C41
Kodak Portra 400
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
View profile35mm SLR
Mamiya MSX 5001975
- Format
- 35mm
- Mount
- M42
- Years
- 1975–
- Shutter
- 1s – 1/500s
- Meter
- ttl-average-cds
The Mamiya MSX 500 (~1975) is the entry-level companion to the Mamiya MSX 1000, sharing the same M42 screw mount and electronic vertical-metal-blade shutter architecture but simplified in two meaningful ways: the top shutter speed is reduced from 1/1000s to 1/500s, and the dual spot-and-average CdS metering of the MSX 1000 is replaced by average-only metering. Both cameras are manual-exposure only with no aperture-priority mode, distinguishing them from the later CS-mount ZM family. The MSX 500 was aimed at the budget end of the mid-1970s Japanese SLR market, where M42 compatibility with the large existing pool of Pentax Takumar and third-party glass gave it a practical lens ecosystem that the later proprietary CS-mount bodies lacked.
Reference
Find film for your Mamiya MSX 500
Recommended film stocks for the 35mm format your camera takes.
ISO 400
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Kodak Tri-X 400
Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
View profileC41
Kodak Gold 200
Kodak Gold 200 is a daylight-balanced C-41 color negative film with warm color, moderate grain, and a classic consumer-film look.
Develop 35mm film
Labs in our directory that process 35mm film.
Before you buy used
- **Battery dependency** - no mechanical fallback. Verify battery contacts are clean before testing shutter function.
- **Electronic shutter** - test all speeds; the 1s and 1/2s positions are most prone to drift. Listen for consistent timing.
- **Stop-down lever** - the metering mechanism depends on this lever; verify it springs back freely.
- **Foam light seals** - disintegrated in virtually all surviving examples. Budget for DIY replacement with self-adhesive foam kit (~$5).
- **M42 lens mount** - inspect mount threads; cross-threading is common on well-used M42 bodies.
- **CdS cell** - usually longer-lived than selenium cells but can drift with age. Verify meter accuracy against a phone meter app.
- Service: M42-era cameras are serviceable by most repair technicians. Electronic shutters require more skill than mechanical ones; price accordingly.
About this camera
Simplified M42 sibling to the MSX 1000: electronic shutter capped at 1/500s, average-only metering.
Key Specs
Frequently asked questions
- What film does the Mamiya MSX 500 use?
- The Mamiya MSX 500 shoots 35mm film.
- What battery does the Mamiya MSX 500 take?
- The Mamiya MSX 500 uses a 2x SR44 battery.
- What lens mount does the Mamiya MSX 500 have?
- The Mamiya MSX 500 uses the M42 mount.
- What shutter speeds does the Mamiya MSX 500 offer?
- The Mamiya MSX 500's shutter speeds range from 1s to 1/500s.
- What light meter does the Mamiya MSX 500 use?
- The Mamiya MSX 500 meters with ttl-average-cds.