[ismaelg]

Hello,

Last few weeks have been really hectic. Dealing with a lot of personal stuff including my father's health which is deteriorating. I haven't been very active with any of the hobbies but at least working on something, even if only a few minutes a week, helps me recharge.
By now you know I like to tinker with old cameras. The Pentax MX is considered by many the ultimate mechanical SLR along with the LX. It is still very popular.
I got a non-working MX on eBay. Not sure if I can get it back to work but it will be a learning experience as I've never worked on anything newer than K1000.
While "mechanical" it is far more complex than earlier models. And scarily so.
This is what I got:

Mirror stuck in the up position


buckled curtains. That looks serious...


Started disassembly without any clue of what to look for




While working to remove the mirror box, something went "Clack" and the curtain closed. "Huh? What the...?"
My instinct told me to put everything back together. So I did and in the process, I resoldered the wires to the aperture coupler metering circuit.


These will not win any solder joint beauty contest, but the meter now works!

Putting everything together, the camera "worked" at 1/60s. But at other speeds it randomly got stuck. But something was not right. Can't explain it but it sounded "weird". That was when I noticed upon close inspection the curtains are not in the right place!
This camera has been tampered with and assembled wrong! ( That's MY job!)

However, since the curtains are the most inner parts, everything needs to be taken apart.
Here is where we are now after desoldering some wires to allow the mirror box out of the way:
To boldly go where I've never been before!




This is a very long term project. I honestly don't have much hope this may ever be a functional camera again, but I'm just having fun.

Thanks,

[Vendee]

Looks really interesting. I look forward to the next instalment.

[LesDMess]

To boldly go where I've never been before!

Much further then I've gone . . .
Good luck with the project!

[stevebrot]

I have a Singlex TLS body in similar shape, though I think it is a "parts only" camera.


Steve

[MossyRocks]

Best of luck. While I hope for success if not you at least have a donor camera going forward.

[Kevin B123]

It's fascinating but scary to see all the mechanisms and the shear number of moving parts like that. Good luck.

[tonyzoc]

This is how you learn. You might not get that camera working...but now you have parts and more knowledge.

[AstroDave]

This is how you learn.

A somewhat relevant old quote: How do you get good judgement? From experience. How do you get experience? From bad judgement!

[hjoseph7]

Do you have a service manual ? maybe that might help...

[Michail_P]

Good luck with that! Looks fairly complex inside. You surely have a lot of work to do there. Best wishes in general.

[ChrisPlatt]

Hello, Eric...?

Chris

[longbow]

Be very careful when putting the box back in and aligning the gears for the speed indicator. This was the part that caused me some issues and don't be to alarmed if the cable comes out of the pulleys, it's fairly easy to put back on track. Fortunatly the cable is stronger than it looks. Don't forget the lubrication tube underneath the speed control, backside of the body.

Have fun !!

[Sam_I_am]

Ha!

I have one you can tackle after this.

😅

[pjsaure]

Wow... I am glad I spent a few dozen bucks to repair mine (it had only a few minor issues ne I had paid next to nothing to buy it).
It is really packed in there. I like to tinker, but this may be beyond my capabilities.
In any case, if you are interested, I think I have a service manual pdf somewhere. I will have to check though.

[LesDMess]

There is a website that shows the innards of the MX. Although it is mostly in Japanese, there are a lot of detailed pics that need no translation -> http://cypresslin.web.fc2.com/Memo/M-PentaxMX.html -> Pentax MX Disassembly