An article on the Pentax MX

jcdoss · 11-11-2019, 07:13 AM - **2 Likes**

The Pentax MX - My Nuts and Blots Review - 35mmc

Discuss.

texandrews · 11-11-2019, 08:01 AM

Mainly used for slide film, documenting my artworks. The images in the article remind me of why I left 35mm behind...I think I replaced my screen with a grid? One of the nice things about the camera was that it was the LX's little brother in spirit.

The MX was a very solid, simple camera. No frills. Sort of the poor man's FM/FM2.

pschlute · 11-11-2019, 08:25 AM

Thanks for posting.

I grew up using my MX in the 80's and 90's. To me it had everything I needed in a camera. The traffic light metering system is very intuitive. Being able to see the shutter speed/aperture through the viewfinder was very useful. Run out of batteries ....no problem just read the inside of those cardboard film boxes and follow the (sunny 16) rule of exposure.

He doesn't mention the (undocumented) Mirror Up shooting mode

johnha · 11-11-2019, 02:55 PM

I'm pretty sure the amber LED means half a stop out and not a full stop (I don't have my MX to hand to check).

dantonvb · 11-11-2019, 03:44 PM

Originally posted by johnha

I'm pretty sure the amber LED means half a stop out and not a full stop (I don't have my MX to hand to check).

Amber LED is a half stop. Red LED is one or more stops.

**gofour3** · 11-11-2019, 05:21 PM

Pretty well sums it up, though I personally found the LEDs hard to read in the bright sun.

Phil.

garywakeling · 11-11-2019, 08:51 PM

Originally posted by pschlute

Thanks for posting.

I grew up using my MX in the 80's and 90's. To me it had everything I needed in a camera. The traffic light metering system is very intuitive. Being able to see the shutter speed/aperture through the viewfinder was very useful. Run out of batteries ....no problem just read the inside of those cardboard film boxes and follow the (sunny 16) rule of exposure.

He doesn't mention the (undocumented) Mirror Up shooting mode

Is that the tap the shutter release quickly for mirror up method?

j0n4hpk · 11-11-2019, 10:16 PM

Yep, that was the 'tap the shutter bottom' method. I did a little of it on my lost sample.

**pentaxus** · 11-11-2019, 11:41 PM

The tap the button method also works with the Spotmatic through K1000.

**StiffLegged** · 11-11-2019, 11:45 PM

Quote:

My photography has been at a bit of a low ebb recently, and as such, I’ve felt that I needed a camera that gave me a sense of connection to the process of taking photos.

I read that and the will to continue started ebbing away. Not another gear head, I thought! Thanks for posting, even though it’ll have to wait for later.

dsmithhfx · 11-12-2019, 07:07 AM

Nuts and Blots?

LesDMess · 11-12-2019, 08:44 PM

Originally posted by jcdoss

The Pentax MX - My Nuts and Bolts Review - 35mmc
n't
Discuss.

It would seem he has a left eye problem and hasn't quite got the knack of loading it with film . . .

goddo31 · 11-12-2019, 09:40 PM

Originally posted by StiffLegged

I read that and the will to continue started ebbing away. Not another gear head, I thought! Thanks for posting, even though it’ll have to wait for later.

Hey... Isn't our forum here filled with gear heads? Or is that just the digital shooters?

/from a supposedly 'reformed' gear head who still likes to play with toys..

nickthetasmaniac · 11-13-2019, 12:49 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by texandrews

The MX was a very solid, simple camera. No frills. Sort of the poor man's FM/FM2.

I always kinda thought the FM was a clunky man’s MX 😁

Autonerd · 11-15-2019, 12:13 AM

Blots?

I've always wanted an MX (I have a KX). Someone just gave me one, and it turns out the shutter is knackered... although it might just need a good cleaning and lube. Will have to take it to the camera doc to see. I had an MG and I loved the size, so it'd be cool to have full manual control in a smaller size camera.

11-11-2019, 07:13 AM - 2 Likes	#1
jcdoss Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,795	An article on the Pentax MX The Pentax MX - My Nuts and Blots Review - 35mmc Discuss.

