I definitely appreciate the intent of videos like this and I hate to be this person but ever since TikTok hype practically blew the X100V out of existence I've been thinking that gatekeeping isn't such a bad idea lol. These videos only make gear more inaccessible to everyone than if they'd found the cameras themselves by chance. The amount of 10-20 year old digital cameras going for $400 to $600 right now just because of a viral video or influencer/celebrity being spotted with them is borderline criminal and kind of discouraging.
Great video! It served as the final nail in the coffin for picking up the camera as I am looking into getting the film look via digital - film development is crazy expensive where I live. I just had a quick question regarding the settings - what would you say would be the most optimal settings to get the film aesthetic just right? Don’t have much experience in photography given I only use cameras during travel, but I greatly enjoy your output and would love to be able to get as close as I could to the film look without much editing involved. Thank you so much!
If you mainly shoot B/W, I'd advise you to develop and maybe also scan at home. It's a massive cost saver. For extra bang/buck, look into bulk loading something like Fomapan.
Had one, twice, both times I thought it would stick, but the same aesthetic selling point was the downside for me, is almost a pound of camera to be carrying around, and it got to the point where I was just not carrying anymore 🤷♂
I got one of these from the bay in great condition about 5 years ago. I won’t tell you what I paid (inflation has been rampant). Unfortunately it has recently developed a fault where the lens mechanism no longer retracts. Seems to be a faulty pinion.l from research. Hoping to try and fix it as this is a lovely camera.
$600 now for a used 10 year old camera? That's just crazy. Seems like every old camera mentioned on RU-vid almost instantly becomes a cult camera and the price shoots up.
I don’t even mind the price so much as long as it’s reflected in condition of the camera but they’re even trying to pass off poor condition or roughly used in that price range and it’s completely unjust
Great video ! Does the camera's straight out JPEG gives of that vintage film vibe (similar to fuji's film simulation) or does it requires you to edit them manually with film-like colour grading ? (in order to get that similar looks on your sample pohotos)
This video is evil, because it made me fork out money for something I didn't know I wanted. 😂 That brass top will look amazing in the future. I kinda want to remove the paint now to reveal the brass color.
I felt the same way when I watched this video for the first time. Was looking for a Ricoh gr2 but watched this and I was instantly hooked with the overall camera. Just got one today coming in next week can’t wait!
About ten years ago I bought one of the last MX-1s for $/€310 and it accompanies me almost every day. I particularly like that you don't have to switch to macro mode before you want to take a photo of something small. The green button is also sometimes very helpful. For me it took eight years until the brass came through at the corners. Greetings from the Black Forest!
There's a reason why no influencer should be allowed to shill ANYTHING on social media. It's literally the same issue with pseudo-finance influencers. They buy it, THEN they shill it, advertise it for $200-300, but when we find about it, prices has pumped 2x to 5x or even 10x.
No, not correct.. The prices on many cams are going up because people like you post about them! I have my Fuji F30 from 2008, still use it, and now I see vids about the grand colors of CCD sensors, bwahahaha! Nice to be old and stubborn, and not fall for any new stupid stzick..
I have one of these. I got it because Matias Burling sang it's praises a few years back. Pretty sure I paid more than $300 for it too. It's a terrible camera - I've used it twice. It's too heavy for its size and the lens is meh. I'm not dissing Pentax cameras - I know they make excellent gear. But this thing is one to avoid. There are way better premium compacts out there for the same price, the Panasonic LX100 mk 1, for instance. An early Sony RX100 should also be a similar price and a better choice.
That's a shame you didn't like it. I would personally never describe this camera as heavy, but you're right, if you want something even lighter then there are other options.
You should review the Fuji X-10/20/30, they're direct competitors to this camera from the same time period, and in my opinion, just as compelling! Great option for people who want a truly amazing, high quality walk-around camera.
the X-10 is on par with MX-1 but X-20 and X-30 from the later year is more superior. I almost buy the X-30 but then decide to buy the MX-1 for nostalgic reason. I have the MX original. And also MX-1 is made in Indonesia (my country), so another reason to buy for me. But that X-30 is still on my wishlist. like you said, its a baby X-Pro and maybe only few people notice.
I have had mine new for several years now, bought new when the price dropped, as it was was considered a tad pricy by the dealer against its rivals like the Canon G series, the Olympus whatever, the Lumix LX-7 and what ever was the Nikon "pro" compact camera (I need to look it up). But the camera is a gem, even in 2024. All the features you mention, are superb, the back LCD is crystal clear, even the 1080p is pretty good (or unbelievably good for a Pentax) I even got a brown Chinese leatherette case for it, which only enhances that retro vibe. I only wish Pentax brought out an MX-2, but sadly no, so I will still use my MX-1 for many years until it goes caput.... 🙂
For the nostalgia and collection factor, all worth it. For image quality, it's a pure piece of cr*p. For the same money used, you can get a Sony ZV-1, or RX100 mk V, which are way superior and with a much larger sensor.
