The Pentax LX. "Cult" Camera or Relic?

Who is still using the LX beside me? Does it still have a dedicated group of users? Can't wait for the responses here

 

LK in AZ.

I have and use one, mostly with the 50/1.2 lens. The handling of this gem of a camera is superb, viewfinders are generous and bright, I think ergonomically it is the Leica M equivalent in the SLR world :) I simply love my LX. I know I would love the LX 2000 even more though...

 

Andy in AZ (west side)

I've had an LX and an MX, and like the MX better. It's smaller, it's completely mechanical, and because of that, it's not subject to most of

the LX's electronic glitches.

 

Of course the MX's viewfinder isn't as good, but you make your choices about what's important.

I wouldn't mind trying out an LX, but it's the only old, (ahem) I mean "classic", Pentax camera that still commands big bucks in the used market. A mint condition model recently went for over $1300, and well-worn units routinely go for over $500.

 

I acquired a SuperProgram as collateral in a lens package on eBay and it seems to work well enough (haven't finished my first roll through it yet). Granted, it's not as beautiful as the LX, but you can probably get one for less than $50. I guess what I'm trying to say is this: If it were affordable, then I'd love to get one, but as it's not, I'm not suffering about it.

 

Any of you guys want to post some pics of your cameras? Maybe even some pics taken *with* the cameras? I'd be especially interested in seeing some f/1.2 shots from Len.

Almost indestructible, weather-proof body. Well-designed and has uncluttered but complete exposure information

available in viewfinder. IDM metering system. Nice hand grip. Double exposure button doubles as rewind release.

No batteries!!!!

 

Please tell me where I can get one for less than $500. The ultimate camera!

Put like that Duane...I'm trading in my K10D :) (and still not getting half way there!)

Owned 2 MX & LX. Like the MX better for its bigger viewfinder for easier manual focus, hate its high maintainance shutter to be kept very accurate. The LX was nice, but many things could go wrong and kind of a high maintainance model. I would say it was nice when it worked. If I need one that was less likely to die on me in the field, I probably picked the ME Super.

I think there are a lot of folks here who still make at least occasional use of Pentax film bodies, but I, like many am a little scared off by the high prices and worries about difficulty of getting repairs/parts. Someday I may finally add an LX to my collection. Right now I have a black e-bay MX on the way, and am somewhat excited about that.

 

I second Mis's request for LX camera porn.

Just got my LX overhauled a couple of months ago. Should be good to go for a while, so my MXs have been relegated to the closet.

A couple of snapshots taken with Pentax 50/1.2 on the LX body (Kodak film probably UC100)

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wow! I had never heard of it until this thread and just finished reading up on it... amazing! got to see if there are pictures on the pentax gallery...

Thanks for the pix, Andy. Were they shot at f/1.2? Your EXIF is not intact ;-)

 

As for that new LX that I mentioned which went for "over $1300"...it was actually $1605:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230269321836

I am 99% sure the 2nd pic was taken at f/1.2 as it was getting dark and I only had low ISO film left.. Sorry about the missing EXIF, must have gotten lost in the scanning... :)

I bought all three of my LX bodies used, from two different camera stores that were well known to me. My third body developed an intermittant light leak problem which was finally solved several years ago by an excellent repair guy in Flagstaff who has since retired.

 

About a year ago I had Pentax in Colorado do a CLA and overhaul on my #2 LX. This Fall I plan on getting the same service on my #1 LX (my first one bought).

 

LK<div></div>

It's a box that captures light on a 24x36mm piece of film. Just like all manual film SLRs. The film determines how much quality you get, if the meter is accurate on two manual cameras, IQ should be equal whether it be a Leica, a Canon, or a Pentax.

 

It also has a lot of seals, it has some neat features not even found in cameras today.

 

However, the price is insane used. Unless you are really going to use this thing like it was meant, or you are a hard core collector, money can be better spent. With the advent of weather sealed DSLRs and the cost of DSLRs dropping to the point where they are somewhat affordable, I can see no real advantage to a camera like the LX.

 

A few years ago, this would have been the ideal backpacking camera for me but not so much anymore.

 

Personally, if I was to drop $600 on a working LX, I'd opt for a Pentax 645 or 6x7 and a lens or two. You can build a decent 645 kit for under $1000 if you shop wisely. I'd rather use the money to build something with totally difference characteristics than what I currently have.

 

That said, if I saw one even a broken one somewhere for a reasonable price, I'd buy it in an instant and have it restored.

Beautiful photos Andy & Len. Any serious collectors in here? There's always the LX Gold.....only 300 ever made. Built to celebrate the the sale of Pentax's 10 Millionth camera....

 

I bet this would cost a pretty penny on Ebay!!!<div></div>

And the back....<div></div>

With my aging eyes and mostly manual lenses I find myself more and more fond of the LX. I have a LOT of trouble focusing the K10D; I almost never miss a shot with the LX.

.. I think a working LX can be had for under $300, based on recent ebay sales

One more image.<div></div>

<center><img src="http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/pentaxlx/pentaxy2k/images/display1.jpg"></center>

I still use one along with my 3rd-Party 20mm/2.8, K24/2.8, K28/3.5, K35/3.5, A50/1.7, M100/4Macro. It needs a CLA though.

Doug did you ever get the shutter timing problem fixed on your LX, or did you get/have another one?

I would tend to go with Justin on this one: I'm sure the LX is an amazing body, but its price is still way to high on the second hand market to make it a good value buy, as far as I am concerned. Of course, if I ever find a money tree...

 

On the other hand, I bought a perfectly good MX for 51£ on the UK 'bay (sold with the small and perfectly adequate SMC Pentax-M50mm f:1.7). That's good value - even though I paid much more than that a bit later for a complete overhaul!<div></div>

I have used two LX's for over ten years - one is well worn, and another is virtually mint - both were

unbelievably cheap. The older one is dedicated for use with a 28mm shift lens, while the newer one is mostly

fitted with a 50mm/1.4, 28mm/2, 85mm/1.4 - or the so-called "cult classic" Tokina 28-85mm f3.5-4.5 ATX (which is

a good

combination). An MX is a great back-up camera.

 

For me the LX is a much nicer camera to use than my Nikon F3HP, though the HP's finder is a winner for glasses

wearers. The only criticism I have of the LX is that it has a "hair trigger" (i.e. shutter release) when a winder

is fitted, but the meter can/should then be switched on using the alternative button rather than the release

itself. AC