Meter On switch -
Much stiffer than KX, I mean _much_ stiffer.
Just like with the KX, if you set the shutter speed
to BULB, mash down the shutter button and then turn this
switch to the lock position, the meter switches off and
the shutter stays open. Could be useful for that 2 minute
photo when you forgot to bring a cable release. Even the
SP switch is easier to use, and it's no gem lemme tell ya.
I think they made this switch stiff because it's possible
to stuff an MX into a bag in such a way that it drains
batteries - this is something almost impossible to do with
a KX.
Just on that subject, 1 of my MXs had a problem draining batteries. I took
it to the local Pentax importer (CR Kennedy) and asked for it to be fixed.
$130 (US$70) later they handed it back and pronounced it fixed. I went on
holidays and when I pulled the camera out of the bag the brand new battery
was dead. After replacing the battery and fidling around a bit I found that
even with the meter lock in place, a bit more pressure than normal would
turn the meter on. I figure that it must have something heavy (probably 300
Tak in hard case) sitting on the soft case, pushing on the shutter release.
I took it home and compared it to my other MXs, and none of them would do
that, so I figured it was a fault, probably just slightly out of alignment.
When I took it back to Kennedy's they said that it was normal, and that of
course if I applied a lot more pressure the meter would go on. I explained
that I owned 4 other MXs and *none* of them displayed the same trait but the
service man was unmoved.
Net result is that I now take the batteries out of the MXs when travelling
or storing and I have taken my LX elsewhere to be repaired and will probably
take the 6x7 there as well.
Paul Ewins
Melbourne, Australia
