[MD Optofonik]

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I was thinking about picking up a mechanical film slr and after doing some research decided the LX would be the ticket. Once I started searching Ebay I was astounded at the prices people are asking for them. Maybe I'll have to settle for a K1000 or MX. Crazy.

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Last edited by MD Optofonik; 04-05-2014 at 10:52 PM.

[stevebrot]

Apparently the camera is well-regarded and the price reflects that perception.*

May we interest you in a nice KX or MX, perhaps?


Steve

* Have you priced a Nikon FM2n recently?

[elliott]

What made you decide that it is the camera for you? Many others have the same idea, so the demand is there.

They were very high end cameras in their day, the top of the line from Pentax. They were made in far lower numbers than the K and M bodies. They are expensive to repair and maintain, a CLA on a K1000 might be $60, but on an LX it would be around $200 due to the complexity of it.

My favorite would be the Super Program, tons of features in a small body and still relatively inexpensive to buy and maintain.

[MD Optofonik]

I'm, in fact, doing some research on the MX and KX. DOF preview is something I would miss with the K1000 in some situations.

[ChrisPlatt]

The LX was the top of the line premium quality Pentax professional system camera.
It has a combination of features and capabilities no other camera offers and when properly maintained still works very well.

If you think it's expensive now you should have seen the price when it was in production!

Chris

[LesDMess]

If you do miss the DOF with the K1000 then you simply have to set the aperture where you want it, unlock the lens and turn it enough without releasing it and it will stop down. Of course the KM is the step up from the K1000 and has DOF and self timer. You can also attach a mechanical self timer on the K1000 if you need that function. With the K1000, you actually get an SLR with about the same features of the Leica MP but for a lot less money . . .

The KX is of course a solid workhorse that is fully manual with all the features including mirror lockup while the MX is the smallest manual SLR with the largest and brightest viewfinder with user interchangeable screens. It can use the same screens as the LX with minor metering compensation if you're shooting slides.





But, if you need interchangeable viewfinders & screens, compact but robust build, reliable operation, a wide range of manual shutter speeds when batteries are dead, widest unassisted single metering range as well as the only camera that can aperture priority autoexpose a scene for as long as it takes (I've tested >4 hours) while monitoring the scene for lighting change and adjusting for it accordingly then there is only one camera ever (past or present by any manufacturer) and that is the LX.

[stevebrot]

My favorite would be the Super Program, tons of features in a small body and still relatively inexpensive to buy and maintain.

The OP specified a mechanical camera, though I must agree that the Super Program is high value in terms of features.


Steve

[MD Optofonik]

Even the MX is expensive. On to the KX.

[stevebrot]

Even the MX is expensive. On to the KX.

Not a whole lot cheaper than an MX, though deals do crop up every once in a while.

I spent $135 for mine, body only.


Steve

[Kerrowdown]

decided the LX would be the ticket

If you can get one, they're a cracking piece professional photographic equipment.

[MD Optofonik]

Not a whole lot cheaper than an MX, though deals do crop up every once in a while.

I spent $135 for mine, body only.


Steve

What kind of condition? The few I've seen are considerable more:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/370950600693?lpid=82

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pentax-MX-Black-Camera-w-SMC-Pentax-M-50mm-1-4-Lens-...item2c8023a4ac

Or beat to s***

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PENTAX-MX-CAMERA-SEE-VIDEO-DEMO-ASAHI-35MM-SLR-FILM-...item20e2f2ccc3

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PENTAX-MX-CAMERA-SEE-VIDEO-DEMO-ASAHI-35MM-SLR-FILM-...item20e2f2ccc3

[Eyewanders]

I wouldn't call any of these cameras expensive in comparison with current camera offerings, or when comparing them to their original pricing.
I've purchased three MXs in the past 6 months, 2 were in immaculate shape and just need a a basic CLA, though they still work fine before that and I've put rolls though each of them. I've so much other stuff accumulate from buying MXs pacakged with other gear that I've had to sell off a large amount of gear I didn't need or was redundant already to what I'd had - I'd say I've already made back what I've spent on all three cams, or just nearly.

---------- Post added 04-07-14 at 08:18 AM ----------

This is the one I would buy, if you can land it for $100 or less.
Vintage Asashi Pentax MX 35mm Camera w Body Lens Old Case Fixup | eBay

Send it to Eric for CLA and you'll be set for 20 years. My guess is it'll shoot just fine even now. It's used but not abused - obvious from pics. The case is aged but better looking than mine and it has bot sync port caps which is a bit rare sometimes. I rather use the condition of those caps and whether or not they're still around as a sort of barometer for how the cam was used by the owner.

G'luck.

[monochrome]

FWIW, I sold my K2 and K2DMD. I sold my SuperPROGRAM.

I'd sell my LX. I'd sell my MX.

I won't sell my KX.

[montman]

I have gone through three ME Supers in the last three years and my LX is still solid. Plus the S-21 focusing screen means everything to me!!! I paid $200 for my focusing screen and have no regrets.

[RobA_Oz]

There is also the K2DMD, which IMHO runs a close second to the LX.