Pentax LX - the all-time Pentax flagship reviewed!
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- čas přidán 21. 07. 2024
- Hey there. When a good friend offered this gorgeous camera classic to me to use it for a couple of months ... how could I ever say no? So here's the result: My review of the Pentax LX!
0:00 Intro
1:01 Pentax LX history
1:54 In your hand: Features & design (a LOT of features!)
6:44 Autodynamic exposure metering
7:48 Film loading
9:36 Shooting the LX
11:03 Two recommended Pentax lenses
11:47 Image gallery: "Cologne Nights"
12:37 Why didn't it become a big smash hit?
14:09 And now for the bad stuff ...
16:17 LX strap
16:46 Viewfinders & handgrips
17:37 Image gallery: "Cologne vs. Tilburg"
18:21 Verdict
19:39 Outro
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Where I got my film and develop & scan it:
www.cameradealer.de
Where I also develop my film, especially black&white:
www.kontrastlab.de
(Both these are no affiliate links or anything like that. I'm just very happy that these shops are here in Cologne!)
My instagram:
/ my7views
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Many thanks to Takahiro Oda for filming:
/ takahirooda
Many thanks to Flintsauctions for providing me with fantastic product photos of classic cameras! Check out their website here:
www.flintsauctions.com
Also pay a visit to the Asahi Optical Historical Club:
www.aohc.it/
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Score:
Diskofunque - Francis Preve
Fonkee Ryde - Noir Et Blanc Vie
Road Trip - Slynk
Never Play - Jeremy Blake
(All available on CZcams Audio Library)
Additional stock footage provided by:
videezy.com - Zábava
I had an LX and an MX. Wide angle zoom on one, telephoto zoom on the other. Was the perfect street pair for me in the 1980's into the early 2000's. I wish I still had them.
It sounds like you had a perfect combo! 😍
Nice review of a great camera! When getting into film photos (about 5 yrs now) I started with spotmatics and next went to the LX. The spotmatics continue to deliver, but the wonderful LX electronics have failed - so sad! So now I stick with the old mechanical cameras which are still working away 50-60 yrs later. Engineering marvels! It's too bad electronic repairs can't be done on the LX and many similar-vintage cameras...
Sad to hear that the electronics failed on your LX. But yes, that's the problem with all these old electronic cameras. I mean, most of them do last very long ... I mean, 40, 50 years is a really long time! But still, if they fail now after all those years, then they're most likely just a brick ... as no one cares to repair those old electronics!
I started with a K1000 then an ME Super and now a digital K5 and I still use lenses from 1985.
That's the beauty of these long lasting systems. Even when you change the camera, you can still continue using those lenses!
Thanks for the nice review!
I love my LX.
Please note that the sticky mirror is very easy to fix and you don't have to open the camera up. It's just a rubber piece that can be accessible if you lock up the mirror. It's literally just behind the mirror mechanism and its like a rubber bumper which softens up overtime. Just replace it with anything (as long as the thickness matches up) then you are good to go.
Many thanks for your comment and the explanation of the sticky mirror syndrome repair! Very valuable!
The LX reallly was an advanced and innovative SLR of that time. As a child in the late 70s Pentax was the brand that most well known to me. My older brother had a Spotmatic and my uncle a K-1000, my older cousin a K-2. Later my best friend received an ME Super for his 18th and thats what i deamed of but a Praktica wall the budget extend to. I dreamed of an LX for many years but finally i got an MX while it is much simpler than the LX, it's a gem to behold, small, great look, more reliable and the M lenses are small, sharp and such a range of options. These were theglory days for Pentax andits greatwe can still enjoying making photos with them today. Inspiration to get mine out of the dehumidifier cabinet and maybe run a roll of film. I ordered a coupleof roles of that JCH StreetPan to give it a go!
Thanks a lot for your comment! I also really love the Pentax MX, I also already made a review of it. And yes, it was the glory days for Pentax (also the 70s were the glory days for Olympus). I hope you'll have a lot of fun with the JCH Streetpan 400!
