squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
No, I hear you. I have a $50 ZX-5n that I bought here in fact, which I use for autofocus--I actually bought the 43 limited to use with that. But AF has never been Pentax's strong point, and I really like using a MF SLR. I actually have a Pentax-M 24-35 zoom coming in the mail today, another bargain (from KEH) at $59...I suspect this lens will be living on the LX for a while. It's a rather uncommon but well-regarded lens:
The ME Super is a great camera. There are so many out there, and they are so cheap...it's owning one of those that made me want an LX actually. If I ever come across a black one, I'll probably grab it.
benlees
Well-known
Here is some ebay silliness for you.
http://shop.ebay.ca/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38&_nkw=olympus+om-4t&_sacat=See-All-Categories
Should add that I forget sometimes that tongue in cheek does not work on the 'net...
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Lovely outstanding camera! We originally bought two new ones for my wife's theatre photography in the early 1980's, as she's hard on gear and we figured these would stand up to rough treatment. They came through battered but operating well.
When she switched to digital Nikons, I eventually took on the less beat-up of her LXs. In a big mistake I had a local guy CLA it, and he messed it up badly. Pentax had not supplied manuals training or parts to shops outside Pentax for this model, so few are qualified. Eric Hendrickson sorted this LX for me, as he's a former Pentax servicing employee and knows the LX well. I prefer the sleek FA-2 finder, without the hot shoe (and unfortunately without the f-stop imaging bits too), and found a like-new one to replace the banged up FA-1 on my wife's rig.
For some reason we'd bought the FC swiveling prism set for the LX but it's never been used.
Then a couple years ago I chanced upon an auction on the 'bay for a very clean LX with FA-1W finder, side grip, and 50mm f/1.2 for $480. It turned out the mirror was sticky, so off it went to Hendrickson for mirror bumper, stoppers, and some cracked bit of glass in the finder, $165 for the CLA. But still a good deal, and so enjoyable to use...
This is the most compact of the "pro" level film SLRs, and a real class product. Mabelsound, you got a good deal I think!
When she switched to digital Nikons, I eventually took on the less beat-up of her LXs. In a big mistake I had a local guy CLA it, and he messed it up badly. Pentax had not supplied manuals training or parts to shops outside Pentax for this model, so few are qualified. Eric Hendrickson sorted this LX for me, as he's a former Pentax servicing employee and knows the LX well. I prefer the sleek FA-2 finder, without the hot shoe (and unfortunately without the f-stop imaging bits too), and found a like-new one to replace the banged up FA-1 on my wife's rig.
For some reason we'd bought the FC swiveling prism set for the LX but it's never been used.
Then a couple years ago I chanced upon an auction on the 'bay for a very clean LX with FA-1W finder, side grip, and 50mm f/1.2 for $480. It turned out the mirror was sticky, so off it went to Hendrickson for mirror bumper, stoppers, and some cracked bit of glass in the finder, $165 for the CLA. But still a good deal, and so enjoyable to use...
This is the most compact of the "pro" level film SLRs, and a real class product. Mabelsound, you got a good deal I think!
thinkfloyd
Flippy Nose
So you were the one who got the LX down at Pentax Forums! 
Good buy! I own an ME Super, and would love to have an LX. Thought about getting the one you just bought, but I'm saving up for an RD-1... I use my ME Super with a Viv CF 28/2.8 (poor man's 31 limited!)
Good buy! I own an ME Super, and would love to have an LX. Thought about getting the one you just bought, but I'm saving up for an RD-1... I use my ME Super with a Viv CF 28/2.8 (poor man's 31 limited!)squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Yeah, I think so too! I replaced my own mirror bumpers but Eric will get the camera when the stoppers go. And I'm in the market for an FA-2 as well...I find the aperture window distracting, and anyway the window glass came unglued in my finder...I actually have a strip of electrical tape covering the window.
Also, the 24-35 zoom came yesterday...man, sometimes I don't know what KEH is thinking labeling things BGN. This lens is flawless. I cannot find a single sign of use anywhere on it. $59!
Will order a new covering from Aki-Asahi today...and if anyone has an FA-2 to sell, let me know!
Also, the 24-35 zoom came yesterday...man, sometimes I don't know what KEH is thinking labeling things BGN. This lens is flawless. I cannot find a single sign of use anywhere on it. $59!
Will order a new covering from Aki-Asahi today...and if anyone has an FA-2 to sell, let me know!
