The Smallest SLR Ever | What Makes its Design Brilliant

Pentax MX Design Appreication.
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[@FredWilbury]

I bought my silver MX ew in 1976 £150 still got it still going strong superb 👌😎☕️

[@diegodiaz380]

That thing is magnificent, a beautiful object, zero frills, and so tiny.

[@GTP2-zg9tn]

This was also a PRO-GRADE camera. Pentax produced a Winder and Motor Drive. You could also purchase a Bulk Film 250 Back for it too.

[@hoilst265]

Pentax doesn't get enough credit for its design - for one, they set out the template for the modern DSLR. By the way, that multiple film slot on the take-up spool is called the "Pentax Magic Needle" system, which is a glorious name. And, dammit, do I miss it in other cameras. Hell, look at the K-1 DSLR: putting LEDs to illuminate the camera buttons and hatches is the sort of thing you didn't know you need then you wonder why the hell no one else thought of it. Then you've got things like the Green Button. Oh, and Pentax made light meters - really, really good light meters. Because of this, they didn't cheap out on the circuitry in their cameras. Most cameras of day the relied on the flat discharge curve of those 1.35V mercury cells which are illegal in most places nowadays. Pentax, because they had a rep for accurate meters to maintain, put voltage regulating circuitry in their cameras, and used the bog-standard, less smooth A76/LR44 batteries you can still get as alkalines today.

[@noahvonhatten]

Magic Needle System, I love that. The light meter circuitry on the Pentax’s that I’ve owned have been the most robust I’ve ever encountered. Also, I remember seeing the light up buttons for the first time and loving the idea. It’s so obvious, yet such a good idea.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

I just came full circle back to the Pentax K1 because of the Pentax K3 Mark III Monochrome. I have to say it's amazing how little progress has been made since the K1 was released in 2016. Peak camera was 10 years ago. If anything, the K1 II is much more enjoyable to shoot with than all the modern whiz bang stuff that's 3 times as expensive. And with the same (or better) image quality. All the mirrorless cameras are convenient, but annoying in their own way.

[@hoilst265]

@@noahvonhatten Such a quaintly Japanese name, no? Normally I jam the film leader under three or four columns and out the other side - it's so much easier than on other cameras where you open the back, realise the take-up slot isn't in the right position, and you then have to fiddle with a combination of half-crank the wind-on lever, maybe pull out an extra inch of film... The metering is a great example of Pentax over-designing/engineering things. Even the old Spotmatics, which used mercury cells anyway, still had the voltage-smoothing circuitry (a modified Wheatstone Bridge, if you wanna get technical) to even out the voltage the meters relied on. Pentax absolutely did not have to do this, absolutely no one back in the 1970s would have faulted them for it if they didn't - the vast majority of cameras, even pro cameras like the Olympus OM-1 system. Getting accurate metering from an OM-1 these days is a trial, requiring weird Wein cells, arcane adapters, or curious exposure compensation - in a Spotmatic, whatever 1.5-ish volt button cell that hits the contacts will work perfectly (jam some foil in there if you must). The Pentax will abide. I know, I know, I'm rabbiting on, but it's a classic case of Pentax over-doing it because they care. And that traffic light system is clean, intuitive - and fast. Match-needle metering is so slow. One thing I'd like to point out that you didn't mention is that the f-stop indicator window in the viewfinder was done so that it just reads the f-numbers that are already on the lenses - unlike Nikon's, which need a second sent of numbers on their aperture rings. Simple and elegant. Then you've got SMC coating, arguably the best lens coating of the 20th Century...up their with Zeiss's T*...because that's who they co-developed it with. Look, Pentax was, and still is, beautifully crazy in the best way. They're making a brand-new compact 35mm film camera from scratch right now. Why? Simply because they don't want their young engineers missing out on learning how. They made medium-format camera that probably filled more magazine pages than anyone else in the latter half of last century. They made a 110 SLR system. They made the most perfect SLR lenses in the weirdest focal lengths because they wanted to make the image rendering look perfect and worry about the focal length after (the 31mm, 43mm, and 77mm Limiteds) - from actual metal. They looked at medium format and went "Is there any reason these things to be studio-only cameras that you can't take out on a three-day hike?" And yet...their flash system and AF is still terrible by modern standards. Crazy. But beautiful.

[@urwholefamilydied]

I mean... they ripped off the Olympus OM-1 with this one. The Olympus was the first camera that became truly tiny for an SLR. Then the Pentax couldn't even release a proper aperture priority camera in this form factor. Olympus could. Olympus had by far the better metering system. Sharper glass all around. Smaller lenses. Faster lenses. But ya, this camera is cool.

