LX (Late Version)

16 August 2003 http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/

LX (late version)

General Description

During its long production rung, the Pentax LX was updated at least three times. The latest camera revision has three visible differences compared to the earliest: there are two white points missing on the front of the first shutter curtain; pressing the button that releases the viewfinder causes the light meter to turn on, and the shutter-lock switch features a new design. Severals attempts to gather information about camera serial numbers and design variations have failed due to inconclusive data.

The titanium LX is a special edition body celebrating the 75th anniversary of Asahi Opt. Co. Only one thousand of these bodies were manufactured. Each one features titanium top and bottom plates. The LX limited is a special edition body celebrating 15 years of LX production. The body features a titanium top and bottom plates which are painted in black, and carries the inscription "titanium". The LX 2000 is a special edition body celebrating LX production in the year 2000. The body was sold in a set with the SMC-A 50/1.2 Special lens. This body comes with the FF-60 viewing scren, and not with the "standard" SC-21. Product Variations Exact Name LX LX (Titanium) LX (Limited) LX 2000 Color black titanium-black black silver-black Years of unknown ~ 2001 1994 1996 2000 Production roughly once a once in a once in a once in a Availability month, used lifetime, used lifetime, used lifetime, used Catalog 09010 unknown unknown unknown Number Sold with Case — — — —

Technical Specifications

General Lens Mount K Self-Timer 4 ~ 10 seconds Cable Release mechanical (with standard thread) Additional Features DOF-preview, mirror lock-up, multiple exposures Width x Height x Depth 144.5 x 90.5 x 50 mm Weight 570 g Exposure System Exposure Modes Av, M Metering Modes off-the-film Meter Material SPD (silicon photo dioxide) Exposure Compensation (Step) +/-2 (1/3 EV steps) Exposure Lock no Meter Range -6.5 ~ 20 EV Manual Film ISO Speed 6 ~ 3200 ASA Shutter Construction hybrid electronic-mechanical (horizontal-run) Material titanium Shutter Speeds 125 ~ 1/2000, B Mechanical Speeds X ~ 1/2000 Viewfinder Magnification [Coverage] — [98%] Shutter-Speed Indication LED Aperture Indication optical Interchangeable Screens yes Interchangeable yes Viewfinders Viewfinder Blind not needed Power Source Batteries 2 x 1.5 Volt silver-oxide (A76, SR44) or alkaline (LR44) Film Transport Type manual Compatible with Motor Drive LX Compatible with Winder(s) LX Flash Operation Command Protocol(s) analog Flash Automation TTL, S Synchronization Speed(s) 1/75 Built-In Flash no Accessories Fitting Case(s) unknown

Subjective Evaluation

Contrarary to expectations, with increasing age even the newest-design LX bodies develop the "sticky-mirror syndrome." Regardless, like discussed here , the LX is still a very desirable camera to own, and certainly worth having cleaned-up, adjusted or repaired.

General Description

The LX is Pentax's most advanced manual focus camera. To begin with, it supports just about every imaginable "pro" feature of its time: mechanical construction, support for fully mechanical operation, extreme reliability and durability, DOF preview, MLU, TTL flash, interchangeable screens, a large system of accessories, etc. But the LX stands out (even by today's standards) as it also features interchangeable viewfinders, a light meter with extreme low-light sensitivity, off-the-film metering (OTF) for ambient exposures, and dust- and moisture-proof seals on every button and dial.

Because of the OTF metering, no exposure adjustment is needed when a different screen or viewfinder is in use, and no viewfinder blind is necessary for long exposures. These advantages paired together with the sophisticated metering turn the LX into the preferred camera for a large variety of applications. For example, the LX is capable of taking extremely long metered exposures and achieving correct exposure even if the lighting conditions change during the exposure. The body is the center of an elaborate photographic system that features interchangeable viewfinders, motors, winders, grips, etc. Exposure compensation is in 1/3 EV steps, and there is an optical aperture readout in the viewfinder.

Prices for used units range between US $300 and US $650, and a CLA starts at US $150.

The gold LX is a special edition body commemorating the 10 millionth Pentax SLR camera. Only three hundred of these 24-carat gold-plated units were manufactured. Each one was sold in a set with the gold SMC 50/1.2 Gold lens. Product Variations Exact Name LX LX (Gold) Color black 24 K Gold with brown leather Years of Production 1980 ~ unknown 1981 Availability roughly once a month, used once in a lifetime, used Catalog Number unknown unknown Sold with Case — —

Technical Specifications

General Lens Mount K Self-Timer 4 ~ 10 seconds Cable Release mechanical (with standard thread) Additional Features DOF-preview, mirror lock-up, multiple exposures Width x Height x Depth 144.5 x 90.5 x 50 mm Weight 570 g Exposure System Exposure Modes Av, M Metering Modes off-the-film Meter Material SPD Exposure Compensation (Step) +/-2 (1/3 EV steps) Exposure Lock no Meter Range -6.5 ~ 20 EV Manual Film ISO Speed 6 ~ 1600 ASA Shutter Construction hybrid electronic-mechanical (horizontal-run) Material titanium Shutter Speeds 125 ~ 1/2000, B Mechanical Speeds X ~ 1/2000 Viewfinder Magnification [Coverage] — [98%] Shutter-Speed Indication LED Aperture Indication optical Interchangeable Screens yes Interchangeable yes Viewfinders Viewfinder Blind not needed Power Source Batteries 2 x 1.5 Volt silver-oxide (A76, SR44) or alkaline (LR44) Film Transport Type manual Compatible with Motor Drive LX Compatible with Winder(s) LX Flash Operation Command Protocol(s) analog Flash Automation TTL, S Synchronization Speed(s) 1/75 Built-In Flash no Accessories Fitting Case(s) unknown

Subjective Evaluation

Virtually no other camera has ever offered so much flexibility, robustness, and low-light capabilities in such a small and light package. Add the silky-smooth operation of every button and each lever and the astonishing system of accessories, and you get a masterpiece. But an unfinished one. The biggest problem with the LX is that Pentax never introduced a successor for it — a camera built on the same principles but with modern features and improved components. For example, they could have added a spot meter, even if this is difficult to integrate in the OTF metering system. They could have made the complex shutter quieter and faster, or they could have found a way to allow concurrent use of MLU and the self-timer.

Another problem with the LX is that it is no longer in production, and parts for it are difficult to find. It usually takes at least 10 to 15 years before the first problems come, but when they come, professional care is needed. And professionals trained to repair the LX are difficult to find, and their work is expensive. The most common LX problem is the so- called "sticky mirror" where, after periods of inactivity, the mirror "hesitates" on its first trip up towards the viewfinder. This is normally accompanied by the "no infinity focus" syndrome where wide-angle lenses cannot be focused at infinity. Both problems are caused by a small rubber piece onto which the mirror rests in its "down" position. Due to aging, this rubber piece becomes porous and sticky, and the mirror sits lower and becomes stuck to it. This rubber piece is easy to reach and replace, but when that happens, it is usually time for a complete service. There are several other mechanisms deep into the camera that need cleaning, lubrication and adjustment (CLA).