Pentax MX

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Enlarge

The Pentax MX was a 35 mm single-lens reflex camera produced by Pentax of Japan between 1976 and 1985. It was Pentax's flagship professional SLR until the introduction of the Pentax LX. The MX was solidly built, (though not quite to the standard of the Nikon FM [source needed]), and featured a fully mechanical construction, including a mechanical shutter. Only the light metering system was dependent on batteries. The MX is all manual: it does not feature autofocus or autoexposure modes such as aperture-priority, shutter-speed priority, or full program.

A number of accessories, including focusing screens, backs, a motorized winder (the Winder MX) and motor drive (the Motor Drive MX) were produced. Internally, the MX is essentially a smaller, lighter version of the Pentax KX, and otherwise bears no real resemblance to the rest of the Pentax M-series. However, the MX was designed as the mechanical twin sister of the remarkably successful entry-level Pentax ME Super. Like all post-42 mm screwmount Pentax cameras, the MX accepts all K-mount lenses (with the exception of the newer KAJ lenses without aperture rings).

Due to its complete lack of automatic functions, but excellent array of manual controls, the MX is often selected as a camera for photography students to practice their technique. The depth-of-field preview function renders the MX superior in this one respect to the earlier and cheaper K1000.

[edit] References