Double The Fun with the Pentax MX-1

Double The Fun with the Pentax MX-1

The Pentax MX-1 has become a firm favourite, slick operation coupled with excellent image quality. Sue was unhappy with her Olympus XZ-1, not because it fell short in terms of results, but because the menu system and control interface was so impenetrable and obscure. A simple thing like setting the AF area or changing the ISO seemed to be very convoluted. So the chance cropped up of a little used Pentax MX-1, and now the world makes sense again.

It's the little things that make the difference, so, for example, the camera will automatically set macro mode if we approach too close for the normal focusing range. A lovely touch that saves a lot of messing about in the field. The lens seems very similar to the Olympus one, f/1.8 at the widest setting and f/2.5 at the telephoto end. The quality is equally high. As we both use the Pentax DSLR range it also makes sense that our compact cameras work with exactly the same logic.

So today we set off for Arley Hall and we both took our compacts only. Sue enjoyed using hers and was pleased with the results. It's a keeper. I looked for new things to shoot and found some images to inspire me even though I have been to Arley dozens of times in the past few years in particular. I've processed a few images so far, so I'll share them with you now.



Pentax Twins, shot on the Pentax WG-III



Using the 1cm macro mode amazing close up shots are possible.



The MX-1 provides a handy dial for exposure compensation, so it was easy to make sure this spotlit portrait of my Mum was not blown out.



The steps up to the altar in the chapel are finished in these beautiful and extremely old tiles.



This shot of Arley Chapel was made using the built in HDR feature.



Nature intertwined with chains in the Flag Garden.



I loved the texture in this backlit leaf, found in the greenhouses.



A final look back at the hall as a tinge of sunlight appeared.

So if you see a husband and wife, her sporting a silver MX-1 and him sporting a black MX-1, it just might be us.