Pentax LX
The Pentax LX came on the market in 1980, was built around the year 2000 and sold well beyond the year 2000. The LX was presented and launched on the 60th anniversary of the Pentax company. Hence the name LX - the number 60 in Roman letters.
The LX is designed as a classic professional camera and as the top model of the Pentax SLR cameras. It has a modular structure and is integrated into an extensive accessory system consisting of interchangeable viewfinders, drives, back panels, flash units, remote control accessories and, above all, lenses. Almost all components have been specially developed for the LX. The LX offers a hybrid shutter, IDM measuring system, interchangeable viewfinder and shutter speed range up to 125 seconds. The LX was introduced roughly at the same time as the Nikon F3 and Canon F-1 New .
Data and equipment features
The Pentax LX is a 35 mm reflex camera with TTL light measurement. The lens connection is the K bayonet .
Closure: The closure of the LX is a so-called hybrid closure, with ultra-thin titanium roller blinds that run horizontally. Hybrid because this lock is controlled both mechanically and electronically and therefore still works without battery power. The short times (1/2000 to 1/75 s) are controlled mechanically and the long times (1/60 to 125 seconds) electronically. The shutter speed is set “classic” using a shutter speed button on the top of the camera. The manual shutter speeds can be set from 4 to 1/2000 seconds using this button (plus X and B). With aperture priority automatic (position A on the shutter speed knob) the camera controls shutter speeds from a full 125 seconds to 1/2000 seconds. The flash sync time is 1/75 second.
Measuring system or measuring characteristics: The measuring system of the LX is integrated into the housing and works even without an attached viewfinder. This integrated direct measuring system (IDM) measures the light reflected from the film surface, even during exposure, and thus reacts directly to the current light situation. The measurement is independent of the aperture, ground glass and viewfinder and thus also takes into account short-term changes in the lighting situation that take place during the exposure. This measuring process also takes place during flash operation, again directly on the film surface and doses the amount of flash light. The LX uses a heavily center-weighted integral metering for exposure metering. Center emphasis is different for manual and automatic operation. With manual operation, the emphasis is stronger on the center and the measuring field does not extend to the lower edge of the image. With automatic, the measuring field is slightly larger and extends to the bottom of the image.
- Scope of measurement for tracking measurement: LW 1 to 19.
- Measurement range with automatic timing: EV −6.5 to 20
Self-timer / mirror lock-up / dimming lever via multi-function lever: The self-timer on the LX is mechanical and has a variably adjustable lead time between 4 and 12 s (setting on the multi-function lever on the front of the camera).
Viewfinder: The LX has interchangeable viewfinders. There are a total of six different viewfinders (FA-1, FA-1W, FA-2, FE-1, FF-1, FB-1). The FB-1 occupies a special position among the interchangeable viewfinders of single-lens reflex cameras. It is a finder base with a bayonet connection. Three different attachments can be mounted on this basis (FD-1, FD-2, FC-1). The LX viewfinders show 98% of the image field horizontally and 95% vertically, as well as the shutter speed scale and, in some cases, the aperture set on the lens. The viewfinders offer magnifications between 0.55 × and 1.35 × and the eye circle is between 15 and 60 mm. Most of the viewfinders offer adjustable diopter compensation .
Viewfinder information: The LX's viewfinder provides a clear, bright viewfinder image. - On the right side, the set or measured shutter speeds are shown by 16 LEDs in three different colors. Aperture priority is also shown, manually set times, flash readiness and set exposure corrections. In the middle above the viewfinder image, the aperture (on most viewfinders) is reflected in by the lens.
Housing: The housing of the LX is made of a robust and lightweight aluminum alloy that was specially developed for the LX. This material is lighter than zinc and stronger than plastic and thus protects the camera permanently and reliably against impacts and vibrations. A black aluminate coating was used for the housing. Special effort has been devoted to protecting against dust and moisture. The housing upper and lower caps are sealed with a special sealing compound. In addition, various plastic and foam seals and sealed ball bearings ensure that moisture and foreign matter are prevented from entering the housing.
