Pentax LX Build Quality

Frosty66 · 05-03-2017, 01:50 PM

The LX is clearly a well built SLR, but does anyone else think that the plastic dials let it down by looking cheap line and entry level camer and also that the rewind knob looks like it has a bit missing under the actual liftable knob linke a ring should be there ? Or is it just me ?

Is this blasphemy ???

Last edited by Frosty66; 05-03-2017 at 02:49 PM.

pschlute · 05-03-2017, 02:14 PM - **1 Like**

Entry level camera for what era? The design is nearly 40 years old!

My LX is in great shape with no sign of the dials losing the lettering or falling off. They are obviously not "cheap"

**monochrome** · 05-03-2017, 02:14 PM - **1 Like**

No, I don't think those things at all. In all the decades I've used LX'es this is the first time I've ever heard the words 'entry' or 'cheap' associed with it.

It is important to understand that from the early 60's through the early 90's 'plastic' was considered modern and desirable - a positive attribute - not the converse. I once had a $750 (1962 dollars) handmade bamboo / nickel-silver fly fishing rod that came with an aluminum protective tube and plastic screw-in cap, rather than a brass cap. The plastic cap was a feature - it would not cross-thread like the old, soft brass caps.

**RobA_Oz** · 05-03-2017, 02:17 PM - **1 Like**

The only plastic "dial" as such on the LX is the shutter speed dial, unless you count the cap on the film advance lever. I guess it's a matter of opinion, but I have never thought the plastic in the shutter dial looked cheap. Not all plastics are equal.

Frosty66 · 05-03-2017, 02:47 PM

I was thinking plastic like the later consumer Pentaxes. I know it's not cheap plastic but when you compare the appearance of them to the metal types of the MX I know what I prefer. But it seems like it's just me !

But it's the rewind know looking like something is missing that bugs me the most.

stevebrot · 05-03-2017, 02:56 PM

Originally posted by Frosty66

the rewind knob looks like it has a bit missing under the actual liftable knob linke a ring should be there ? Or is it just me ?

It is just you.

The rewind is supposed to be that way and is very similar to other Pentax cameras of the era. FWIW, the standoff is about the same as the Nikon F3. As for the shutter speed dial, I have often thought that the raised lettering looked out of place, but no more so that the similar dial on my K-3.

Steve

Frosty66 · 05-03-2017, 03:03 PM

Maybe I'm just not used to it, it's quite different from the other Pentax SLR's.

**grahame** · 05-03-2017, 03:22 PM

Originally posted by Frosty66

wind knob looks like it has a bit missing under the actual liftable knob

I don't think LX looks cheap by any means, but I agree with you the winding knob looks missing a bottom piece. I received a PM asking if my LX for sell missing this part

Frosty66 · 05-03-2017, 03:27 PM

Originally posted by grahame

I don't think LX looks cheap by any means, but I agree with you the winding knob looks missing a bottom piece. I received a PM asking if my LX for sell missing this part

LOL yes thats what I mean ! Overall it doesn't look cheap certainly. I've not used it yet as it needs some fixing up but whether I use it long term and "need" the LX, or just stick with the MX remains to be seen.

LesDMess · 05-03-2017, 05:07 PM

Originally posted by Frosty66

But it's the rewind know looking like something is missing that bugs me the most.

Originally posted by grahame

I don't think LX looks cheap by any means, but I agree with you the winding knob looks missing a bottom piece. I received a PM asking if my LX for sell missing this part

Interesting observation and one I haven't noticed after all the cameras I have compared the LX to. Can you share pics/details showing this?

**Odinz** · 05-03-2017, 05:19 PM

In all the years I've had my LX the word cheap never crossed my mind.....wait, I did have to get the seals and mirror bumpers replaced two years ago after 25 years of service so maybe.....

**monochrome** · 05-03-2017, 05:30 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Odinz

In all the years I've had my LX the word cheap never crossed my mind.....wait, I did have to get the seals and mirror bumpers replaced two years ago after 25 years of service so maybe.....

I seriously doubt that service was cheap . . . .

Regarding the rewind crank appearing as if a trim ring is missing, look at the positioning of the film sped release button and frame, which precludes (I think) addition of a trim ring.

Regarding the shutter speed knob raised letters - I never noticed. They look fine to me - pretty technical and advanced actually versus a simple, printed dial. I guess it is a matter of taste.

IMHO the LX is sublime. I've never really enjoyed the tiny, fiddly MX. The LX is a near perfect film camera. If it had AE Lock it would BE perfect (strange omission if you ask me).

Pioneer · 05-03-2017, 11:10 PM - **1 Like**

Don't worry Frosty66. It isn't heresy. It doesn't bother me at all that you think the LX looks cheap. If everyone loved the LX there would be none left for me.

Besides, the MX is certainly no slouch so you are still in good company.

**arnold** · 05-04-2017, 12:42 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Pioneer

Besides, the MX is certainly no slouch so you are still in good company.

My LX is a near mint example serviced by Erik, yet I am more comfortable with my MXs for their simplicity.

Ontarian50 · 05-04-2017, 08:03 AM - **1 Like**

The LX was a well designed and well made camera, no question.

But I agree with those who can't quite get comfortable with the shutter dial. Those raised numbers and letters remind me too much of the Mamiya ZE-2 (which I suppose may have copied the Pentax). I never thought they looked classy on the Mamiya, and they didn't look any better on the LX.

Prefer the dial style of the MX.

