It's rare for the LX's meter to let the photographer down. More often, the photographer lets the LX's meter down. Seriously, the only time I've gotten a bad exposure with it is when I screwed up and told the camera to do something stupid.
If I am not mistaken, I think what makes this camera unique too, is that it continues to measure the light while exposing the image. So if you have a long exposure and the light changes, it will either close the shutter earlier or keep it open longer. The maximum shutter time is not 4 but 25 (!) seconds and the light meter is very good in low light, it can measure up EV -6.5 (100 ISO).
The maximum shutter time is claimed to be 125 seconds (over two minutes), but in reality it will stay open for hours on automatic until it collects enough light.
The LX was on my hit list after moving over to Pentax, but my budget only allowed for an MX at that time (1982). I did get to use an LX at work, but I moved over to Canon and the EOS1.
Funny, I was just reading up on some of the Pentax cameras and then a few days later this review appeared! Also, thanks Bellamy for taking us to the Gundam Robot... neat place to shoot off a roll of film.
Was looking at getting a Pentax, the LX was the obvious best choice. Prices were a little high for me in the UK, and no doubt will rise again after this video. I've settled on looking for a nice spotty instead
HAHAHAA another classic intro. This is my most beloved body but I would add one additional con which is that many LX bodies at some point will need a relatively expensive CLA due to the "sticky mirror" issue, but it nearly always can be fixed. The other issue that comes up is a rather mysterious battery drain problem which has happened to several of my bodies through the years and cannot be fixed (so far).
By far the best Pentax LX vid ever made. I'd love to have one but I can't really justify it. I just don't shoot enough film any more. Also, despite all the amazing features, I think I'd miss the light weight and enormous viewfinder of my MX.
Recently, I was fortunate enough to acquire an unused Topcon RE Super w/ the RE Topcor 50mm 1.4. Stunningly beautiful! If you happen upon a copy, I would love to hear your thoughts and impressions in your "presenting" series.
The Pentax LX is one of the best cameras I ever owned. My top three would probably be the MZ-S, LX, and F100 in that order. Honorable mention - Pentax MX.
As my first pro' kit was a couple of MX and a range of lenses (still got one MX and most of the lenses..) I've always hankered after an LX, just to join my bag of nostalgic kit. Maybe a New Year resolution...
As a kid, I used to pour over camera magazines like, Modern Photography and Popular Photography, drooling over cameras (like the Canon A-1, Minolta X-700, and Nikon F3) that I had a -238% chance of convincing my parents to buy for me. I recall the Pentax LX as always being a camera that photographers raved about. Never held or seen a Pentax LX in real life. A little on the small side for my tastes. I prefer large, heavy 35mm and medium format bodies. The sad thing is that cameras like the Pentax LX are now so old, that their useful life is most likely measured in months. Not a whole lot of people (at least in the U.S.) have the technical expertise to work on film cameras and, if I recall correctly, things like LCD displays cannot be repaired. Also, if I recall correctly, the Pentax LX, great as it is/was, was known for having problems with their capacitors, and they either couldn't be repaired or it was that Pentax (understandably, for a 20 to 40+ year-old camera body) no long made the spare parts. For ME, from about 1975 to about 1997 was the Golden Age of 35mm cameras. While I love shooting them, I also get satisfaction just from holding and dry firing them. It's a haptics/sensory/emotional thing that I do not get from my digital bodies.
I’ve been looking for a film camera for awhile. It seems that Pentax LM is a great camera. However, knowing that it’s discontinued model, is there a risk of not being able to find parts to replace if needed? I’ve also seen an LX 2000 model, have you tried it and if yes, how do you find it different from the original? I’ve also heard that it is better to pick up a later model rather than an earlier model. Any tips to share will be happy appreciated and to Anna in advance
I think the LX also has a feature where it reads light even during the exposure and can close the shutter early if the scene becomes brighter mid-exposure. This prevents another photographers flash from ruining your photo.
If using m42 lenses does the stop down lever have to be pushed to get an accurate meter reading? Or can the LX be put in auto mode and shoot away no need to press it in each shot? Obviously the m42 lens will always be stopped down anyway as it’s not linked, but more so does the stop lever tell the camera to meter differently About to be the owner of a 2nd LX 😳 sold the first one and started to regret!
