Pentax MG (1981-1984)

Pentax MG (1981-1984)

#432

This photo is from the copy I own

History and technical features 

The Pentax MG was a product of Asahi Optical Co later called Pentax Corporation, introduced in 1981 and produced until 1984. It was a replacement of the MV and MV1 cameras as entry level 35mm semi-automatic camera.

The Pentax MG was a manual focus, aperture priority camera, with no manual settings of speeds. The Pentax MG had an electronic focal plane shutter from 1s to 1/1000, synchronized at 1/100. The shutter curtains were metal and had a vertical movement. However, if the batteries fail the camera still operated at 1/100s or B, thus the selector around the release button had three positions: Auto, 100X (1/100, X sync) and B. The exposure meter is center-weighted TTL type with open aperture measuring for Pentax M compatible lenses. The Pentax MG can use any Pentax K-mount and can still be used with current Pentax lenses. There was a self-timer and a hot shoe with an additional contact for dedicated Pentax flash units. The Pentax MG used 2 SR-44 batteries or equivalent to power it.

The Pentax MG had a 0.87x viewfinder, covering 92% of the field. The finder screen was fixed, with a split image and a microprism ring in the center. The shutter speed chosen by the camera was displayed in the finder by LEDs, which also indicated over/under exposure or slow speeds and the possibility of shaking. However the aperture was not displayed. The camera also had an exposure compensation from +2 to -2 EV.

Pentax MG with SMC Pentax-M 50/2 lens
The body resembles that of the M-Family of cameras such as the ME, MX, MV, etc. and as such was compatible with the external Winder ME (1.5 frame/s) or the later Winder ME II (2 frame/s). The Pentax MG could use the Dial Data ME databack with an adaptor to slide in the hot shoe, or it could make direct use of the Digital Data M databack. The Pentax MG was available in chrome or black finish.

Source: Wikipedia


Specifications


General
Lens Mount: K
Mount Limitations: The lens must be set to a numerical aperture
Self-Timer: 4 ~ 10 sec
Mirror Lock-Up: —
Cable Release: mechanical
Infra-Red Release: —
Additional Features: —
Width x Height x Depth: 132 x 85 x 49.5 mm
Weight: 423 g

Exposure System
Exposure Modes: Av
Metering Modes with K and M Lenses: center-weighted
Metering Modes with A and newer Lenses: center-weighted
Meter Material: GPD
Exposure Compensation (Step): XXX
Exposure Lock: —
Meter Range: 2 ~ 19 EV
Manual ISO Range: 25 ~ 1600 ASA

Shutter
Construction: electronic (vertical)
Material: metal
Shutter Speeds: 1 ~ 1/1000, B
Mechanical Speeds: X, B

Viewfinder
Magnification [Coverage]: 0.87x [92%]
Aperture Indication: —
Shutter-Speed Indication: LED
Interchangeable Screens: —

Power Source
Batteries: 2 x 1.5 Volt silver-oxide (A76, SR44) or alkaline (LR44)
External: —

Continuous Shooting
Continuous Shooting: manual wind lever
Compatible with Winder(s): ME, ME II

Flash System
Command Protocol(s): analog
Features: S
Synchronization Speed(s): 1/100 ~ 1, B
Built-In Flash: —

Accessories
Fitting Case(s): soft case: ME super MG

Source: kmp.pentaxians.eu


Model

Serial number 7285975


Reference sites

kmp.pentaxians.eu

Wikipedia


Manual

English manual


Batteries

2 LR44 batteries

Film


Pictures taken with this machine


Videos