The LX dilemma...

davidwaugh · 01-06-2015, 03:41 AM

I have a feeling that this post may sound familiar, but please bear with me :-)

I am having a sad Pentax month. The long-serving K1000 is dying (probably just needs a bit of TLC if not CLA)... the MX I bought recently arrived with serious shutter and focusing issues.... but the tear jerker for me is that the LX I got from the US that was in "perfect working order" arrived with the dreaded infinity focussing issue. Don't think it's 'sticky shutter' as such but obviously the mirror is out of whack. The closer to infinity, the more the focussing is out.

Problem is that I am in Australia so options are a bit limited. The tech I usually use has quoted me $400 to repair which I can't afford right now. One option would be to send it to Eric (and hope it doesn't cost that much) or the other would be write it off and start again. DIY fix feasible?

Any advice form you Pentax gurus? Thanks heaps in advance.

David

Last edited by davidwaugh; 01-06-2015 at 03:42 AM. Reason: spell

hks_kansei · 01-06-2015, 04:18 AM

Where in Australia are you?

if you are in Melbourne you could try contacting Shutterbox in Camberwell.

While I haven't had work done there personally, they were quite helpful in diagnosing a minor issue with my Pentax ME (I didn;t go with the repair in the end as the issue was so minor as to not be worth the expense)

davidwaugh · 01-06-2015, 05:15 AM

I'm in Armidale but happy to send to Melbourne. I'll contact them tomorrow - thanks for the info.

Not a Number · 01-06-2015, 07:26 AM

Eric's prices are reasonable. And the currency exchange rate could make a difference. Shipping to and from the US will probably be expensive. Eric has worked on cameras sent to him from outside the USA before.

davidwaugh · 01-06-2015, 03:40 PM

Thanks. I guess you get to a point where you may as well do it right :-) It may be the best to send it to Eric...

Paul Ewins · 01-06-2015, 04:43 PM

I highly recommend Shutterbox - Pentax trained tech and very good with all of the analog models. Unless it is a warrant repair I always take my cameras there.

RolleiJo · 01-18-2015, 03:32 AM

I had it repaired by Eric (even if I live in France) and was very pleased by his job. I wasn't able to find someone able to fix it in France.

Pioneer · 01-31-2015, 04:37 PM - **1 Like**

I know this is an old post but here is my 2 cents worth.

If Shutterbox in Melbourne is reputed to do good work with the LX I would recommend sending your camera there. You are supporting technicians within your own area. If that work is good, then you know you have a local asset you can rely on.

You can always send it off to Eric if that doesn't work out.

**clackers** · 02-01-2015, 12:48 AM

+1 for John at Shutterbox.

davidwaugh · 02-11-2015, 03:38 AM

Bit of an update... got the ME back from repair so I am finally shooting some film. The ME was repaired by a guy in Melbourne called Kazu who I bought it from (eBay) and he was very good to deal with and repaired the camera at no cost after it arrived DOA.

I finally spoke with John @ Shutterbox about the LX (couldn't get hold of them via email for a while for some reason) and he was brilliant. Gave me a full rundown and spent a fair whack of his time on the phone explaining everything. His quote was fair (I see how much work must go into this now) but... it would mean the camera would cost me around $1K in the end! Am obviously debating the merits of this. I actually wonder if I am just better off buying another one but is there any way of ensuring the fix has been done? I guess I am looking for an honest eBay seller who knows the provenance of the camera.

Any thoughts and recommendations? Maybe I should just get the thing fixed and be done with it... Thanks.

LesDMess · 02-11-2015, 07:37 AM

I've bought two perfectly working and good cosmetic LXs - one from KEH and the other off eBay, so there is reason to believe they are out there.

Pioneer · 02-11-2015, 11:59 AM

I have 3 perfectly working LX cameras (not for sale thank you). Two were purchased that way from ebay (one of them from Eric himself) and the other was purchased at a very reasonable price knowing it had sticky shutter. If you watch what you are buying and ask questions you can usually find good deals.

