted by LesDMess

BTW, the nearly 100% modification viewfinder of the MX is so huge, bright and sharp that you won't need a magnifier to get critical focus using an f1.2 lens.

Heh, same set up

I agree, shooting the f1.2 with the MX's viewfinder is glorious.

Gareth.Ig · 09-27-2018, 12:44 PM

I have purchased two MX's. The first works fine, no problems. The second ended up being a bit of a slow moving train wreck. Light meter went, then the shutter speed dial in the viewfinder stopped working and then the shutter went. Repair estimate from Eric was $145, I ended up donating it for parts. I suspect the camera was treated poorly. I love my functional MX however, it travels with me wherever I go.

nickthetasmaniac · 09-28-2018, 03:52 AM

I think if any camera of this age has been mistreated it’s quite possible you’ll end up with cascading failures...

**felixkh** · 09-29-2018, 06:30 AM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

To help make the MX lighter Pentax used thinner metal covers.
The top (pentaprism) cover is rather prone to dings and dents.
However most are just cosmetic and will not affect functionality.

Chris

I agree with this. Just bought a mint MX from eBay in Korea and I accidentally bumped the top prism. Ended up with a bad dent on the prism. Had to get a buddy to knock it out again. Very sad as the K1000 is so much tougher.

One other thing I realised is that the battery drains very fast, In the time I owned it, I have already changed 2 sets of batteries since early August 2018.

Last edited by felixkh; 09-29-2018 at 07:11 AM.

nicolpa47 · 09-29-2018, 07:44 AM

I also agree that the pentaprism cover is vulnerable. Not long after I bought mine shortly after it was first introduced, I managed to hit it with a car steering lock - not hard enough to have ever affected operation, but enough to put a small dent in the metal. Rugged camera, though, and I never found mine to "eat" batteries back in the day - maybe the modern battery specs cause this as I think the original batteries are no longer made. My MX needs a thorough overhaul now, but it would be unlikely to see much use having gone digital, so I haven't bothered.

ctrout · 09-29-2018, 08:04 AM

Battery drain is a commonly experienced problem with the MX. It is not the normal condition for the camera. In other words, there's something wrong with it if it eats batteries that fast.

Russell W. Barnes · 09-29-2018, 02:16 PM

Originally posted by felixkh

One other thing I realised is that the battery drains very fast, In the time I owned it, I have already changed 2 sets of batteries since early August 2018.

My MX draws just 1.7mA when the meter is switched on; absolutely nothing when it's switched off, so no leakage. Batteries (cells!) are just standard LR44 1.5V button cells and are readily available. There is a 3V lithium equivalent - can't remember the number - being one battery the size of two original ones. I would caution against using that because its internal resistance will be so low and the relative energy so high that if there's a short-circuit, it could cause irrepairable damage.

womble · 09-29-2018, 02:47 PM

I have a vague memory of being told that the battery drain issue was a relatively common fault but an easy fix. My MX did the same thing but was fixed by Robin at Harrow Technical and has been flawless since (that was at least 10 years ago).

Kim Coxon · 09-29-2018, 04:16 PM - **1 Like**

One of my MX's

The manual is on my website if you need it.

ctrout · 09-29-2018, 07:31 PM

Originally posted by Kim Coxon

One of my MX's

The manual is on my website if you need it.

I like that. Did you do the leather yourself?

**arnold** · 09-29-2018, 08:52 PM

Originally posted by runswithsizzers

Don't hesitate to buy an MX. IMHO it's the best camera Pentax ever made.

However, I would figure the cost of a CLA as part of the price when buying any camera of this age. I just had my two MX bodies checked out by Eric Hendrickson and the total cost was about $110 each.

I agree, and that is why I own 5 MXs and only one LX. However, I think the KX is as good, if the MX small size is an issue. My original 1977 MX has never had a service and never given trouble, but admittedly gets only occasional use.

Kim Coxon · 09-30-2018, 02:19 AM

Originally posted by ctrout

I like that. Did you do the leather yourself?

Yes, I did that together with a few other cameras.

---------- Post added 09-30-18 at 02:24 AM ----------

Originally posted by arnold

I agree, and that is why I own 5 MXs and only one LX. However, I think the KX is as good, if the MX small size is an issue. My original 1977 MX has never had a service and never given trouble, but admittedly gets only occasional use.

The KX/MX debate is a very old one. Personally, I prefer the KX. The balance etc is better with the SMC lenses rather than the M series ones. (But if you have mainly M lenses the MX is better). The KX has the mirror lock up and I prefer the twin needle display in the KX. Still think the LX is the best of the 3 though.

**monochrome** · 09-30-2018, 06:07 AM

Originally posted by Kim Coxon

The KX/MX debate is a very old one. Personally, I prefer the KX. The balance etc is better with the SMC lenses rather than the M series ones. (But if you have mainly M lenses the MX is better). The KX has the mirror lock up and I prefer the twin needle display in the KX. Still think the LX is the best of the 3 though.

I could never decide which of the three - KX | MX | LX - I liked best, so I have one of each.

.:

Kim Coxon · 09-30-2018, 06:39 AM

Originally posted by monochrome

I could never decide which of the three - KX | MX | LX - I liked best, so I have one of each.

.:

Only one? lol

**monochrome** · 09-30-2018, 07:02 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Kim Coxon

Only one? lol

In the active drawer. I have one each black and silver, split screen and matte, so four KX in total.

But I really only ever use the black, matte screen one.

