A very small camera which performs very good under all circumstances.
It has some good professional features (DOF). Good information in the viewfinder (in some ways better than the FM2).
Lots of lenses available (new and second hand).

Sometimes it's too small, even if I don't have giant hands.
No mirror lockup.
Out of production!

It is the best mechanical K-mount camera I've used, small, "plain" and right to the point where I need it.
But sometimes I find it a little too small, the FM2 and OM1 are better in this way.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Pentax ME, ME Super, Super A, KM. Nikon FM2, FA, FG, F80, F100. Olympus OM1n, OM4.

Compact yet solid
Accurate metering
interchangable screens
mechanical operations

"dust trap"
shutter mechanism a bit noisy.

I am an airline pilot that uses this camera on a weekly basis. I own several, and it is my favorite. I have photographed major sporting events for the Denver professional sports teams and enjoy this camera the most. If there is one complaint it would have to be the propensity for dust to find its way to the ample viewing screen. I also am not all that enamored of the winder (Pentax made) and wish that I had long ago purchased the motor drive which I now cannot find. Mind you, I bought this camera brand new in 1979, and had only one problem, that being a flash synch related issue. It's a great machine.

Customer Service

Excellent

Similar Products Used:

Nikon FM, FE, Minolta SRT 202

Simple, sturdy workhorse.

It's not an LX!

I bought my first MX when it first came out, choosing it over the OM-1 and equivalent Nikon (forgot the model). These MX cameras were treated roughly, carried on the back of motorcycles and bicycles, dropped, banged, flipped, etc. They just kept on working.

I liked the LED instead of the needle and the lightweight and small size makes it easy to carry. Never had trouble with the "magic needle" film loading, the MX still loads film faster than my EOS-3.

I still have two MXs, the others were given away to kids. After all these years, one has finally broken down, the shutter button no longer works. The other still works fine.

Customer Service

N/A for the MX. Fast and efficient for other models.

Similar Products Used:

Too numerous to mention over the last 25 years.

Small, light, robust, full manual shutter + DOF (but you all probably already knew that). And it DOES have mirror lock-up. Just though to mention since most ppl do seem to say it doesn't. No.. do not have the manual for the camera but still works in mine ;)

Nothing comes to my mind ? ..well -6.5 OTF would be nice as in LX.
lol

Great camera. Get one if you can get one in mint condition with a good price. And you need a solid work horse. Using one as a second backup body for my MZ-5.

Similar Products Used:

ME Super
MZ-5
(Canon AV-1)

- Completely mechanical;
- Easy to handle;
- Reliable built in light meter;
- Light weigh;
- Very pretty;
- Excellent Pentax 1:1.8 lens;

Have no complain at all;

I like too much that camera and have it to carry with me when I want just a light weigh, little and terrific camera with me.
The light meter built in the camera is very good and allow perfect exposures.
Recommend it for serious photographers on vacation.

Customer Service

Easy to have it serviced in Brazil

Similar Products Used:

None

It makes you think. Superb viewfinder, quiet, solid, beautifully made, compact. They seem to last forever.

None

For landscape and architectural photography, when you have the time to think about what you are doing and don't need the speed of autofocus and autoexpsure, there is no better camera. This is the Leica of Pentaxes.

Similar Products Used:

None

Light weight, perfect size in my hands
Simple
easy to use
excellent full information viewfinder

no longer in production

It fits my hands perfectly. Has one of the best full information viewfinders ever made. Good quality Pentax SMC lenses. Very cool styling for camera and lenses. If you get to Heaven, I'll pick you up in my MGB and drive and take pictures all afternoon.

Customer Service

Haven't had the need for service yet

Similar Products Used:

Nikon FM2n

Great camera....one of the last real ones!

not available.....gone to the brainless cams that followed.

I bought two bodies and 5 lenses, and used them pro for two years...good stuff...I'm a big cat....couldn't even think of using an Olympus OM1...borrowed a friends for a job, and couldn't get my fingers around te SS/F controls....this made me check out the MX.....I loved it.....the only reason I changed was because of the lenses. I love my 24mm, 85mm, 105mm nikkors.

Customer Service

never.....had my rig for 2 yrs and no repairs.

Similar Products Used:

many...Leica to kodak throwaways....

-Rugged body
-Full manual control
-light weight
-Faithfull Lightmeter

none

My father bought the pentax MX in 1979. And uptil now no problems !
What can I say, you have full control over a camera that has a rugged body and an excellent lightmeter and endless high quality lenses.
I have canon EOS 1nrs, but I prefer the MX.

Customer Service

never needed

Similar Products Used:

Nikon Fm2n

Compact, sturdy, easy and fast to use. Fits in pocket (with pancake lens). Not battery dependent. Excellent lenses at reasonable prices used.

Nothing serious. Outdated by lack of autofocus etc. Only used lenses available (but great bargins).

A superb example of a compact SLR. I don't understand why the K1000 has been so popular when this camera offers more. I have owned mine for over 22 years and doubt I'll ever sell. Combination of the MX plus 40mm pancake is about the smallest full frame SLR you can carry. I used it with the 75-150 zoom for a very compact and high quality travel kit.

Customer Service

Used to be very good. No experience recently

Similar Products Used:

Pentax LX, Canon ElanII, Contax G, Rollei 35, Ricoh GR1, Yashica T4super