And yes, the LX can still ring up a costly repair bill if done right. Whether that repair has value for you is something only you can answer. For me it is because mine are used heavily in all types of weather and I wanted them to hold up for the long haul.

Although they are film cameras the LX is still one of the single most versatile cameras I own, and the metering system is still unique. For some types of work I would be lost without mine.

LesDMess · 02-11-2015, 02:04 PM

Originally posted by Pioneer

I have 3 perfectly working LX cameras (not for sale thank you). Two were purchased that way from ebay (one of them from Eric himself) and the other was purchased at a very reasonable price knowing it had sticky shutter.

Buying an LX - or any other Pentax, from Eric would be an automatic!

**carlb** · 02-11-2015, 02:44 PM

Originally posted by davidwaugh

I finally spoke with John @ Shutterbox about the LX (couldn't get hold of them via email for a while for some reason) and he was brilliant. Gave me a full rundown and spent a fair whack of his time on the phone explaining everything. His quote was fair (I see how much work must go into this now) but... it would mean the camera would cost me around $1K in the end! Am obviously debating the merits of this. I actually wonder if I am just better off buying another one but is there any way of ensuring the fix has been done? I guess I am looking for an honest eBay seller who knows the provenance of the camera.

Any thoughts and recommendations? Maybe I should just get the thing fixed and be done with it... Thanks.

I'm in Perth and I have a couple of LX's that I'd be willing to sell. Both of them work and have been overhauled in the last few years. One looks pristine and the other is a bit tatty but works. They're fantastic cameras but I've moved across to a K30, so they're just sitting there which is a crying shame.

Feel free to PM me if you're interested

Pioneer · 02-11-2015, 05:18 PM

Originally posted by LesDMess

Buying an LX - or any other Pentax, from Eric would be an automatic!

That's kind of what I thought too!

01-06-2015, 03:41 AM	#1
davidwaugh Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 8	The LX dilemma... I have a feeling that this post may sound familiar, but please bear with me :-) I am having a sad Pentax month. The long-serving K1000 is dying (probably just needs a bit of TLC if not CLA)... the MX I bought recently arrived with serious shutter and focusing issues.... but the tear jerker for me is that the LX I got from the US that was in "perfect working order" arrived with the dreaded infinity focussing issue. Don't think it's 'sticky shutter' as such but obviously the mirror is out of whack. The closer to infinity, the more the focussing is out. Problem is that I am in Australia so options are a bit limited. The tech I usually use has quoted me $400 to repair which I can't afford right now. One option would be to send it to Eric (and hope it doesn't cost that much) or the other would be write it off and start again. DIY fix feasible? Any advice form you Pentax gurus? Thanks heaps in advance. David Last edited by davidwaugh; 01-06-2015 at 03:42 AM. Reason: spell

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01-06-2015, 04:18 AM	#2
hks_kansei Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 834	Where in Australia are you? if you are in Melbourne you could try contacting Shutterbox in Camberwell. While I haven't had work done there personally, they were quite helpful in diagnosing a minor issue with my Pentax ME (I didn;t go with the repair in the end as the issue was so minor as to not be worth the expense)

01-06-2015, 05:15 AM	#3
davidwaugh Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 8 Original Poster	I'm in Armidale but happy to send to Melbourne. I'll contact them tomorrow - thanks for the info.

01-06-2015, 07:26 AM	#4
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Eric's prices are reasonable. And the currency exchange rate could make a difference. Shipping to and from the US will probably be expensive. Eric has worked on cameras sent to him from outside the USA before.

01-06-2015, 03:40 PM	#5
davidwaugh Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 8 Original Poster	Thanks. I guess you get to a point where you may as well do it right :-) It may be the best to send it to Eric...

01-06-2015, 04:43 PM	#6
Paul Ewins Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 274	I highly recommend Shutterbox - Pentax trained tech and very good with all of the analog models. Unless it is a warrant repair I always take my cameras there.

