Pentax MV 1

I recently bought a MV 1 from a charity shop in Devon. Does anyone have experience of this camera and its performance? Setting the exposure seems easy with 'light codes' but how accurate is it? Hope to hear from MV 1 people.

I've got two of these (one black, the other the much rarer chrome), but have yet to try putting a film through either.

I initially thought mine had a problem as the LEDs produced a "smeared" effect rather than a solid dot of light (as per the ME Super), however as both do this I can only assume that it's either original or a very common problem!

Keep an eye out for the AF200S flash and the motor wind unit, both will fit an MV1 and aren't too expensive for good used examples. In the case of the flash, that one will interface with the Auto mode on the camera and illuminate a red x in the viewfinder when the flash is charged. You will still need to set the flash mode manually along with the aperture but the camera will automatically select the right shutter speed.

The first SLR I used was an MV (as far as I know there's no actual difference between the MV and MV1).

It's pretty basic with Av only, but the metering was always pretty good on the one I used.

IIRC the lights are always smeared on MV's, as it's more about the colour of the light than it's position. They only have red for "too bright", green for "go for it" and amber for "caution, shutter under 1/30th" as I remember.

There are a few differences - as I understand it the MV is lighter, the MV1 was deliberately made heavier so that the action of the mirror wouldn't cause camera shake!

IIRC the MV doesn't have a self timer and can't use the motor wind unit?

acording to Bojidar's K mount page, you are exactly right. The MV1 is 5 grams heavier, has a self timer and can use the ME series motor drives.

Oh and the MV1 came in Silver, although not very often!

I have both these cameras (both black). I find it rather limiting that there is no indication of shutter speed beyond the red/yellow/green thing. The only way I can see of doing it is slowly shutting the aperture down until the green goes to yellow which would be the change from 1/60th to 1/30th and then working it out from there. These models seem to be essentially "SLR point and shoot" cameras. Interesting stuff though. I now have one of each of the M-series cameras, although not all the variants.

K.

The MV seems to be a little harder to find in good condition, according to various sites it wasn't a big seller so naturally there will be fewer about. They're probably lucky in that due to having black parts they can't be used to replace missing bits on more desirable M series bodies. Well, apart from the black versions, but those are pretty rare too!

I fully intend to track down a good MV, as these cheaper models seem less sought after at the moment and are surely at greater risk of being thrown away as a result - people just won't bother listing them on ebay after seeing the sums they fetch, or after they've been through two auctions without a bid.

I got an ME, MV and MV1 all for paltry sums recently. The MG probably was a paltry sum too but it had a 50mm f/1.2 lens attached to it so it was hard to tell. I was probably the only person bidding who wanted the camera as well as the lens!

K.

I have 2 MVs and a pair of MV-1s, I've used them all and find that womble's statement about 'point and shoot' is about right.

You just have to remember that the higher the aperture, the slower the speed. So f2 in bright light = 1/1000 second, where as f5.6 = 1/500 second (approx)

It's not rocket science using the MVs, just try for a pleasing DOF and forget the shutter speed.

Manuals here by the way

In general it seems that you should expect to pay under £30 for any M series apart from the MX. The two MV1s I have cost £5 and £7 respectively (in need of a good clean, and some replacement parts around the winder lever in one case), the MG was £16 but included a presentable "ever ready" case. The ME Super was £28 with original strap, generic flashgun and 50mm f1.7 lens, it's pretty much perfect although I need to replace the mirror bumper foam.

Sue's first DSLR was an MV with the SMC Pentax-M 40mm f2.8 and it takes images as good as any other SLR body. In fact, we still have it but it's worth more as a momento than getting a paltry £10 for it, less fees, on eBay!

With respect dangermouse, MOST M series can be got for less than £30.

The ME Super is an exception. Dead ones still fetch stupid money IMO, and a worker with 50mm lens anything up to £80!

Still, without ebay where would we get such bargains?

My camera collection is on line here, if your interested in my thoughts on using any of the M series bodies.

Evidently I did the right thing in pouncing on my ME Super then - perfect working order, 50mm f1.7 attached, excellent to mint condition and cost under £30 before adding postage!

I have just bought a cosmetically tidy MV described as "shutter only firing on one speed". This will most likely be corroded battery terminals or batteries inserted upside down, as it looks far too clean to have suffered damage to the electronics from being dropped.

Note for original poster - most M series cameras default to their flash sync speed (with no viewfinder LEDs) if the batteries are dead or wrongly inserted. Check that first if yours mysteriously ceases to function. The MX is an exception as the batteries only power the light meter.

The 40mm lens would get rather more than £10 - the assertion on various sites that they aren't rare doesn't seem to have dampened the market for them. I dropped out of the bidding on one at £60 a few days ago!

I am really pleased to see the MV 1 attracting so much interest from the messages posted. It would be nice to see a few shots members have taken with this camera in the gallery section using the 40mm and other lens.

It would indeed - I should have made it clearer I was talking about the MV body getting £10.00 - but the 40mm has been known to exceed £100 sometimes.

It's not rare, but it is excellent and mint ones are relatively rare.