Pentax KX vs. MX - reliability

montecarlo · Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 1865 Location: Romania

Hello,

I bought in august a MX which asfter only one 35mm roll its shutter jammed. I'm no specialist and a servicing would cost way beyond buying another one, I was surprised to see how fragile the MX is, especially in contrast with less regarder Chinon CM4/Ricoh XR1 - KPentax mount cameras. I was wondering if, regadint the camera's reliability (both mechanical and electronical - light meter), the KX would the better. I know, KX it's bigger and heavier, and i love the MX's ergonomics (with its led lightmeter), size and all (shutter sound Wink

), but better a bigget camera than a non working one.
Thank you.

ps. I like a lot these mechanical cameras being able to work even if their light meter is broken, without any elecronics Smile

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

I have a very old Pentax S1a - M42 lens mount - that is built like a tank, a Pentax MG and a ME Super which are nowhere near as sturdy, I've just had to un-jam the ME.
But my Chinon CE5 is the heavy weight! That really is made from left over tank parts. Laughing

But the price for this is a clunky camera, the Chinon makes big mechanical noises, the Pentax just clicks.

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

If its a metal shutter try a little naptha. Keep the naptha away from the foam pieces though, that can make a mess.

nrparsons

brh · Joined: 21 Nov 2011 Posts: 5 Location: MD, United States

peterqd · Expire: 2014-01-04

I don't think it matters whether the camera is big or small, heavy or light, or whether it's solidly built or not. All cameras need maintenance occasionally and any shutter is likely to jam if it's neglected. The chances are your camera has been sitting around unused for a few years and will be a little sticky or lazy. Probably all it needs is some use, but that's impossible if the shutter has jammed.

The MX has a cloth shutter and the roller bearings (8 of them) need to be oiled and cleaned. It's not a difficult job but without the knowledge and experience you'd be better sending it off to a repair man. That's the joy of using old cameras I'm afraid. The KX has the same shutter as the MX, so you could quite easily find the same problem and need to send that off too. If you like your MX then stick with it and get it serviced.

Incidentally, if you ever think of buying a K1000 be very careful. Production of this camera went on for much longer than the rest of the K range, and in later years Pentax subcontracted the manufacture to a Chinese factory, who used much cheaper quality plastic parts.

brh · Joined: 21 Nov 2011 Posts: 5 Location: MD, United States

womble · Joined: 28 Sep 2009 Posts: 987 Location: Hertfordshire

I've had two MXes, one got stolen, the other works perfectly apart from a battery drain problem which is well known and was easily fixed.

I'm afraid old cameras need a service now and again, and old cameras which haven't been used for a while will have problems. Cameras, especially shutters, need regular exercise.

K.

Nesster · Expire: 2014-02-20

peterqd · Expire: 2014-01-04

memento · Joined: 05 Nov 2012 Posts: 79

I had a Japanese K1000 and still have a Spotmatic (in SP 1000 flavour) and they both seem to have exactly the same (sturdy) mechanisms. The sound of the shutter is exactly the same, especially at 1/8 and 1/15 second. My SP 1000 is not 100% accurate, you can't use the 1/1000 second and should avoid the 1/500 due to the shutter curtains running a bit inaccurate. I guess it's not a failure because of bad quality but just of decades without maintenance ..... my K1000 was better – and obviously also somewhat newer – but eventually I decided to give up K-mount and concentrate on M42. Thomas