Pantax MX loud shutter?

[LambentTyto]

The shutter on this thing sounds really loud, particularly when the mirror comes back down. It slams and there's vibration and a subtle spring noise. When I put the camera on bulb and press and hold the shutter, the mirror opens with a soft click, but when I let down, as I've already stated, it slams down. It sounds like it's going to break, but since I've never owned a Pantax before and am new to film in general, I'm uncertain as to whether or not something is wrong.

 

[removedacct3]

Hmmm .... it is hard to judge from what you are describing, but my MX has the best shutter sound of all my camera's. Loud, but smooth and delicate. And most definitely not what you are describing.

 

[EarlJam]

I'd take a look (or have a look taken) at the mirror bumpers. They break down over time and can cause the condition you describe.

 

[joelbolden]

Mine was doing that; then light leaks appeared caused by the shutter bumper coming apart. Sent it to Eric Henrickson for a complete overhaul/CLA and it sounds(and works) much better. Yesterday, I received the MX motor winder for it...now I'm one happy puppy .

 

[LambentTyto]

Are the mirror bumpers visible while taking a look inside? I do see two knobs sticking out on either side, and I'm assuming those are what it's slamming against.

 

[LambentTyto]

I'd take a look (or have a look taken) at the mirror bumpers. They break down over time and can cause the condition you describe.

Is this not what's in the picture?

 

[EarlJam]

Is this not what's in the picture?

I think so. I've had my MX for 40 years and just had it serviced last month, including replacement of the mirror bumpers, and it's significantly quieter. I don't know, exactly, what goes wrong with the bumpers over time; it could be that they harden and no longer cushion the mirror at the end of it's swing.

In the US, Eric Hendrickson is the Pentax guru (similar to Sover Wong with Nikon F2 service). https://www.pentaxs.com/process.html

 

[LambentTyto]

I think so. I've had my MX for 40 years and just had it serviced last month, including replacement of the mirror bumpers, and it's significantly quieter. I don't know, exactly, what goes wrong with the bumpers over time; it could be that they harden and no longer cushion the mirror at the end of it's swing.

In the US, Eric Hendrickson is the Pentax guru (similar to Sover Wong with Nikon F2 service). https://www.pentaxs.com/process.html

How much did you pay to get yours serviced and fixed? Just by looking in here I can see that the light seals probably aren't up to par. They seem kind of tattered. I appreciate the link, by the way. I'll probably end up using him. Although I'm in Italy. That's a long ways for shipping.

 

[EarlJam]

Eric was quite reasonable, $88.00 for the service including light seals and bumpers, plus $14.00 for return shipping via USPS. He quotes 3 to 4 weeks turnaround, but my camera was back in 2 weeks.

 

[John Koehrer]

Is there a mirror "bumper" in the mirror cage? I'm aware some cameras may use one but usually have a flat area to mount one too.
The "bumper" that most folks refer to is the light seal around the focusing screen.

 

[EarlJam]

Is there a mirror "bumper" in the mirror cage? I'm aware some cameras may use one but usually have a flat area to mount one too.
The "bumper" that most folks refer to is the light seal around the focusing screen.

Not sure. The "clack" appears to occur upon mirror return. at least as I remember it. I've never had a reason to remove the focusing screen in the MX and haven't ever looked to see where the seal is placed.

Edit: I believe the foam seal around the focusing screen is related to the mirror sticking issue that's also common with older Pentaxes. Fortunately, I've never encountered that one.

 

[John Koehrer]

Not sure. The "clack" appears to occur upon mirror return. at least as I remember it. I've never had a reason to remove the focusing screen in the MX and haven't ever looked to see where the seal is placed.

Edit: I believe the foam seal around the focusing screen is related to the mirror sticking issue that's also common with older Pentaxes. Fortunately, I've never encountered that one.

You're right, mirror sticking up is caused by sticky foam.
FWIW I just looked at several cameras gathering dust around here and the only one that had
something that seems to be designed to absorb shock and that was a Nikon EL which has a pretty odd setup with a spring & lever system.
The other Nikons had a metal post similar to yours as did the Pentaxes and Canons.

Looking at a mirror box I have out of a camera, The pins sticking out of the sides don't have any foam and when the mirror is
lifted and returned it DOES rest against them but there is tension on the linkage to hold the mirror against the pins.

 

[CMoore]

Those are great cameras. There MUST be somebody closer to you, than the usa, that works on 35mm cameras.?
It would be well worth a few hundred dollars to have a tech give it a thorough going over.....IMHO
Good Luck

 

[KN4SMF]

Pentaxes always did have a glassy sounding clack about them. Just use it.

 

[LambentTyto]

Well, I can't seem to upload a video here, so I put one on reddit. Here's the shutter in action if you want to see: https://www.reddit.com/r/Cameras/comments/bczlrh/new_pantax_mx_with_a_beast_of_a_shutter/

Notice how when the mirror goes in the upright position on bulb mode, it's mutch quieter, but is much louder on release.

 

[KN4SMF]

Doesn't seem to play in either Firefox or Chrome. But then I've never been on Reddit. Maybe you have to sign up to watch videos there. Don't really need to watch it though. I know all about that Pentax clack. I'm sure it sounds terrible. Some of them are worse than others. A glass-on-steel clack. Nothing to be alarmed about. Being a Pentax, I'd be more dismayed the the viewfinder shows an off-center view of the actual film area, than its noisy clack. If you like the camera, just use it. I wouldn't throw a dime into it.

 

[LambentTyto]

Doesn't seem to play in either Firefox or Chrome. But then I've never been on Reddit. Maybe you have to sign up to watch videos there. Don't really need to watch it though. I know all about that Pentax clack. I'm sure it sounds terrible. Some of them are worse than others. A glass-on-steel clack. Nothing to be alarmed about. Being a Pentax, I'd be more dismayed the the viewfinder shows an off-center view of the actual film area, than its noisy clack. If you like the camera, just use it. I wouldn't throw a dime into it.

I guess the video hadn't finished processing yet. You can probably view it now. So you think it actually works, then? All right. It needs some light seals, so I'm going to put some in and try a roll and see what happens. Fingers crossed though. I like the camera, but the shutter sound is enough to make me wince.

 

[lxdude]

The MX shutter itself is quiet, especially on opening. It's nearly the same on closing. The mirror going up is pretty quiet. Almost all the noise is from the mirror dropping down at the end of the cycle. What you are hearing is probably normal, but it's a good thing to have your camera serviced anyway, to ensure that you will have no problems.

 

[trendland]

Pentaxes always did have a glassy sounding clack about them. Just use it.

Exactly - the soundtrack of a MX is telling : " Here I am !" as mentioned the ",bumpers" can be replaced because the material is from special plastic! It isn't soo expensive!
But I wouln'd care so much because after more than 40years in use it is quite normal!
If beside the sound the function is OK = everything is normal.

with regards

PS : I don't want to know what a todays digital camera at 2000,- bucks is doing in 40 yesrs -2049?
That sound should be really quiet!

 

[trendland]

in 40 y e a r s = 2059.... long before that your 2000,- bucks is transformed into electronic scrap

with regards