I drooled over that camera as a kid when it came out. But life turned me into other direction...
I get you! I also have some dream cameras from my youth but then things went in a different direction ...
I had a LX in the late 90s. Beautiful camera it had the latest shutter lock mechanism. And later in my ownership it started to get the sluggy shutter syndrome. Also there was some some other problems with the shutter release. Fond memories of my time with the LX. Alfa Romeo! Sounds about right.
Thanks for your comment! And it's a valuable information that you had problems with your late-style LX!
I love my LX. my favorite SLR ever. def want to pick up an MX too.. then Im going to find the best condition late model LX i can find as a back up with the 50mm f1.2
The late model LX is the one to go for! And it pairs beautifully with the 50/1.2! The MX are much cheaper and they’re also gorgeous, despite their little handling issues. A great „user“ classic!
Thank you for the very nice review. Probably a smart move to deliver it in English. The LX deserves recognition and praise - even twenty years after ending production run. I think the viewfinder is truly oustanding. The K-1 cannot compete with. With lenses of f/1.4 or f/ 1.2 you don't realize looking through a tec tool. From the outside: I love the FA-2 finder: stylish, simple.
Thanks for your comment. And I totally agree about the FA-2 finder, but it's also very rare!
I had ME Super in terrible condition, I thought that a local repairman could fix it, but he could only fix the mechanical part and admitted that he couldn’t do anything about the electronics. I sold this camera to some guy who said he would try to work with electronics, I hope he succeeded. This is the sad truth about electric shutter cameras. And I noticed this often with Pentax cameras. What’s interesting is that I’ve never had such problems with the X series Minoltas, even with the Chinese "Kalimar". Apparently they made their electronics somehow differently.
I also had Pentax KX - oh, it was a big boy. There were a lot of small defects, like the mirror damper was dry, the curtains were a little askew but repairman dealt with everything and I shot one film and sent this camera back to the market. I then got the impression that these guys could keep fully mechanical cameras in good condition until the end of time, if necessary, they would reassemble the shutter using springs from lighters and sheet metal from tin cans.
I liked the Pentax cameras, even though the electric ones weren't very reliable.
Did you get all these cameras recently? The problem is they're showing their age, which is understandable after 30, 40, 50 years ... I have bought FOUR Pentax Spotmatic bodies and they are the incarnation of a solid, super reliable camera ... but three out of the four also have some issues. They all still work but not reliably in every shutter time ... and yes. A good camera repair shop can fix any of these, no problem ... whereas when electronics fail, then it's usually bricked.
However not all old electronic cameras are impossible to be repaired: I know there is a common electronic issue with Minolta X-700 cameras which is related to a failing capacitor, but this is a fairly easy fix!
@@tomscameras No, I was doing this 10-12 years ago, there was one guy who brought old Japanese cameras literally in suitcases to my country, I bought them in batches quite cheaply, sent what needed to be repaired to a repairman and sold them (I didn't make any profit from it to be honest). I rarely shot with them myself because I was shooting on a digital Sony back then, and the most natural film system for me was the Minolta AF. Not so stylish, but very practical and AF cameras are much fresher, my main film camera was Dynax 5, my copy was released after Minolta merge with Konica. Amazing camera. Screwdriver of this camera turned Minolta lenses more accurately and faster than any Sony DSLR I had.
After experience with the autofocus Minolta, it’s quite easy for me to recommend autofocus film cameras to those who own a digital SLR system, especially Canon - there are almost no restrictions on compatibility from 1987 to 2018. And when I think about IS lenses on film - oh boy, this is a unique thing. I waaaant to shoot sharp film photos in dusk on something like EF 35 2 IS.
If someone still wants a more mechanical experience and that big viewfinder, I always advise buying simple “student” cameras. Well, you know, Pentax K 1000, any camera on the Cosina СT-1 platform and my personal favourite Yashica FX-3. All sorts of “legendary” and collectible cameras are not worth it, in my opinion. Stay away from the hype and it will be much cheaper.
