Introduce your... film Pentax!

ctrout · 03-19-2017, 12:04 PM

The MX shutter speed dial is one of the two faults with this model. It is far too difficult to turn. If the mx had a shutter speed dial like any other Pentax and the meter layout of the KX, it would be perfect. In fact, it would be easier to just say that if th KX was the size of the MX, it would be the perfect manual focus film camera.

deus ursus · 03-19-2017, 04:07 PM

Originally posted by Argenticien

[...]

I like your comparisons. I wish there'd been a camerasize.com sort of page for film cameras as well, not only for digital.

kb244 · 03-19-2017, 05:42 PM

Originally posted by ctrout

The MX shutter speed dial is one of the two faults with this model. It is far too difficult to turn. If the mx had a shutter speed dial like any other Pentax and the meter layout of the KX, it would be perfect. In fact, it would be easier to just say that if th KX was the size of the MX, it would be the perfect manual focus film camera.

That's the main pitfall with my MX, it doesn't make it unusable for me exactly, but you either have to give it a firm turn from the front, or you have to pop out the window a little so you can get your thumb and finger onto it. If that was just a tiny bit easier to turn, or some how slightly smaller or placed inward just a little more to give it some separation from the winder and locking lever, that would help a bit.

Everything else though, seems really nice.

Argenticien · 03-19-2017, 07:58 PM - **1 Like**

Thanks for everyone's observations about the MX shutter speed dial. I'm glad to know this is not my particular example misbehaving. I wonder if this is something where the camera could be sent to Eric for him to put it intentionally just a bit out of spec toward looseness. I'm not sure that's feasible (as I don't know how this shutter speed dial works), but if it is, the idea might be revolting to him anyway!

--Dave

---------- Post added 03-19-2017 at 11:01 PM ----------

Originally posted by deus ursus

I like your comparisons. I wish there'd been a camerasize.com sort of page for film cameras as well, not only for digital.

Louis Meluso has all the cameras ever, and frequently posts those size comparisons on this site and at photo.net. He has photographed each camera in front of essentially a graph paper background so the images can be scaled the same and sizes are truly comparable. Brilliant stuff!

--Dave

kb244 · 03-19-2017, 08:14 PM

Originally posted by Argenticien

Thanks for everyone's observations about the MX shutter speed dial. I'm glad to know this is not my particular example misbehaving. I wonder if this is something where the camera could be sent to Eric for him to put it intentionally just a bit out of spec toward looseness. I'm not sure that's feasible (as I don't know how this shutter speed dial works), but if it is, the idea might be revolting to him anyway!

--Dave

---------- Post added 03-19-2017 at 11:01 PM ----------

Louis Meluso has all the cameras ever, and frequently posts those size comparisons on this site and at photo.net. He has photographed each camera in front of essentially a graph paper background so the images can be scaled the same and sizes are truly comparable. Brilliant stuff!

--Dave

It probably has to be firm/strong because it's connected to the speed indicator in the viewfinder by a strong/firm thread, I imagine if it was loosened it might not be able to turn the indicator, or the thread could slip off making the indicator useless (and probably the meter if it's tied to the indicator).

The exploded diagram in the service manual is um... fun to say the least.

cooltouch · 03-19-2017, 11:03 PM - **2 Likes**

Yep, the MX's shutter speed dial is plenty stiff, but because of the body's diminutive size, it is easy to cradle in my left hand so I can keep my eye at the viewfinder while turning the dial.

Argenticien · 03-20-2017, 07:38 PM

Originally posted by cooltouch

Yep, the MX's shutter speed dial is plenty stiff, but because of the body's diminutive size, it is easy to cradle in my left hand so I can keep my eye at the viewfinder while turning the dial.

I'll have to learn that manœuvre. It does not come naturally to me; somehow my instinct if I can't turn the dial simply by fingertip is to lower the whole camera and get well under it for fear that doing the two-finger move at eye height will torque the camera out of my left hand and onto the ground. Yes, it sounds paranoid, but I know my limitations as concerns clumsiness. I'll get there...

cooltouch · 03-20-2017, 11:33 PM

When in doubt in situations like that, if it were me, I'd make sure I had the strap around my neck. Such a simple routine has saved my bacon -- or rather the camera's -- more than once. Honestly, though, if you're cradling the lens in your left hand underhanded, which is considered proper technique, this is a stable enough arrangement. You can always grasp the lens using the same hold for extra secure purchase, if you feel it necessary.

stevebrot · 03-21-2017, 11:03 AM

Originally posted by deus ursus

I wish there'd been a camerasize.com sort of page for film cameras as well, not only for digital.

There are some film cameras on camerasize.com...

Name: Capture.JPG
Views: 407
Size: 75.9 KB

Steve

**gofour3** · 03-21-2017, 02:03 PM

Originally posted by cooltouch

When in doubt in situations like that, if it were me, I'd make sure I had the strap around my neck.

Yep +1.

I always shoot with the camera strap around my neck. I have a strap for every camera I own, including my 6x7's.

Phil.

**monochrome** · 03-21-2017, 02:23 PM

Straps are necessary protection, but . . . . .

