Because the Pentax LX metering is unaffected with light entering the viewfinder and therefore does not need a viewfinder blind. This is the same for the OM2 and OM4.
One feature that all the cameras mentioned are missing (I think!) is a viewfinder blind.
The OM-2 works in exactly the same way. I believe the Olympus was the first camera with off film metering.The Pentax LX has no need of a viewfinder blind, since the meter reads light falling on the film. The exposure indicated in the viewfinder display merely indicates the approximate exposure.
The OM-2 works in exactly the same way. I believe the Olympus was the first camera with off film metering.
Another potential issue (as opposed to metering errors) can be light leaks through the viewfinder during daylight LE photography. The mirror doesn't always seal the viewfinder 100% when up and this can cause issues during a long exposure especially with a strong back light
In most situations this isn't a problem due to the usually insignificant amount of light that can find it's way to the film from the viewfinder, the mirror usually seals the path more than adequately, but under certain circumstances can become an issue.
I'll second Les' comments on the Pentax LX. I've used mine for moonlight shots on C-41, the total exposure was probably 15 minutes. Perfectly exposed, but really odd color, given the quality of light reflected off the moon.
Fireworks displays were a piece of cake. I wasted a frame or two to determine how long the shutter might remain open, adjusted the aperture appropriately, and then triggered the shutter with a cable release at the first sign of "launch." It goes without saying that a decent tripod is a must, and for the fireworks the winder was a blessing, since toward the end things got hurried. I used an 19mm Vivitar so framing was simple; the show was on the Kanahwa River running through Charleston, WV, and the reflections of the fireworks on the river added a nice touch.
The Yashica Electro 35 rangefinders were promoted with electronically controlled exposure up to 8 seconds but users have found that this is much greater somewhere around 20 seconds. Get a model with the excellent f/1.7 lens. They can also be quite reasonable.
I'll second that Gerald. I have a GSN loaded with film right now and it's a honey of a camera. Superb lens and yes, very long shutter times. The nice thing about the Yashica GSN's lens is that it's really very useable even at f1.7. At least my sample is anyway. Plus, the size and weight isn't to bad either. Some of the Minox 35's will get you long shutter speeds also and they are the size of a pack of smokes. But, all that said, my favorite was a really nice Nikon F2as I owned. That camera could meter a face in only candle light. It's the only camera I had seller remorse over. Just an outstanding piece of equipment. I now have an F4S and while it is probably a better camera in many ways I have just not warmed to it. I will agree with others here that the Pentax LX is probably king of the 35's when it comes to long, metered exposures. Oh, and don't ever worry about Pentax optics since they are some of the very best made. That goes for lenses all the way back to the old Pentax screw mount also. The Canon T90 was excellent that way also, but if you took a few night shot that were pretty long you had better have brought extra batteries along 'cause you'll need them. Truth is no auto camera will take any better long exposure night scene than even your Minolta SRT-101 with a cable release. It's the metering or "guessing" that gets you the shoot that makes you smile.The Yashica Electro 35 rangefinders were promoted with electronically controlled exposure up to 8 seconds but users have found that this is much greater somewhere around 20 seconds. Get a model with the excellent f/1.7 lens. They can also be quite reasonable.
Fireworks are a great example use case for the sorts of things I'm trying to spec for. Usually a few seconds exposure at the most, moving fairly quickly, not always having time to set up and manually time exposures. But moonlit landscapes would definitely be in the wheelhouse, too. The super sure AE of the LX would be a boon in that case, but not a must-have. I'll note that I'm not looking to do any sort of serious or super-involved astro.
One thing I've noticed is that the LX commands an appreciably high price in camera hell. I think I've narrowed down the lenses to look for: K35/2($$$) or M35/3.5; K30/2.8 or M28/2 (both $$$); K24/2.8; M50/1.7; maybe one of the good 135/3.5's someday, too.
Getting in on some M42 Takumars would help pad out my lens lineup without making me wonder why I'm spending so much on vintage 35mm SLR gear, but will the LX's AE metering work normally with adapted M42 lenses, aside from needing to manually stop down to the desired aperture first? Is there anything special about the Pentax-branded adapters?
I'm marking down the LX as the SLR to get, if I get an SLR. It's expensive. Not too crazy compared to a Bessa... but I'm still shopping. One thing I noticed was that when I priced out a nice LX and 35/2 (35mm would be my #1 focal length), it came out pretty close in price to a Konica Hexar AF. It's fitted with great optics, has presumably very low vibration (it's practically silent), AF, AE (down to 30 seconds), and seems like a sleek, portable, fast-to-use camera. I just wonder about the metering and AF performance in moonlight/distant subjects. It defaults to hyperfocal distance (20m) if it can't get a distance value from the reflected IR beams, or you can lock it to infinity with the press of a button, but I wonder if those fallbacks will be good enough. I suppose they would be for small-aperture shooting on a tripod. The other concern is lack of a cable release and true Bulb mode. There is a T mode instead. Again, I suppose this would be OK, as I am not adverse to using the hat trick to end multi-minute exposures.
Does anyone know of any other high-end P&S cameras (Yashica T's, Infinity Styluses and the like) that would be more suitable for my uses than the Hexar? i.e. has real bulb mode or can meter for longer than 30 seconds?
(I feel like I should point out that a G2 is probably a bridge too far in terms of price)
I am not confident of ANY auto exposure much beyond 1 sec. For stuff like that I would use a hand meter.
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