What's the difference between Pentax MX and Olympus OM-1?

Markster · Jan 19, 2011

Is the M and L line of Pentax considers a "spotmatic"? I see a Spotmatic group created here on apug... was wondering if it was lumped into that, or a different breed altogether.

darinwc · Jan 19, 2011

A couple of corrections:
1. I had mistakenly replied that the MX uses a vertical metal shutter. That is incorrect, it uses a horizontal cloth shutter.
(the ME and ME super use vertival metal shutters)

2. another post mentions the metering of the MX:
"But it is interesting having the pentax's light metering off the film, being able to automatically run many minutes' worth of shutter speed (i.e. night skies, moon, nighttime scenery, etc) and the all-mechanical nature is intriguing."
That is incorrect. The MX meters from the screen. (the Pentax LX meters off the film, as does the Olympus OM1)

Something else to note is that the OM1 has a removable flash shoe. It looks pretty slick without the shoe, but the shoe is breakable or may not come with a camera. Any shoe will work with a manual or non-dedicated flash but to use the Olumpus dedicated flashes you need the proper shoe.

So to summarize, those cameras are very similar in spec. The only major difference is mirror lockup on the OM1.
But in handling, while they look similar and are about the same size, the controls are laid out very differently.

As a system, they both have excellent lenses available and many accessories. In both systems prime lenses beside the basic 28-50-135 are hard to find and are no bargain. But with pentax there are many other branded lenses available, and a M42 adapter as well.

darinwc · Jan 19, 2011

Markster said:
Is the M and L line of Pentax considers a "spotmatic"? I see a Spotmatic group created here on apug... was wondering if it was lumped into that, or a different breed altogether.

The spotmatic is a different line entirely. They use the M42 screw mount.
You should be able to find lots of info on them.

Ulrich Drolshagen · Jan 19, 2011

darinwc said:
The MX meters from the screen. (the Pentax LX meters off the film, as does the Olympus OM1)

AFAIK in the OM-1 is metering from the screen as well. It can not meter off the film plane as there is the mirror in the way. Off the film real time metering is a feature the OM-2/4 models in aperture priority automatic mode.

Ulrich

lxdude · Jan 19, 2011

Ulrich, you are correct. The OM-1 meters off the screen.

MattKing · Jan 19, 2011

A couple of minor corrections to darinwc's points about the OM1.

The OM1 doesn't meter off the film. Other cameras in the OM line do.
Most OM1s are actually OM1-MDs - the almost original OM1 is fairly rare, and the truly original M1 is exceptionally rare.

For those three very similar models, the flash shoe you have won't make any difference with dedicated flashes, because the camera doesn't communicate with the flash in any way, other than to trigger it.

If you have a later OM1n, the shoe "4" will communicate with dedicated flashes by lighting a "flash ready" light in the viewfinder. In addition, that light may flicker if the on-flash exposure check system indicates that the auto-flash measured correct flash exposure (I have to check this latter function).

BetterSense · Jan 19, 2011

Every OM removeable flash shoe I have ever seen has been cracked. Even if they didn't crack, they sure seem flimsy, being held on with that thumb screw. Whenever I have to use flash with my OM cameras I use a flash bracket.

wblynch · Jan 19, 2011

I have only one cracked OM1 shoe. That's because I used to put a Vivitar 283 on there ! (the flash weighs more than the camera). Happily my others are all fine.

But, yeah, you can crack those shoes without trying too hard. -- Advantage MX

Les Sarile · Jan 19, 2011

Definitely keep an eye out for some very good Takumar/Asahi/Pentax M42 screw mount lenses particularly the SMC (Super Multi Coated) variety as Pentax pioneered this process making vintage lenses viable even today. Besides, I don't believe there is a smaller slr/fisheye then a Takumar 17mm f4 on an MX!

darinwc · Jan 20, 2011

face+palm
you are all correct the OM meters from the screen.

Steve Roberts · Jan 20, 2011

Les Sarile said:
Definitely keep an eye out for some very good Takumar/Asahi/Pentax M42 screw mount lenses particularly the SMC (Super Multi Coated) variety as Pentax pioneered this process making vintage lenses viable even today. Besides, I don't believe there is a smaller slr/fisheye then a Takumar 17mm f4 on an MX!

The MX plus 40mm SMC pancake is a good combination too.

Steve

Markster · Jan 20, 2011

Does anybody know if there is an adapter that takes FD lenses (from my existing Canon kit) to K-mount?

Just curious. Saw a post about a M42 lens to FD mout, was wondering if there was a reverse that might go on a Pentax?

lxdude · Jan 20, 2011

I don't think they will focus to infinity. The flange to film plane distance is shorter on the FD mount, as I recall.

darinwc · Jan 20, 2011

Markster said:
Does anybody know if there is an adapter that takes FD lenses (from my existing Canon kit) to K-mount?

Just curious. Saw a post about a M42 lens to FD mout, was wondering if there was a reverse that might go on a Pentax?

Nope, the FD mount is too short, one of the shortest actually. You cannot mount a FD lens to a pentax and get infinity focus.

However if you want to use one for macro work, you may be able to find a combination of bellows/adapters.

KrankyKraut · Jan 26, 2011

difference in viewfinder brightness

How does the MX compare to the OM-! in viewfinder brightness? I have read conflicting stories about the MX in this regard.

Les Sarile · Jan 27, 2011

I am sure different conditions and different screen types can account for a lot of variations. All my MX's and OM's have clean screens and I can't say I can tell much of difference although I favor the slit image screens myself. If nothing else, you can use the Pentax LX screens in the MX - they are interchangeable, and supposedly the LX versions of the same MX screens are a bit brighter.

If you prefer a split image screen then you have to see the K3 screen that originally came with the Nikon FM3A - it never blacks out! Not with slower lenses, or stopped down lenses, extensions or bellows! This can also be used interchangeably with the FA, FE2, FM2, FM and FE. Are there any other split image screens that don't black out?

dynachrome · Jan 28, 2011

Pentax MX vs. Olympus OM-1

I think there are more focusing screeens available for the OM-1.

What's the difference between Pentax MX and Olympus OM-1?

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