>> This got me thinking. Why above 535XXXX?? Is there a website >or other >> source of info that chronicles the LX ? Especially with >reference to >> serial numbers versus time ? > >http://members.iinet.net.au/~cam/serial/
This link doesn't contains enough serials/date to be of help when inspecting an LX, trying to find out when it was produced via its serial. First, as it's been said here, the base plate can be easily changed so do not only rely on the serial number to estimate the production date of an LX. Second, these cameras needs CLA every ten years or so. And it goes from a very simple CLA to CLA AND a full exchange of every mechanical part of the mirror box. So nowadays the vast majority of LXes have already had at least one CLA and upon the request of the owner it can have been only CLA'ed or CLA'ed AND updated. Third, these cameras were expensive and mostly used by pros and often abused... I have owned 3 LX in my life... My first one was a 535xxxx late model and have clearly been used and abused by it's previous pro-photographer owner (who bought it new)... I sold it long time ago for a very small sum as it needed a serious rebuild of some internal mechanical parts (not even mentioning a very rough cosmetic presentation). My second one was a 523xxxx (from memory) that has seen very little use, was almost perfect cosmetically and I used it only for some studio photoshoots. As it was really nice, I was afraid to take it for night/action shoots...using my beat-up black MX or my Super A for these.... It is now the property of a fellow PDMLer. My last one (and currently my main Pentax body) is a 530xxxx that has seen moderate use from it's previous owner, and that shows some wear marks... I'm not afraid to take it with me even for some risky shoots were he might receive some more marks...although I take great care of my equipment, you never know what can happen ! All this leading me to the conclusion that it's almost impossible to know only from an LX serial number its features... You need to know its former degree of use (and sometimes abuse) and it's CLA history... >From the serial number you can only estimate its production date...unless someone is able to list and time-stamp all the numerous (80+) versions of the LX. Regards Jerome - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