Yesterday I picked up my K-1 / 28~105 from a table and the strap caught under the table corner, jerking the camera out of my right hand. Thankfully my reflexes are still sharp - I snap-reached down with my left and caught the camera in the classic base-and-lens hold.

First time that has happened in 45 years.

**ChrisPlatt** · 03-21-2017, 04:42 PM

A shorter strap is less likely to get snagged on something.
Another benefit of a shorter neckstrap is that camera won't bounce as much while walking.

Surprisingly many don't give much thought to how their neckstrap is adjusted.

When adjusted correctly your strap should be taut when holding camera up to the eye,
with just enough slack to allow you to shoot verticals wearing a heavy coat.
Braced tightly against your body a taut strap allows hand holding at slower speeds.

Chris

**arnold** · 03-22-2017, 12:20 AM

Originally posted by monochrome

Straps are necessary protection, but . . . . .

Yesterday I picked up my K-1 / 28~105 from a table and the strap caught under the table corner, jerking the camera out of my right hand. Thankfully my reflexes are still sharp - I snap-reached down with my left and caught the camera in the classic base-and-lens hold.

First time that has happened in 45 years.

A real trap for the unwary. Now I am very conscious of the placement of the strap when I put the camera down, bearing this in mind,

stevebrot · 03-22-2017, 05:55 PM

Originally posted by monochrome

Straps are necessary protection, but . . . . .

Indeed! It requires consistent vigilance to make sure that straps are not in a position to snag or be snagged. A strap hanging off a counter or chair is a trap for the unwary. Likewise, walking with a strap dangling.

Steve

wombat2go · 03-23-2017, 06:48 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by cooltouch

Yep, the MX's shutter speed dial is plenty stiff

There must be some variation then, because the MX here is reasonably easy to turn
with the finger when up to the eye.
It is not quite as easy as the similar Ricoh KR-5, I think because the KR-5 has a coarser knurl.

The easiest old slrs to adjust shutter speed on here are the Ricoh KR-10 and the Minolta X-700 because they have larger wheels.

The Canon A-1 has a sunken wheel, revealed by sliding down a locking shield (!) but it is Ok after a bit of practise.
The A-1 is the strangest beast in my little collection, I regard it as having been designed by a committee of politicians.

03-21-2017, 11:03 AM	#3309
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by deus ursus I wish there'd been a camerasize.com sort of page for film cameras as well, not only for digital. There are some film cameras on camerasize.com... Steve

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Introduce myself...	joostdh	Welcomes and Introductions	2	09-07-2010 01:12 AM
Please let me introduce myself........	niklas	Welcomes and Introductions	4	05-21-2009 05:04 AM
Pentax will introduce a new camera at PMA...	hopey	Pentax News and Rumors	72	03-03-2009 05:19 AM
Let me introduce myself here.	PentaxUserK100d	Welcomes and Introductions	1	02-06-2007 09:11 AM
Let me introduce myself	INcreative	Welcomes and Introductions	4	12-19-2006 02:15 PM

03-19-2017, 12:04 PM	#3301
ctrout Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 444	The MX shutter speed dial is one of the two faults with this model. It is far too difficult to turn. If the mx had a shutter speed dial like any other Pentax and the meter layout of the KX, it would be perfect. In fact, it would be easier to just say that if th KX was the size of the MX, it would be the perfect manual focus film camera.

03-19-2017, 04:07 PM	#3302
deus ursus Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Stårheim, Norway Posts: 659	Originally posted by Argenticien [...] I like your comparisons. I wish there'd been a camerasize.com sort of page for film cameras as well, not only for digital.

03-19-2017, 05:42 PM	#3303
kb244 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 372	Originally posted by ctrout The MX shutter speed dial is one of the two faults with this model. It is far too difficult to turn. If the mx had a shutter speed dial like any other Pentax and the meter layout of the KX, it would be perfect. In fact, it would be easier to just say that if th KX was the size of the MX, it would be the perfect manual focus film camera. That's the main pitfall with my MX, it doesn't make it unusable for me exactly, but you either have to give it a firm turn from the front, or you have to pop out the window a little so you can get your thumb and finger onto it. If that was just a tiny bit easier to turn, or some how slightly smaller or placed inward just a little more to give it some separation from the winder and locking lever, that would help a bit. Everything else though, seems really nice.