- Dimensions: (144.5 × 90.5 × 50) mm³ (with viewfinder FA-1)
- Weight: 565 g (with viewfinder FA-1)
- Power supply: two 1.5 volt silver oxide batteries (also serve as a battery test indicator)
equipment
Camera drives
- Motor-Drive : The Motor Drive LX offered is small and compact and reaches 5 frames / second. The frame rate is infinitely variable in the range from 0.5 frames / second to 5 frames / second. The Motor Drive offers rewinding and can rewind a film with 36 exposures within 8 seconds. The following energy sources are available for the Motor Drive: NiCd pack LX, battery handle M, power supply unit.
- Winder : The offered Winder LX is quite voluminous compared to winders from other cameras. The winder enables single image recordings and series image recordings at 2 frames / second and can rewind a film with 36 frames within approx. 15 seconds.
Handles
There are two different handles for the LX that can be screwed onto the front (left). The handles make the camera easier to handle, especially when no motor drive is connected. The Grip A is a rectangular plastic block that can be shaped individually with a file. - The Grip B is a pre-formed standard handle.
Camera back panels
The standard rear panel of the LX can be exchanged for the following rear panels:
- Watch-Data-LX: a back wall with time or memo field
- Dial-Data-LX: a data back wall for imprinting date and numerical values
- Long film magazine: 10 m of film material for up to 250 shots.
Focusing screens
14 interchangeable types of focusing screens, from the full focusing screen to the version with a sectional image or microprism ring. The focusing screens of the Pentax MX can also be used, but they provide a darker viewfinder image. The focusing screens are changed by the lens bayonet (as with the Pentax MX ).
Remote release accessories
There are a number of accessories available for remote control of the LX:
- Several remote release cables that are released via switches, the battery grip M or the Pentax power supply.
- Infrared remote control that can trigger up to three cameras from a distance of up to 60 m.
Versions
The LX has been produced almost unchanged since its appearance in 1980. The outer and most obvious feature for a fundamental differentiation of the versions is the release interlock. - In the first two models, like the Pentax MX, it is in the form of a "bar" that points forward. - In the later models, the release lock is in the form of a "collar" around the release and can also be turned from left to right.
- 1st version: Bar-shaped trigger lock, ASA range from 6 to 1600, no activation of the measuring system by the exposure correction locking button, rubber dampers on the mirror mechanism harden and lead to the well-known "sticky mirror problem" after a few years.
- 2nd version: bolt-shaped release lock, ASA range from 6 to 3200. The measuring system can be activated by the exposure correction lock button. Damping rubbers on the mirror mechanism harden and lead to the well-known "sticky mirror problem" after a few years.
- 3rd version: collar-shaped shutter release lock, ASA range from 6 to 3200. Metering system can be activated by the exposure correction lock button. Damping rubbers have been revised. Sticky mirror problem hardly occurs with these cameras.
Special models
For many years, the LX was the top model of the Pentax 35mm SLR cameras. Over the years, four special models were produced in limited numbers:
- 1. Special model: Pentax LX Gold Limited Edition. This version came out in 1981 to celebrate the 10,000,000 Pentax SLR camera production. The camera was gold-plated (18 carat) with snakeskin leather upholstery and was sold in a set with a gold-plated Pentax SMC 1.2 / 50 mm lens. The serial numbers of these cameras begin with XM and a three-digit number (e.g. XM322).
- 2. Special model: Pentax LX Titanium, titanium colored. This version came on the Japanese market in 1994 in a limited number of 1000 pieces. The serial numbers of these cameras are in the range from 7500001 to 7501000. The camera does not have any special engraving or leather, but was sold in a special box with a brown leather strap.
- 3. Special model: Pentax LX Titanium, black. This version came onto the Japanese market in 1996 in a limited number of 300. The serial numbers of these cameras are in the range 4013427 to 4013554. The camera has the word “Titanium” on the front. The leather covering is the same as on the standard models. It was sold in a special box with a black leather strap
- 4. Special model: Pentax LX Millennium Y2K-Edition. This version came on the market in 2000 in a limited number of 2000 pieces. The camera has the lettering LX 2000 on the front, the leather is brown. The Millennium-LX is silver-colored (but not made of titanium) and was sold as a set with a silver-colored Pentax SMC 1.2 / 50 mm standard lens, a special box and a leather strap.
Web links
literature
- Pentax LX operating instructions (German), o. J.
- Günter Richter: Taking photos successfully with the Pentax system. Moewig Verlag, 1985
- Horst Keppler: The Asahi Pentax Way , Focal Press Limited London, 1981