Pentax LX

The Pentax LX came in 1980 on the market, was built about the year 2000 and still selling well after the year 2000. The LX was presented for the 60th anniversary of the company Pentax and brought to market. Hence the designation LX - ie the number 60 in Roman letters.

The LX is designed as a classic professional camera and as a top model in the Pentax SLR cameras. It has a modular and integrated into a comprehensive accessory system, consisting of alternating seekers, drives, back walls, flashes, remote control accessories and especially lenses. Almost all the ingredients were specifically developed for the LX. The LX provides hybrid closure, IDM - measuring system, interchangeable viewfinder, shutter speed range up to 125 seconds). The LX was introduced in about the same time as the Nikon F3 and the Canon F-1 New.

Data and features

The Pentax LX is a 35 -mm SLR camera with TTL light metering. The lens mount is the K bayonet.

Closure The closure of the LX is a so-called hybrid closure, ultra thin titanium blinds that runs horizontally. Hybrid is because of this closure is controlled both mechanically as well as electronically and thus no battery power is still working. The short periods of time ( 1/2000 to 1/ 75 sec ) is mechanically and long times (1/ 60 to 125 seconds) are controlled electronically. The shutter speed is set to " classic " on a shutter speed dial on top of the camera. The manual shutter speeds on this button from 4 to 1/ 2000 sec adjustable ( plus X and B). In aperture priority mode (position A on the shutter speed dial ) Camera Shutter speeds of 125 seconds full controls up to 1/2000 second. The flash sync speed is 1/75 second.

Measuring system or measuring characteristics: The measuring system of LX is integrated into the housing, and works without the next searcher. This integrated direct - measuring system ( IDM) measures the light reflected from the film surface, even during exposure and thus responding directly to the current lighting situation. The measurement is independent of aperture, focusing screen and viewfinder and also take account of short-term changes of the lighting situation that still take place during exposure. This measurement method is also used in flash mode instead, again directly on the film surface and doses the amount of flash light. The LX uses a strong Centre-weighted average for the exposure. Mid emphasis is different for manual and automatic operation. In the manual, the emphasis on the center of the measurement field is stronger and does not reach the bottom of the screen. In automatic the measurement field is slightly larger and extends to the bottom of the screen.

  • Measuring scale in Metered Manual: EV 1 to 19
  • Measurement range in aperture priority mode: -6.5 to 20 EV

Self-timer / mirror lockup / dimmer via multi -function lever: The self-timer is mechanical on the LX and has a variably adjustable lead time between 4-12 s ( setting on the multi-function lever on the front of the camera).

Viewfinder: The LX features interchangeable viewfinder. There are a total of six different viewfinder ( FA -1, FA- 1W, FA -2, FE -1, FF -1, FB -1). The FB -1 occupies a special position among the seekers of change SLRs. He is a viewfinder base with bayonet connection. On this basis, three different attachments can be mounted (FD -1, FD -2, FC -1). The viewfinder of the LX indicate horizontal and 98% vertical 95 % of the image frame and the shutter speed scale and partially set on the lens aperture. The viewfinder offers magnifications from 0.55 x and 1.35 x and eye circle is between 15 and 60 mm. Most of the viewfinder offers adjustable diopter compensation.

Viewfinder information: The viewfinder of the LX offers a clear, bright viewfinder image. - On the right side of the set or measured shutter speeds by 16 LEDs in three different colors are shown. Aperture priority is also shown, manually set times, flash readiness and exposure compensation set. In the middle above the viewfinder the aperture (most investigators ) is reflected from the lens.

Housing: The housing of the LX features a strong and lightweight aluminum alloy that has been developed specifically for the LX. This material is lighter than zinc and stronger than plastic and protects the camera so durable and reliable against bumps and jolts. For housing a black aluminate coating is used. The protection against dust and moisture was devoted special effort. The housing top and bottom caps are sealed with a special sealing compound. In addition, various plastic and foam gaskets and sealed ball bearings ensure that moisture and foreign substances are prevented from entering into the housing.

  • Measurements: ( 144.5 x 90.5 x 50 ) mm ³ ​​( with viewfinder FA -1)
  • Weight: 565 g ( with viewfinder FA -1)
  • Power supply: two 1.5 - volt silver oxide batteries ( also serve as a battery check )

Accessories

Camera drives

  • Engine Drive: The engine offered Drive LX is small and compact and reaches 5 frames / second. The frame rate is infinitely adjustable in the range of 0.5 frames / second to 5 frames / second. The Motor Drive provides rewind and can rewind a film with 36 exposures within 8 seconds. For the Motor Drive has the following energy sources: NiCd Pack LX, battery grip M, Power Supply.
  • Winder: The offered Winder LX is quite bulky compared to other cameras overcomers. The winder allows single shots and burst shooting mode with 2 frames / second and can rewind a film with 36 exposures within about 15 seconds.

Handles

For LX there are two handles, which can be screwed on the front ( left). The handles improve handling of the camera, especially when a motor drive is connected. The Grip A is a rectangular block of plastic that can be brought by individual file in the form. - The Grip B is a preformed standard handle.

Camera backs

The standard rear wall of the LX is interchangeable with the following backs:

  • Watch Data LX: a back wall with time or memo field
  • Dial Data LX: a data back for imprinting date and number values
  • Long movie Magazine: 10 m footage for up to 250 shots.

Matt discs

14 interchangeable focusing screens of types, from the ground glass screen to the version with split-image or microprism collar. The focusing screen of the Pentax MX are also useful, but provide a darker viewfinder image. The focusing screen can be changed through the lens bayonet (as with the Pentax MX).

Remote tripping Accessories

To control the LX from a distance, there are a number of accessories:

  • Several remote cords that are triggered via switch, the battery grip the Pentax M or PSU.
  • Infrared remote control that can trigger up to three cameras from up to 60 meters away.

Versions

The LX was produced virtually unchanged since its release in 1980. Appearance and most obvious feature of a fundamental distinction between the versions is the trigger lock. - In the first two models, it is like the Pentax MX in the form of a " bar " pointing to the front. - In later models, the trip latch is in the form of a " collar " in order around the shutter, and can be also rotated from left to right.

Special models

The LX was for many years the flagship of the Pentax - mm SLR cameras. Over the years, four special models were produced in limited numbers:

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