Pentax LX 35mm SLRs
Pentax LX 35mm SLRs
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[May 25, 2000]
Kenneth Kuo
Expert
Model Reviewed:
LX
Strength:
- Advanced off-the-film metering (BEST FEATURE)
Weakness:
- Small viewfinder eyepiece - The pinnacle of Pentax 35mm SLRs, bar none. Customer Service Competent, but slow turnaround in Vancouver office Similar Products Used: Pentax K1000/Super Program/MX/ME Super |
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[May 13, 2000]
Stan Corbin
Expert
Model Reviewed:
LX
Strength:
Small, lightweight,Very accurate TTLOTF
Weakness:
flash sync. (60) Great travel SLR because of its weight and the way the strap system works. I have travelled SE Asia & Russia with the LX & 50mm1.4 (M) lens. Thats truly a lightweigh combo and have great slides to prove it. Customer Service None needed Similar Products Used: Nikon, olympus, minolta slrs |
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[May 04, 2000]
Michael Fanelli
Expert
Model Reviewed:
LX
Strength:
Solid build. Very tight weather sealing. Extremely accurate off-the-film metering. A real pedigree among the mutts.
Weakness:
Only available used. Expensive. Of all my cameras, this one is my favorite. The metering, although simple center-weighted is extremely accurate. The feel and operation of the LX is better than any other camera I've used. It is, by far, the best ever made by Pentax. Yeah, I like AF, motor drives, and matrix metering but... I keep reaching for my old LX. Customer Service Excellent. The last repair (dropped while open for film changing, rolling down the sand dune) was fast and cheap. Similar Products Used: Lots of Pentax 35mm and 6x7. Canon EOS-3 and Rebel 2000. |
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[Apr 02, 2000]
Doug
Intermediate
Model Reviewed:
LX
Strength:
Several view finders. 2 min exposure times. Exposure taken on film plane; monitors changes during exposure. Lots of extras. An excellent manual pro camera. Very tight seals. Mirror lock up.
Weakness:
60X flash sync. Manual exposure longest exposure is 4 seconds (but does have a 'B' of course). A really lovely camera to use in nature work. The exposure posibilities sold me on this camera. Get the new ones though 53XXXXXX; less prone to mirror stick up, also can check exposure with fider release button. Customer Service Pretty good. The LX, although old still is taken care of by Pentax. Similar Products Used: None |
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[Feb 09, 2000]
Bruce Rubenstein
Expert
Model Reviewed:
LX
Strength:
Very well made solid feel. Excellent handling. Low vibration levels and can be hand held at low shutter speeds. Unique flash metering system.
Weakness:
Low flash sync speed. When used with a TTL flash sync speed is forced to it's maximum (unless you know the magic kludge). View finder could be a little brighter. If you own/like manual focus K mount lenses, this is the body to own. As good, or better, than similar era cameras. Customer Service The worst. Pentax USA has proven itself so inept that I switched brands. Similar Products Used: Pentax made nothing else like this. Nikon FA & FE2. |
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[Jan 20, 2000]
Bob Blakely
Intermediate
Model Reviewed:
LX
Strength:
This camera is light, small, solid and an engineering marvel. It's simple, versatile, and elegant design is a joy to work with. I've never had a camera that metered so faithfully in low light. I now own five; some set up with different finders and screens for specialized purposes. It's absolutely solid. It's never let me down.
Weakness:
One had a sticky mirror. Clean, lube & adjust, including new little rubber bumpers for the mirror fixed the problem. The body is quite expensive, even used. Now only available new (to order) from Japan. This is a most excellent manual focus camera, and it's the lightest, most compact for a camera with it's feature set. It's a bit pricey though. Customer Service I've never used Pentax customer service. My local camera tech was able to get parts for mirror problem in less than a week. Similar Products Used: H2, ME Super, ME-F, Super A - all Pentax. |
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[Jan 16, 2000]
zhou yu
Intermediate
Model Reviewed:
LX
Strength:
every thing you need except AF
Weakness:
shutter may stuck when it gets old a little bit expensive though. but it is a really good stuff Similar Products Used: pentax me super, ricoh kr5super... |
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[Nov 02, 2000]
Hermann Esser
Professional
Strength:
A real pro camera
Weakness:
? The best 35mm camera Pentax ever made. Customer Service After more than 20 years experience still the best !!! Similar Products Used: MX/mot, ME Super, Super A/mot, 6x7, Contax, Nikon |
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[Nov 14, 2000]
Dave
Expert
Strength:
Exposes chromes extremely accurate,accessories/lenses all of highest quality a true joy to use.
Weakness:
Had the sticking mirror problem which was repaired br Pentax USA three years ago,no problems since. But the repair cost more than the body originally did, but it was worth it to keep the LX in service. I lusted for three years after the LX introduction in 1980 until, in 1983, the price was finally right.I Bought the body,finder and Vivitar 28-80 lenses for under $500.00. I now also have the winder, grip and AF400T flash which makes a terrific combination. To make an analogy this camera is truly the Cadillac Allante of SLRs (or vice-versa). Customer Service Long lead time and very expensive,the repair appears effective though. Similar Products Used: Pentax Spotmatic,K1000 and 6x7. |
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[Nov 14, 2000]
J.G.
Intermediate
Strength:
Sturdy, weather-resistant construction
Weakness:
Accessories are hard to come by and expensive. This is one great camera. If you can get one for a reasonable price, don't hesitate. Be prepared to spend a little extra for accessories, though. Also, be on the lookout for the sticky shutter problem that plagues some LX's. Similar Products Used: Canon Rebel |