How weird! I was going to ask fo a review on the LX! But is it a better choice of camera against the F3 which may(??) have a range of higher quality lenses available?
Having used both I'd say it depends on what you think of as high quality lenses. There are 50 1.2, 85 1.4 and 135 F2 lenses for the LX for example. And there are some Zeiss lenses even. But since it's a smaller brand than Nikon they're rarer than Nikon lenses and probably more expensive. So in short there's plenty of high quality stuff for Pentax just even more for Nikon.
Is there a small point and shoot size 35mm but with manual controls ? Looking for something with a built in prime lens preferably say a 35mm. But affordable and just good.
I got and early one in which the shutter has now jammed half closed and a later one which suffers from that 'Sticky Mirror Syndrome' and the flash synch is a slow 1/75th -- when I went out on Press jobs all the rival snappers had NIKONS with 1/250th flash synch and could use fill-in flash in daylight.
I have had a lot of fun with mine. One con for US users - when one of mine needed a service the repair bill was pretty shocking, and now the other one is showing sings of needing repair as the mirror is occasionally sticking. My favorite feature is the ease of operation, and with the 40mm lens it fits in your pocket.
It's rare for the LX's meter to let the photographer down. More often, the photographer lets the LX's meter down. Seriously, the only time I've gotten a bad exposure with it is when I screwed up and told the camera to do something stupid.
If I am not mistaken, I think what makes this camera unique too, is that it continues to measure the light while exposing the image. So if you have a long exposure and the light changes, it will either close the shutter earlier or keep it open longer. The maximum shutter time is not 4 but 25 (!) seconds and the light meter is very good in low light, it can measure up EV -6.5 (100 ISO).
The maximum shutter time is claimed to be 125 seconds (over two minutes), but in reality it will stay open for hours on automatic until it collects enough light.
This was a really great time for film SLRs, there were some really superbly made desirable cameras in the early 80s.
I want to go to Japan to see that robot!!! 😎
And i would bring my LX 😎
The LX was on my hit list after moving over to Pentax, but my budget only allowed for an MX at that time (1982). I did get to use an LX at work, but I moved over to Canon and the EOS1.
Funny, I was just reading up on some of the Pentax cameras and then a few days later this review appeared! Also, thanks Bellamy for taking us to the Gundam Robot... neat place to shoot off a roll of film.
Which was the “striped” m42 mount lens you were using for this shoot?
Was looking at getting a Pentax, the LX was the obvious best choice. Prices were a little high for me in the UK, and no doubt will rise again after this video. I've settled on looking for a nice spotty instead
Good choice!
HAHAHAA another classic intro. This is my most beloved body but I would add one additional con which is that many LX bodies at some point will need a relatively expensive CLA due to the "sticky mirror" issue, but it nearly always can be fixed. The other issue that comes up is a rather mysterious battery drain problem which has happened to several of my bodies through the years and cannot be fixed (so far).
Came for the camera, blown away by the Gundam show. That looked so awesome to see in person!
Yeah it was pretty mind blowing
By far the best Pentax LX vid ever made. I'd love to have one but I can't really justify it. I just don't shoot enough film any more. Also, despite all the amazing features, I think I'd miss the light weight and enormous viewfinder of my MX.
Is the LX finder much smaller or less magnification? And is it much bigger than the MX?
what a beast. so happy with mine.
I'm surprised by how much that Gundam actually moves. Thanks for the video as always and your insight to another camera.
I think I need a shitty camera challenge t-shirt!
shittycamerachallenge.threadless.com/
To be worn in a shitty camera challenge video...
I used to love those. Bring them back👍
Stunning camera and wish I still had mine, metering was spot on and so easy to use.
Just get another haha
Pentax has never failed me in 33 years of photography. MX & LX multiple SMC focal lengths
This one and the Leica 6.2 IMHO are the greatest film cameras!
Both the K2 & MZ-S were pro models, in fact the LX was modeled after the K2.