[@Whywas6scared]

I'm a great admirer of Pentax cameras, and Asahi were very innovative back in the day, but I'm curious to know why you regard them as setting the template for the modern DSLR. They were actually late to the party with their ist digital model in 2003 which, as far as I can tell, wasn't exactly ground breaking.

[@jimpoop]

I have an LX and love it... now I really want a simple, beautiful, MX....... and a second LX as a back up to the first

[@WRCzATL]

I went out to buy a KX not too long ago, but I brought home a second MX instead. Smaller, lighter, it does everything I need it to do, and I love the LED readout. The only thing I'd change is to make the shutter dial turn easier. Nothing's perfect I guess, but the MX is pretty close.

[@noahvonhatten]

The shutter dial is a bit stiff.

[@southendsites]

Black one is probably the best. I had the silver one. the traffic light exposure indication is indeed great. Now collectible and expensive but not obsolete. My brother still has his black one.

[@aamiddel8646]

I got this camera way back after my Asahi Spotmatic was stolen... Nice memories. (BTW I bought the Spotmatic in 1967.)

[@campyonlyguy]

I have one that I bought at a yard sale. Works perfectly, and when I sold a lens that came with it my effective cost for the MX was $0. I took it on a trip to France this year and shot a bunch of film with it. So fun to use--the metering system is great (dare I say better than my Leica M6, which has only two arrows and less information in the viewfinder?)

[@paulhyde1834]

I've got 5 of these.... my favourites!!

[@luckyluckyluchs9216]

Out of all the 30 or so cameras i have the mx is by far my favorite one and ive gotten my best results out of it too!

[@johnami]

Yes the MX...I still have mine even if I haven't put a film in it for years. If only Pentax could produce a simple modern day version just to take photos.......

[@hoilst265]

Mmm. Yes. If only...

[@tuisitala9068]

Correction. The MX was released with the ME. The ME Super was later in 1980. I remember. I bought one. It was made of polycarbonate and eventually I realised my mistake and bought the all metal MX, then the ME both of which I still have and function perfectly.

[@robotBabylon]

Bought one in a pawn shop for maybe $100 20 years ago. Best camera I ever owned. All I've ever wanted since is a digital version.

[@arricammarques1955]

Pentax MX-1 Digital

[@robotBabylon]

@@arricammarques1955 Not really. No hotshot, no viewfinder, no second dial, etc.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

The MX is also one of the few SLR's that is not of modular construction. The shutter is actually a part of the chassis of the camera and built into it, not a "drop in" shutter unit. The MX dissipates vibration better than most, the images are inherently sharper. It's an affordable SLR Leica M.

[@andrewcomerford9411]

The MX was released with the ME (aperture priority only), not the ME Super (added manual). (The ME Super replaced the ME, then Pentax resurrected the ME as the MG.)

[@thecaveofthedead]

My most important camera for 30 years. And I love it like no other. But there are two small flaws: lack of mirror lockup - which is only a big deal to some - and the fact that it's really awkward to change shutter speeds with the camera to your eye. You pretty much have to learn to pinch the shutter speed dial with thumb and forefinger.

[@keithterry2169]

Horizontal fabric shutter. The ME Super and Super A etc. had metal vertical shutters. All the Pentax M series cameras are excellent.

[@Wasp9513]

In black they are gourgeous

[@Whywas6scared]

For such a small model, I find it remarkably comfortable to hold, mainly due to the self timer/DOF lever being positioned higher up, leaving plenty of uncluttered space to grip. Unfortunately though, the ridiculously stiff shutter speed dial makes it almost unusable. A bizarre oversight on an otherwise very well designed model.

[@noahvonhatten]

It is unusually stiff, isn’t it. At first I thought it was just mine, but speaking with other photographers who have one, it seems to be a part of the design.

[@heartyfisher]

I wanted one ..so much.. but I went with the incredible Olympus OM-10, the Off the film metering allowed for incredible weird async flash or other light painting type fun !! that still cant be done !!

[@hoilst265]

The Pentax LX has similar OTF metering. They also came in croc skin and gold...

[@koby1960]

That locking of the shutter for long exposure was available on the Spotmatic F, btw.

[@apistosig4173]

I possess K1000 / ME SE with 45 degree focusing screen which I adore / ME Super - but - my MX is my favourite Pentax, simply wondeful.

[@zouteharing007]

still drooling. but i have already the ME, also small, but semi automatic. my style of point and shoot slr camera

[@musicenjoyer4203]

It's not smaller than the Olympus Pen F! I know you're probably not counting half frame 35mm stuff but people often overlook that wonderful camera.

[@noahvonhatten]

I considered the Pen F, I’ve owned one, and loved it. But you’re right, I was only counting full 36x24 mm SLRs.

