Pentax LX

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Pentax LX with sports finder, and accessories.

The Pentax LX was a 35 mm Single-lens reflex camera produced by Pentax of Japan between 1980 and 2001. The lens mount was a Pentax K mount, allowing the use of almost all Pentax 35 mm format lenses. It was the top-of-the-line "professional" camera in the Pentax manual focus range. Compared to contemporary professional bodies from most rival manufacturers, such as the Canon F-1 or Nikon F3, the LX body was much smaller and lighter. Olympus's OM-2, however, was lighter still.

As expected for a professional grade body at the time, the LX was a largely mechanical camera which permitted all-manual operation without batteries. Construction was strong and durable, with a solid metal frame and metal plates. The viewfinder and focusing screen were interchangeable. The camera supported mirror lockup, multiple exposures, and depth of field preview. All buttons and dials were weather and dust sealed. Both a winder and motor drive were available, and a full complement of other professional accessories.

The LX had excellent low-light performance using dynamic, off-the-film-plane TTL metering. Pre-release exposure information is obtained from light reflected from a patterned shutter curtain back to the sensor. This exposure metering makes the camera excellent for available light photography. TTL flash control is also available using Pentax dedicated units. Exposure control is by manual or aperture priority automatic. All the shutter speeds above the X-sync speed of 1/60 second are available without any battery power.

Over the years there is a tendency for the mirror to stick when the shutter is released if the camera has been not been used for a while. Fortunately, this can be repaired easily enough during a camera service.

Currently the LX is still in demand used because off-the-film metering technology allows accurate long duration exposures. Servicing is important since the "ASA volume resistor assembly" is a common replacement part during service. Proper service requires reassembly using liquid sealant on the top/bottom plates and elsewhere.