Pentax MX Camera

A good example of a Pentax MX (serial 4471856) complete with a Pentax M series 50mm f1.7 Lens (Serial 4605931) and an original lens cap as would have been supplied with the camera when new.

The MX is a fully mechanical camera apart from its lightmeter.  Its solidly built and surpisingly heavy for its small size.

The camera has been fully tested and is operating inside the manufacturers specifications.  The lightmeter is accurate and has no battery drain issues sometimes seen with this model.

The camera is powered from an SR44 1.5V battery so is easy to obtain batteries without needing conversion. The camera has a standard Pentax ‘K’ mount which provides access to a huge range of 3^rd party lenses.

The Viewfinder displays lens aperture setting, selected shutter speed and an LED display to show whether the selected speed/aperture is appropriate.

This one is fully operational but does show wear especially to its rear door which shows some corrosion.  We have been unable to obtain a spare rear door so the camera is offered in as is condition from a cosmetics point of view.

Fully film tested – see test pics.

The Pentax MX is a 35 mm single-lens reflex camera produced by Asahi/Pentax between 1976 and 1985. It was Pentax’s flagship SLR until the introduction of the Pentax LX. The  MX was created in response to the Olympus OM-1 which set the standard for smaller, lighter 35mm SLRs and the MX replaced the physically larger Pentax KX.  One feature of the KX omitted in the MX design is the Mirror Lock Up function.

The Pentax MX bears almost no relationship other than its small size with the other M series cameras which were electronically controlled as the MX is wholly mechanical apart from its light meter.

The MX is solidly built, and features a fully mechanical construction completely manual operation, including a mechanical shutter of the horizontal cloth type. Only the light metering system is dependent on batteries.

Thie MX came to us in very poor shape.  The self timer was broken and not working. Light seals and mirroir cushion had badly degraded and the lightmeter was not working reliably.

All seals plus the very complex mirror bumper have been replaced to factory standard, repairs to the lightmeter and the self timer have been carried out and the winding gear lubricated.

Lens was completely stripped and cleaned, focus screen and prism cleaned.  The camera has worn bodywork but works reliably and like all of our cameras has been fully film tested with live film.

Camera has been fully tested using a ZTS V tester and has been tested with live film.  See test pics.

Please be aware that the cameras and lenses for sale can be up to 50 years old.  They have been serviced and/or checked and are always as good as they can be made, but please don’t expect them to be flawless as if they were made yesterday.

All lenses of this age exhibit some small particles of dust and coatings are not up to modern standards. Cameras will exhibit some wear signs and likewise may have small dust specks in their viewfinders or focus screens.  These do not affect the picture in any way.

ANY problems or issues will be described in the main text which you are advised to read carefully.If you are unfamiliar with film cameras we suggest you do some online research and read the manuals which are freely available from online resources.

We are enthusiastic film fans and spend our time hunting cameras and lenses that have been or are being unloved. We then spend hours to bring them back to fully working and clean condition, ready for a new lease of life with you  We always change the film seals, give the camera a clean/service and make sure its fully working before we sell it on to you.

Most lenses are cleaned, re-lubricated and all of their functions checked prior to sale so you know they will work, full details will always be in the text. All items are packed safely for transit using proper packing material NOT something the cat was sick in. Having been stung both on eBay and by dealers alike who often know very little about film cameras we decided to offer people a chance to experience film using a camera that will last for many years and which we can say for sure works reliably

Mel & Claire