Well, here's the update on my LX experience:

It ended.
To recap — I bought an LX which the owner said did NOT have the sticky mirror problem. It did. I returned it. I found another LX on eBay from Japan. It arrived, and everything seemed fantastic. I quickly got to really appreciate the camera, but the first test roll was just BAD. I didn't know if it was a problem with the lens or the camera, so i had to buy another lens to eliminate the first one as a variable. Turns out it was not the lenses. Somehow, the viewfinder showed a perfectly beautiful, in-focus image, but the camera was back focusing by several centimeters at a distance of 2' from the chart.

I didn't get any manner of professional communication from the recommended repairperson, so i opted for a return. The seller was phenomenally accommodating (yay, Japan), and so that was that.

I was about to consider my Pentax Experiment concluded, but had a flash thought/realization: the only reason i was buying the LX was because i wanted to use the 50/1.4. So, i decided to compromise on the body and just get an ME Super as a cheap platform. I quickly found a black one, and for a fantastic price, it came with (another) 50/1.4 lens — this time, an M- version.

Received the Super. Tested it with both lenses. The lenses performed fantastically. But, there was another problem with the body! Three for three! This time, the rewind pin was stuck in the body. I considered returning the whole shebang, but for the price (less than the value of the A-50/1.4 alone) i decided to try to repair it myself. Not something i'd ever done before. I'll happily deal with many kinds of tech issues, like installing components in my computers, etc., but taking a camera apart was a bit over the line for me. But, what the hell — it seemed to be a simple thing. Popped the bottom off, moved some things around, and figured out that someone had put the pin sleeve on upside down. Fixed....

....And, finally i'm happy. I had never considered the ME Super because i thought the top plastic plate and shutter speed buttons were ridiculous. But, in-person, in the hand, it's not so bad at all, and the button scheme (almost) makes sense. I'd still prefer a dial, but it makes sense to be able to adjust speeds by sight while still composing/viewing. And, the viewfinder is spectacular — on the same level as the LX's, which is to say, better than anything else i've used. I also bought a Nikon F3-HP, which is well-regarded for its viewfinder, but the LX/Super are head and shoulders above it.

So, yeah, i stick with my "scary" comment, regarding Pentax bodies. I won't expect reliability. Three for Three with issues, while i've owned a metric sh!t ton of over (old-ish) SLRs without ever having a problem or needing a repair [Contax 159, Aria, RX, Nikon F6, F100(x2), F80, F4, F3(x2), FE2, Canon EOS1n, EOS3, plus Leicas(x2), Contax G2(x3) and Zeiss Ikon]... Now that i type the list, i'm reminded of problems with a Nikon EM and FG, but those are the two cheapest bodies they made.... So, the comparison is lopsided, just not one-sided.

But, i have a Super now. And, two great 50/1.4 lenses. And, if the Super ever goes wonky, i'll just replace it. I prolly shoulda taken this route to begin with, but i wanted 'the best' experience.

I should prolly sell the M-50/1.4 or trade it for something else, though, right? A 35 or 28mm?

Scary, that this issue is so super-prevalent. I was about to order an LX from KEH, but first had them check to see if the mirror would stick at slower shutter speeds. They checked. It stuck.

But, i am trying again. Just found a nice-looking sample on eBay and asked the seller to confirm it's okay, so i've got one on the way.

I did (almost accidentally) find a nice LX in a local shop, but they wanted too much for it. It was working nicely, though. So, i'm hopefully batting .500....

Thanks, guys.
I've dealt with old cameras in the past, with manual focus Nikons, Contax, and Leicas, and never needed a CLA on any of them. Only on rangefinder Leica. So, i wasn't expecting this much fuss with what i thought would be a 'workhorse.'

I guess i'll try again.

But, for my general edification, what should i expect to pay for a CLA on an LX?

