Pentax · 35mm SLR · 1976 to the mid 1980s
Pentax launched the MX in 1976 alongside the ME, its answer to the small all-mechanical SLR Olympus started with the OM-1 in 1972. The MX is a few millimetres shorter than the OM-1 and weighs 495 g, and its cloth shutter runs 1 s to 1/1000 s and B with no battery at all. The cells only run the meter, five LEDs with green for correct exposure, orange for half a stop off and red for a stop or more. The finder is the other draw, at 0.97x with 95% coverage, and it shows the speed and aperture you've set. The MX was Pentax's professional body until the LX arrived, so there's a 5 fps Motor MX, a winder, a data back and a bulk film back. It's often picked for photography students too, ahead of the K1000.
The variants
The MX was built as the mechanical twin of the ME, which came out the same year. Pentax made a Winder MX at 2 frames per second, a Motor MX at 5, the Dial Data MX back and a bulk film back for it.
Reviews don't flag a failure the MX is known for. Expect what any mechanical SLR from the 70s needs, perished foam seals and a shutter that may want a service, and know the speed dial can feel stiff and the ASA setting awkward even on a good one.
Buying guide
We'd buy the MX titled tested with an SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7 from a US seller at $241 delivered, or pay $315 for one titled film tested with the 50mm f/1.4. There are at least 171 for sale, most from Japan dealers, and most ask $230–350 delivered, with the lens and the dealer's grade doing the pricing. The shutter is mechanical and fires without a battery, and the two 1.5 V button cells only run the five-LED meter. Ask for a back-open photo to check the cloth curtain for wrinkles or pinholes and the door foam for goo. The body titled overhauled with new light seals asks $464, about $115 over the band, and we'd skip the zero-feedback seller in Hong Kong.
![[Exc+5 w/ Strap] Pentax MX Silver SLR 35mm Film Camera Body From JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/Gy0AAeSw2jBqx6Nb/s-l500.jpg)
$199.99est. delivered
The lowest delivered MX not titled untested, a body only with strap that a Japan dealer grades Exc+5, at $200. There's no test claim, so ask for a video of 1 s and 1/1000 and the LEDs lit with fresh cells.
[Exc+5 w/ Strap] Pentax MX Silver SLR 35mm Film Camera Body From JAPAN
$240.85est. delivered
Titled tested, with an SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7, from a US seller at $241 delivered, near the bottom of the band. Most Japan kits at this price carry only a dealer grade.
VTG Pentax MX 35mm SLR Film Camera SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7 Lens Bundle Tested
![[Film Tested] PENTAX Mx Black Body + smc PENTAX-M 50mm f/1.4 Lens](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/1HoAAeSw9Kxqwthk/s-l500.jpg)
$314.81est. delivered
Titled film tested, a black body with an SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4, from a US seller at $315, inside the band. Short of a service, film tested is the strongest claim on the page.
[Film Tested] PENTAX Mx Black Body + smc PENTAX-M 50mm f/1.4 Lens
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$199.99est. delivered
$159.99 + $40.00 shipping
Buy It Now$159.99
Good buy
Body only with strap, dealer grade Exc+5. No test claim.
Seller: drea7370
100% positive
Used$240.85est. delivered
$225.00 + $15.85 shipping
Buy It Now$225.00
Good buy
Titled tested, with an SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7. Ships from the US.
Seller: aneye4treasure208
99.9% positive
Used$314.81est. delivered
$299.00 + $15.81 shipping
Buy It Now$299.00
Good buy
Titled film tested. Black body with an SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4, US seller.
Seller: nuvoscope
100% positive
Used$199.00delivered
$199.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$199.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled untested, with an SMC 50mm f/1.4. Free shipping from the US.
Seller: get_onthegrid
100% positive
![All Works [Exc+5] Pentax MX Silver SLR 35mm Film Camera Body K Mount From JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/GBoAAeSw2jBqvjVQ/s-l500.jpg)
Used$219.99delivered
$219.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$219.99
Our take
Titled All Works, dealer grade Exc+5. Body only, free shipping from Japan.
Seller: whitrade_j
100% positive
![[OVERHAULED] Pentax MX Silver 35mm SLR Film Camera Body New Light Seals](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/ypsAAeSwlxpqxAUJ/s-l500.jpg)
Serviced$463.54delivered
$463.54 · free shipping
Buy It Now$463.54
Our take
Titled overhauled with new light seals. Body only, no test claim.
Seller: imotake-japan-selections
100% positive
Used$538.99delivered
$538.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$538.99
Our take
Titled fully tested working. The top ask here at $539.
Seller: nico_japan
99.3% positive
![[EXC] Pentax MX 35mm film camera with 50mm f1.7 SMC lens - Tested Works](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/t8EAAeSwxdVopG2t/s-l500.jpg)
Used$196.68est. delivered
$166.68 + $30.00 shipping
Buy It Now$166.68
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Zero-feedback seller in Hong Kong. Titled tested, with a 50mm f/1.7.
Seller: tszwo72
No feedback yet
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