Every now and again I get a traveler that has tales to tell but doesn’t intend on staying. I’m of course talking about old used cameras. I don’t run an airbnb.
I bought this used but in good condition Pentax MX-1 for three reasons. One, it’s been on my mind every since I found out about it a few years after its release and I’ve always wanted to try it out. Two, it was a good price. And three, it came bundled with a black Pentax MX, a film camera that I was eyeing as my next purchase. Seeing them side-by-side was more than this guy’s heart can take.
So, somewhat on a whim, and somewhat premeditated, I sprung for the duo.
Pentax MX-1 Look and Feel
Pentax MX-1 Aesthetics
Probably every person who has held the Pentax MX-1 or seen it in person will want to talk about it’s looks first. It’s the vintage camera styling everyone wants from Pentax (Just maybe in a larger body. Are you listening, Pentax?) Just about everything is cool: From the SLR inspired faux leather and top/bottom plate design, to the little touches like old school print type on the flash. This all works really well for me. The addition of real brass under the paint job seals the deal. Mine has a little bit of brassing already, and I would have it no other way.
If I had to complain I would add that I wished they had gone a bit further and done something less standard with the buttons on the top. The bright red record, bright green “on” light, mode selector and shutter button are at best uninspiring and at worst a little visually distracting. But they function well and I don’t think they ruin the look overall.
Pentax MX-1 Feel In The Hands
Upon picking up the camera you will immediately notice the lack of any shaped grip for your fingers to hang onto. This is due to that SLR styling I raved about earlier. This combined with little room on the right side of the camera makes the whole thing feel rather unbalanced and precarious. However, an inexpensive wrist strap helps the camera feel secure in a jiffy. I’ve even seen some examples of people attaching cheap adhesive point and shoot grips to the Pentax MX-1 for a little something extra to hang onto. Example here.
Once I had settled in my mind that I couldn’t fling the camera around the same way I do my Ricoh GR, I felt content.
The Pentax MX-1 is not a one-handed camera. Gripping the camera with the thumb firmly on the back is hard enough: lifting up the thumb to control the camera is worse. It is near impossible without tipping the camera to find a balance point or using your left hand. The MX-1’s great build quality and materials make it weightier than it looks, also contributing to the problem. Perhaps most photographers would find this point obvious given the design and target audience of the camera. However, I thought it worth mentioning considering the compact nature of the camera and one-handed competitors. Once I had settled in my mind that I couldn’t fling the camera around the same way I do my Ricoh GR, I felt content. It does in this way feel more like a classic SLR and give you that more tactile experience.
Pentax MX-1 Controls
Those who are familiar with Pentax DSLRs will be familiar with both the button layout and menu system on the Pentax MX-1. This is because they are almost identical: and that’s a huge bonus. Both for the Pentax users who will find it instantaneous to pick up, but also non-Pentax users who I think will find the menu and button layout simple and intuitive.
The dedicated dial for exposure compensation is very nifty. After using it this short time I can see why people enjoy it so much on other camera bodies. Adjustment of the dial is easy and can even be done with your thumb. Another bonus is that you can check your settings at any given time even when the camera is off. You can even pre-set it to a position upon viewing a scene before turning the camera on. Pretty nifty.
Pentax MX-1 Image Quality
I am still very much getting used to the camera, but I know enough to say that any image quality deficiencies you see in my example photos probably have more to do my capability than the Pentax MX-1. The rear LCD doesn’t do the photos justice, however once I was able to examine the pictures back home I was pleased to find the lens and sensor perform wonderfully. Colors look natural. Bokeh is pleasing. Lens is plenty sharp wide open. The only complaint I have so far is that the lens flares really badly, and in a really unattractive way. It really does need a lens hood, which I’ve seen various solutions for. Despite that the images are really nice for a camera this size. See for yourself.
I will keep playing with the Pentax MX-1 for at least a few more weeks before deciding when to let it go, in which time I hope to find more to share about it. It is a fantastically built camera, looks great, and the image quality appears to match. In many ways it’s a show piece I would feel proud to walk about the city with taking photos and striking up conversations. But it’s also got the guts of a professional imaging workhorse in it. It’s not for everyone, but if you like what you’ve seen so far, I can’t imagine you would be disappointed in picking one up.
Until next time, happy snappin’
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