Summary: I bought this camera new in 1982 and have never regretted it. It has been used in temperatures from –40 F to +90 F with no problems. The MX is very small and compact but might be too small for those with large hands. I purchased the MX winder and the result was a perfect fit. All dials and settings are logically laid out and easy to use. I personally like the LED display but not as much as I now wear glasses. The ability to see the F stop in the viewfinder is a nice touch. Depth of field preview and self-timer are well placed. I have several additional focusing screens that add to the camera’s versatility. I recently added the MX dial data back in an Ebay purchase. It permits encoding some information on the film but the years maxed out at 1992 (bummer). I can still add f-stop, shutter speed, month, day and some alpha characters. I have the right angle finder for this camera, which is handy for fine focusing with the Pentax auto bellows. I am something of a Pentax lens collector. I think Pentax manual lenses are easily on a par with their Nikon and Canon competitors. They are beautifully made and like little jewels in the hand. Over the years I have added about a dozen SMC Pentax lenses: 24mm K f/2.8, 28mm M f/2.8, 35 M f/2mm, 50mm M f/1.4, 50mm M f/4 macro, 100mm A f/2.8 macro, 150mm M f/3.5, 200mm K f/2.5, 300mm K f/4, a Pentax K 2x converter, and a 75-150mm M f/4 zoom. I purchased three of these in the last year of so on Ebay but prices are starting to climb. It is a fairly complete system, which allows me to take on any photographic challenge that comes my way. It would still be possible, but not cheap, to reproduce this system for Ebay sources.
Strengths: The MX is a solid little brick of a camera. Batteries seem to last forever and rarely need replacement. A wide range of accessories are still available on Ebay but are becoming more expensive. It “feels” good in my hands which is a subjective but very important feature for me. If I were forced to use one word to describe this camera it would be reliable. It even works without batteries! The "magic needles" film take up spool makes film loading a snap. As noted above the Pentax lenses, still readily available, are first rate and capeable of delivering remakable images if both you and the lab do your job properly. There are many other manual focus lenses available from other makers as well.
Weaknesses: After 20 some years of use the cameras has its warts as well. The flash sync is a bit slow at 1/60th of a second. This wasn't bad in 1980 but looks very slow by today's standards. That being said it works quite well. The flash sytem as a whole requires a fair bit of manipulation and would likely turn off someone used to todays point and shoot systems. No TTL was availablel but it does have a primitive sort of auto flash exposure system but it can be a pain in the ass. The winder works but is a weak point of the system. The battery compartment door on most MX winders will be broken and you should be aware of this if buying a used one. Mine broke and I had to have it repaired. Battery removal is not for the faint hearted and requires more effort than it should. In addition the foam in these units turns to goo after 20 years or so and has to be replaced. This looks like a pretty thorough trashing of the winder but I wouldn't be without it. It feels so good in the hand and the MX seems incomplete without it to my mind.Some lament a lack of spot metering but I have never found it to be an issue. The MX has been out of production for some time parts are getting hard to find. Pentax no longer officially services this camera or its accessories.
Similar Products Used: I also have a Pentax K2.
Customer Service: The MX and K2, which is even older, have both been recently serviced in the last two years. A full clean, lube and adjustment cost about $15o Canadian. No parts needed to be replaced at that time but could be an issue in the future.
Summary: It just keeps going. Small, light, portable, tough - great travel and street camera. Bazillions of good, used, cheap, manual lenses will fit it, including the very best of Pentax. Not a camera for people who like automation and dislike metering.
Strengths: Tough as old boots. I just bought a second one while they're still cheap used, in case my first ever fails.
Simple and reliable.
Big and simple, no-nonsense viewfinder.
Small - almost too small, if you've big hands.
Fantastic choice of good quality used (or new) lenses out there in the ubiquitous K mount.
Quick to load, once you have the right touch.
Clever combined depth-of-field preview and delf-timer design.
Smooth, quick wind-on action.
Batteries still easily available.
Weaknesses: Shutter-speed dial should be a couple of mm taller to be easier and quicker to change.
1/1000 top speed is a bit old.
Hot-shoe has some sharp edges you can poke your forehead with, if you're not careful.
Changing ISO dial is a bit fussier than it needs to be.
Light-seals and mirror foam probably needs attention when buying a used one.
Similar Products Used: Various Nikon and Olympus manual/mechanical SLRs.
Summary: never had a problem with this slr...despite what other reviews say there is no mirror lock up....many people have complained about the lack of faster shutter speeds but generally 1/1000 is good enough
Strengths: compact, solid
Weaknesses: small view finder, i dont like the light metering system...i prefer the needle type (hand held solves this problem)
Similar Products Used: minolta srt 100, 101, 201
canon canonet
Summary: I bought my black MX in 1980 and, despite moving to a digital SLR, have used it ever since. Rugged, easy to use, fantastically reliable and excellent pictures. Despite having bought a winder and numerous lenses over the years, I now restrict myself to the 50mm and 135mm portrait lens, both of which fit in a trouser pocket. Modern SLR's have more facilities and tricks, but they don't make you a better photographer!
Strengths: At the time, the smallest SLR around. Easy to hold and operate with one hand.
Summary: The MX should be a very long lasting full manual body with convenient features. It seems to be the beginning of the trend to ultra compact SLRs, although it's a bit bigger than the ME. You can read time and aperture seting in the finder which might be useful especially when you use flash and the 5 LEDs are usable to read the meter , although I myself like the hand of the KX a bit more. The screen is dull compared to later modells and the ISO setting works only up to the sweet spot of ultra fast films, which might safe you from the disapointing experience of TMZ at 3200ISO. If you have huge lenses you 'll need the winder, so compactness is over. The screens are interchangable by user but using the brightest LX screens crys for a handheld meter. It's a good camera to rely on and especially the chrome version wouldn't scare people like a fully rigged F5. Either a great backup or the best Pentax available.
Strengths: reliable. affordable. Full exposure information in finder. Rather comfortable 5 LED exposuremeter display. Stop down lever. There was a fast motordrive
Weaknesses: No 3200 ISO, shutter speed dial requires 2 fingers, dull screen. Slow sync speed. stop down lever is hard to operate. Very few motordrives around. No TTL-flash. Winder battery change is a watchmakers task.
Similar Products Used: KX, K1000s, LX, Super Program
Customer Service: Oficialy discontinued but possible.
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