You're right, though I don't think anyone would seriously buy this camera expecting ultimate image quality. You'd buy it for the vintage aesthetic and film-like images it captures. It's for those who appreciate the imperfectly perfect. 🙂
Back in 1992 I needed a slr for my photography classes in art college. Everyone told me to get the Pentax K1000. However when I held it, it felt too big. I’m a small petite woman. So the guy at the camera shop suggested the Pentax MX, once I held it, it was a perfect fit. Mine is the coveted black version and I picked it up with a lens for around $280. My friends and teachers loved it. I was also gifted a Nikon FM later on. Fast forward I’ve been a Canon user since the 20D. I picked up this Pentax MX-1 silver body. I’d gladly exchange it to have side by side my beloved MX SLR. I had NO idea about the cat sound though 😊
There is a level of value of cameras that makes it unfeasible to buy them, it is much more interesting to use the one on the cell phone, a latest generation S23/iPhone is much better.
Thank you, now I want one without needing It! For real, love the vintage film vibe and the small form factor. Btw, 07:53 amazing composition in my point of view, really loved that picture!
I have this camera and love it. I’ve considered selling it a couple of times because it’s “outdated” in 2024 but I like the shooting experience and the photos are spectacular! I think I just need to keep it forever. That said, I don’t think it shoots like film and not sure why you say so in the title. To me it shoots like digital with nice but realistic color saturation. Your photos look pretty different than mine. Wonder what color mode you’re in? Maybe it’s that moisture behind the lens 😂😅
I have an MX1. It's now broken, and I really miss it. And you're correct, handling is great. I once went to Bangkok, on my left hand is my phone (trying to find my way), and on my right is the MX1, doing street photography.
This is almost the camera I want, but it has the same problem as the Ricoh GRIII, no viewfinder. If a camera doesn't have a viewfinder I can't take it seriously.
Am new to the camera world so might be a silly question, but do it shoot retro feeling pics like that without any editing? Reason I ask is because I was gifted a M50 MK2 by a friend and really love that camera but not a fan at all of having to edit my photos on my PC afterwards compared to my phone where the app is just a touch away :/
@@bublt4me Yeah should have been more mpre specefic, my bad friend! :D But oh what do I mean, hard to say in words. But I like to use grain on my pictures in edit and to have "vintage/Film" filters on them. Like a 70's Rome. The color of the cars and clothing. A lot of color but with some of them more muted :D
The pics shown are most likely edited Raws. If you want straight out of camera retro pics Fujifilm is probably your best bet with their wide range of film emulations, in my humble opinion. I used an xt3 for a few weeks and the jpeg images/looks were beautiful. I believe you can also create your own look or 'recipies' as they're called, but I've not looked into it.
@@bingbong4848 to not just damn the jpgs from this camera, they are partially the reason why I bought (irrationally of course but hey) into their dslr system...even if its not "film sim(TM)" the "vibrant" preset makes some really pleasing photos...sadly you just get 5 presets and you cant adjust them in camera and there is no firmware updates for the camera The Pentax Q (tiny MILC) system that was coming out around the same time gives you a lot more presets that you can customize (adding contrast, sharpening etc). It is quite a strange choice not to include those since you would expect that people using a compact would be more interested in the full suite of the jpg profiles that you find on their dslrs than people actually using primarily those dslrs (might be due to this camera using some one of sensor from a brand that no other Pentax camera uses)
kind of resemble my Leica X-E, another underestimated little gem. Images are fantastic...you should get one, would make a great video. Price is fair nowadays. =)
Around $600 now...its doubled in price now LMAO, just buy an old untouched DSLR, good thing the influencer followers will never take to DSLRs because they are big and bulky and "complicated". Any old DSLR, even the 6MP ones will take pics just as good if not better when coupled with a nice lens. $600 gets you lots of DSLR gear, multiple cameras if you go with crop sensors too. Hell for the prices of some of these 15 year old overpriced point and shoots you can get a brand new mirrorless camera, it makes zero sense.
I had one of these back in the day, but I never learned to love it. Pentax bragged on the brass parts, but the rubber grip and the aluminum lens housing made it seem cheap to me. All of its operations were painfully slow and unresponsive. It was too big to fit in a pocket, but also had no viewfinder. Worst of all, the image quality that I got was inferior to that of my Pentax Q7. I blame the MX-1's lens for that. It might be interesting to compare the MX-1 against the Fujifilm X20, which I believe came out around the same time. To me it's a one-sided contest.
$800 on Amazon right now. How is every camera maker not coming out with a high quality point-and-shoot? Such crazy used market pricing for these things. 10 year old Fuji x70 going for $1000...