The LX is a beautiful package . I have a Nikon F3/T . Both different system cameras. I like the metering and compact Lx . Love how on rewind the counter counts backwards.
Good review. I have had one since the early 1980s, and it still works fine (with replacement mirror bumpers) although I use a K-1 DSLR now, sometimes with the old M50mm F1.4 though. You did not touch on the winder and motor drive options : I have the motor drive with pistol grip, another feature essential to have put it in the pro category.
The Off-the-Film metering works with dedicated flashguns, and the pair of tiny contacts below the PC sockets at 6:11 are for the dedication signals when you use the hammerhead flash via a special sync lead - not a brilliant arrangement TBH, you are better off with the type of sync lead that plugs in the hotshoe.
IMHO the viewfinder info is the best of any camera of that era. The column of LEDs on the right normally show the meter recomended speed and the blue flag is your selection (or Auto). I don't know what is going on at 10:00 but when in Auto the shutter speed selected by the camera is still shown, normally. Although not shown at 10:00 you can also see the lens aperture via a Judas window.
Something lacking is a AE lock, must have been an oversight. As for shutter sound, personally it is something I never cared about one way or another, as long as it doesn't sound like a shotgun or play Colonel Bogey.
When the LX was introduced Nikon and Canon were already entrenched in the pro market, so Pentax were unable to break into it much, despite some of the drawbacks of their Nikon F3 and Canon F-1n rivals, like their unsatisafactory hotshoe arrangments (corrected in later models) and the weird viewfinder info of the F-1n; I know, Canon were catering for shutter priority mode too.
Hey, many thanks for your detailed feedback. Yes, it's right, I didn't talk about the motor / winder options and I missed the details about mounting the hammerhead flash as well.
About the LED: It turned out that all LED's that are green (I think it's from 1/30 onwards up to 1/2000) are very dim in the camera that I used. Especially when filming the viewfinder display, they were not visible anymore. Also the judas window didn't show up - again that's because of the filming.
I agree that Canon and Nikon already were in the pro market, the only other brand that ever was able to successfully conquer the pro market is Sony, very recently, and it took them a lot of time and dedication!
There's no requirement to hold in the film rewind release button once it's depressed, and when winding back you can stop at any point, cock the shutter and double expose. Sealing on the panels is via a mastic sealant, it's not difficult to clean and renew. The original Pentax Grip A "wooden grip" is actually a slab of plastic material which is designed to be shaped by the user.
Thanks for your comment. I realize that I’m sometimes bad in explaining these details. I have spoken to a Pentax repair person some years ago though about the sealing. Maybe he didn’t know that the sealing is easy to renew and / or it was not specified in the official manuals? Anyway it super valuable today to find good camera services. Here on Germany there’s a fantastic service shop for Olympus but sadly not for classic Pentax cameras …
@@tomscameras I've had 4 LX bodies over the years, I still have the original one that I bought in the late 80's, all were serviced to replace the failing bump-stops and none ever failed after. I did do some of my own repairs however, hence i'm quite aware of the sealing methods employed. It's a pity that both skilled service people and parts are now difficult to come by. It's still a fantastic camera, I have the full set of finders for remaining one too, even the Nikon F series didn't have anything as comprehensive, it was one of a kind for sure.
@@tomscameras The mastic sealer was specified in the service manuals, including which specific sealer to use. I think the seal issue may be about other seals, like under the shutter speed dial, wind lever, etc.
Great camera used it for year's never let me down had some great shots off it still got it never sell it use dslr now but what a classic
Yes, it's definitely a great classic and I agree, I'd never sell it if I were you!
Brilliant review, thanks.
You're welcome! Many thanks for your feedback! 🙏
I own six Pentax LX as well and they are my favourite! And I also love your video, this one in particular, but all your videos in general. You have a very (so-to-speak) unexcited way of talking and explaining things and it is a joy to listen to. And you are very handsome to look at 🙂
Many thanks for your feedback, much appreciated! :) And I totally get why some of you are so much into collecting these Pentax LX bodies!
