Pentax LX questions

[olwick]

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]

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...axlx/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]

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]

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

[Les Sarile]

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]

Thanks everyone!

[C A Sugg]

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]

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]

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]

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.