LX or MX?

butangmucat · 12-12-2018, 12:41 PM

So I have a LX, recently serviced by Advance Camera of Portland, OR (which AFAIK was an authorized Pentax shop in the film era), but it seems to not like winders (I've tried two and both didn't work).

I am considering dumping it for a MX set with a winder, or to contact Advance Camera to see if further repair options are available. Which one would you suggest? I am a bit afraid of the MX battery drain problem (not sure if it's mechanical or electrical).

Sincerely

通过我的 moto x4 上的 Tapatalk发言

Last edited by butangmucat; 12-12-2018 at 12:53 PM.

johnha · 12-12-2018, 04:05 PM - **1 Like**

The MX is a great camera, but its winder is much less refined than the LX one (and the screw holding the battery door is prone to breaking). When working, the LX goes zip, zip, zip, the MX goes whir, clack whir (similar to the MEII). I've had two MX winders and sold them as they don't work with the way I use the cameras (short primes & careful shooting).

The LX is a fab camera, although being able to use a winder would be very handy, the merits of everything else far outweigh the extra convenience.

**cpk** · 12-12-2018, 04:40 PM

How are you using your LX? I have both the LX and the MX, complete with winders. I am using the LX for street photography without the winder because of the weight it adds and, to some degree, its noise. For me the LX's metering system is ideal for my purposes because I can set the f-stop and the LX chooses the shutter speed depending in the lighting situation at the moment. If I were to use the MX for street photography, I would have to re-meter each time the lighting situation changes. However, if I were to use the MX, I would use it with the winder because it makes it easier to hold (I have the side grip on my LX).

**monochrome** · 12-12-2018, 04:52 PM

Be sure to check that the LX Winder drive pins are engaged to the bottom of the film take up spool on the camera. If the coupling is correct and the winder is spinning the drive plate / pins, the take up spool needs adjustment. I would send the LX and the offending winder together to your repair specialist (or to Eric Hendrickson) for a diagnosis.

**ChrisPlatt** · 12-12-2018, 05:28 PM - **2 Likes**

5 fps motor drives were made for both models but they are rare and expensive.
NiCd battery backs are problematic.

I have had good luck with the Winder MX. Each one I have owned was speedy and worked well.
OTOH my Winder LX was slow and performed poorly.

When shopping for a Winder MX make sure plastic battery cover screw is not stripped.

If you can afford it buy an MX with winder and sell the losing combination after comparing performance.

FWIW I sold my LX but kept my MX; I use it when I need a motorized SLR.

Chris

**monochrome** · 12-12-2018, 05:37 PM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

5 fps motor drives were made for both models but they are rare and expensive.
NiCd battery backs are problematic.

I have had good luck with the Winder MX. Each one I have owned was speedy and worked well.
OTOH my Winder LX was slow and performed poorly.

When shopping for a Winder MX make sure plastic battery cover screw is not stripped.

If you can afford it buy an MX with winder and sell the losing combination after comparing performance.

FWIW I sold my LX but kept my MX; I use it when I need a motorized SLR.

Chris

I have 2 LX Motor Drives; one with a working NiCad battery pack and one with the D Cell Grip. I much prefer them to the Winder LX.

butangmucat · 12-12-2018, 07:40 PM

Originally posted by monochrome

Be sure to check that the LX Winder drive pins are engaged to the bottom of the film take up spool on the camera. If the coupling is correct and the winder is spinning the drive plate / pins, the take up spool needs adjustment. I would send the LX and the offending winder together to your repair specialist (or to Eric Hendrickson) for a diagnosis.

As I've posted in Pentax LX Damaging Winder Attachments? - PentaxForums.com, my second winder from KEH failed in a very wired way:

- Upon installing, the winder correctly advanced film
- Shutter got triggered when pressing the shutter button
- The aperture stopped down
- However the mirror did not raise
- Moving into MLU causes the shutter to fire
- The motor drive seems to be dead after that - no LED flicker, no motor movement etc.
- But the camera is functioning correctly after this point and I'm still contacting Advance Camera about this issue.

