[Fiddler]

Need a little help from Pentax KX users and fellow "Fiddlers".

Recently picked up a KX at a silly low price, and apart from some Top cover "nasties" (no dents though) , in pretty good shape.

Mirror Foam needs replacing as does the Foam inside the top cover(pad over circuit board).

Meter Works and seems accurate. Finally to my Question.

Where is the Viewfinder aperature display ?, I don't see it. I know where it is supposed to be.

What mechanism is present, that allows the aperature to display in the Viewfinder? .

Finally, does the Viewfinder "Light up" and display the F4 etc, with an LED ?

Can't find a Service Manual anywhere and NO , apart the K mount lens, it's not , in my humble opinion, anything like a K1000(on the inside)

Some input would truly be appreciated. Thanks all

Fiddler

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Last edited by Fiddler; 05-22-2015 at 09:24 AM. Reason: typo

[Franky2step]

I'm going from memory as I am at the office but, I think it is a needle display on the right side of the viewfinder. I actually shot a couple frames at 6am this morning with my KX and 43mm Ltd.

[monochrome]

With a lens mounted there is a tiny window in the top center of the frame around the focusing screen. It's only a reflection of the actual aperture indicator on the top of the lens's A-ring - directed through a prism. Sometimes I need to move my eye around the eyepiece a bit to get my peripheral vision in the right place to see it. Usually black symbol on white background.

KX is a more complex camera than a K1000 so it of necessity should be significantly different inside.

[Fiddler]

I'm going from memory as I am at the office but, I think it is a needle display on the right side of the viewfinder. I actually shot a couple frames at 6am this morning with my KX and 43mm Ltd.

Thanks for the quick reply. Yes, the dual Needles are on the right, but the aperature viewfinder display is supposedly at the top, center (12 O'clock high).

[Nesster]

It is a suicide window on the front of the pentaprism... on my KX when I bought it I didn't see anything at all, but once Eric cleaned it, everything is crystal clear.

see it here:

[Fiddler]

With a lens mounted there is a tiny window in the top center of the frame around the focusing screen. It's only a reflection of the actual aperture indiactor on the top of the lens's A-ring - directed through a prism. Sometimes I need to move my eye around the eyepiece a bit to get my periheral vision in the right place to see it. Usually balck symbol on white background.

KX is a more complex camera than a K1000 so it of necessity should be significantly different inside.

Thank you, this answers another question I asked myself upon seeing the "little Mirror", behind the little Window . "Only a reflection" hadn't occurred to me.

---------- Post added 05-22-15 at 09:58 AM ----------

It is a suicide window on the front of the pentaprism... on my KX when I bought it I didn't see anything at all, but once Eric cleaned it, everything is crystal clear.

see it here:

Ok, I give up Nesster, a "Suicide window" ? Are you saying don't be tempted to fix it ?. Eric is a Talent and a great Guy though.

[Nesster]

Yeah, I'm wondering about that "suicide window" - it came to me as I'd seen it in connection with this sort of peep window, but now google can't find it. And google can't find my brain cells either

I'm thinking the outside gets gunk on it, so I'd try cleaning it

---------- Post added 05-22-2015 at 01:08 PM ----------

Judas window, not suicide window. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/8-pentax-film-slr-discussion/87600-etymol...lm-camera.html
at least I got the window part right...

[Fiddler]

Yeah, I'm wondering about that "suicide window" - it came to me as I'd seen it in connection with this sort of peep window, but now google can't find it. And google can't find my brain cells either

I'm thinking the outside gets gunk on it, so I'd try cleaning it

---------- Post added 05-22-2015 at 01:08 PM ----------

Judas window, not suicide window. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/8-pentax-film-slr-discussion/87600-etymol...lm-camera.html
at least I got the window part right...

Maybe something from "Alice in Wonderland" even !

I like it though, I'll always call it the suicide Window now. Has a ring to it.

[monochrome]

Yeah, I'm wondering about that "suicide window" - it came to me as I'd seen it in connection with this sort of peep window, but now google can't find it. And google can't find my brain cells either

I'm thinking the outside gets gunk on it, so I'd try cleaning it

---------- Post added 05-22-2015 at 01:08 PM ----------

Judas window, not suicide window. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/8-pentax-film-slr-discussion/87600-etymol...lm-camera.html
at least I got the window part right...

Try using Judas Window instead of suicide wndow in your Google search. Flickr and the like ar eblocked by my company's blacklist.

[Fiddler]

Found another reference to "JW" on a Pentax UK site.

Scroll down to the MX ( MX below LX ) , there's a comment.


Pentax Camera Repair Specialists - Typical Faults - Harrow Technical

Back Home, cleaned, checked everything is in line, can even see the reflection of the aperature on the lens by jiggling the angle, against a light source.
Externally I mean. Through the Viewfinder I still see no F number.

Guess I can live without it, or peep over the Prism to have a quick look !!.

Thanks for the info. though.
Cheers

Fiddler

[Ray-uk]

There are adjustments on the tiny mirror for positioning it vertically and horizontally and if these are the tiniest bit out then it doesn't work. the adjustment is further complicated by the fact that the mirror holder is easily bent and it can be bent too far out of shape for the adjusters to compensate. Make sure you have the little square lens in the window at the front of the pentaprism when adjusting.
Even when it is all working properly it isn't great and if you havent got your eye in the right position then you will not see it.

[Fiddler]

There are adjustments on the tiny mirror for positioning it vertically and horizontally and if these are the tiniest bit out then it doesn't work. the adjustment is further complicated by the fact that the mirror holder is easily bent and it can be bent too far out of shape for the adjusters to compensate. Make sure you have the little square lens in the window at the front of the pentaprism when adjusting.
Even when it is all working properly it isn't great and if you havent got your eye in the right position then you will not see it.

Thanks for chipping in Ray-uk. It looks like someone has previously "touched" the two small slotted screws above the Red sealed lower screws.

I wish I knew what the correct amount is, to screw the slotted screws in. Before I removed them to access the prism, measured them with a vernier and returned them the same.

[gofour3]

There are adjustments on the tiny mirror for positioning it vertically and horizontally and if these are the tiniest bit out then it doesn't work. the adjustment is further complicated by the fact that the mirror holder is easily bent and it can be bent too far out of shape for the adjusters to compensate. Make sure you have the little square lens in the window at the front of the pentaprism when adjusting.
Even when it is all working properly it isn't great and if you havent got your eye in the right position then you will not see it.

Yep, I’ve bought a couple KX’s and K2DMD’s where the Judas window is blank or even one where the window was reinstalled incorrectly and you could see the whole lens!

On the K2DMD the Judas window also serves as a reminder you are using exposure compensation and turns red/orange.

Phil

[Fiddler]

Update for Info. Located a Service Manual in Canada, so hoping when it arrives it will help a bit. The Judas Window is just plain irritating by it's absence of display.

Put aside for a while.

[Arjay Bee]

So if you have a suicide window I guess by simple transposition some of those modded cars (and the Mazda RX9) have Judas Doors...;-)