I have two LX's, one was bought new by me in jan 1981 and has serial # 52578xx, the other was bought used two years ago and has serial# 52632xx. How old might this second one be? I guess somewhere around 81-83 since the serials are just some 5000 units apart. Do someone have a nifty list of numbers with which to check the age of cameras?

just curious -- MW

The explanation I've heard is that the Australian distributor for Pentax is also the Distributor for Sigma, and his overhead on the Sigma stuff is higher than on the Pentax stuff, so he pushes Sigma.

-- MW

I had a Canon AE-1, but after trying a friends LX for some days I was Pentax-hooked. It got worse when I saw that the Pentax lenses were so much less expensive -- and optically better in many (most) cases -- so in january 1981 I traded my equipment for an LX and some glass. Last week I sent it in for service so it will last another 25 years.

-- MW

A closer peek at the picture here:
http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/lenses/primes/wide-angle/FA31f1.8.html
shows a filter thread, and according to the site it is 58mm.

-- MW[/url]

Kim:
I will leave the cameras to the skilled professionals. It has been quite a while since the last CLA. I am based in Sweden, but I have been looking at www.pentaxcamerarepairsdirect.co.uk (since the local lads charge an arm and a leg for LX service) Are they one of the good repairers?

I'm not really *that* eager to fiddle around on my own in my precious LX:s

regards -- MW

The supportive cushions that stops the mirror in down position has deteriorated and gotten sticky with age. This makes the mirror stick in down position if the camera hasn't been fired for a while.
The focus creep appears when the mirror come to rest in a slightly lower position than intended, thus offsetting the focus. It's easiest to notice on a wide angle lens, where it becomes impossible to focus on infinity.

-- MW

The headline says it. Both my LX:s has developed sticky mirror of the first variety: Sticks in down position if the camera has not been fired for a while. Also, the focus creep. Can I fix this myself? Is there a handy web page showing me how? Or should I leave it for the trained professionals.

Guide me fellow Pentax users.

-- MW

Thank you. This is what I've heard from other sources too.
Time to raid the piggy-bank then.

Other opinions are still welcome, since my piggy bank will put up some resistance -- at least until tuesday.

I really liked my old 85mm. It was such a convenient focal length. Together with ny M 28/2.0 (that I still own) and the LX body they accountet for more than 95% of all pictures taken by me. I still kick myself for selling the 15mm 3.5 in certain fit of moneyless-ness. Bad choice.

-- MW