Recently, I was fortunate enough to acquire an unused Topcon RE Super w/ the RE Topcor 50mm 1.4. Stunningly beautiful! If you happen upon a copy, I would love to hear your thoughts and impressions in your "presenting" series.
My first camera was my father’s old RE Super. A beast of a camera! My neck strap broke and it fell on concrete and just kept going!
The Pentax LX is one of the best cameras I ever owned. My top three would probably be the MZ-S, LX, and F100 in that order. Honorable mention - Pentax MX.
Good straight out of the box. We don’t see that very often now.
True that
LX is one of my favourite Pentax film bodies (I have three).
As my first pro' kit was a couple of MX and a range of lenses (still got one MX and most of the lenses..) I've always hankered after an LX, just to join my bag of nostalgic kit. Maybe a New Year resolution...
As a kid, I used to pour over camera magazines like, Modern Photography and Popular Photography, drooling over cameras (like the Canon A-1, Minolta X-700, and Nikon F3) that I had a -238% chance of convincing my parents to buy for me. I recall the Pentax LX as always being a camera that photographers raved about.
Never held or seen a Pentax LX in real life. A little on the small side for my tastes. I prefer large, heavy 35mm and medium format bodies.
The sad thing is that cameras like the Pentax LX are now so old, that their useful life is most likely measured in months. Not a whole lot of people (at least in the U.S.) have the technical expertise to work on film cameras and, if I recall correctly, things like LCD displays cannot be repaired. Also, if I recall correctly, the Pentax LX, great as it is/was, was known for having problems with their capacitors, and they either couldn't be repaired or it was that Pentax (understandably, for a 20 to 40+ year-old camera body) no long made the spare parts.
For ME, from about 1975 to about 1997 was the Golden Age of 35mm cameras. While I love shooting them, I also get satisfaction just from holding and dry firing them. It's a haptics/sensory/emotional thing that I do not get from my digital bodies.
I’ve been looking for a film camera for awhile. It seems that Pentax LM is a great camera. However, knowing that it’s discontinued model, is there a risk of not being able to find parts to replace if needed? I’ve also seen an LX 2000 model, have you tried it and if yes, how do you find it different from the original? I’ve also heard that it is better to pick up a later model rather than an earlier model. Any tips to share will be happy appreciated and to Anna in advance
Great video! Curious what lenses you were using? I was pretty blown away by the shots tbh.
The covers are actually aluminum alloy, blackened, then painted. Not brass.
Thanks, interesting and funny video. What rubber eyecup are you using?
Nice review! Out of interest what was the long lens you were using in the video?
I think the LX also has a feature where it reads light even during the exposure and can close the shutter early if the scene becomes brighter mid-exposure. This prevents another photographers flash from ruining your photo.
I love my Spotmatic but I think I might 'need' to add an LX to the collection...
Great video, awesome robot, subscribed! 😁👍
Thanks for the sub!
ペンタックスとガンダム・・・the legendary combo!!!
Keep coming more
Man, I *just* bought one of these - should be arriving in 2 days. Thanks for confirming my choice :)
Hope you enjoy it!
How is it, a year on?
@@flowermaze___ A favorite! Rivals my Leica SLRs in feel and experience, beats them in metering accuracy and general portability. I love it.
@@gmiddleb amazing news! And good to know it holds up in the reliability and joy departments 😬
An episode about the Dora Goodman One coming soon?? Saw it hiding in the background.
If using m42 lenses does the stop down lever have to be pushed to get an accurate meter reading?
Or can the LX be put in auto mode and shoot away no need to press it in each shot?
Obviously the m42 lens will always be stopped down anyway as it’s not linked, but more so does the stop lever tell the camera to meter differently
About to be the owner of a 2nd LX 😳 sold the first one and started to regret!
Now do the MX (I have 3 to sell and one to keep, we need to drive up the price).
Solid compact design.
@@arricammarques1955 the 40 pancake is hard to beat.
@@punkrachmaninoff SMC 15mm : )
I’m interested. DM me on Instagram @Omari_254
😂 I love that price-driving logic.
My shutter lever is stuck, Where can I get it professionally fixed?
