The MX was solidly built, and featured a fully mechanical construction, including a mechanical shutter of the horizontal cloth type. Only the light metering system was dependent on batteries. The MX is all manual: it does not feature autofocus or autoexposure modes such as aperture-priority, shutter-speed priority, or full program.

A number of accessories were produces, among those: Focusing Screens

• SC1: ground glass, split image device, microprism ring (standard)
• SA1: ground glass, microprism patch
• SA3: ground glass, microprism patch, for wide aperture lenses
• SB1: ground glass, split image device
• SD1: ground glass, cross collimator
• SD11: aerial image, cross collimator
• SE: ground glass
• SG: ground glass, grid
• SI: ground glass, axis,

Data backs, Dial Data MX and a bulk film back. Motorized winder Winder MX (2 frame/s) or a Motor MX (5 frame/s)motor drive.

Like all post-42 mm screwmount Pentax cameras, the MX accepts all K-mount lenses (with the exception of the newer FA-J and DA lenses without aperture rings).

Due to its complete lack of automatic functions, but excellent array of manual controls, the MX is often selected as a camera for photography students to practice their technique. The depth-of-field preview function renders the MX superior in this one respect to the earlier and cheaper K1000.

References

• Bojidar Dimitrov's Pentax MX Reference Page
• Pentax MX Manual
• Pentax MX and FA 43mm f/1.9 lens at N. Maekawa's Manual Camera website (the main page is in Japanese)

See also

• List of Pentax products

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