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andyinsb · 09-05-2020, 11:58 AM

Hi all.

In the owner's manual for the KX, in the Specifications > Reflex Mirror section, it mentions "special shock absorbers for minimum vibration." Does anyone know what sort of part or mechanism that's referring to?

(I'm thinking of buying a KX and trying to learn all I can about them.)

Thanks in advance.
Andy

Nuij · 09-05-2020, 12:42 PM

Probably a damper to reduce the mirror slab vibrations

**microlight** · 09-05-2020, 12:48 PM

The MX had these too; shock absorbers that minimise mirror vibrations on the upswing.

stevebrot · 09-05-2020, 12:56 PM

Pentax made a statement of "special shock absorbers..." in the camera specifications for the Spotmatic II in the late 1960s and continued the practice on most models through the K-series (all models). I just checked my KX, Spotmatic F, and Spotmatic II and all three appear to share the same mechanism.

Steve

Last edited by stevebrot; 09-05-2020 at 01:15 PM.

andyinsb · 09-05-2020, 01:31 PM

Thanks everyone. This is interesting.
@Steve, I just looked at the K1000 manual and indeed, I see the same "shock absorbers" wording there.
@microlight, I've read that the MX has a little piston in it for mirror lift damping, but my impression is that Pentax marketed that design as being new for the MX. I wonder what form the shock absorbers take in the pre-MX models?

**TwoUptons** · 09-05-2020, 03:54 PM

Originally posted by andyinsb

Hi all.

In the owner's manual for the KX, in the Specifications > Reflex Mirror section, it mentions "special shock absorbers for minimum vibration." Does anyone know what sort of part or mechanism that's referring to?

(I'm thinking of buying a KX and trying to learn all I can about them.)

Thanks in advance.
Andy

You’ll have a hard time going wrong with a KX.

I really like mine. It’s full featured yet simple. A lot like a Nikon FM, though I prefer the Pentax ergonomics.

I’m also fond of the MX, which is basically the same thing only smaller

-Eric

stevebrot · 09-05-2020, 04:01 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by andyinsb

I wonder what form the shock absorbers take in the pre-MX models?

If there is something special, it is hard to see on direct observation. I have several SLR bodies from different makers that overlap the late-60s to mid-70s time span* and the mirror mechanism in the Pentax models is not a standout in terms of design sophistication. If there was an advantage, it must have been in regards to mirror bumper materials.

Addendum: I really like my KX. It is a pleasure to use.

Steve

* I compared to Singlex TLS, Mamiya 1000 DTL, Minolta SRT-101/201, Ricoh XR-1/XR-2, and Exakta VX1000. Of the seven, only the Singlex had a simple design similar to the Pentax cameras. Note that all function just fine despite advanced age.

andyinsb · 09-05-2020, 04:29 PM

Thanks Eric and Steve. That's helpful.

andyinsb · 09-05-2020, 07:55 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by andyinsb

Hi all.

In the owner's manual for the KX, in the Specifications > Reflex Mirror section, it mentions "special shock absorbers for minimum vibration." Does anyone know what sort of part or mechanism that's referring to?

(I'm thinking of buying a KX and trying to learn all I can about them.)

Thanks in advance.
Andy

...and I just ordered a KX on the large auction site. :-)

aj_chicago · 11-01-2021, 01:47 PM

Resurrecting because it's the first thread related to my question. Is it feasible and worth it to replace foam rubber that the mirror hits? I am thinking this is the "special shock absorbers" mentioned here.

whojammyflip · 11-01-2021, 05:29 PM

The ME Super actually has a pneumatic cylinder which damps the mirror, which the ME doesnt have. Part number 0-B40 in the service manual, labelled as the "shock absorber".

stevebrot · 11-02-2021, 12:17 AM

Originally posted by aj_chicago

Is it feasible and worth it to replace foam rubber that the mirror hits?

Not only is it feasible, but doing so is strongly advised if the foam is degraded (crumbly, dried out, or gooey. Replacement is part of a standard CLA (Clean, Lube, Adjust) service.

Steve

aj_chicago · 11-02-2021, 06:10 PM

Originally posted by whojammyflip

The ME Super actually has a pneumatic cylinder which damps the mirror, which the ME doesnt have. Part number 0-B40 in the service manual, labelled as the "shock absorber".

Ya, but the question was about the KX. I do have an ME Super and did not know that.

---------- Post added 11-02-21 at 06:11 PM ----------

Originally posted by stevebrot

Not only is it feasible, but doing so is strongly advised if the foam is degraded (crumbly, dried out, or gooey. Replacement is part of a standard CLA (Clean, Lube, Adjust) service.

Steve

Thanks. I read a little more and got on youtube. Looks like something I'd want to do, myself.

womble · 11-02-2021, 11:48 PM

Replacing the foam isn't hard. It can just take a while to clean out the old stuff if it's gone really sticky.

**ChrisPlatt** · 11-03-2021, 05:17 PM - **1 Like**

If doing it yourself be extremely careful when working in that area on any SLR.

Glass focusing screens are easy to stain (and plastic ones melt!) with cleaning fluids.
Mirrors too are delicate and easily damaged, both coating and mechanism.