If I remember correctly this model has brass top and bottom plates that look great when the black paint has worn off contact points with years of use. I chose a Fuji X20 rather than this and recently sold it for what I paid for it new… £400. The MX-1 has not held its value as well even though it has the brass. The issue with the MX-1 today is that I do not believe it to have any new spares available for repairs and it is now very old for the type.
Even then Pentax was a rather poor company. They used the existing Olympus platform. Olympus has released two cameras on this platform and both are quite interesting. The first one has a cleaner look and quite old sensor, the second has a more aggressive design and BSI sensor. I think this is the best platform in this class. Possibly the best lens in a premium compact segment. Good aperture, well-corrected geometry, excellent sharpness across the frame.
I would look into the Olympus pen cameras much cheaper than Pentax You have many cheap choices from the pen to the E-Pl and the E-PM giving you multiple choices for beginner photographers to the advice street photographers. Made for people who want more than a smartphone. They made them so easy to use. Lastly you have plenty of lenses to choose from so you are not stuck with just one.
This camera are made in Indonesia. Just look at the bottom plate of the MX-1. I quite surprise, because i never know my country are manufacturing camera. 😂
This is a GEM!!! Pentax was so impressed by its low sales, because almost nobody paid attention to this little wonder. This camera runs head to head in size, quality and performance with the Lumix LX-7. Great street and studio cameras. Then, they vanished forever. Both companies got the message: PLEASE, give us overpriced, under performing cameras!!! We want to use them as conversation subjects. Henceforth we got the RICOH & the Lumix LX-100. Happy suckers with expensive black boxes using them to take pictures of dogs and children in the park. Trying to get around WHY these expensive things were producing soft focus images and getting dust inside the body.... No problem, we'll wait next year for the new model with double megapixel count!!! Oh, please, don't make talk about Fujifilm's cult. Nor about how Olympus decided to give us the OM series, when the PEN series were so solid and reliable.
I'm seeing this video over four months after it was put out, and as others have said, the price for this camera has gone up. I currently own a Canon G5X Mark II, and it is similar in several ways to this to this Pentax. But it has a wider zoom range, larger sensor, is a little lighter, and has an EVF. But when I looked at prices for new and used copies on eBay, they are higher than what I paid 4 years ago. It seems that it has been discontinued by Canon. If anyone is looking for a camera similar to this Pentax that is more modern and not as pricey as the G5X, you might want to check out the Canon G7X Mark II or Mark III.
i wanna like you but calling a camera a "street photography camera" is hella click bate for people who dont know anything and are looking to you as a knowledgable source. a camera is a camera..... dont be one of those people. even bresson himself would never label a camera " a street photography camera" great video though
I'd love to think I have that much power, but unfortunately I don't. The prices just vary. Some of the more expensive ones on eBay are being sold from Japan, which might just be the going rate there. You have to have a little patience and spot a bargain when shopping for used cameras. Good luck though!
Well, a few days later and I'm sold. Bought one on eBay for far more than I would have cared to pay but after a ton more research, loving the pictures it takes and having image stabilization was a triple win. Ou$h
sadly near impossible to find now, especially at a reasonable price but the lack of an EVF makes that hurt less to me, especially since im quite happy with my Q7 which i got for much cheaper than i would get this one
I like this series. I just found the charger for my old Nikon D40 (6mp CCD APS-C) and that take great photos. The only Nikon lenses I have left to use on it are the budget series E (28mm F2.8, 50mm F1.8, 100mm F2.8) budget lenses from the 1980s. Witha small viewfinder, it is hard to focus wide open but I for some great photos at F4 - F8
i would look at the canon g12, its what i used for street photography during covid while walking 8 miles to and from work, got some great photos, its not the most highest quality, but its definately pocketable and has all the dials you could want for manual dialing in every setting like you want in a fuji like camera
Aaaand now these are $600. These videos always make what's supposed to be a special inexpensive camera into an overpriced old camera. Great video otherwise.
I think I've said it before but I have to say it again... you're the only person that makes me burst out laughing during a tech video. I super enjoy your videos and the quick almost hidden jokes in it.
I have a silver one. It's a great pocket camera for snapshots. The image quality is still decent, and moreover, the built in flash is really great. It gives dramatic shots with the flash in monochromatic mode. The only thing I don't like is.. no viewfinder. Pentax should've made this in a real retro style following their product philosophy.
The Olympus XZ 2 was essentially the same 12 megapixel camera with other benefits such as a EVF and tiltable screen (same size as Pentax) same optics. And no brass?
Now this one I can get on board with. It’s just a shame they’re not going for that price right now. I’m not sure it makes sense to get one of these when you already own half a dozen but I really do love the pictures it outputs and it’s unique aesthetics. The compactness for most day to day shots is definitely ideal.