Do they broke down often or hw is it
@@Jiwonsharma it’s the „sticky mirror syndrome“ and sometimes (IIRC) some issue with the operation of the automatic aperture. They can be serviced if you find a good camera specialist in your area.
Another fantastic pentax review. Best LX review I have seen and some really valuable information. Thank you !
I am firmly invested in the Pentax system having started with my Spotmatic II almost 40yrs ago. Last year I got both an MX and a KX and they have really grown on me. The MX gets a lot of use for family outings and hikes etc. It's so light and quick to use. However, I really enjoy the KX. It might be my favorite Pentax (do not have an LX...yet). It balances better with larger lenses and somehow just feels better. It would be nice to see you do a review on the KX. It has not been done yet and seems to be overlooked.
Great review on the LX. It has gotten me curious about it and with the interchangeable viewfinders and the metering system some real advantages. I have been wary of electronics and have stuck to all mechanical Pentax camera's to date. This might have to be an exception!
Greetings ftom Sweden
Kaj
Thanks for your feedback and comment. The friend who lent me his LX for this review also has suggested I have to try out the KX and also the K2 ... so maybe I should listen to him and also to you! The LX, as I said in my video, is a bit temperamental at times. I think KX and KM are definitely more bullet-proof!
It is a great camera. Pentax do have their moments of innovation. However, I do think the Nikon F3 is a beautiful piece of design too - introducing the red stripe.
It's true! The F3 (and the Nikon EM) was the first Nikon where Giorgio Giugiaro assisted with the design.
I really love Rheinauhafen. It's one of the best location for photography in Cologne.
Yes! 😍
Nice review of a very capable camera! With that said I'd still go for the F3, though. All day every day.
When looking at those sales figures, you're not the only one, apparently ...!
@@tomscamerasafter watching your video I went to a local charity shop and picked up a Pentax K2. I have never seen a Pentax in a charity shop before. What are the odds!
I always wanted a Pentax LX but could never find one I could afford so I switched to Olympus and bought an OM4 Ti. I would have preferred an OM3 but also couldn't find one.
The OM-4 Ti is an awesome camera with a lot of high-tech especially in the metering system. And yes, the OM-3 Ti is super-rare ... it was a low-volume production aimed more for the collector ... and also very expensive if you find a good one! The non-Ti version of the OM-3 is a little bit less expensive. Still hard to find!
An interesting camera for sure. I have never seen one in the flesh, so to speak. It should have been ground breaking, but upon reflection it appears under developed, and maybe the writing was on the wall by then.
It's really hard for every manufacturer to break into the professional market, and it takes a long time. To the credit of Pentax, they're still around, even today - it's only a niche brand anymore, but for us photographers today still very valuable!
Thomas, are you interested in the new Pentax 17 camera?
I hope I'll get my hands on one soon. I think it is super important for the analog community ... an affordable brand-new analog camera design!
I just picked up my 1st LX today😊 do you think the 28mm f3.5 is sharper than the f2.8 version?
Congrats :) The K 28/3.5 ... yes !! Sharpest classic Pentax 28mm lens. A real gem!
how does pentax make its cameras shutters sound like neck snapping (in a good way)
They must have a secret recipe there 🤣
When Pentax LX came as new, I had a good eye to it, because of the speciel viewfinders and the compact size, but it does not have the same excellent build quality as the Nikon F3 and certainly not as the outstanding good build quality as the Canon New F-1 which is the best analog SLR Camera ever made. I think it was with the Pentax LX that Pentax lost the race as a Camera for professional photographers, if it had a better build quality, I think it could have had a much better succes. I remember several pros in late 1970´s, early 1980´s who did not need other viewfinders, they preferred fx the excellent Minolta XD-7.
I think that the Pentax LX is an awesome camera for the analog photographer today. Now, we don't need the super-heavy-duty bodies as professionals did back then, because analog photography today is not the tool for the journalist anymore. So today the lighter weight and the nicer user interface of the LX are really valid advantages over the Nikon F3.
