[LeDave]

How long can I use a Pentax MX with new light seals before it needs to be replaced? Is there a certain time period? Months? Years? Thanks. I know a seal needs to be replaced once it begins to get sticky, however what is the estimate?

[John Poirier]

How long can I use a Pentax MX with new light seals before it needs to be replaced? Is there a certain time period? Months? Years? Thanks. I know a seal needs to be replaced once it begins to get sticky, however what is the estimate?

That depends on the quality of the materials in the new seals, which is probably unknown. Other unknowns include storage and use conditions. If the new materials are the same as originals,based on my experience they should last 15 or 20 years.

[stevebrot]

I concur with John, though I only got 10 years out of the seals on my Olympus XA.


Steve

[elliott]

Environmental conditions come into play a lot too, after the first 10 years I'd start checking them every year or so.

[builttospill]

Elliot makes a good point, and one I'll expound on. With you living near the Great Lake's the humidity will reduce the time your seals will work. I don't have an exact answer for you, but my experience living in the desert of Salt Lake City I've never had to replace a seal on any of my cameras.

My parents gave me a K1000, probably around 1990, that they had been using for years. That camera has been through thousands of rolls of film and has seen a lot of use. I still use it now and the foam looks perfect. The K1000 is from the `70s. My MX seals are original too, along with the seals in my K2 DMD. My KM seals are good, but the meter is faulty, so that will be the first camera I send to Eric for a CLA.

Not everyone's experience will be the same. I've been lucky, but I also baby my equipment and store it with silica packs in the closet and in my camera bag.

[vonBaloney]

Never had one go bad while I was using the camera regularly -- usually just those that have been sitting around for years start to fall apart. I never gave a thought to light seals when I was actually shooting film, only when I started buying old lenses in the last year that often came with old bodies attached...

[gofour3]

I finally replaced my KX seals after 32 years of use. They were still in decent shape with no light leaks.

Phil.

[boriscleto]

I have a 25 year old K1000, the light seals are still in good shape. I have a KX, ME, ME Super, MV, and Super Program sitting on a shelf. All need new seals...

[hollywoodfred]

I puchased my K1000 28 years ago. The original seals were replaced this spring after a roll exhibited light leaks.