LX mirror rests?

Hi,

I've had a secondhand late-model LX for a few years now but I'm not convinced it's 100% well. I've read a lot on the sticky mirror problem and mine seems fine in that respect.

However, the mirror is very loud and clunky (especially on the return) and I'm wondering if someone in the past has given it a seeing to. Can someone describe to me exactly what the mirror rests should look like when not sticky?

thanks in advance.

I don’t think it’s the mirror rests that go sticky – they appear to be two small lugs on the sides of the mirror cavity, about 5mm from the bottom they don’t have any padding on them. On my LX it was the foam cushion around the focusing screen clamp which had perished leaving a sticky back residue on the mirror. The LX was successfully repaired by Asahi Photo for £85+VAT. ( www.asahiphoto.net )

If you're a DIY fanatic, I have heard of people with more courage than money scraping off the sticky mess themselves, and replacing the rubber with strips taken from washing up gloves and other similar articles.

Up to you..........

G

thanks for the replies -

The foam around the mirror is a little tatty but no worse than my MX! Maybe i'll get the foam replaced anyway. I've read about people using rubber gloves on the rests, but I'm no so sure about that so I think I'll bite the bullet and take it to a pro.

thanks

Hi,
If all the problems is, is the seals or the mirror foam, I would forget gloves etc. You can get a kit with enough foam/seal material for 5 or 6 cameras for about $9 inc carriage from the states. The light seals are a doddle to replace but the mirror foam needs a bit more care. If you want a full service, I would suggest Mike Spencer. I have found him to be excellent and he is perhaps one of the cheapest reputable repairers in the UK. However, sticky mirror or sticky shutter syndrome isn't due to this but more to do with the release mech. If it hesitates for the first shot and is then fine until the camera is left for a while, it will be this and a pro job is the best cure.

Regards
Kim

Read your message Kim about Mike Spencer being Good and Cheap! Can you give me his address? Had some repairs done to MX and LX (the famous sticky shutter and perished seals )by a 'Pentax' authorised repairer in Billericay,Essex and NOT VERY PLEASED! Cost £90 for LX seals and about £60 for MX (flash contacts burnt out - went on press job and let me down again so had to go back!). Good job my repairs are TAX DEDUCTIBLE!

Hi Peter,
Mike's website is here http://www.btinternet.com/~camerarepairer/.

Another good repairer is Harrow Tecnical here http://www.harrowtechnical.co.uk/ . They are a bit more expensive but also very good. No connection with either other than being a satisfied customer.

Regards
Kim

Can also recommend Harrow Technical... not the cheapest about but the service was worth it!

Regards,

Will