Pentax never did a "professional" body before the LX, so that was also the problem - the pros were not waiting for another brand in 1980, they already had Nikon and Canon.
I also do love the XD-7, it has fantastic ergonomics and a nice user interface! I really hope I'll be able to shoot one this year. But if you ask me about reliability, I'd chose a Nikon FE / FE2 over the Minolta all day :)
@@tomscameras I have several of my old analog Cameras as reminders of that time, but I do not understand the new "wave" of analog photography, stop it, all the chemicals is very polluting. I read an article that young people throw away the negatives ! Do digital.
@@cameraprepper7938 Well, analog photography is a form of art and craft, so I don't see a point to "stop it". Also digital cameras cause environmental problems, like all consumer electronics (constant energy consumption, need for bigger batteries, shorter product life cycles, much more electronic components that use rare/toxic materials and can be hard to recycle). And you need energy every single time you review your digital photos, not so with analog prints that hang on the wall or are in a box.
In the end, I'd say there are much much more efficient ways to protect the environment.
And, last lot least, you can for example develop film with caffenol or other non-toxic chemicals. Maybe materials like that will be incorporated in the production of film as well in the future as well, who knows?
@@tomscameras In your dreams, do not talk chemicals "green" it has been a toxic industry and still is !!!
@@tomscameras Analog film photography has always and still is very toxic !!! If you buy the very best digital Cameras, you do NOT need "short cycles" and they will NEVER pollute as much as analog film !
But the Beatles used Pentax! Yea, Yea, Yea!
Yes! There's several pics showing Paul McCartney with a Pentax SV. It's the predecessor of the famous Spotmatic, which was the biggest success that Pentax ever had! I love love love Spotmatics! And it was the first analog camera I ever made a video of:
czcams.com/video/2kyWhEW1pTY/video.html
I never liked the program dial from the LX, found it always ugly from my PoV, in terms of aesthetics. I prefer other brands. And the 35mm lenses haven't been that sharp, for my needs, no offense. Btw: the Minolta XD7 from 1977 does exactly the same, is way smaller, and was the #1 35mm SLR with full manual, program, shutter speed & aperture priority modes, thus not being labeled as such. 🙂 I found the LX nowadays way overpriced, just saying, Tom.
Btw - the ring is via headphones *very* annoying, hope you won't do that again, thanks. 🙂
Hi Marc! There’s a (rare) version of the LX with a color-coded shutter speed dial where the numbers are not embossed. But I fear that this version of the LX is also not going to win you over. :)
For reasons I don’t really understand myself either, I do love-love-love 35mm lenses on digital cameras but find myself going for 28mm lenses when shooting analog. Here the K 28/3.5 ist just completely outstanding as far as slow (and affordable and smallish) 28mm lenses go. I remember I had a Pentax 35/2 for my digital APS-C Pentax many years ago and it was good. But yes Minolta made some outstanding glass as well. And the XD-7 is one of the most ergonomic and beautiful manual-focus SLR cameras of them all. A friend of mine has two of them (one did fail though recently and had to be repaired) so I hope I’ll have the opportunity to review the XD-7 this year.
Oh, you mean the ring for all the features? I‘m sorry! But I’m not gonna do another video of such a feature-rich camera anytime soon! So thanks for the hint!
@@tomscameras Hi Tom, i've owned the F3 Nikon (true classic!) but it was simply too huge for my taste, then went with the XD7. Also, the 35mm here are sharper then the Takumar offerings... as long as two other brands, i really like to shoot with... 🙂
The LX is nice, but too huge, bulky, and i really dislike the dial, for my aesthetics viewpoint.
I've also a few rangefinders (no Leica for sure - i am not richy rich, but just an ordinary guy) and i like it that way, as much i do enjoy a rangefinder - for most shots, i do still prefer an bright glass pentaprism OVF with split screen focusing screen, it's simple & fast to handle - so i don't miss a "decisive moment", just in case. 🙂