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Pentax LX

In 1980, Pentax introduced a professional
camera , the LX. The LX had an ultra-rugged hybrid body construction, a
highly sensitive and innovative metering system, a superb insulation to
penetration of moisture and dust, overall great backward compatibilities
with other system accessories. The LX remained in service for 17 years
challenging Nikon F3 and Canon New F-1 professional cameras.
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Type:
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35mm full-frame single lens reflex
camera with IDM off-the-film plane Aperture-Priority automatic
or full manual exposure metering, TTL integrated flash control
with Pentax "T" and "C" type flash units.
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Lens Mount:
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Pentax bayonet mount with fully
automatic diaphragm coupling
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Exposure controls:
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Open-aperture, center-weighted,
through-the-lens light metering for both automatic and manual
modes. Integrated Direct Metering (IDM) system measures light at
the film plane via Silicon Photo Diode (SPD): high-speed
measurements for automatic operation are made off fixed pattern
on front shutter curtain, slow speed measurements off curtain
and film, automatic electronic flash/ambient light measurement
with TTL "T"- and "C"-type flash models. Manual exposure range
from EV 1 to EV 19 (at ISO 100 with f/1.4 lens); stepless
automatic exposure range extends to EV -6.5 to EV 20 (125
seconds at f/1.2 to 1/2000 second at f/22, at ISO 100 at normal
temperature and humidity). Meter activated by light pressure on
shutter release with automatic shutoff after 25 seconds.
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Viewfinder:
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Standard FA-1 Interchangeable
Eye-Level Pentaprism Finder features silver-coating and shows
98% vertical, 95% horizontal of picture area plus full data
viewfinder display; built-in diopter correction by adjustment
screw. Finder removable by release lever. 7 other Prisms
available.
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Viewfinder Illuminator:
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Nil
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Viewfinder Display:
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Tricolor display for TTL-measured
shutter speeds with green LEDs indicating hand-holdable speeds
from 1/2000 second to 1/30 second, yellow LEDs as slow speed
warning from 1/15 second to 4 second, and red LEDs indicating
overexposure or long exposure and "X"-sync flash-ready light
with TTL and dedicated flash units; blue flag indicates
automatic at "A" and manually selected shutter speeds; aperture
visible in standard FA-1, FA-1W, FC-1 and FD-1 finders.
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Dioptric Adjustment:
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Focusing Screens:
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SC-21 standard focusing screen
with center split-image spot surrounded by microprism collar on
matte field; fully interchangeable with 11 other focusing screen
models through the lens mount.
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Mirror:
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Large swing-back type,
instant-return mirror to virtually eliminate image cutoff with
most lenses; mirror-up lock provided.
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Exposure Preview:
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Provided, as the tri-functions
self timer lever.
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Exposure Compensation Dial:
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Up to + 2 EV automatic exposure
compensation in automatic mode by dial control; dial indexed at
1/4X, 1/2X, 1X, 2X and 4X, with click stops at 1/3 EV positions;
red flag appears in viewfinder to indicate dial is off "1X"
normal exposure position; dial lock provided at "1X" with
push-button release.
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Shutter:
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Electro-mechanical
horizontally-run titanium focal plane shutter; manual speeds
mechanically controlled from 1/2000 second to "X"
(1/75 second) and electronically controlled from 1/60 second to
4 seconds; mechanical speeds and "B" operational without
batteries;
automatic exposures electronically controlled in stepless range
from 1/2000 second down to 125 seconds; shutter lock provided;
shut-
ter dial locks at "AUTOMATIC" with push-button release; built-in
curtain blind for use with Watch Data LX.
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Mechanical Shutter Release:
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from 1/2000 second to "X" (1/75
second)
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ISO (ASA)
Film Speed Scale:
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ISO 6 to 3200.
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Shutter Dial:
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17 settings (A), (B) and (X), from
4 sec to 1/2000 sec.
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Shutter Button:
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Light touch to activate the meter
on, meter will turn off after 25 sec.
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Flash Control:
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TTL measurement of ambient and
electronic flash lighting directly off film plane with "T"- and
"C"-type Pentax flash models providing auto flash sync at "X"
and visible flash-ready and exposure check in viewfinder when
flash reaches full charge; automatic flash sync and visible
viewfinder flash-ready light with other Pentax dedicated flash
models.
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Self-timer
/Preview:
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Multifunction lever provides a
manually activated self-timer with 4 to 12 second delay,
depth-of-field preview and mirror-lock capability.
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Stop down
Slide: |
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Power Source:
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Two 1.5V alkaline or silver-oxide
batteries power all electronic systems in both automatic and
manual modes; LED flickers in viewfinder to indicate low battery
condition; mirror locks when batteries fail.
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Battery Check:
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LED flickers in viewfinder to
indicate low battery condition
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Multiple
Exposure:
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Provided. Film Rewind Button
doubles as multiple exposure button to disengage film advance
mechanism
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Flash
Synchronization:
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"FP" terminal and "X" terminal,
plus contacts for TTL integrated automatic flash control at
camera front; FA-1 Standard Finder features built-in "X"-sync
hotshoe with TTL contacts.
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Camera back:
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Standard camera back with spring
catch, built-in film memo holder. Back is fully interchangeable
with Dial Data LX, Watch Data L, and Bulk Film Magazine LX.
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Film Loading/
Transport:
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Pentax Magic Needle Loading
System. Single-stroke, rapid wind lever with 120° throw and 25°
standoff angle; built-in shutter cocked indicator. Accepts
Winder LX and Motor Drive LX for automatic film advance and
automatic rewind capability.
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Film
Advance
Lever: |
Single stroke 120 degrees or
multiple short strokes to cock the shutter. At 25 degrees stand
off position.
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Frame
Counter:
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Additive two-way exposure counter
moves from loading indicator to "38" with color-coded indexes at
"0", "20", "24" and "36" operates in reverse to indicate precise
film location for rewind or tracking of multiple exposures.
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Film
Rewinding:
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Film Rewind Button doubles as
multiple exposure button to disengage film advance mechanism.
Automatic rewind with Winder LX and Motor Drive LX.
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Dimensions:
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144.5mm x 90.5mm x 50.0mm (5.7" x
3.6" x 1.9") with Standard FA-1 Finder attached.
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Weight:
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565g (19.9 oz.) with Standard FA-1
Finder
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