Chris

09-05-2020, 11:58 AM	#1
andyinsb New Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 11	KX, "special shock absorbers" Hi all. In the owner's manual for the KX, in the Specifications > Reflex Mirror section, it mentions "special shock absorbers for minimum vibration." Does anyone know what sort of part or mechanism that's referring to? (I'm thinking of buying a KX and trying to learn all I can about them.) Thanks in advance. Andy

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09-05-2020, 12:42 PM	#2
Nuij Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Ospeldijk Posts: 60	Probably a damper to reduce the mirror slab vibrations

09-05-2020, 12:48 PM	#3
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	The MX had these too; shock absorbers that minimise mirror vibrations on the upswing.

09-05-2020, 12:56 PM	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Pentax made a statement of "special shock absorbers..." in the camera specifications for the Spotmatic II in the late 1960s and continued the practice on most models through the K-series (all models). I just checked my KX, Spotmatic F, and Spotmatic II and all three appear to share the same mechanism. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 09-05-2020 at 01:15 PM.

09-05-2020, 01:31 PM	#5
andyinsb New Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 11 Original Poster	Thanks everyone. This is interesting. @Steve, I just looked at the K1000 manual and indeed, I see the same "shock absorbers" wording there. @microlight, I've read that the MX has a little piston in it for mirror lift damping, but my impression is that Pentax marketed that design as being new for the MX. I wonder what form the shock absorbers take in the pre-MX models?

09-05-2020, 03:54 PM	#6
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,227	Originally posted by andyinsb Hi all. In the owner's manual for the KX, in the Specifications > Reflex Mirror section, it mentions "special shock absorbers for minimum vibration." Does anyone know what sort of part or mechanism that's referring to? (I'm thinking of buying a KX and trying to learn all I can about them.) Thanks in advance. Andy You’ll have a hard time going wrong with a KX. I really like mine. It’s full featured yet simple. A lot like a Nikon FM, though I prefer the Pentax ergonomics. I’m also fond of the MX, which is basically the same thing only smaller -Eric

09-05-2020, 04:01 PM - 1 Like	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by andyinsb I wonder what form the shock absorbers take in the pre-MX models? If there is something special, it is hard to see on direct observation. I have several SLR bodies from different makers that overlap the late-60s to mid-70s time span* and the mirror mechanism in the Pentax models is not a standout in terms of design sophistication. If there was an advantage, it must have been in regards to mirror bumper materials. Addendum: I really like my KX. It is a pleasure to use. Steve * I compared to Singlex TLS, Mamiya 1000 DTL, Minolta SRT-101/201, Ricoh XR-1/XR-2, and Exakta VX1000. Of the seven, only the Singlex had a simple design similar to the Pentax cameras. Note that all function just fine despite advanced age.

09-05-2020, 04:29 PM	#8
andyinsb New Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 11 Original Poster	Thanks Eric and Steve. That's helpful.

09-05-2020, 07:55 PM - 1 Like	#9
andyinsb New Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 11 Original Poster	Originally posted by andyinsb Hi all. In the owner's manual for the KX, in the Specifications > Reflex Mirror section, it mentions "special shock absorbers for minimum vibration." Does anyone know what sort of part or mechanism that's referring to? (I'm thinking of buying a KX and trying to learn all I can about them.) Thanks in advance. Andy ...and I just ordered a KX on the large auction site. :-)

11-01-2021, 01:47 PM	#10
aj_chicago New Member Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: California Posts: 19	Resurrecting because it's the first thread related to my question. Is it feasible and worth it to replace foam rubber that the mirror hits? I am thinking this is the "special shock absorbers" mentioned here.

11-01-2021, 05:29 PM	#11
whojammyflip Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 417	The ME Super actually has a pneumatic cylinder which damps the mirror, which the ME doesnt have. Part number 0-B40 in the service manual, labelled as the "shock absorber".

11-02-2021, 12:17 AM	#12
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by aj_chicago Is it feasible and worth it to replace foam rubber that the mirror hits? Not only is it feasible, but doing so is strongly advised if the foam is degraded (crumbly, dried out, or gooey. Replacement is part of a standard CLA (Clean, Lube, Adjust) service. Steve

11-02-2021, 06:10 PM	#13
aj_chicago New Member Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: California Posts: 19	Originally posted by whojammyflip The ME Super actually has a pneumatic cylinder which damps the mirror, which the ME doesnt have. Part number 0-B40 in the service manual, labelled as the "shock absorber". Ya, but the question was about the KX. I do have an ME Super and did not know that. ---------- Post added 11-02-21 at 06:11 PM ---------- Originally posted by stevebrot Not only is it feasible, but doing so is strongly advised if the foam is degraded (crumbly, dried out, or gooey. Replacement is part of a standard CLA (Clean, Lube, Adjust) service. Steve Thanks. I read a little more and got on youtube. Looks like something I'd want to do, myself.

11-02-2021, 11:48 PM	#14
womble Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hertfordshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,324	Replacing the foam isn't hard. It can just take a while to clean out the old stuff if it's gone really sticky.

11-03-2021, 05:17 PM - 1 Like	#15
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,702	If doing it yourself be extremely careful when working in that area on any SLR. Glass focusing screens are easy to stain (and plastic ones melt!) with cleaning fluids. Mirrors too are delicate and easily damaged, both coating and mechanism. Chris

KX, "special shock absorbers"

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