The MX is a fully mechanical SLR that was produced from 1976-1984. Noted for being considerably smaller than its predecessors and offering only manual controls, it was Pentax's "professional" offering released alongside the electronic and fully automatic ME.

For me, this camera does a lot right - it feels solid yet compact, it's fully mechanical, includes a self-timer/DOF preview, plus offered an array of interchangeable focus screens and specialty backs. And the little aperture window in the viewfinder makes me wonder why more cameras didn't include this optically fun and very handy feature.

Not without its drawbacks - the lack of exposure compensation and notoriously stiff shutter speed dial can be annoying to some.

By 1984 when production of the MX ended, Pentax was already in production of their next top-level SLR which included nearly every pro feature you could dream of. Alphabetically backwards, they called it the LX.

I have a special love for the MX as it was the first film camera I ever bought. I'd just moved to the Netherlands and while exploring, found a small antique shop next door to my neighborhood Aldi. I perused the store and on my way out, saw this on a table by the door.

I really didn't think much about the purchase. I didn't know the brand and I certainly didn't know if this camera would fit my freshman skill level. But it took pictures and I'd figure out the rest. So I sacrificed some grocery budget, gave that sweet Dutch oma my €20 and I immediately shot my first roll completely unaware of how much of an impact that little transaction would have in my life.

The MX doesn't come with any training wheels. Which is probably what makes it such a great starter camera. With no option to lean on anything auto, you're forced to think about the settings for each frame. It's like driving a manual transmission with no power steering.