Pentax MX - Smallest 35mm SLR body?

[Steve Smith]

A work colleague gave me two bags of old camera stuff a couple of days ago. The idea is that I will keep what I want and give the rest away (look out for another thread).

I am going to keep the Pentax MX body, not because I need another 35mm system, but because of its compactness. I thought the Olympus OM series was small but I'm sure this is smaller.

Is this the most compact 35mm SLR or are there others in an even smaller size?


Steve.

[kbrede]

The Pentax ME is a little smaller. You can take a look at the whole line here:

http://www.pentaxforums.com/camerare...film-slrs.html

[Les Sarile]

The MX is a tiny bit smaller across all dimensions and also weighs a few grams less then the OM-1. It has a slightly larger magnification but more conveniently uses readily available batteries.

[lxdude]

The ME and ME Super are both slightly smaller than the MX.

[Steve Smith]

I also have an ME Super but it looked to be very slightly larger than the MX although I didn't actually measure them.


Steve.

[johndeere]

W - H - D

Pentax Me - 131 x 82.5 x49.5

Pentax ME Super - 131.5 x 83 x 49.5

Pentax MX - 135.8 x 82.5 x 49.3

Source - http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/bodies/film_M/index.html

[BMbikerider]

The MX. Absolutely superb bit of kit, but too small for my hands I'm afraid. I stuck with a KX which is the same size as the old Pentax Spotmatics until I converted over to Nikon.

[Chan Tran]

I also have an ME Super but it looked to be very slightly larger than the MX although I didn't actually measure them.


Steve.

I thought so too. I think because the MX is a bit wider so it looks not as tall and seems smaller.

[mcgrattan]

Yeah, the MX is a great small camera. I recently sold mine because, for me, the ergonomics just weren't quite right. I missed the aperture priority of the A- and P- series Pentax bodies, and the ME and ME Supers, and I found the placement of the shutter speed dial a bit awkward to use with the camera at eye level with my fingers. Generally I never understand people who claim their hands are too big for a particular camera body, but in the case of the MX shutter dial, I did sort of understand.

However, the viewfinder, features (depth of field preview, etc) and general dimensions are perfect.

Matt

[Roger Cole]

Love my MX, had no idea it was actually THIS small. But aren't the Olympus lenses smaller than the Pentax?

I think the MX handles perfectly and just feels right to me, and my hands are not particularly small.