I recently requested advice, as someone only now about to get involved with Pentax. I ended up buying an LX and 50/1.4-A. The LX body arrived, and immediately, the mirror sticks in the Up position at speeds below "X." So, it's being returned. Only when researching this 'syndrome' did i find so many reports of this issue. I wasn't previously aware that it was so common, widespread, and expected.

I kinda like the LX body. It's not a 'spectacular' camera, as i was expecting, though. I feel like it compares to my Nikon FE2, but with a removable viewfinder, which is a moot feature for me. But, now, with the mirror issue, i'm wary of spending another $300 to replace it and try again. It's not necessarily the money, it's that i don't really want to have to do this purchase-test-return thing again, and even if i do get a working sample the second time, how confident could i be that it will remain so?

I've never had problems with cameras not working in the past, with various Nikons, a couple of EOS, a few Contaxes, a couple of Leicas.... Not to mention the various rangefinders and Medium Format cameras. So, i'm a bit unnerved.

I bought the LX because i wanted to use the Pentax 50/1.4. My options:
• Abandon the lens.
• Try another LX. Hope, but always be worried that a small jolt or infrequent use or something else will render it unreliable and require an expensive repair.
• Try an ME Super. I dislike the look of the ME Super, but i really want a body with a HUGE viewfinder.

[I 'need' Aperture Priority, or i would look into the MX.]

Thoughts?

Okay. It's done. Found an A for very close to the same price as the M.

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I hope it all works out so i can eventually contribute to this very helpful forum.

I've never used Program Mode on any camera. Just Aperture Priority.
I've read that the A is made of cheaper-feeling materials. Is that not really an issue?
Also that the M is more solid, but not as sharp.... Compromises.... But which?

That's good stuff, John I was thinking the K might be a little bit closer to a 'vintage' rendering, as I originally was interested in an 8-element Super Takumar, but I recognize that that probably is at odds with the purpose just stated.

So, now, between the A and the M....

Just minutes later.... I did, indeed, buy the LX. Ebay.

So, now i need the 50/1.4 to go with it, and i'm not sure what to do. There's an SMC (K), which seems like it's the first K mount version; then an M, then an A.

From what i've been reading, the A is supposed to be sharper than the M, but not as well-built. And, there isn't much written about the earlier K.

Thoughts? I'm not really concerned about the size, although smaller would be better. Not a factor in the decision, though. I'm most interested in f1.4 performance, and bokeh. I have a feeling that with the film/developer i'm going to use Tri-X/HP5 and Rodinal, sharpness and bokeh are both going to be indistinguishable no matter which version i go with, but i still have to ask, in case i get the urge to run some Portra 160 or Ektar....

Thanks, David. After all this, i think i've decided to go with the LX and the A-50/1.4.

I appreciate the P30 recommendation. Interesting comment, about it being maligned because of its appearance. Sorta goes back to Kris/"womble's" comment earlier in the thread, about Pentax designs being "butt ugly." I've felt that way for a while — not sure what's up with their designers. I 'dealt with' a Pentax 67II and Pentax 67 for a while. Not gorgeous cameras, but they were 'the standard' in the format/for the purpose at the time. But, jeez, Pentax puts out some bizarre and hideous stuff, on a frequent basis.... The P30, though — that's not so bad. Not good, but i could cope if i can't get an LX. The older, classically-styled Pentaxes are kinda nice.

Thanks, all. Tremendously helpful. Seems to confirm my suspicions on most accounts.

But, maybe it was all for naught. I just corresponded with a photographer who's images partially inspired this sudden lust, and he says his lens is NOT an M42. It's 'just' a K-mount SMC. I initially thought that was good news, but when i look at the prices for bodies and lenses, they're higher than i expected.... So, i may just sit this one out and use the Canon or Nikons i already have. Unless i run into a nice sample of the Memotron, in which case i might still be interested in the old, metal 7-element Super Takumar, just for the feel. Otherwise, an A-SMC 50/1.4 with an LX looks like a nice bit of kit, but i can't justify the spend at the moment.