03-19-2017, 07:58 PM - 1 Like	#3304
Argenticien Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 208	Thanks for everyone's observations about the MX shutter speed dial. I'm glad to know this is not my particular example misbehaving. I wonder if this is something where the camera could be sent to Eric for him to put it intentionally just a bit out of spec toward looseness. I'm not sure that's feasible (as I don't know how this shutter speed dial works), but if it is, the idea might be revolting to him anyway! --Dave ---------- Post added 03-19-2017 at 11:01 PM ---------- Originally posted by deus ursus I like your comparisons. I wish there'd been a camerasize.com sort of page for film cameras as well, not only for digital. Louis Meluso has all the cameras ever, and frequently posts those size comparisons on this site and at photo.net. He has photographed each camera in front of essentially a graph paper background so the images can be scaled the same and sizes are truly comparable. Brilliant stuff! --Dave

03-19-2017, 08:14 PM	#3305
kb244 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 372	Originally posted by Argenticien Thanks for everyone's observations about the MX shutter speed dial. I'm glad to know this is not my particular example misbehaving. I wonder if this is something where the camera could be sent to Eric for him to put it intentionally just a bit out of spec toward looseness. I'm not sure that's feasible (as I don't know how this shutter speed dial works), but if it is, the idea might be revolting to him anyway! --Dave ---------- Post added 03-19-2017 at 11:01 PM ---------- Louis Meluso has all the cameras ever, and frequently posts those size comparisons on this site and at photo.net. He has photographed each camera in front of essentially a graph paper background so the images can be scaled the same and sizes are truly comparable. Brilliant stuff! --Dave It probably has to be firm/strong because it's connected to the speed indicator in the viewfinder by a strong/firm thread, I imagine if it was loosened it might not be able to turn the indicator, or the thread could slip off making the indicator useless (and probably the meter if it's tied to the indicator). The exploded diagram in the service manual is um... fun to say the least.

03-19-2017, 11:03 PM - 2 Likes	#3306
cooltouch Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Houston, Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 982	Yep, the MX's shutter speed dial is plenty stiff, but because of the body's diminutive size, it is easy to cradle in my left hand so I can keep my eye at the viewfinder while turning the dial.

03-20-2017, 07:38 PM	#3307
Argenticien Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 208	Originally posted by cooltouch Yep, the MX's shutter speed dial is plenty stiff, but because of the body's diminutive size, it is easy to cradle in my left hand so I can keep my eye at the viewfinder while turning the dial. I'll have to learn that manœuvre. It does not come naturally to me; somehow my instinct if I can't turn the dial simply by fingertip is to lower the whole camera and get well under it for fear that doing the two-finger move at eye height will torque the camera out of my left hand and onto the ground. Yes, it sounds paranoid, but I know my limitations as concerns clumsiness. I'll get there...

03-20-2017, 11:33 PM	#3308
cooltouch Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Houston, Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 982	When in doubt in situations like that, if it were me, I'd make sure I had the strap around my neck. Such a simple routine has saved my bacon -- or rather the camera's -- more than once. Honestly, though, if you're cradling the lens in your left hand underhanded, which is considered proper technique, this is a stable enough arrangement. You can always grasp the lens using the same hold for extra secure purchase, if you feel it necessary.

03-21-2017, 02:03 PM	#3310
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,092	Originally posted by cooltouch When in doubt in situations like that, if it were me, I'd make sure I had the strap around my neck. Yep +1. I always shoot with the camera strap around my neck. I have a strap for every camera I own, including my 6x7's. Phil.

03-21-2017, 02:23 PM	#3311
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Straps are necessary protection, but . . . . . Yesterday I picked up my K-1 / 28~105 from a table and the strap caught under the table corner, jerking the camera out of my right hand. Thankfully my reflexes are still sharp - I snap-reached down with my left and caught the camera in the classic base-and-lens hold. First time that has happened in 45 years.

03-21-2017, 04:42 PM	#3312
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,697	A shorter strap is less likely to get snagged on something. Another benefit of a shorter neckstrap is that camera won't bounce as much while walking. Surprisingly many don't give much thought to how their neckstrap is adjusted. When adjusted correctly your strap should be taut when holding camera up to the eye, with just enough slack to allow you to shoot verticals wearing a heavy coat. Braced tightly against your body a taut strap allows hand holding at slower speeds. Chris

03-22-2017, 12:20 AM	#3313
arnold Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,299	Originally posted by monochrome Straps are necessary protection, but . . . . . Yesterday I picked up my K-1 / 28~105 from a table and the strap caught under the table corner, jerking the camera out of my right hand. Thankfully my reflexes are still sharp - I snap-reached down with my left and caught the camera in the classic base-and-lens hold. First time that has happened in 45 years. A real trap for the unwary. Now I am very conscious of the placement of the strap when I put the camera down, bearing this in mind,

03-22-2017, 05:55 PM	#3314
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by monochrome Straps are necessary protection, but . . . . . Indeed! It requires consistent vigilance to make sure that straps are not in a position to snag or be snagged. A strap hanging off a counter or chair is a trap for the unwary. Likewise, walking with a strap dangling. Steve

03-23-2017, 06:48 AM - 1 Like	#3315
wombat2go Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	Originally posted by cooltouch Yep, the MX's shutter speed dial is plenty stiff There must be some variation then, because the MX here is reasonably easy to turn with the finger when up to the eye. It is not quite as easy as the similar Ricoh KR-5, I think because the KR-5 has a coarser knurl. The easiest old slrs to adjust shutter speed on here are the Ricoh KR-10 and the Minolta X-700 because they have larger wheels. The Canon A-1 has a sunken wheel, revealed by sliding down a locking shield (!) but it is Ok after a bit of practise. The A-1 is the strangest beast in my little collection, I regard it as having been designed by a committee of politicians.