Summary: I inherited this camera when a friend of mine died. I have found it to be a most capable camera, and while it is very heavy (due to the all-metal construction and glass lenses), I have found it more adaptable than my Nikon, any of my Praktica L series cameras, or even my favourite Rolleiflex TLR.
There is a certain feel and sound when an entirely-mechanical camera is fired, and the KX is one of the cameras that conveys the "feel" most accurately.
I've never had one seize up on me, it's never jammed, all my lenses produce crisp images, flash synch is perfect, and the internal metering is dead accurate, even when the batteries are low.
Strengths: Almost impossible to totally wreck
Wide selection of lenses available
Standard batteries, because of power bridging circuit
Consistent light-meter
Bright, clear viewfinder
Availability of parts and bodies makes for a good student camera, or a backup camera for professionals
Weaknesses: No interchangeable focusing screens
Shutter speed goes only from 1 - 1/1000, I like to have 8 - 1/4000
Similar Products Used: Nikon FE2
Nikon FM2
Praktica VLC2
Praktica MTL5B
Praktica F.X. 3
Pentax Spotmatic SP II
Customer Service: I've never needed any, the camera is that reliable :)
Summary: I picked up my KX while living and working in South Korea. The shop was a graveyard of metallic 35mm bodies. I was lucky to have a friend who gifted me with the wisdom that Pentax lenses were as good as Nikons but at much less cost. Well, heck, for $50 I picked out the KX and have never looked back. It has survived my very extreme travel decisions for the last 10 years with nary a complaint.
Yes, the light meter died on me several times but if you use the camera enough you know what the settings should be. I got caught in Nepal on a high mountain pass without fresh batteries. I spent a roll using guesswork and familiarity before I discovered a tiny shack off the hiking trail selling exactly the correct batteries. While I was glad to have the meter back, I found that all of my exposures were correct on the film I'd shot without the meter. This bit of luck had naught to do with me; I credit the camera for its consistency.
And, yes, the KX is a very heavy camera. I’ve never left it sitting on a café table, a bus seat or information counter for precisely that reason. It’s worth the weight.
Strengths: Quality of the Picture is superb with my SMC lense. It's built like a tank. It can function with out batteries if you've got the knack. It's so heavy that if you can't help but notice if its missing. Fully manual so it's really you taking the shot.
Weaknesses: None that I will admit to.
Similar Products Used: Nikon, Canon, Olympus 35mm from the 70's and 80's.
Summary: I had wanted to return to a more simple approach to photography in landscape and fine art work where I do not need auto focus. I had used Nikon AF equipment for many years, but when I purchased my son a Pentax K1000 so that he could learn photgraphy I was remined of how much I enjoyed using these mechanical cameras. There's just something about the feel and sound of taking pictures with these cameras that cannot be beat!
I had used the MX years ago but I did not like the metering system. Bright light tends to make the diodes hard to read. So I bought a KX on Ebay. It is in mint condition, so I paid top price, but I am well pleased. It has DOF previes and mirror lock-up. The meter is intuitive and easy to use. This is a rugged well made camera that would probably cost about $900 if it were bought new today. I find this camera a joy to use in photography where I can take my time, set up my tripod and think about the image I want to capture. The following M series lenses are rugged and very sharp: 50mm f1.4 & 1.7; 100mm f2.8; 200mm f4; 35mm f2 and 75-150mm f4. Great fun!
Strengths: Rugged, dependable, easy and fun to use
Weaknesses: Not suited for sports photography or where auto focus would be necessary. I find I need auto focus whenI want to caputure people and their changing expressions. I use the superb Contax G2 system for all my portrait, travel and wedding photgrapy.
Similar Products Used: ME Super, MX, Nikon 90s.
Customer Service: www.abilenecamera.com can restore these cameras to perfect working condition if needed
Summary: What a cracker! I lost my MX through a burglary, then I saw this in a shop window,I could almost thank the scum who raided my flat. This is a camera and a half.
Strengths: All controls just where you need them.
Solid and reliable, has never let me down.
Gorgeous and useful viewfinder.
Summary: KX is perfect..!!
Fit perfectly in my small hand, add balance with zoom lens, metering is impressive (most of time exactly the same with my z-1 matrix metering), the best is you can see where your exposure need to be (it is not like k100, MX, Z-1, Z-1p, you only see maximum 3 stop up/down).
Speed dial is light - one finger touch can turn! MX is litle bit hard to turn.
But for size, for sure you can not put this one on your pocket.
Full metal body, light & multifuction DOF MLU button, battery only for metering, this is the type of camera you need to bring along hard day picture hunting - even just for backup.
For me, I prefer this one compare to MX, but MX is a beautiful one - smallest manual SLR.
Try one, you'll feel the same as I do, perfect.
Strengths: Full metal body - solid rock! True MLU & DOF lever, impressive metering display, holding balance, full mechanical speed
Weaknesses: Timer lever a little bit annoying until you know the trick
Similar Products Used: Pentax MX, Z-1, MG, K1000, ME-Super
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