Common LX Issues buyers need to be aware of

8540tomg · 07-20-2010, 08:03 AM

I’ve been thinking of picking up an LX for the past several years now. I always wanted one back in the 80s when I got my MX. The MX is a fine camera but I recall picking up an LX in the store and being so impressed with how smooth the film advance was. I was also impressed with the interchangeable finders. I was always scared away by the infamous sticky mirror problem which seems to plague this unit.

My questions are directed to those of you to those of you who still use the LX and have had it serviced.

Once cleaned, lubed and adjusted by Eric or other qualified folks does the sticky mirror problem go away for good or is it a recurring issue?

Are there any other common problems one needs to be aware of when looking for a used LX?

Thanks in advance.

Tom G

geauxpez · 07-20-2010, 09:03 AM

As far as I know, that is the major issue. Other than that, any film camera issue can occur (bad seals, foam bit on the screen or in the viewfinder, etc. I had mine completely serviced by Eric last year, and other than changing the battery once, have had no reason to doubt its reliability. As you said, the advance is buttery smooth and QUICK! A lovely camera to use, however, I just don't tend to use mine any more (last time was around April).

GeneV · 07-20-2010, 11:48 AM

The sticky mirror has not been a problem post-Eric. The camera has worked perfectly and is wonderful in hand.

Wheatfield · 07-21-2010, 07:09 AM

Sticky mirror, and also both the ISO resistor and aperture cam follower resistor are prone to corroding.
The latter two were IIRC, licked by putting in resistors that used gold instead of copper.

07-20-2010, 08:03 AM	#1
8540tomg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461	Common LX Issues buyers need to be aware of I’ve been thinking of picking up an LX for the past several years now. I always wanted one back in the 80s when I got my MX. The MX is a fine camera but I recall picking up an LX in the store and being so impressed with how smooth the film advance was. I was also impressed with the interchangeable finders. I was always scared away by the infamous sticky mirror problem which seems to plague this unit. My questions are directed to those of you to those of you who still use the LX and have had it serviced. Once cleaned, lubed and adjusted by Eric or other qualified folks does the sticky mirror problem go away for good or is it a recurring issue? Are there any other common problems one needs to be aware of when looking for a used LX? Thanks in advance. Tom G

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07-20-2010, 09:03 AM	#2
geauxpez Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Atlanta Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,196	As far as I know, that is the major issue. Other than that, any film camera issue can occur (bad seals, foam bit on the screen or in the viewfinder, etc. I had mine completely serviced by Eric last year, and other than changing the battery once, have had no reason to doubt its reliability. As you said, the advance is buttery smooth and QUICK! A lovely camera to use, however, I just don't tend to use mine any more (last time was around April).

07-20-2010, 11:48 AM	#3
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	The sticky mirror has not been a problem post-Eric. The camera has worked perfectly and is wonderful in hand.

07-21-2010, 07:09 AM	#4
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,986	Sticky mirror, and also both the ISO resistor and aperture cam follower resistor are prone to corroding. The latter two were IIRC, licked by putting in resistors that used gold instead of copper.