KEH can't figure what happened and refunded me the winder, though.

---------- Post added 12-12-18 at 07:43 PM ----------

Originally posted by cpk

How are you using your LX? I have both the LX and the MX, complete with winders. I am using the LX for street photography without the winder because of the weight it adds and, to some degree, its noise. For me the LX's metering system is ideal for my purposes because I can set the f-stop and the LX chooses the shutter speed depending in the lighting situation at the moment. If I were to use the MX for street photography, I would have to re-meter each time the lighting situation changes. However, if I were to use the MX, I would use it with the winder because it makes it easier to hold (I have the side grip on my LX).

I usually shoot it in A mode, especially if I'm using slide film. I also like the FB-1/FC-1 combo because I have severe near sight problem and I have to wear glasses when using a camera. However I don't mind a full manual camera because I've used my Spotmatic F with very good results. A Spotmatic F or KX with motor is one of my dream cameras.

I bought the LX mainly for the IDM meter, because I like the new Ektachrome very much and I want a camera with precise meter for that. A lot of of my photography subject is on trains and railroad, so the ability to shoot continuously comes very handy, though I have used my Spotmatic for this task from time to time.

Last edited by butangmucat; 12-12-2018 at 07:57 PM. Reason: fix typos

runswithsizzers · 12-12-2018, 07:59 PM

I can't comment on winder performance, but none of the 4 or 5 MX bodies I have owned ever had any 'battery drain problems'

The MX I am using now was last used in April of 2010; when I turned it on 8 years later the old battery powered up the meter like it was yesterday.

nickthetasmaniac · 12-12-2018, 11:07 PM

I also can't comment on Winders, but have had three MX bodies without any battery drain issues...

**cpk** · 12-13-2018, 07:22 AM

Originally posted by butangmucat

I bought the LX mainly for the IDM meter, because I like the new Ektachrome very much and I want a camera with precise meter for that. A lot of of my photography subject is on trains and railroad, so the ability to shoot continuously comes very handy, though I have used my Spotmatic for this task from time to time.

Understood. I would agree that in your use of the LX (or an MX or any other camera) a winder would be a definite asset. A motor drive might be better because of the wind speed although they are harder to come by. As to the metering system, the LX's is definitely more complex than the MX's, but will it improve things in your case? A hand-held incident light meter may the best approach unless the lighting conditions are constantly and quickly changing.

butangmucat · 12-13-2018, 04:19 PM

Originally posted by cpk

Understood. I would agree that in your use of the LX (or an MX or any other camera) a winder would be a definite asset. A motor drive might be better because of the wind speed although they are harder to come by. As to the metering system, the LX's is definitely more complex than the MX's, but will it improve things in your case? A hand-held incident light meter may the best approach unless the lighting conditions are constantly and quickly changing.

For my subject, an incident meter is not practical under most conditions... That's why I prefer to have the best TTL meter I can get. Another plus is that IIRC LX has a stepless shutter in A mode, but MX has only whole shops. Don't know if this helps a lot, but my two favorite lenses, Ricoh 28-100/4 and Porst 55/1.2 only has whole-stop apertures. LX is also weather sealed but none of my lenses are...

**ChrisPlatt** · 12-13-2018, 04:55 PM

Used intelligently the MX exposure meter is fully as capable of that in the LX in most circumstances.
However if you must have aperture-priority autoexposure you should of course stick with the LX.

Chris

**TwoUptons** · 12-13-2018, 05:19 PM

My first MX drained batteries when I had it 20 years ago. My current one doesn’t...

I’ve always loved the ergonomics of the Pentax M-series winders but haven’t wanted one since I got my PZ-20...

I still use a ‘modern’ slr when I want the camera to wind the film, though it’s now a ZX-£...

The winders, though, make the older cameras seem more like the tools of a tradesman than those of an artist, and for me, digital has taken over the trade aspects of my photography...

