Re: *istD EOL...

[Graywolf]

AFAIK Pentax is still servicing LXen. After all it was only discontinued in 2000 
(although they were almost impossible to get outside Japan). Since they were 
made for almost 20 years official repairs should be available for at least a few 
years yet. It is not lack of parts it is lack of interest at most repair shops 
that prevent repairs. They are only willing to change modules, not actually get 
into the camera and fix it. And most people are not willing to pay the price to 
have it done right anyway. Any mechanical mechanism can be repaired, an expert 
can machine parts for it.

The only question is, is it worth the cost to you. Remember most things are made 
somewhere where labor is 2-bits an hour while you have to pay US or European 
wages to have them repaired. SK Grimes, or Photography on Bald Mountain will 
repair about any mechanical camera; if you are willing to pay the price needed 
to do it.

graywolf
http://www.graywolfphoto.com
"Idiot Proof" <==> "Expert Proof"
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[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
I agree in principle. But repair services have already quit servicing the LX. 
Make a few calls to verify if you wish. I shoot with mine once in a while, but 
it's becoming a museum piece. The *istD will undoubtedly follow, but not for at 
least five years.
Paul

Hi,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

I would be surprised if you'd be able to get either the *istD or the LX 
serviced in 10 years. In fact, it's difficult to get the LX serviced now. 
Independents won't touch it. It's too specialized. And I think Pentax is on the 
verge of abondoning it. Don't get me wront. I love my LX, and I will do my best 
to get it work ad infinitum. Right now it's sitting in a dust free glass case. 
That might be the best strategy.

I have a somewhat different philosophy.  By all means keep a pristine 
example of the specie in whatever method of stasis best preserves it. 
One thing our society is short of is geuine examples of consumer goods 
in their original condition. (Note: restorations do not count - they are 
someone's idea of what it was originally; they are not _original_)

If it is used, the best thing to keep it functional is to use it.  That 
way you wear it out and have to get it repaired.  Look at the market for 
Supermarine Spitfire spares, for example.  There are plenty of places 
that will deal with the LX. They are not cheap, as it is a skilled job. 
 But the more that LXs are used, the more the repairers and servicers 
will order parts and the longer those parts and the skills to fit them 
will be available.  In ten years time, there will be nothing better than 
the LX at what it does.  The same cannot be said for the D.  In ten 
years time, you will have the choice of spending X to get the D repaired 
or spending a fraction of X to buy something that does the job better.

mike



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