Little camera for the big dawgs
The Pentax LX was a wonderful camera, but financially "laid an egg" for Pentax because very few professionals, their target market, ever bought them.
Does aperture priority work with adapted lenses?
so love the videos
That’s definitely a workhorse, heavily cross-compatible camera.
And now I Need to see that huge Beast of a Gundam in Yokohama for myself.
Cons: Why did I spend $150 on a WLVF attachment?
Got mine for 30 bucks hahahahah
ITS A GUNDAMMMM
I like that meter readout better than the one in my Nikon F3HP. Much easier to see
Hey JCH, How you doing? What eyepiece did you use on the view finder?
We're so close to living in a world with mechs 🤞
I feel one of these could go well with the Minolta XK, nice piece of kit indeed
Oh wow, I was just here today (Dec. 28).
I bought my lx with a 50mm 1.4 , 100mm 2.8 and a 24mm 2.8 all for £35 😎
The LX is a gem but it is not relaible... the electronics are the achilles heel.
Which film did you use to shoot this? 400H? You should definitely review the Olympus OM and Pen F lines.
Hey Bellamy! This was the greatest video you've ever made!! ✌️✌️
Glad you think so!
A camera that is more useful and has more features than a 100' tall robot !
How weird! I was going to ask fo a review on the LX! But is it a better choice of camera against the F3 which may(??) have a range of higher quality lenses available?
Having used both I'd say it depends on what you think of as high quality lenses. There are 50 1.2, 85 1.4 and 135 F2 lenses for the LX for example. And there are some Zeiss lenses even.
But since it's a smaller brand than Nikon they're rarer than Nikon lenses and probably more expensive.
So in short there's plenty of high quality stuff for Pentax just even more for Nikon.
Can't stop laughing, that intro :D
oooooooooh baby
Is there a small point and shoot size 35mm but with manual controls ? Looking for something with a built in prime lens preferably say a 35mm. But affordable and just good.
olympus XA
where can i purchase one of those 35mm hats?
www.togtees.com/
@@japancamerahunter awesome thank you! Love you’re videos.
Buying the LX isn't a problem. Problem is finding people repairing it.
www.garryscamera.com/
pentaxs.com/
Garry just CLA'd my LX and it is shooting really well right now.
Fuck Yea!
never been this early before, always wanted an LX but too attached to my M42 lenses
Damn that was quick!
nevermind, after watching 2 minutes i think im getting an LX
@@japancamerahunter last month I passed on a mouldy copy of that zebra 55/1.8 and now I am sad.
Nice & Thanks :)
Thank you too
What eyepiece is that?
A cool looking camera and a Gundam. I'm a bit confused though, is that an actual big machine, or a hologram thing or what?
It's a real thing, Gundam is legendary franchise change anime industry .
No auto exposure lock? Seems like an egregious oversight 🤔
Gundam lightweight kinda scary
Sausage Fingers? Is that a term that my Photo Teacher John Yates said Stubby Fingers?
What sub are you wearing ?!
I was wondering that too.
16610
@@japancamerahunter Thanks! Cheers
I got and early one in which the shutter has now jammed half closed and a later one which suffers from that 'Sticky Mirror Syndrome' and the flash synch is a slow 1/75th -- when I went out on Press jobs all the rival snappers had NIKONS with 1/250th flash synch and could use fill-in flash in daylight.
I have had a lot of fun with mine. One con for US users - when one of mine needed a service the repair bill was pretty shocking, and now the other one is showing sings of needing repair as the mirror is occasionally sticking. My favorite feature is the ease of operation, and with the 40mm lens it fits in your pocket.
The body is anodized and black-coated aluminum, not brass.
Hopefully you weren't having any impure thoughts at the beginning of the video....
I have no idea what you mean...
Not a huge hit outside of the Pentaxians circle, because they are problematic and hard to fix.
Gonna try my luck again - how about an m5 review? Literally no one has a good walkthrough/review of one on youtube.
When we get one we will do one.
Cheapest chips? Not anymore.
First
Winner winner chicken dinner
I'm not sure if I like your video's any more. You keep making me want to spend money on beautiful camera gear. It's cruel :(
LX > F3