There are small cameras; then there are small ones; the Pentax MX is one of the latter. Released as Asahi’s response to the Olympus OM-1, the Pentax MX took things to the next level with the size. The M-Series of Pentax SLRs are strangers to me; I’ve used the ME, ME Super and even an MG, but never an MX. Save for a brief encounter with an MX in Bill Smith’s collection for a CCR Episode (Ep. 36 – Last But Not Least) So when I started to look for one a few years back I found that they were rare on the used market and at that time prohibitively expensive. That is until I heard a knock on the door and there was a neighbor with a camera bag. It had belonged to their late husband who loved photography and she wanted me to have his camera. And there was a beautiful Pentax MX with the 50mm f/1.7 lens. Now the camera wasn’t in the best cosmetic shape, but it worked.
Camera Specifications
Manufacturer: Asahi Optical Co Ltd
Model: Pentax MX
Type: Single Lens Reflex
Format: 135 (35mm), 36x24mm
Lens: Interchangeable, Pentax K-Mount
Shutter: Horizontal Focal Plane Shutter, 1s – 1/1000s + bulb
Meter: Open Aperture TTL GPD Cells, EV 1 ~ EV 19 @ ASA-100, ASA-25 – ASA-1600
Dimensions (WxHxD): 135.5×82.5×49.5mm
Weight: 495g (w/o lens & batteries)
Power Source: 2x 1.5V Silver Cells (SR44)
Year of Manufacture: 1976-85
Background
Kumao Kajiwara founded the Ashai Optical Company in 1919 focusing on the projection of lenses for eye glasses and binoculars. From there the company released their first projector lenses in 1923 and then it was not a far leap to the production of camera optics in 1931. The first camera to feature Ashai optics was the 1933 model of the Konishiroku Pearlette a Japanese folder that worked with 127 film. Ashai expanded their optical production with a new factory in 1934 and added a second one in 1940. Like other optical makers, Ashai did produce products for the Imperial Japanese armed forces during the Second World War, including Promar and Coronar lenses for Chiyoda cameras. Most of Ashai’s properties were destroyed during the 1945 American bombing campaigns resulting in near total loss of equipment and records. Ashai like other optical makers were key parts of the economic reconstruction of post-war Japan and began reconstruction in 1946 and returned to full production by 1948 continuing to product lenses for other companies.
Of course, Asahi was looking at the movement of the industry and also began to design their first camera, showing off an prototype in 1951 and releasing it to the market a year later. The Ashaiflex featured a waist-level finder and an M37 lens mount that was initially released with two options, the Takumar 50mm f/3.5 and Takumar 100mm f/3.5, eventually five other lenses were added to the catalogue. In 1954 the Ashaiflex IIb added an instant-return mirror and a year later the Ashaiflex IIa added a dedicated slow shutter-speed dial. The line was superseded in 1957 by the new Ashai Pentax, which used a pentaprism finder and upgraded to the more popular M42 lens mount. But the camera lacked any form of metering, something Ashai showed off a prototype TTL meter camera the Spot-Matic at 1960s Photokina. Although Pentax offered up the Asahi Pentax Meter, a clip-on accessory that featured a CdS cell. The Spotmatic line would hit the market in 1964 and prove a popular line of cameras with that promised TTL metering. In 1971, the Spotmatic ES added open-aperture TTL metering and aperture-priority auto-exposure, this was added to 1973’s Spotmatic F.
While the M42 continued to be a popular lens mount, there are certain restrictions to a screw-mount, so in 1975 Ashi released a new line of cameras and lenses which all featured a bayonet mount. The K-Mount included a full group of updated SMC Pentax lenses based on the earlier Super-Multi-Coat Takumars and a group of three camera, the K2, KM and KX as updated Spotmatics of varying levels. These cameras also all featured open aperture TLL metering. But these first offerings were still roughly the size of the Spotmatics and the 1972 introduction of the Olympus OM-1 saw the value of the small-form SLR. Asahi’s response was 1976s M-Series, the ME which featured aperture-priority auto-exposure and the all-manual MX. Asahi also released a series of smaller form lenses, the SMC Pentax-M for the line. The Pentax MX was basically a KX in a smaller form body and proved to be a popular camera and was promoted as Asahi’s flagship model until the release of the Pentax LX in 1980. Production of the MX continued until 1985. With the renewed commitment from Ricoh (Pentax’s parent company since 2011) for the production of new film cameras, maybe there is a modern version of the MX already in the works.
