Pentax MX vs MV-1

[Sharon Hartshorn]

Could somebody please give me their comparison of these two models? I have
an MV-1, and am looking at an MX that somebody is selling because I can't
control shutter speed on my MV-1. I would appreciate very much if somebody
could tell me their opinion of the MX. Also - is bayonet mount and K mount
the same?

Thank you,

Sharon

[Anthony Galt]

The MV-1 was a fairly primitive member of the Pentax M series, which didn't
allow much control over exposure. The MX is a classic completely manual SLR,
with a good meter, which has useful readouts on the focusing screen. It would be
an excellent learning tool, if that is what you are looking for. It, of course,
takes the same lenses as the MV. The other member of the group was the ME (in
several models) which was an aperture priority (you set the aperture, the camera
sets the shutter) SLR, like the MV, but the shutter speed shows up in the
viewfinder. The MX is a great little camera for travel because of its size and
weight, and I'd buy it if it is in good condition and a fully manual camera is
what you want. It uses K mount lenses and these are common on the used market.
It will even use modern autofocus Pentax lenses because Pentax, like Nikon,
hasn't made its lens mount obsolete. (I found a discontinued 35-80 mm autofocus
zoom for $95, which I use on my MX as a city camera, instead of my Nikons,
because it isn't worth a great deal of money.). K mount is a bayonet lens
mount, which is a generic category opposed to screw mount, or breachlock mount,
neither of which are made anymore, to my knowledge.

Tony Galt

[mpphoto]

ga...@gbms01.uwgb.edu (Anthony Galt) wrote:

>The MV-1 was a fairly primitive member of the Pentax M series, which didn't
>allow much control over exposure. The MX is a classic completely manual SLR,
>with a good meter, which has useful readouts on the focusing screen. It would be
>an excellent learning tool, if that is what you are looking for. It, of course,
>takes the same lenses as the MV. The other member of the group was the ME (in
>several models) which was an aperture priority (you set the aperture, the camera
>sets the shutter) SLR, like the MV, but the shutter speed shows up in the
>viewfinder. The MX is a great little camera for travel because of its size and
>weight, and I'd buy it if it is in good condition and a fully manual camera is
>what you want. It uses K mount lenses and these are common on the used market.
>It will even use modern autofocus Pentax lenses because Pentax, like Nikon,
>hasn't made its lens mount obsolete. (I found a discontinued 35-80 mm autofocus
>zoom for $95, which I use on my MX as a city camera, instead of my Nikons,
>because it isn't worth a great deal of money.). K mount is a bayonet lens
>mount, which is a generic category opposed to screw mount, or breachlock mount,
>neither of which are made anymore, to my knowledge.

>Tony Galt
A minor correction...the ME Super does allow full manual mode
operation as well as aperture priority automatic. It's quality and
design are on a par with the MX, although most of the accesories
(winders, screens, etc) are not cross compatibale. An ME Super would
be a viable option for someone moving away from a MV-1. Also check
out the next generation Super Program or Program Plus models,
avoiding the all-automatic A-3000.

mpphoto