LX question: from which year did the viewfinder release double as a light meter switch?

It seems my LX is a late model - it has a serial number starting with 53 and the viewfinder release button doubles as a light meter switch. I probably haven't explained that very well, this is how the manual describes it:

"Meter Activation/Exposure Checks with Motor Drive and Winder: You can also activate the LX's exposure meter using the dial lock release/MD exposure check button. When pressed this activates the meter and lights the viewfinder display for up to 25 seconds the same as the shutter button. Whether you use the shutter button or the MD exposure check button for normal exposure is optional. However, to activate the meter and check the exposure when using the LX in conjunction with the motor drive or winder, always use the MD exposure check button. This is because the shutter stroke is shorter than normal when the motor drive and winder are attached and use of the shutter button in this instance may cause premature shutter release"

(From http://www.butkus.org/chinon/pentax/pentax_lx/pentax_lx.pdf, page 29.)

Does anybody know in what year this function was added? I am on the lookout for an original manual and would like to get the appropriate one.

Hi, my LX also has a serial number beginning 53. My manual contains the paragraph quoted above on page 17. The manual is in English, was printed in Belgium and is dated 09/1991.


Regards - Steve

Thanks Steve. I've just bought one on ebay, dated 1985. The seller checked the wording - it also has the above text on p.17.

Wouldn't it have been nice had Pentax included a exposure lock button on the LX? What were they thinking??

It was some time before I winkled out the viewfinder release doubling as a meter switch. Makes using the winder much easier