Impressions
Your first impression of the MX is that it is small; I mean, this camera makes the Nikon FE and Olympus OM-1 look big in comparison. But don’t let that stop you; despite the small size, it handles well, and even with my love of larger cameras, it isn’t too bad. If you do want to add a bit more of a grip, you can always add the Winder MX or Motor MX, which adds a bit to the bottom and a grip onto the camera. But, after holding it for a bit longer, it isn’t too bad, and that’s saying something because I do like bigger cameras. The one downside is that it appears the camera has thin skin; mine has several dents on the body, but they seem to be strictly cosmetic. The MX will be familiar if you’re used to Pentax camera layouts from the original K-Series. Everything is where it should be when it comes to shutter release, speed, and film advance. The finder is surprisingly bright, with plenty of information displayed, including the match-needle meter display, a film speed indicator, and an optical peak of the aperture. Overall, the MX is a small but well-designed camera with a good look.
Experiences
The MX is a lot of fun to use, far more fun than I expected. Given the size of the camera, I would have a hard time getting comfortable with the MX, especially without a motor drive to add that extra grip. If you’re used to the ‘magic needle’ film take-up that started with the M-Series of Pentax cameras, loading the film is a breeze, no faffing about with a single metal tab. The viewfinder has 95% coverage and is decently bright, and you have all your exposure settings on full display, including both shutter speed and aperture. You have a five-light metering display showing if you’re a stop, half-a-stop or proper exposure for both over and under; these are clean and easily read. The shutter has a pleasing sound, and the film advance is short, with good feedback on both. You can easily adjust your settings without having to take your eye off the viewfinder; the one thing I did note is that the shutter speed selector is a bit stiff and takes a bit of effort to adjust; other users have noted this, so it is probably due to age. Once you get into the groove, the camera runs cleanly; I like how it feels and operates; the focusing is smooth, especially with a micro prism focusing screen and the fact the camera follows more function than form.
Optics
If there is one thing that Ashai got right in the lenses, and the MX has the venerable K-Mount, you have access to a massive catalogue of lenses. Remember that not all K-Mounts are created equal, and you need to make a couple of concessions when picking lenses for your MX. The first is to ensure the lens has an aperture ring and a physical aperture coupler. It is best to use the original K-Mount lenses, which include the SMC Pentax M line of lenses designed specifically for the smaller profile and are considered K-Mount lenses. The next version, or KA, is intended for a camera with greater automation and will work on the MX, but the A feature will not work in this case as the MX has no auto-exposure feature. Now, the newer lenses like the KAF, the first successful autofocus K-Mount lenses, will work, providing that they maintain the aperture ring, but once you get into the KAF2 you’re getting into muddy waters, and the KAF3 and KAF4 will not work at all on the MX. There is also the KF, which was Asahi’s first autofocus lens. These are rare, but they will work with the MX. Like other systems, I have a mix of lenses, most of which are the M-Series. Some excellent choices include the 28mm f/2.8, which is a great wide-angle lens, then the stunning 50mm f/1.7 or my personal favourite 55mm f/2, which has an amazing out-of-focus rendering when shot wide-open. If you want to go even lower profile, then the 40mm f/2.8 lens is the way to go; this lens is tiny, making it hard to use because there is barely any focusing ring but it gives excellent results all the same. The trouble is that the 40mm can be pricey on the used market, but if you’re lucky, you can find one for around 150 CAD. If you want an affordable portrait lens, the Pentax-M 135mm f/3.5 can be had for well under 100 CAD and presents excellent results. The one lens I did use, but I don’t have examples in this review, is the 200mm f/4. This is a great telephoto lens for someone who doesn’t need that sort of reach. You can see some examples in the video review of the MX. Either way, no matter which lens you mount on the camera, you’ll get excellent results; make sure you’re mounting a lens that will work with the older K-Mount. Another option is to buy a K to M42 mount and fill in any gaps using the older Takumar lenses, which are superb.
Lowdown
The Pentax MX is undoubtedly not a camera for everyone; it is relatively small and can be hard to come by. But the one thing that I have noticed recently is that they have started to come down in price on the used market. Many I’ve found can be had for around 150-180$, and that often is with a lens. You will pay a bit more for the all-black version, but as someone who likes the two-tone, I think it works out well. The lenses can also be inexpensive, especially if you don’t go for the faster options. It takes ordinary silver cells for the batteries, and it was recommended that you stick to the SR44 instead of the LR44 for the best performance. Also, you might have to do a minor repair to fix that battery drain issue. While the MX won’t be a daily driver for me, it is great to have a camera to use my Pentax K-Mount kit again rather than let it sit unused in a box. Look out next year for a whole series of lens reviews of all my K-Glass!
Further Reading
Don’t just take my word on the Pentax MX; you can check out the reviews by other awesome camera reviewers!
35mmc – Pentax MX – My Nuts and Bolts Review
Casual Photophile – Pentax MX Review – The Mazda Miata of 35mm SLRs
Daniel J. Schneider – Pentax MX: I Hardly Knew Ye
Edward Nobel – Pentax MX – Small Film SLR
High 5 Cameras – Pentax MX – The Sense of an Ending
Aperture Dundee – Exactly What I Expected | Pentax MX Review