-Eric

12-12-2018, 12:41 PM	#1
butangmucat Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 709	LX or MX? So I have a LX, recently serviced by Advance Camera of Portland, OR (which AFAIK was an authorized Pentax shop in the film era), but it seems to not like winders (I've tried two and both didn't work). I am considering dumping it for a MX set with a winder, or to contact Advance Camera to see if further repair options are available. Which one would you suggest? I am a bit afraid of the MX battery drain problem (not sure if it's mechanical or electrical). Sincerely 通过我的 moto x4 上的 Tapatalk发言 Last edited by butangmucat; 12-12-2018 at 12:53 PM.

12-13-2018, 07:22 AM	#10
cpk Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Montreal Posts: 638	Originally posted by butangmucat I bought the LX mainly for the IDM meter, because I like the new Ektachrome very much and I want a camera with precise meter for that. A lot of of my photography subject is on trains and railroad, so the ability to shoot continuously comes very handy, though I have used my Spotmatic for this task from time to time. Understood. I would agree that in your use of the LX (or an MX or any other camera) a winder would be a definite asset. A motor drive might be better because of the wind speed although they are harder to come by. As to the metering system, the LX's is definitely more complex than the MX's, but will it improve things in your case? A hand-held incident light meter may the best approach unless the lighting conditions are constantly and quickly changing. Last edited by cpk; 12-13-2018 at 07:44 AM.

12-13-2018, 04:55 PM	#12
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694	Used intelligently the MX exposure meter is fully as capable of that in the LX in most circumstances. However if you must have aperture-priority autoexposure you should of course stick with the LX. Chris Last edited by ChrisPlatt; 12-15-2018 at 03:26 PM.

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12-12-2018, 04:05 PM - 1 Like	#2
johnha Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lancashire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,155	The MX is a great camera, but its winder is much less refined than the LX one (and the screw holding the battery door is prone to breaking). When working, the LX goes zip, zip, zip, the MX goes whir, clack whir (similar to the MEII). I've had two MX winders and sold them as they don't work with the way I use the cameras (short primes & careful shooting). The LX is a fab camera, although being able to use a winder would be very handy, the merits of everything else far outweigh the extra convenience.

12-12-2018, 04:40 PM	#3
cpk Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Montreal Posts: 638	How are you using your LX? I have both the LX and the MX, complete with winders. I am using the LX for street photography without the winder because of the weight it adds and, to some degree, its noise. For me the LX's metering system is ideal for my purposes because I can set the f-stop and the LX chooses the shutter speed depending in the lighting situation at the moment. If I were to use the MX for street photography, I would have to re-meter each time the lighting situation changes. However, if I were to use the MX, I would use it with the winder because it makes it easier to hold (I have the side grip on my LX).

12-12-2018, 04:52 PM	#4
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Be sure to check that the LX Winder drive pins are engaged to the bottom of the film take up spool on the camera. If the coupling is correct and the winder is spinning the drive plate / pins, the take up spool needs adjustment. I would send the LX and the offending winder together to your repair specialist (or to Eric Hendrickson) for a diagnosis.

12-12-2018, 05:28 PM - 2 Likes	#5
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694	5 fps motor drives were made for both models but they are rare and expensive. NiCd battery backs are problematic. I have had good luck with the Winder MX. Each one I have owned was speedy and worked well. OTOH my Winder LX was slow and performed poorly. When shopping for a Winder MX make sure plastic battery cover screw is not stripped. If you can afford it buy an MX with winder and sell the losing combination after comparing performance. FWIW I sold my LX but kept my MX; I use it when I need a motorized SLR. Chris

12-12-2018, 05:37 PM	#6
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt 5 fps motor drives were made for both models but they are rare and expensive. NiCd battery backs are problematic. I have had good luck with the Winder MX. Each one I have owned was speedy and worked well. OTOH my Winder LX was slow and performed poorly. When shopping for a Winder MX make sure plastic battery cover screw is not stripped. If you can afford it buy an MX with winder and sell the losing combination after comparing performance. FWIW I sold my LX but kept my MX; I use it when I need a motorized SLR. Chris I have 2 LX Motor Drives; one with a working NiCad battery pack and one with the D Cell Grip. I much prefer them to the Winder LX.