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
So you were the one who got the LX down at Pentax Forums!
The ME Super is great! But you're wise...you'll like the R-D1. It's possibly my favorite camera.
thinkfloyd
Flippy Nose
Double post...
Anyway... yeah, I've read about it so much, and was actually expecting it this week in time for the Holy Week celebrations here... however, payment got delayed so I have to wait another week... oh well...
Anyway... yeah, I've read about it so much, and was actually expecting it this week in time for the Holy Week celebrations here... however, payment got delayed so I have to wait another week... oh well...
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Sticky mirror seems to be not uncommon in the aging LX, and it's interesting you mention problems with your aperture imaging window too. Eric said mine had some glass broken in the finder which I assume was part of that window because it was black when I received it. He ordered in a replacement part to fix it. An FA-2 would certainly avoid that kind of problem! But the old LX of my wife's also has an FA-1W and it's never had a problem since new despite the battering over the years!
I don't know the 24-35 zoom, but I do see from your pic that it's not an "A" series lens. With the modest focal length range it should perform very well. I got the later 20-35mm used, and found it excellent.
I don't know the 24-35 zoom, but I do see from your pic that it's not an "A" series lens. With the modest focal length range it should perform very well. I got the later 20-35mm used, and found it excellent.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
The way the window got dislodged is that I tried to clean it. Just popped right out of its moorings. I think it's just glued on, and the glue dried up over the years. Eric actually suggested that I could open up the finder and reattach it fairly easily, but I'm going to wait until I have an FA-2, just in case I foul up.
The 24-35 feels great so far--a couple rolls are hanging in the back room now. VERY solid. It's an M-series lens, so it works great on the LX, and is quite small...I'd have to use the green button on the K20D however.
I have not yet had a used Pentax camera that did not need the mirror bumpers replaced. Luckily it isn't too hard to DIY.
The 24-35 feels great so far--a couple rolls are hanging in the back room now. VERY solid. It's an M-series lens, so it works great on the LX, and is quite small...I'd have to use the green button on the K20D however.
I have not yet had a used Pentax camera that did not need the mirror bumpers replaced. Luckily it isn't too hard to DIY.
nikon_sam
Shooter of Film...
Congrats on your recent find...I own two black bodied MX's and do love using them when I can...as a Pentaxian<<<never knew I was one of these>>>I've read about the LX and all the praise that it gets...I've never used one but have seen them at camera shows...they are nice...I hear they have loads of extra stuff you can buy for them too...
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Ha! I think you're right. Alls I care about is lenses, though.
AFter a couple of rolls, I am really digging it. And though I am not generally a zoom guy, this 24-35 is a great little lens. A couple from this week:
takumar
Newbie
I have an LX too, but suffers age. I'll give it a CLA, and I'm sure it can take a good few more years of use. It's a fine camera, I regret selling the waist-level finder.
Sonnar2
Well-known
Where to CLA a sticky mirror LX in Europe?
Nice camera in every other aspect
Nice camera in every other aspect
lxdude
Newbie
LX service in Europe
LX service in Europe
For European service, try Harrow Technical in the UK. I think it's harrowtechnical.co.uk
LX service in Europe
For European service, try Harrow Technical in the UK. I think it's harrowtechnical.co.uk
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
The minute I read the first post, I already knew that this is going to be LX/MX vs OM thread Not bad though, at least people on each camp are civil.
A friend loaned me his black LX once, and it's a lovely camera.
I think I've posted this before, but it's relevant. Here's a side-by-side comparison between OM and MX (sorry, not the LX) highlighting the size differences (or similarity).
I sold the black MX and would not mind getting another one (or if a cheap LX floats by), for now, a Chinon CE-4s takes its place so I can use the excellent Super-Takumar lenses.
Not bad though, at least people on each camp are civil.A friend loaned me his black LX once, and it's a lovely camera.
I think I've posted this before, but it's relevant. Here's a side-by-side comparison between OM and MX (sorry, not the LX) highlighting the size differences (or similarity).
I sold the black MX and would not mind getting another one (or if a cheap LX floats by), for now, a Chinon CE-4s takes its place so I can use the excellent Super-Takumar lenses.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
The CE-4s is an excellent camera as well!
Sonnar2
Well-known
Both LX and MX are true Pentax classics. There is just one bad thing with the MX: it misses the bright fresnell screen which every Pentax since the AP/1957 have!
MX: the "Barnack" Pentax...
MX: the "Barnack" Pentax...