01-18-2015, 03:32 AM	#7
RolleiJo New Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 9	I had it repaired by Eric (even if I live in France) and was very pleased by his job. I wasn't able to find someone able to fix it in France.

01-31-2015, 04:37 PM - 1 Like	#8
Pioneer Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wandering the Streets Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,411	I know this is an old post but here is my 2 cents worth. If Shutterbox in Melbourne is reputed to do good work with the LX I would recommend sending your camera there. You are supporting technicians within your own area. If that work is good, then you know you have a local asset you can rely on. You can always send it off to Eric if that doesn't work out.

02-01-2015, 12:48 AM	#9
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	+1 for John at Shutterbox.

02-11-2015, 03:38 AM	#10
davidwaugh Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 8 Original Poster	Bit of an update... got the ME back from repair so I am finally shooting some film. The ME was repaired by a guy in Melbourne called Kazu who I bought it from (eBay) and he was very good to deal with and repaired the camera at no cost after it arrived DOA. I finally spoke with John @ Shutterbox about the LX (couldn't get hold of them via email for a while for some reason) and he was brilliant. Gave me a full rundown and spent a fair whack of his time on the phone explaining everything. His quote was fair (I see how much work must go into this now) but... it would mean the camera would cost me around $1K in the end! Am obviously debating the merits of this. I actually wonder if I am just better off buying another one but is there any way of ensuring the fix has been done? I guess I am looking for an honest eBay seller who knows the provenance of the camera. Any thoughts and recommendations? Maybe I should just get the thing fixed and be done with it... Thanks.

02-11-2015, 07:37 AM	#11
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	I've bought two perfectly working and good cosmetic LXs - one from KEH and the other off eBay, so there is reason to believe they are out there.

02-11-2015, 11:59 AM	#12
Pioneer Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wandering the Streets Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,411	I have 3 perfectly working LX cameras (not for sale thank you). Two were purchased that way from ebay (one of them from Eric himself) and the other was purchased at a very reasonable price knowing it had sticky shutter. If you watch what you are buying and ask questions you can usually find good deals. And yes, the LX can still ring up a costly repair bill if done right. Whether that repair has value for you is something only you can answer. For me it is because mine are used heavily in all types of weather and I wanted them to hold up for the long haul. Although they are film cameras the LX is still one of the single most versatile cameras I own, and the metering system is still unique. For some types of work I would be lost without mine.

02-11-2015, 02:04 PM	#13
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Originally posted by Pioneer I have 3 perfectly working LX cameras (not for sale thank you). Two were purchased that way from ebay (one of them from Eric himself) and the other was purchased at a very reasonable price knowing it had sticky shutter. Buying an LX - or any other Pentax, from Eric would be an automatic!

02-11-2015, 02:44 PM	#14
carlb Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 1,162	Originally posted by davidwaugh I finally spoke with John @ Shutterbox about the LX (couldn't get hold of them via email for a while for some reason) and he was brilliant. Gave me a full rundown and spent a fair whack of his time on the phone explaining everything. His quote was fair (I see how much work must go into this now) but... it would mean the camera would cost me around $1K in the end! Am obviously debating the merits of this. I actually wonder if I am just better off buying another one but is there any way of ensuring the fix has been done? I guess I am looking for an honest eBay seller who knows the provenance of the camera. Any thoughts and recommendations? Maybe I should just get the thing fixed and be done with it... Thanks. I'm in Perth and I have a couple of LX's that I'd be willing to sell. Both of them work and have been overhauled in the last few years. One looks pristine and the other is a bit tatty but works. They're fantastic cameras but I've moved across to a K30, so they're just sitting there which is a crying shame. Feel free to PM me if you're interested

02-11-2015, 05:18 PM	#15
Pioneer Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wandering the Streets Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,411	Originally posted by LesDMess Buying an LX - or any other Pentax, from Eric would be an automatic! That's kind of what I thought too!