Pentax MX

Pentax MX

Image by hej_pk (Image rights) Maker: Pentax Dates: 1976-1984 Variants: chrome, black, MX Data Camera Type: 35mm SLR Focusing: manual Lens mount: Pentax K Shutter: focal plane, horizontal, cloth from 1s to 1/1000 Exposure meter: TTL, open aperture, center weighted Exposure modes: manual ASA/ISO range: 25 to 1600 ISO Finder screen: interchangeable, 8 types Flash shoe: fixed hot shoe Flash speed: 1/60 TTL Flash: no Motor drive: external Winder MX (2i/s) or Motor MX (5i/s) Battery: 2 x 1.5V Weight: 495g w/o lens Number produced: unknown

In 1976, Pentax introduced two compact 35mm SLRs, the MX and the ME. The Olympus OM-1 presented in 1972 had introduced a new trend for compactness in SLR cameras.

Size comparison between a Pentax MX and a K1000. image by James Butler (Image rights)

The Pentax MX is a mechanical camera, with an horizontal cloth focal plane shutter from 1s to 1/1000, synchronized at 1/60. The shutter dial is on the top plate, next to the advance lever and the release button.

The Pentax MX has a 0.97× viewfinder, covering 95% of the field. The shutter speed and aperture value are visible in the finder, the aperture being read on the lens ring by way of an optical device. The finder is fixed, but the finder screen can be interchanged through the bayonet mount, a system again introduced by the OM-1. There is a choice of eight finder screens, the standard one having a split-image device and a microprism ring in the center. All of them can be used on the Pentax LX too. Here is a list:

• SC1: ground glass, split image device, microprism ring (standard)
• SA1: ground glass, microprism patch
• SA3: ground glass, microprism patch, for wide aperture lenses
• SB1: ground glass, split image device
• SD1: ground glass, cross collimator
• SD11: aerial image, cross collimator
• SE: ground glass
• SG: ground glass, grid
• SI: ground glass, axis

A black Pentax MX with the winder attached. image by oldglass (Image rights)

There is a hot shoe on the top of the prism, a lock lever around the release button and a self-timer. The Pentax MX can attach an external Winder MX (2 i/s) or a Motor MX (5 i/s). A Dial Data MX databack and a bulk film back were also available.

The exposure meter is of the standard TTL open aperture center-weighted type. It is activated by a slight pressure on the release button. In the viewfinder, the exposure display is by 5 LEDs. The central one is green and indicates correct exposure. Two orange LEDs indicate over- and under-exposure by ½ stop, and two red leds indicate over- and under-exposure by 1 or more stops.

The lenses are interchangeable with the K bayonet mount. Together with the MX and ME was introduced the SMC Pentax-M series of compact lenses.

The Pentax MX exists in chrome or black finish.

According to Bojidar Dimitrov's Pentax K-mount site, there is a specially-modified MX Data body, that can receive a Data MX databack, different from the Dial Data MX. It exists only in chrome finish, and is very rare. A user manual for the MX Data can be found at the download page of Pentax USA.

Production stopped in 1984.

Links

with professional bulk film back image by wolf4max (Image rights)

General links

In English:

• Pentax MX at Bojidar Dimitrov's Pentax K-mount website
• Pentax MX and FA 43mm f/1.9 lens at N. Maekawa's Manual Camera website (the main page is in Japanese)

In French:

• Pentax M series at the KRG website
• Camera and ads, Pentax MX on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
• Pentax MX at Au fil des images by J.C.Boussat

In Japanese:

• Pentax MX at Aya's Cameras

User manual

In English:

• User's manual at Pentax Imaging
• Instruction manual at Mike Butkus Orphan Cameras