[@kawarps]

When you release a video to KZbin, please try to get your facts correct. The Pentax MX is one of the smallest manual 35mm Single lens reflexes made as owners of the Olympus OM-1n would attest to. The Pentax MX was released with the ME. A aperture priority only camera. The ME super did not arrive until 1980! Finally, the fascinating feature you describe is mirror lock, available on many of contemporaries.

[@idkanymore3382]

youtubers are mindless

[@jeanmibxl]

If I remember well (but I am pretty sure), the Olympus OM-1 was the smallest of all..!

[@noahvonhatten]

It was, until the MX came out. It was essentially designed to compete with the OM-1, and is ever so slightly smaller.

[@WayneKnight_Rider]

just reminded me how much i want one. to ebay!

[@Richard_Ashton]

I had the ME Super and Super A.

[@danienelphoto]

Great. Now I want one.

[@METT-TC]

Youd love the olympus OM-1/2. Similar genius design and near perfect ergonomics.

[@noahvonhatten]

When I was deciding to get the MX I was seriously also considering the OM-1. it way a close call between the two. I picked the MX to replace the Pentax I sold when I way in college, but the OM-1 is still high on my list of cameras I’d like to try.

[@stusrambles]

Olympus did an even better job in this small factor

[@pervertt]

Too minimal. Even the hot shoe on the OM-1 appeared almost as an afterthought. But I like Maitani's work all the same.

[@trotomas]

I have small hands and I still find a bit uncomfortable to use the mx, i fixed the problem with a shutter release button

[@Pier.Frances]

Did Wes Anderson co-direct this? 😄

[@olio_benzina]

The all mechanical Konica TC-X is smaller and lighter.

[@MrShotlighter]

The camera I used to lust after, but never owned.😒

[@raidriar01]

You know what tiny SLR's design isnt brilliant? The Nikon FG. If you need to fix one you have to buy 8 more to do so lol

[@pabloapostar7275]

Pentax K1000.

[@noahvonhatten]

I had a K1000 to, it was my first SLR. Loved it ever so much!

[@pabloapostar7275]

@@noahvonhattenMy first as well. Gift from my dad.

[@robin9339]

Is not. The smallest should be Pentax 110 😅

[@user-ie9ho3bf7e]

110 is a compact camera promising SLR-like performance ...as per google xD

[@Francois15031967]

@@user-ie9ho3bf7e as per sheer logic, where TF do you look through when you're shooting if it's not a reflex?

[@user-ie9ho3bf7e]

@@Francois15031967 had no idea that's what makes a SLR, a SLR

[@robin9339]

Is a legit working SLR. Just it use smaller film format. That why it can be a lot smaller.

[@thenexthobby]

Less than 15 seconds in, he clearly says "35mm SLR," not "SLR."

[@tundrusphoto4312]

By the way, what is with the nasty pop-ups on your website? Advertising porn now?

[@noahvonhatten]

Oh my gosh, thank you for letting me know. I’m going have to look into the right now. It’s not supposed to do that.

[@noahvonhatten]

Thank you again for bringing this issue to my attention. My website was compromised, and I had no choice but to take it down. It now no longer displays that content. I very grateful to you for mentioning this.

[@Francois15031967]

The smallest 35mm one en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentax_Auto_110

[@noahvonhatten]

This isn’t 35mm, it’s auto 110.

[@urwholefamilydied]

ehhhhh... only slightly smaller than the Olympus (which is the camera they ripped off). Released years after the Olympus. Then weren't able to even release a proper aperture priority model... they released the ME Super which didn't have a shutter speed dial. Just get the OG (original gangsta) version kids... The Olympus OM-1 or the OM-2n for aperture priority. Some say the Zuiko lenses on the Olympus are better/sharper as well. (Hey, nothing wrong with Pentax... that was my first proper film SLR)

[@bwellington3001]

I have an MX but i also had a dream of having OM-1 and guess what? I literally just STUMBLED upon OM-1 body that was used in a hospital for endoscopy, the body is in pristine condition. The guy had no idea what he was selling.. he thought it was a macro lens of sorts, i even explained to him what it is. He told me a story how he got this - it was literally lying in hospital storage for years because they already moved on to modern equipment and a doctor of endoscopist who worked there just kinda asked if he could take it and they gave it to him, he didnt know what to do with it so he asked son to sell it. I think i might have saved this item from scavenger buyers tbh.. i will replace the focusing screen and put a lens on it and have this baby serviced and will never get rid of it.

[@urwholefamilydied]

@@bwellington3001 wow, that's awesome! What a great find. It's certainly not the best manual focus SLR of all time... but it was pretty revolutionary when it came out. And for that I think it gets a nod of the hat and a place in any vintage camera shooters collection. It's certainly ONE of the best manual focus SLR's ever produced... possibly even a top 3. (especially the OM-2n)