LX - Q from new owner

thomascdk · 08-10-2009, 08:06 AM

I bought an LX today at a camera shop. They told me it was in fine working order - but how do I check it? Also the cover for the external motor is missing. is this a problem? Any idea where to get a replacement? Thanks

Wheatfield · 08-10-2009, 08:36 AM

Originally posted by thomascdk

I bought an LX today at a camera shop. They told me it was in fine working order - but how do I check it? Also the cover for the external motor is missing. is this a problem? Any idea where to get a replacement? Thanks

If it is missing a motor drive cover(s) (there are two) it is not in working condition. The covers are not optional as they light seal the camera.
As far as checking it goes, leave the camera sit for a day and then trip the shutter. If it hesitates, then it has sticky mirror.
You can also check to see if the mirror is in the correct rest position by checking to see if something parallel to the camera (a brick wall for example) can be brought into focus at both the top and bottom of the viewfinder and that this corresponds to a properly focused image.
I test this by focusing the camera and then checking with a groundglass and loupe placed at the focal plane, but checking sharpness of a negative or slide is likely easier for most people.
After that, all you can do is shoot film and see if it is metering correctly. Note that you cannot test the auto exposure on the LX without film in the camera as it is taking it's exposure reading off the film and so needs film for reflectivity.

Jerry Thirsty · 08-10-2009, 04:11 PM

Another easy way to tell if the mirror rest foam has decayed is to take the lens off and flip the mirror up (mirror lockup, or set to B and hold the shutter button). On each side of the mirror box, near where the bottom of the mirror would be when it is down, there is a little round cylinder of black foam sticking out from the walls. If the cylinder has an indentation in it (and it may be shiny) then the foam throughout the camera is turning into goo and needs to be replaced.

I had mine replaced and overhauled by Pentax Service in Colorado about a year ago; it cost about $300.

24X36NOW · 08-10-2009, 05:40 PM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

If it is missing a motor drive cover(s) (there are two) it is not in working condition. The covers are not optional as they light seal the camera.
As far as checking it goes, leave the camera sit for a day and then trip the shutter. If it hesitates, then it has sticky mirror.
You can also check to see if the mirror is in the correct rest position by checking to see if something parallel to the camera (a brick wall for example) can be brought into focus at both the top and bottom of the viewfinder and that this corresponds to a properly focused image.
I test this by focusing the camera and then checking with a groundglass and loupe placed at the focal plane, but checking sharpness of a negative or slide is likely easier for most people.
After that, all you can do is shoot film and see if it is metering correctly. Note that you cannot test the auto exposure on the LX without film in the camera as it is taking it's exposure reading off the film and so needs film for reflectivity.

Yes, you'll either need to find the covers somewhere or get a Winder LX (or motordrive, but those are tougher to find) and mount it in order to make sure you have a light-tight body.

thomascdk · 08-11-2009, 04:07 AM

Thanks for the replies. It goes back to the shop, I think.

**Kerrowdown** · 08-11-2009, 06:40 AM

That would be a shame, cos it's a great camera with all its bits, you didn't say what you paid for it; to work out if it's worth having serviced and bits replaced.

thomascdk · 08-12-2009, 03:05 AM

Well - it went back to the shop. They were embarrassed having sold a camera with these faults. They'll try to have it fixed, but in the mean time I got a M100 macro instead.

So off hunting for that elusive LX again...

08-10-2009, 08:06 AM	#1
thomascdk Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Copenhagen Posts: 258	LX - Q from new owner I bought an LX today at a camera shop. They told me it was in fine working order - but how do I check it? Also the cover for the external motor is missing. is this a problem? Any idea where to get a replacement? Thanks

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08-10-2009, 08:36 AM	#2
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Originally posted by thomascdk I bought an LX today at a camera shop. They told me it was in fine working order - but how do I check it? Also the cover for the external motor is missing. is this a problem? Any idea where to get a replacement? Thanks If it is missing a motor drive cover(s) (there are two) it is not in working condition. The covers are not optional as they light seal the camera. As far as checking it goes, leave the camera sit for a day and then trip the shutter. If it hesitates, then it has sticky mirror. You can also check to see if the mirror is in the correct rest position by checking to see if something parallel to the camera (a brick wall for example) can be brought into focus at both the top and bottom of the viewfinder and that this corresponds to a properly focused image. I test this by focusing the camera and then checking with a groundglass and loupe placed at the focal plane, but checking sharpness of a negative or slide is likely easier for most people. After that, all you can do is shoot film and see if it is metering correctly. Note that you cannot test the auto exposure on the LX without film in the camera as it is taking it's exposure reading off the film and so needs film for reflectivity.

08-10-2009, 04:11 PM	#3
Jerry Thirsty Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bronson, Missouri Posts: 72	Another easy way to tell if the mirror rest foam has decayed is to take the lens off and flip the mirror up (mirror lockup, or set to B and hold the shutter button). On each side of the mirror box, near where the bottom of the mirror would be when it is down, there is a little round cylinder of black foam sticking out from the walls. If the cylinder has an indentation in it (and it may be shiny) then the foam throughout the camera is turning into goo and needs to be replaced. I had mine replaced and overhauled by Pentax Service in Colorado about a year ago; it cost about $300.

08-10-2009, 05:40 PM	#4
24X36NOW Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: CT, USA Posts: 498	Originally posted by Wheatfield If it is missing a motor drive cover(s) (there are two) it is not in working condition. The covers are not optional as they light seal the camera. As far as checking it goes, leave the camera sit for a day and then trip the shutter. If it hesitates, then it has sticky mirror. You can also check to see if the mirror is in the correct rest position by checking to see if something parallel to the camera (a brick wall for example) can be brought into focus at both the top and bottom of the viewfinder and that this corresponds to a properly focused image. I test this by focusing the camera and then checking with a groundglass and loupe placed at the focal plane, but checking sharpness of a negative or slide is likely easier for most people. After that, all you can do is shoot film and see if it is metering correctly. Note that you cannot test the auto exposure on the LX without film in the camera as it is taking it's exposure reading off the film and so needs film for reflectivity. Yes, you'll either need to find the covers somewhere or get a Winder LX (or motordrive, but those are tougher to find) and mount it in order to make sure you have a light-tight body.

08-11-2009, 04:07 AM	#5
thomascdk Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Copenhagen Posts: 258 Original Poster	Thanks for the replies. It goes back to the shop, I think.

08-11-2009, 06:40 AM	#6
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,819	That would be a shame, cos it's a great camera with all its bits, you didn't say what you paid for it; to work out if it's worth having serviced and bits replaced.

08-12-2009, 03:05 AM	#7
thomascdk Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Copenhagen Posts: 258 Original Poster	Well - it went back to the shop. They were embarrassed having sold a camera with these faults. They'll try to have it fixed, but in the mean time I got a M100 macro instead. So off hunting for that elusive LX again...