05-03-2017, 01:50 PM	#1
Frosty66 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: London, UK Posts: 181	Pentax LX Build Quality The LX is clearly a well built SLR, but does anyone else think that the plastic dials let it down by looking cheap line and entry level camer and also that the rewind knob looks like it has a bit missing under the actual liftable knob linke a ring should be there ? Or is it just me ? Is this blasphemy ??? Last edited by Frosty66; 05-03-2017 at 02:49 PM.

05-03-2017, 02:14 PM - 1 Like	#3
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	No, I don't think those things at all. In all the decades I've used LX'es this is the first time I've ever heard the words 'entry' or 'cheap' associed with it. It is important to understand that from the early 60's through the early 90's 'plastic' was considered modern and desirable - a positive attribute - not the converse. I once had a $750 (1962 dollars) handmade bamboo / nickel-silver fly fishing rod that came with an aluminum protective tube and plastic screw-in cap, rather than a brass cap. The plastic cap was a feature - it would not cross-thread like the old, soft brass caps. Last edited by monochrome; 05-03-2017 at 02:20 PM.

05-03-2017, 05:30 PM - 1 Like	#12
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by Odinz In all the years I've had my LX the word cheap never crossed my mind.....wait, I did have to get the seals and mirror bumpers replaced two years ago after 25 years of service so maybe..... I seriously doubt that service was cheap . . . . Regarding the rewind crank appearing as if a trim ring is missing, look at the positioning of the film sped release button and frame, which precludes (I think) addition of a trim ring. Regarding the shutter speed knob raised letters - I never noticed. They look fine to me - pretty technical and advanced actually versus a simple, printed dial. I guess it is a matter of taste. IMHO the LX is sublime. I've never really enjoyed the tiny, fiddly MX. The LX is a near perfect film camera. If it had AE Lock it would BE perfect (strange omission if you ask me). Attached Images Last edited by monochrome; 05-04-2017 at 08:18 AM.

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05-03-2017, 02:14 PM - 1 Like	#2
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,202	Entry level camera for what era? The design is nearly 40 years old! My LX is in great shape with no sign of the dials losing the lettering or falling off. They are obviously not "cheap"

05-03-2017, 02:17 PM - 1 Like	#4
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197	The only plastic "dial" as such on the LX is the shutter speed dial, unless you count the cap on the film advance lever. I guess it's a matter of opinion, but I have never thought the plastic in the shutter dial looked cheap. Not all plastics are equal.

05-03-2017, 02:47 PM	#5
Frosty66 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: London, UK Posts: 181 Original Poster	I was thinking plastic like the later consumer Pentaxes. I know it's not cheap plastic but when you compare the appearance of them to the metal types of the MX I know what I prefer. But it seems like it's just me ! But it's the rewind know looking like something is missing that bugs me the most.

05-03-2017, 02:56 PM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Frosty66 the rewind knob looks like it has a bit missing under the actual liftable knob linke a ring should be there ? Or is it just me ? It is just you. The rewind is supposed to be that way and is very similar to other Pentax cameras of the era. FWIW, the standoff is about the same as the Nikon F3. As for the shutter speed dial, I have often thought that the raised lettering looked out of place, but no more so that the similar dial on my K-3. Steve

05-03-2017, 03:03 PM	#7
Frosty66 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: London, UK Posts: 181 Original Poster	Maybe I'm just not used to it, it's quite different from the other Pentax SLR's.

05-03-2017, 03:22 PM	#8
grahame Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,041	Originally posted by Frosty66 wind knob looks like it has a bit missing under the actual liftable knob I don't think LX looks cheap by any means, but I agree with you the winding knob looks missing a bottom piece. I received a PM asking if my LX for sell missing this part

05-03-2017, 03:27 PM	#9
Frosty66 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: London, UK Posts: 181 Original Poster	Originally posted by grahame I don't think LX looks cheap by any means, but I agree with you the winding knob looks missing a bottom piece. I received a PM asking if my LX for sell missing this part LOL yes thats what I mean ! Overall it doesn't look cheap certainly. I've not used it yet as it needs some fixing up but whether I use it long term and "need" the LX, or just stick with the MX remains to be seen.

05-03-2017, 05:07 PM	#10
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Originally posted by Frosty66 But it's the rewind know looking like something is missing that bugs me the most. Originally posted by grahame I don't think LX looks cheap by any means, but I agree with you the winding knob looks missing a bottom piece. I received a PM asking if my LX for sell missing this part Interesting observation and one I haven't noticed after all the cameras I have compared the LX to. Can you share pics/details showing this?

05-03-2017, 05:19 PM	#11
Odinz Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 259	In all the years I've had my LX the word cheap never crossed my mind.....wait, I did have to get the seals and mirror bumpers replaced two years ago after 25 years of service so maybe.....

05-03-2017, 11:10 PM - 1 Like	#13
Pioneer Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wandering the Streets Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,411	Don't worry Frosty66. It isn't heresy. It doesn't bother me at all that you think the LX looks cheap. If everyone loved the LX there would be none left for me. Besides, the MX is certainly no slouch so you are still in good company.

05-04-2017, 12:42 AM - 1 Like	#14
arnold Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,294	Originally posted by Pioneer Besides, the MX is certainly no slouch so you are still in good company. My LX is a near mint example serviced by Erik, yet I am more comfortable with my MXs for their simplicity.

05-04-2017, 08:03 AM - 1 Like	#15
Ontarian50 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 530	The LX was a well designed and well made camera, no question. But I agree with those who can't quite get comfortable with the shutter dial. Those raised numbers and letters remind me too much of the Mamiya ZE-2 (which I suppose may have copied the Pentax). I never thought they looked classy on the Mamiya, and they didn't look any better on the LX. Prefer the dial style of the MX.