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09-23-2018, 04:14 PM	#16
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361	Originally posted by LesDMess BTW, the nearly 100% modification viewfinder of the MX is so huge, bright and sharp that you won't need a magnifier to get critical focus using an f1.2 lens. Heh, same set up I agree, shooting the f1.2 with the MX's viewfinder is glorious.

09-27-2018, 12:44 PM	#17
Gareth.Ig Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cochrane, AB Photos: Gallery Posts: 508	I have purchased two MX's. The first works fine, no problems. The second ended up being a bit of a slow moving train wreck. Light meter went, then the shutter speed dial in the viewfinder stopped working and then the shutter went. Repair estimate from Eric was $145, I ended up donating it for parts. I suspect the camera was treated poorly. I love my functional MX however, it travels with me wherever I go.

09-28-2018, 03:52 AM	#18
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361	I think if any camera of this age has been mistreated it’s quite possible you’ll end up with cascading failures...

09-29-2018, 06:30 AM	#19
felixkh Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,201	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt To help make the MX lighter Pentax used thinner metal covers. The top (pentaprism) cover is rather prone to dings and dents. However most are just cosmetic and will not affect functionality. Chris I agree with this. Just bought a mint MX from eBay in Korea and I accidentally bumped the top prism. Ended up with a bad dent on the prism. Had to get a buddy to knock it out again. Very sad as the K1000 is so much tougher. One other thing I realised is that the battery drains very fast, In the time I owned it, I have already changed 2 sets of batteries since early August 2018. Last edited by felixkh; 09-29-2018 at 07:11 AM.

09-29-2018, 07:44 AM	#20
nicolpa47 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,031	I also agree that the pentaprism cover is vulnerable. Not long after I bought mine shortly after it was first introduced, I managed to hit it with a car steering lock - not hard enough to have ever affected operation, but enough to put a small dent in the metal. Rugged camera, though, and I never found mine to "eat" batteries back in the day - maybe the modern battery specs cause this as I think the original batteries are no longer made. My MX needs a thorough overhaul now, but it would be unlikely to see much use having gone digital, so I haven't bothered.

09-29-2018, 08:04 AM	#21
ctrout Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 444	Battery drain is a commonly experienced problem with the MX. It is not the normal condition for the camera. In other words, there's something wrong with it if it eats batteries that fast.

09-29-2018, 02:16 PM	#22
Russell W. Barnes Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Near Penrith, Cumbria, England UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 296	Originally posted by felixkh One other thing I realised is that the battery drains very fast, In the time I owned it, I have already changed 2 sets of batteries since early August 2018. My MX draws just 1.7mA when the meter is switched on; absolutely nothing when it's switched off, so no leakage. Batteries (cells!) are just standard LR44 1.5V button cells and are readily available. There is a 3V lithium equivalent - can't remember the number - being one battery the size of two original ones. I would caution against using that because its internal resistance will be so low and the relative energy so high that if there's a short-circuit, it could cause irrepairable damage.

09-29-2018, 02:47 PM	#23
womble Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hertfordshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,324	I have a vague memory of being told that the battery drain issue was a relatively common fault but an easy fix. My MX did the same thing but was fixed by Robin at Harrow Technical and has been flawless since (that was at least 10 years ago).

09-29-2018, 07:31 PM	#25
ctrout Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 444	Originally posted by Kim Coxon One of my MX's The manual is on my website if you need it. I like that. Did you do the leather yourself?

09-29-2018, 08:52 PM	#26
arnold Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,293	Originally posted by runswithsizzers Don't hesitate to buy an MX. IMHO it's the best camera Pentax ever made. However, I would figure the cost of a CLA as part of the price when buying any camera of this age. I just had my two MX bodies checked out by Eric Hendrickson and the total cost was about $110 each. I agree, and that is why I own 5 MXs and only one LX. However, I think the KX is as good, if the MX small size is an issue. My original 1977 MX has never had a service and never given trouble, but admittedly gets only occasional use.

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09-30-2018, 02:19 AM	#27
Kim Coxon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 135	Originally posted by ctrout I like that. Did you do the leather yourself? Yes, I did that together with a few other cameras. ---------- Post added 09-30-18 at 02:24 AM ---------- Originally posted by arnold I agree, and that is why I own 5 MXs and only one LX. However, I think the KX is as good, if the MX small size is an issue. My original 1977 MX has never had a service and never given trouble, but admittedly gets only occasional use. The KX/MX debate is a very old one. Personally, I prefer the KX. The balance etc is better with the SMC lenses rather than the M series ones. (But if you have mainly M lenses the MX is better). The KX has the mirror lock up and I prefer the twin needle display in the KX. Still think the LX is the best of the 3 though.

09-30-2018, 06:07 AM	#28
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by Kim Coxon The KX/MX debate is a very old one. Personally, I prefer the KX. The balance etc is better with the SMC lenses rather than the M series ones. (But if you have mainly M lenses the MX is better). The KX has the mirror lock up and I prefer the twin needle display in the KX. Still think the LX is the best of the 3 though. I could never decide which of the three - KX \| MX \| LX - I liked best, so I have one of each. .:

09-30-2018, 06:39 AM	#29
Kim Coxon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 135	Originally posted by monochrome I could never decide which of the three - KX \| MX \| LX - I liked best, so I have one of each. .: Only one? lol

09-30-2018, 07:02 AM - 1 Like	#30
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by Kim Coxon Only one? lol In the active drawer. I have one each black and silver, split screen and matte, so four KX in total. But I really only ever use the black, matte screen one.