Originally posted by ctrout Of course everyone knows that it's a great camera, probably Pentax's best ever, if not the world's best ever manual focus 35mm SLR so I don't think the LX could be considered underrated at all.
. . .
I will take issue with the low rating of the AP in comparison to the nearly identical K though.
I suppose the review may have a lot to do with perspective from the reviewer.
At the time of it's release, the LX was Pentax's first attempt at an interchangeable VF full system camera while both Canon and Nikon were on their third. It is likely those users didn't think much of the LX. Of course today we know that while all other features available at that time have been superseded, the LX's meter stands unequaled by any brand or model - past or present.
The low rating on the AP is a reflection of not enough reviews and I believe it also lacks perspective. I will be sure to review that soon enough as it is my sentimental favorite - my birthyear.
A little perspective from the magazines of that period and you can see that rangefinders were the dominant lot - by a country mile! Sure there were SLRs then but the AP finally solved the biggest issue then - the VF blacking out after a shot is taken!
If you haven't seen it, the review from Cameraquest is excellent ->
Pentax Original