[owenhu]

Hi all, I have purchased a later version (new shutter lock design) Pentax LX from a reputable Japanese Ebay seller a couple weeks ago. Everything works great except that occasionally the shutter curtain will get stuck for a long time. I have yet to find a consistent pattern to replicate this, but this is what I've noticed:

1. This has only happened in Auto mode and speeds below the "x" in other words electronically controlled speeds.
2. It happens more often after not using it for a day or two.
3. This has happened with or without film, with or without lens cap on, with or without the back open, and with or without mirror lockup.

This was happening like every third fires at 1/15s this afternoon, and when I took it to Downtown Camera in Toronto, it happened less frequently. An employee there who owns three LXs told me that it might be an issue with the electronics or the dial contact, and referred me to Eric at pentaxs.com. Unfortunately, Eric said he no longer repairs LXs. After I got home, it happened even less frequently but I was able to capture this on video where I was shooting at 1/60s with mirror locked up Imgur: The magic of the Internet. I'm in contact with the Ebay seller who offered to cover repair cost if it's not too expensive, but I don't even know where to repair this. And I hope I can avoid returning this because I really loved using the LX in my limited time with it plus I had spent a large portion of the cost on shipping and duties and taxes which would go down the drain.

What do you recommend me to do? Any help/advice is appreciated! Thanks!

[andrewd]

Based on your video, it looks like it could be this fault:

‘ Shutter speeds from 1/60 downwards erratic or shutter stays open at slower speeds. This is normally due to a fault in the shutter speed control assembly situated immediately under the shutter speed dial.’

from this web site: https://harrowtechnical.co.uk/camera-faults/

The second LX I bought had this problem. I contacted Robin at Harrow Technical and he recommended I send the camera back. The shutter speed control assembly is not available as a replacement part. The only option is to salvage one from a working camera.

[shyrsio]

I have the same problem with my LX, also late version. I feel the speeds 60 and lower take just a bit more than they should. I even compared some with the MX side to side and I can tell the LX takes about 1/10 to 1/5 of the selected speed more time. I remember reading somewhere this is linked to aging electronics but I see now the problem seems to be more mechanical oriented. Thank you for the info.

[leekil]

Could it also be the sticky rubber bumper that the mirror gets stuck to? That rubber can be replaced.

[andrewd]

It really needs to go to a technician who is an LX specialist to correctly diagnose. Not many of those left unfortunately. Robin in UK is one of them, but that won’t be feasible for OP. He might be able to help with a diagnosis by email. The Ebay seller should have run through all the speeds before advertising the camera as working condition.

I think the lowest risk option is to send it back.You will lose the import expenses but is better than having an unusable and unsellable camera. LX’s are lovely but are quite a risky purchase unfortunately. I would only buy one locally from a camera dealer with a return policy.

[arnold]

Have you checked the battery is fully powering and not weak?

[Zivelot]

Hi,

There is one thing I realised as a long time LX user. The problem with LX can be that if it sits for too long and the ISO dial does not get turned the contacts get oxidised and give a bad reading to the shutter electronics. What I usually do is to fiddle/turn the ISO dial back and forth (like if you wanted to set an ISO speed) on its full range a good couple of times (20-30 turns or so). This gets rid of oxidisation on the copper or whatever surfaces. I had my LX "repaired" recently like that as I have not used it for months and the speeds got erratic. Try this. Not sure it helps with yours, but is a cheap option to try.

[owenhu]

Thanks for all the responses, they were very helpful! I have sent the camera to Service Camera Pro at Montreal who was willing to have a crack at it. There were some great suggestions from yall that I will try if the repairing doesn't go well.

Could it also be the sticky rubber bumper that the mirror gets stuck to?

The mirror doesn't get stuck, the curtain is the one that gets stuck, and this also happens when mirror is locked up, so I assume it shouldn't be a mirror issue?

It really needs to go to a technician who is an LX specialist to correctly diagnose.

I have consulted Eric from pentaxs.com and he simply said it was an electronics issue. To be fair to the seller, this happens quite rarely and he had a video posted of him going through the speeds and they were all fine. Even right now it's kind of hard to replicate this consistently.

Have you checked the battery is fully powering and not weak?

Yes the batteries are fresh, although I haven't tried to use a different pair of new ones.

The problem with LX can be that if it sits for too long and the ISO dial does not get turned the contacts get oxidised and give a bad reading to the shutter electronics.

That's also what the camera store employee with 3 LXs said, it might be an issue with the ISO dial. I will have to try that.

[arnold]

Thanks for all the responses, they were very helpful! I have sent the camera to Service Camera Pro at Montreal who was willing to have a crack at it. There were some great suggestions from yall that I will try if the repairing doesn't go well.

That's also what the camera store employee with 3 LXs said, it might be an issue with the ISO dial. I will have to try that.

Yes, check the speed selector dials as well. I noticed my LX, after sitting for a year or two, would not fire properly on Auto. I would point into a dark closet and it would fire at a high speed regardless. This went on for a while, eventually leading me to start rotating the ISO and speed dials. It came good after that. It seems contacts get a deposit on them.

[owenhu]

Update: Rene at Service Camera Pro in Montreal did an overhaul of the camera and it seems to be fully functional! According to him it was dirty dial contacts and general internal wear from age. Luckily, he offers 6-month warranty and the original seller covered the repair cost!

[Zivelot]

Update: Rene at Service Camera Pro in Montreal did an overhaul of the camera and it seems to be fully functional! According to him it was dirty dial contacts and general internal wear from age. Luckily, he offers 6-month warranty and the original seller covered the repair cost!

Good to hear that. All gone well then.

[grimnicholas]

Amazing to read it was fixed!
Is it still working today?
Mine is doing the exact same thing!