Pentax LX questions

olwick · Mar 11, 2011

Hi,

I have a couple of questions about the Pentax LX:

1. I'm trying to figure out which lenses will work with it. I know the FA series will, but are there others?

2. Are the silver oxidde batteries still available?

3. Any other quirks or things to know about?

Thanks,

Mark

Oren Grad · Mar 11, 2011

1. All K, M, A, F and FA lenses directly. M42 screw mount lenses via adapter, with manual aperture control.

2. Yes.

3. Start here...

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/pentaxlx/index.htm

...and here:

http://kmp.bdimitrov.de/bodies/film_LX/index.html

If you're buying one, watch out for "sticky mirror" syndrome.

The Pentax authorized repair center - CRIS - will still accept LX's, but is starting to warn about parts availability. Eric Hendrickson will still work on LX's too. If you're having an LX repaired, ask whether the shop still has the special goop needed to re-establish full weather sealing when the camera is reassembled.

happyjam64 · Mar 11, 2011

2. standard LR44's work, and their available everywhere.

3. DON'T DROP IT! and, when buying one, see if it comes with strap lugs. the lugs are quite rare!

Colin Corneau · Mar 11, 2011

An elegant camera. I had one before I went to Nikon, it's a truly beautiful little machine.

Les Sarile · Mar 11, 2011

Batteries are abundantly available but most of it's shutter speeds are still available even when battery is drained. It's metering range is unparalleled even by today's latest and greatest. Unlike most all others - except for the Oympus OM2 and OM4, it will continue to monitor the scene and change the exposure time accordingly. OTF metering and flash are as good as it gets in TTL mode. Build quality is second to none. Smallest interchangeable VF camera and the only one Pentax ever made.

olwick · Mar 12, 2011

Thanks everyone!

C A Sugg · Mar 13, 2011

happyjam64 said:
2. standard LR44's work, and their available everywhere.

3. DON'T DROP IT! and, when buying one, see if it comes with strap lugs. the lugs are quite rare!

Is that the same lug system as the Hasselblad? ( and Bronica ETR and Kiev60)

thanos · Mar 13, 2011

I'm currently shooting with an LX and the "sticky mirror" is not as dramatically important as people tend to think about it. I've applied pencil graphite from a sharpener to the little rubbers where the mirror rests and I've had no sticky mirror incidents for the last couple of years. Also, I've read somewhere that "sticky mirror" is supposed to make the lens misfocus due to mirror misalignment but I haven't experienced anything like that on my shots. I believe this must be an issue when shooting wide open with tele lenses where it's more obvious.

happyjam64 · Mar 13, 2011

C A Sugg said:
Is that the same lug system as the Hasselblad? ( and Bronica ETR and Kiev60)

Yep, so one can use Hasselblad straps, but having the lugs makes things so much easier.

aoresteen · Mar 13, 2011

C A Sugg said:
Is that the same lug system as the Hasselblad? ( and Bronica ETR and Kiev60)

They are DIFFERENT! I had LX lugs installed in my Spotmatic SL and they do not accept Hasselblad straps.

happyjam64 · Mar 14, 2011

aoresteen said:
They are DIFFERENT! I had LX lugs installed in my Spotmatic SL and they do not accept Hasselblad straps.

Well, the lugs won't accept Hasselblad straps, but the camera will.

Roger Cole · Mar 14, 2011

I have one I really like. I never heard of sticky mirror but will gave to look it up now. I got lugs (and the camera) from KEH with no problem except for the $20 or so price tag.

I wish it had exposure memory lock but that's the only lack I see. Great camera.

andrewc · Mar 14, 2011

Mine had sticky mirror and just about everything else, including the serious focus problems. I sent it to Eric at pentaxs.com and had it completely overhauled. Now it's like new and simply amazing!

Andy

aoresteen · Mar 17, 2011

happyjam64 said:
Well, the lugs won't accept Hasselblad straps, but the camera will.

I'm confused. Hasselblad straps attach to a lug. The Pentax LX uses lugs to attach straps. The Hasselblad strap clips do not fit on the LX lugs.

So how does the LX camera use Hasselblad straps?

lxdude · Mar 17, 2011

And what is a "lug"? Most cameras have a thing with a hole in it into which a ring is inserted, and it is called a lug. On the LX (and the medium format Pentaxes) a post projects from the body and is usually called a lug, while the swivel part that attaches to it, and to which the strap is attached, is also usually called a lug. Oy.

I think the Hasselblad type strap will fit the Pentax 645 and 6x7 format bodies but not the LX.

happyjam64 · Mar 18, 2011

Yeah, it's fairly confusing...

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Pumalite · Mar 21, 2011

A Hasselblad strap to an LX? I don't think so.

gregvassie · Mar 21, 2011

One of my LX bodies didn't come with the original Pentax clip on strap clips, so I purchased the OP/Tech Super Pro A strap which attaches to the bare metal lugs on the LX body. This strap also fits Hasselblad 500 and 503 series bodies (if not other Hasselblad bodies).

http://optechusa.com/super-pro.html

Philippe-Georges · Oct 10, 2011

happyjam64 said:
2. standard LR44's work, and their available everywhere.

3. DON'T DROP IT! and, when buying one, see if it comes with strap lugs. the lugs are quite rare!

The lugs of the Hasselblad strap are fitting perfectly on the LX...

Pentax LX questions

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