  We report long-term simultaneous optical and (RXTE) X-ray observations of the
soft X-ray transient and low mass X-ray binary X1608-52 spanning from 1999 to
2001. In addition to the usual X-ray outburst and quiescent states, X1608-52
also exhibits an extended low intensity state during which the optical
counterpart, QX Nor, is found to be about two magnitudes brighter than during
quiescence. We detect optical photometric variability on a possible period of
0.5370 days with a semi-amplitude of ~0.27 mag in the I band. The modulation
could be orbital but is also consistent with a scenario invoking a superhump
with decreasing period. Observations of QX Nor during quiescence indicate an F
to G type main sequence secondary while theoretical considerations argue for an
evolved mass donor. Only an evolved mass donor would satisfy the condition for
the occurrence of superhumps.
