P30N and MX

My son has been doing an AS level photography course using my old Pentax MX. The exposure metering has now given up the ghost so we have acquired a second hand P30N, which means we can use the lenses we have. Unfortunately this seems to rely on DX coded film (camera didn't come with a manual). Does anyone produce DX coded black and white film? Does anybody know where one might look for second hand MXs or equivalent (i.e. manual control of focus, shutter, aperture and not DX dependent)? Thanks

Geoff,

If your MX is fine otherwise, it is probably worthwhile getting it repaired, tuned and the seals replaced. These old tanks might last forever with a little TLC.

Tell us where you live and we'll see about where to inquire about service.

A good place to start looking for a replacement MX or ME might be eBay?

I'm no expert on DX - but others here will help you.

Good luck to you and your son!

Hi,
If you need a copy of the manual for the P30N, you can download from my website at www.pentax-manuals.com. If you use a non DX coded film, the camera selects 100ASA as default.

As to another replacement, as Mac says a repair is one option. A full service on an MX runs to about £40-50 depending on who does it. If you want a replacement, eBay is one option but it can be a bit of a lottery as to the condition of the camera you get. Ffordes generally have a good selection of manual bodies. Other reliable sources are Jessops (they will send camera to local branch for inspection), MXV, Mifsud and LCE.

The MX's tend to be rather highly priced. The KX used to be a bargain but the prices have crept up. The KM's are good but the K1000 again tend to be overpriced. Other alternatives would be the ME Super and the Super A. These do have Auto modes but can just as easily be used in full manual. The Super A tend to be very good value for money.

Regards
Kim

Thanks for help. Live SW London / Surrey border.

Didn't realise Jessops did second hand stuff, will have a look around. Main concern was getting something that son could do holiday homework with. Hope he can remember to adjust exposure / shutter speed when using 400ASA film.

Try Jessop's website. Go to their second hand section and search for Pentax MF bodies. Make a list of interesting ones, phone the relevent branch and check on price/condition. If you think it is OK, ask them to send to the local brabnch for inspection. Can take about a week to 10 days, much depends on the branch.

Kim

I'm pretty sure most of the B&W film I used from Ilford and Kodak was DX coded.

The best place to find second hand MX's is probably ebay as there are usually a few for sale there.

I've actually got a very good condition MX for sale at the moment. (on ebay... I'm not sure whether I'm supposed to promote it) It had a full service not long ago (about may) from Michael at Camera repairer, and unfortunately I haven't used it much since.

I'm selling it with a 50mm F1.4, but if you want it, I could cancel the ebay, and sell you just the body. PM me if you're interested.

I'm currently the high bidder on your MX and 50mm 1.4. I'm more interested in the lens that the MX itself though, so if Geoff wanted the camera body I'm sure we could sort something out.

Guys, thanks for all the help, nice to find a forum where everybody tries to help.

Have PMed people about the MX on offer and also discovered that the films my son has been supplied with are DX coded so immediate emergency is over.

Now hoping to get a quote from the Pentax expert in Harrow for looking at my MX. Looks like he's the guy in the UK but if anybody knows of anyone else ...

Thanks again.

Hi Geoff,
I have used both Robin in Harrow and Michael Spencer in Clay Cross. http://www.btinternet.com/~camerarepairer/ Both are very good. Michael is perhaps the slightly cheaper but he doesn't have quite the spares backup that Robin has. Either will do a very competent repair.

Regards
Kim

I don't think you can buy film that isn't DX coded.

You could get a handheld meter and keep on with the MX-my "other" camera has no meter.

For what this is worth, you can buy DX coding lables if necessary for film (and I guess this is useful if you needed to override a film speed etc). Jessops seem to sell some - type 'dx coding labels' in the search window
Andy