MX body question

Hi all,

Sorry, the search function wasn't too helpful, so here's my question.

I'm in touch with a seller of a MX. Does anyone know what I need to look for when I examine this camera?

I'm aware of needing to check for foam resurface, self timer not working, counters broken, and broken hotshoe.

Is there any other problem I should be aware of?

Thanks, George.

Also: Dents (especially in pentaprism housing), meter/LEDs not working, disconnected shutter speed indicator wheel, wind problems.
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DSHi (DS in Hawaii)
http://www.pbase.com/wau/pentax

A common problem with MX's is that, over time, the contact that triggers the light meter bends in towards the other contact so that even when the shutter isn't pressed, the batteries can be slowly drained. I temporarily fixed the problem on mine by bending the contact back, but recently it's happened again.

Owen
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http://www.pbase.com/owencherry

Other than the already mentioned issues, the MX is getting old so CLA is a good idea just to keep the mirror/shutter working properly and accurately. You may set the shutter to 1s and see how far off it is.
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Alan Chan
http://www.pbase.com/wlachan/

Just my two cents:

I've never understood where the MX got it's reputation for durability. I got my first one and it had all of the problems listed by the previous posters. Thinking it was a fluke, I got a second one; it had all of the same problems except the battery drain. The only advantages I can see for the MX are the small size, interchangeable screens, and perhaps a slightly brighter finder at night. The K-series cameras seem more reliable to me.

If you're looking for a manual camera, I would recommend trying a KM; I have two and have had no problems despite the fact that they are older. The only difference in features is the size, interchangeable screen, and the shutter release lock on the MX. I also prefer the needle metering system over the LEDs. There's also the K2 and KX, but those are usually quite a bit more expensive. The K2 is known for having it's film speed selector jam up.

Or if you want cheap AF, it seems like a lot of the Z/PZ series cameras go for peanuts these days.
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Jerry Thirsty

Jerry Thirsty said:

I've never understood where the MX got it's reputation for
durability.

Click to expand...

Well I've had 2 MX's for the past 25 years (one black and one chrome) and they've both performed flawlessly despite some heavy handling.

I used to take the chrome one climbing, just tossed into the back of my rucksack with all the other gear. Unfortunately, I dropped it onto some rocks and badly dented the pentaprism. Much to my surprise it still worked perfectly apart from the hotshoe. I never bothered to get it fixed because I don't use flash much.

I had to have them both CLA'd last year because the foam had started to perish, but that's been it.

That's what I call reliability

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Cheers,
Reuben0

Thanks for your responses.

I will get in touch with the seller right now, but I make them an offer, I'm going to try to talk them out of selling. Frankly, old film bodies (that probably need a $100+ CLA) and consumer lenses aren't worth that much. I'm going to urge the seller to consider keeping the kit and learning to use it.

I went into a camera shop this spring to buy a body cap and ended up buying 2 used M-class normal lenses to use as body caps instead. They each cost a bit more than a plastic cap and, as a bonus, I can take pictures with them.

I agree! They are one durable, reliable little beast. I purchased mine in 1976 and admit that it went through batteries way too fast. Finally got that fixed by Pentax and it has been totally reliable since. Just two years ago had a CLA done on it to replace the foam. Otherwise, great little thing.

I'll probably sell mine as I haven't used it since getting my Ds. Having a difficult time letting it go because I've had it so long and it has been such a faithful companion.

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Steven
GMT -8

I met up with a lovely young woman who was selling a late relative's kit. Unfortunately the seal was completely gone on the MX, so we decided it wasn't worth selling. The hotflash wasn't working either. I did end up buying a M135/3.5 and A28/2.8 from her though.

Thanks again everyone for your responses. The MX is certainly a compact camera.