Can you elaborate on the "focus creep"?

Dave

Ha ha, I didn't mean to be blunt, but that site really covers most of it (or certainly more than I could). Cheers back at ya.

Dave

http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/

Dave

Thanks for the comments everybody. Can someone speak to the reliability issues of the LX? I keep reading about sticky mirrors and incorrect exposure metering and a few other problems that come up seemingly a fair bit, but it's hard to tell how this compares with other cameras because obviously there are a lot more LX's out there than KX's for example and the average one is probably seeing a fair amount more use than the average KX.

Dave

I recently had my K2 stolen, a real bummer as I loved that camera. Eventually I will be replacing it, for the time being I am using an MZ-5 that I am considerably less fond of.

So the KX and the LX are more or less the two I am deciding between, I'm really leaning toward a mechanical shutter so hence these choices over another K2. I've held an MX a little bit and really didn't like the feel too much, I preferred the larger body of the K2. Obviously there is a big price difference between the the two, and I am trying to decide if the LX is worth the extra money or if I would be more or less just as happy with a KX. I don't anticipate using any add-ons like motor drive or data back or anything, my photography is purely recreational. The flexibility of the interchangeable screens and finder is attractive, although on it's own doesn't make up the price difference (especially when the added cost of the screens and finders is figured). Obviously the biggest difference is the light metering, and while I would say 95% at least of my photography is done manually, I suppose I might value the accurate exposure in low light conditions or the ability to have excellent TTL metering with flash. I guess what I'm wondering is just as a camera that I'm going to manually set the aperature and shutter speed, compose and shoot, is the LX much better?

I read conflicting comments about durability, some say that the LX is built like a tank with all of the extra seals and everything, and then the others say that there are all of those seals to go wrong and they are not that durable. KX seems unanimously praised in this regard, but are the standards for such comments set higher for the "ultimate" LX? Ideally I'd like a camera that works well, is a pleasure to use, and will last me a good 20 years. Any comments much appreciated.

Dave

Many thanks, Matt. You are right. It does say that in the manual, but in a very round-about way at the end of a sentence so I didn't catch it. Makes more sense as I couldn't figure out how a flash that does everything else wouldn't have that function.

Thanks again.

Dave

Why doesn't the 360FGZ, for all the functions it does have, have an exposure test? That may not be the correct name for it, where you set the flash how you want and then fire a test flash, after which the auto sensor indictates whether or not enough light was emitted. I'm thinking in terms of bounce flash where it is often coming up short both with a TTL camera (MX-5) and on auto with a manual camera (K2). My buddy's Vivitar at 1/4 the price has this function. Am I missing how to do it?

Dave

Just a follow-up, I do have the camera back now. Time will have to tell whether the stuck-shutter issue is gone but judging by everything else I'll guess it is. The camera feels great, they tightened up the mirror action a great deal, much less vibration, and everything seems perfect. Cost a bit but well worth it in my opinion.

Dave

I do usually leave the shutter un-cocked. After working and then not working and then working again I decided to take it in to the shop. Wanting to avoid shipping I took it to phototech repair here in NYC. I should pick it up today, hopefully I will be happy with the results. They do a 6-month warranty and I've heard good things about them before.

Dave

Thanks for the replies. It's not the batteries as they are testing fine and the second time it locked I had taken the batteries out anyway. The contacts look okay but I'll check it again.

It's funny, my backup is a ZX-5. I can't stand it. The pictures are fine but it is so unpleasant to use compared to the K2 which is a total joy for me.

Right now it's working again, I'm going to take it out for a shoot today and hope for the best, and perhaps take it in to a shop tomorrow.

Dave