Pentax LX repair...Recommendations?

<p>I have a pretty cool little Pentax LX that I just love but the shutter is sticking whenever I first take it out to use it. It seems to adjust itself after a couple of shots, but that's a great way to waste valuable film. I also find it very difficult to focus, even after adjusting the diopter. Mine has screen SG-20 (matte with grid-lines) which is great for keeping the horizon level, but the magnification seems to be almost non-existent and it's hard to tell if the detail in distant scenes is in focus or not. Also, the distance of my subject doesn't always seem to match the distance on the scale on the lens. Even focusing on a lamp on a desk 6 feet away resulted in an out of focus shot. I have every intention of keeping this camera and would like to have it overhauled, but I don't know who to send it to. Suggestions?</p>

<p>I've had really good luck with Garry's Camera, the price is really hard to beat and the turn around is usually about a week. <a href="http://www.garryscamera.com/">http://www.garryscamera.com/</a> The particular model may not be listed but if you send an email he will tell you if he can fix it or not. Most repairs I have had him do are less than $60 and include CLA, light seals and meter calibration.</p>

<p>To clarify, I'm not actually sure it's the shutter that's sticking. I think it may be the mirror that gets hung up a little. At any rate, I found pentaxs.com, which seems to handle all of the Pentax models. If there are any other suggestions, I'm open.</p>

<p>Kurt's camera repair in San Diego, also works on pentax cameras. I have used them many times over the years with no problems.</p>

<p>Sticky mirror is a common LX problem. Don't be surprised if the LX CLA is more expensive than average. Eric Henderson at pentaxs.com is the name I hear mentioned most often.</p>

<p>The LX has an excellent viewfinder with above-average magnification, though the good coverage (98%) exacts a small price in magnification. You didn't say which viewfinder you're using (FA-1 or FA-1W are probably the most common, but an advantage of LX is that there are <a href="http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/misc/focus/viewfinders/index.html">a few choices available to you</a>). You could also go for a focusing screen with a split prism or microprism focusing aid...mine has split prism.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/misc/focus/index.html">Pentax also has</a> offered refconverter-M or refconverter-A right-angle finder attachment that can be switched between 1x and 2x with a switch. I was able to find this at KEH. I've also tried Magnifier-M (flip-up magnifier) but don't much like the tiny eyepiece, prefer the currently-offered <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/469574-REG/Pentax_30150.html">O-ME53</a> but be aware that it becomes harder to see the edges of the frame when using a finder magnifier like this and this may be particularly acute with the large LX viewfinder--I haven't tried this magnifier on the LX.</p>

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<p>Nice camera - I owned one for a few years. Camera Wiz in Harrisonburg, Va has done excellent work for me in the past. I'm not sure which focusing screen you have, but the standard split image fresnel screen is the best for all around work. I wonder if you don't have a sticky mirror. That could case difficulty focusing and make it seem like the shutter was sticking.</p>

<p>As said above, you have sticky mirror syndrome, a common problem with LXs, and you should send it to Eric.<br>

The problems you have with focusing are most probably related to the sticky mirror. There are some rubber damper pad things under the mirror on the side of the mirror box. Put the camera in mirror lock up and you'll see them. These are one of the main offending parts. That piece of rubber is at the correct thickness to prop the mirror up in the correct position for correct focusing. That rubber will eventually deteriorate and go sticky. That stops the mirror from releasing sometimes. As it deteriorates, it obviously changes in thickness so your focusing will be off since the mirror will be in the wrong position.<br>

After you get it fixed, everything should be back to normal.</p>

<p>Good information to know; thanks everyone! I'm sending it to Eric who is ready and willing to work on it. I'm looking forward to having it returned in optimal condition. It's really a cool camera and I plan on having it a very long time. Thanks again for the help!</p>