12-12-2018, 07:40 PM	#7
butangmucat Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 709 Original Poster	Originally posted by monochrome Be sure to check that the LX Winder drive pins are engaged to the bottom of the film take up spool on the camera. If the coupling is correct and the winder is spinning the drive plate / pins, the take up spool needs adjustment. I would send the LX and the offending winder together to your repair specialist (or to Eric Hendrickson) for a diagnosis. As I've posted in Pentax LX Damaging Winder Attachments? - PentaxForums.com, my second winder from KEH failed in a very wired way: - Upon installing, the winder correctly advanced film - Shutter got triggered when pressing the shutter button - The aperture stopped down - However the mirror did not raise - Moving into MLU causes the shutter to fire - The motor drive seems to be dead after that - no LED flicker, no motor movement etc. - But the camera is functioning correctly after this point and I'm still contacting Advance Camera about this issue. KEH can't figure what happened and refunded me the winder, though. ---------- Post added 12-12-18 at 07:43 PM ---------- Originally posted by cpk How are you using your LX? I have both the LX and the MX, complete with winders. I am using the LX for street photography without the winder because of the weight it adds and, to some degree, its noise. For me the LX's metering system is ideal for my purposes because I can set the f-stop and the LX chooses the shutter speed depending in the lighting situation at the moment. If I were to use the MX for street photography, I would have to re-meter each time the lighting situation changes. However, if I were to use the MX, I would use it with the winder because it makes it easier to hold (I have the side grip on my LX). I usually shoot it in A mode, especially if I'm using slide film. I also like the FB-1/FC-1 combo because I have severe near sight problem and I have to wear glasses when using a camera. However I don't mind a full manual camera because I've used my Spotmatic F with very good results. A Spotmatic F or KX with motor is one of my dream cameras. I bought the LX mainly for the IDM meter, because I like the new Ektachrome very much and I want a camera with precise meter for that. A lot of of my photography subject is on trains and railroad, so the ability to shoot continuously comes very handy, though I have used my Spotmatic for this task from time to time. Last edited by butangmucat; 12-12-2018 at 07:57 PM. Reason: fix typos

12-12-2018, 07:59 PM	#8
runswithsizzers Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: USA Posts: 186	I can't comment on winder performance, but none of the 4 or 5 MX bodies I have owned ever had any 'battery drain problems' The MX I am using now was last used in April of 2010; when I turned it on 8 years later the old battery powered up the meter like it was yesterday.

12-12-2018, 11:07 PM	#9
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361	I also can't comment on Winders, but have had three MX bodies without any battery drain issues...

12-13-2018, 04:19 PM	#11
butangmucat Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 709 Original Poster	Originally posted by cpk Understood. I would agree that in your use of the LX (or an MX or any other camera) a winder would be a definite asset. A motor drive might be better because of the wind speed although they are harder to come by. As to the metering system, the LX's is definitely more complex than the MX's, but will it improve things in your case? A hand-held incident light meter may the best approach unless the lighting conditions are constantly and quickly changing. For my subject, an incident meter is not practical under most conditions... That's why I prefer to have the best TTL meter I can get. Another plus is that IIRC LX has a stepless shutter in A mode, but MX has only whole shops. Don't know if this helps a lot, but my two favorite lenses, Ricoh 28-100/4 and Porst 55/1.2 only has whole-stop apertures. LX is also weather sealed but none of my lenses are...

12-13-2018, 05:19 PM	#13
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,214	My first MX drained batteries when I had it 20 years ago. My current one doesn’t... I’ve always loved the ergonomics of the Pentax M-series winders but haven’t wanted one since I got my PZ-20... I still use a ‘modern’ slr when I want the camera to wind the film, though it’s now a ZX-£... The winders, though, make the older cameras seem more like the tools of a tradesman than those of an artist, and for me, digital has taken over the trade aspects of my photography... -Eric