11-11-2019, 08:01 AM	#2
texandrews Moderator Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Baltimore Photos: Albums Posts: 3,397	I had one back in the '80's Mainly used for slide film, documenting my artworks. The images in the article remind me of why I left 35mm behind...I think I replaced my screen with a grid? One of the nice things about the camera was that it was the LX's little brother in spirit. The MX was a very solid, simple camera. No frills. Sort of the poor man's FM/FM2.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Old tech shootout: your MX-1 vs your phone. Is your MX-1 still holding it's own?	MD Optofonik	Pentax Compact Cameras	7	05-16-2019 07:40 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax Silver MX - Just Serviced also MX Winder	lewis44	Sold Items	2	01-28-2014 10:21 AM
PENTAX MX-1 HIGH-END DIGITAL COMPACT WINS PRESTIGIOUS 2013 DESIGN AWARD MX-1 Receives	Adam	Homepage & Official Pentax News	6	03-21-2013 09:58 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax MX with Winder MX (CLA'd by Eric) (Worldwide)	deadwolfbones	Sold Items	6	11-16-2010 09:17 AM

11-11-2019, 08:25 AM	#3
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,212	Thanks for posting. I grew up using my MX in the 80's and 90's. To me it had everything I needed in a camera. The traffic light metering system is very intuitive. Being able to see the shutter speed/aperture through the viewfinder was very useful. Run out of batteries ....no problem just read the inside of those cardboard film boxes and follow the (sunny 16) rule of exposure. He doesn't mention the (undocumented) Mirror Up shooting mode

11-11-2019, 02:55 PM	#4
johnha Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lancashire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,155	I'm pretty sure the amber LED means half a stop out and not a full stop (I don't have my MX to hand to check).

11-11-2019, 03:44 PM	#5
dantonvb Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Photos: Gallery Posts: 86	Originally posted by johnha I'm pretty sure the amber LED means half a stop out and not a full stop (I don't have my MX to hand to check). Amber LED is a half stop. Red LED is one or more stops.

11-11-2019, 05:21 PM	#6
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,092	Pretty well sums it up, though I personally found the LEDs hard to read in the bright sun. Phil.

11-11-2019, 08:51 PM	#7
garywakeling Moderator Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,773	Originally posted by pschlute Thanks for posting. I grew up using my MX in the 80's and 90's. To me it had everything I needed in a camera. The traffic light metering system is very intuitive. Being able to see the shutter speed/aperture through the viewfinder was very useful. Run out of batteries ....no problem just read the inside of those cardboard film boxes and follow the (sunny 16) rule of exposure. He doesn't mention the (undocumented) Mirror Up shooting mode Is that the tap the shutter release quickly for mirror up method?

11-11-2019, 10:16 PM	#8
j0n4hpk Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 293	Yep, that was the 'tap the shutter bottom' method. I did a little of it on my lost sample.

11-11-2019, 11:41 PM	#9
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,320	The tap the button method also works with the Spotmatic through K1000.

11-11-2019, 11:45 PM	#10
StiffLegged Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,633	Quote: My photography has been at a bit of a low ebb recently, and as such, I’ve felt that I needed a camera that gave me a sense of connection to the process of taking photos. I read that and the will to continue started ebbing away. Not another gear head, I thought! Thanks for posting, even though it’ll have to wait for later.

11-12-2019, 07:07 AM	#11
dsmithhfx Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Toronto Posts: 5,153	Nuts and Blots?

11-12-2019, 08:44 PM	#12
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Originally posted by jcdoss The Pentax MX - My Nuts and Bolts Review - 35mmc n't Discuss. It would seem he has a left eye problem and hasn't quite got the knack of loading it with film . . .

11-12-2019, 09:40 PM	#13
goddo31 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,576	Originally posted by StiffLegged I read that and the will to continue started ebbing away. Not another gear head, I thought! Thanks for posting, even though it’ll have to wait for later. Hey... Isn't our forum here filled with gear heads? Or is that just the digital shooters? /from a supposedly 'reformed' gear head who still likes to play with toys..

11-13-2019, 12:49 AM - 1 Like	#14
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361	Originally posted by texandrews The MX was a very solid, simple camera. No frills. Sort of the poor man's FM/FM2. I always kinda thought the FM was a clunky man’s MX 😁

11-15-2019, 12:13 AM	#15
Autonerd Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 156	Blots? I've always wanted an MX (I have a KX). Someone just gave me one, and it turns out the shutter is knackered... although it might just need a good cleaning and lube. Will have to take it to the camera doc to see. I had an MG and I loved the size, so it'd be cool to have full manual control in a smaller size camera.