Lens purchasing help!

Hi, I have recently got back into photography and was wondering what lenses I should buy. I got given an MX, and a p30n, 50mm 1:1.4 M lens, a 50mm 1:2 A lens, and an ozeck 135mm 1:2.8 lens.

Firstly my MX, the foam has got a bit melty, and what is the quickest and easiest solution to fix this problem?
Secondly, I was looking for a fairly good range of lenses, perhaps a 28mm, a 75-150mm and a 200mm. Any recommendations?

Cheers.

Many independent camera repairers should be able to deal with the foam, and some SLR owners do it themselves. If you are in the UK, Harrow Technical would be one to try:

http://www.harrowtechnical.co.uk/

The lenses you mention can all be obtained quite cheaply on Ebay in Pentax-M versions, as can the 135mm 1:3.5 if you find the Ozeck isn't up to scratch. I have all these, and am very fond of the 75-150mm zoom.

These two sites are required reading:

http://stans-photography.info/

http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/

If you haven't used Ebay, it is pretty safe if you take care to buy from people with good feedback who appear to know what they are talking about. Avoid any seller who says "I know nothing about photography" (unless you spot an absolute bargain, but be aware of the risk). Generally, in my experience, those who take care over their ad are likely to have taken care of the equipment.

Good luck.

George

Hi,
If you need to get the MX serviced and the likelyhood is that if the seals are going, it will need a full CLA, I would recommend Mike Spencer. His work is excellent and he is about 1/2 to 2/3 the price of Harrow Technical. Robin is very good if spares are needed but he is a bit pricey. Mike can be found at http://www.btinternet.com/~camerarepairer/

Regards
Kim

Thats good news, because me being an absolute retard, I managed to destroy the focusing screen of my MX today. I was cleaning out the inside, and finding that the foam is really gunky, and on the focussing screen. So I was cleaning the screen with methelated spirits.... at which point the focusing screen started reacting, going translucent, and developing scratches.

I'm absolutely furious with my mistake.... What can/should I do?

Hi Again,
First of all I will give you all the bad news. As I replied on a different thread only today, the screens are very soft and very easily damaged. It would look like you will need a new screen.

First off, I wouldn't do anything else. I have replaced the rear seals on a good few cameras and repaired a number of rangefinders but wouldn't consider the replacement of the mirror foam. I might do when I have had the chance to practice on a few "junkers". As you found, the old foam ends up a sticky mess. If you are not very careful this can end up in various places you don't want it and the seat must be clean for the new seal to adhere properly.

Getting an MX screen is not that easy. There are a number of LXs screens around. These are the same size as the MX and you can use MX screens in an LX but not the other way round as it affects the meter cells which are in the head of the MX. However, there appear to be very view MX screens around.

Now for the good news

Mike should still be able to sort things for you but you will probably have to source a new screen. I think I may be able to find a couple of links to people who have one. If not, I will have a hunt around tomorrow. I may still have a spare one. It will have a very slight mark on it but it will be usable. (Guess how I know the screens are so soft!!).

Will get back tomorrow or Friday.

Kim

I think I spotted some MX screens on ebay a while back from a seller with ID as pentaxuser... might be wrong but it's worth checking out?

Will

Been quoted a very good price on servicing, the MX screen as people have said is hard to come by, but Mike says he may be able to source one.
No MX screens on ebay at the minute, but is there screens by other makes that you would recommend?

You can buy a Beattie Intensiscreen for the MX, new, from Morco I think. The last time I checked the price it was £117.50. This gives a much brighter image, maybe up to 4 stops advantage, but I presume this will also change the metering as the meter measures the brightness of the ground glass screen.

Hi,
The only other screens I know of are the Beattie ones. Two problems, they are about £75 and because they are much brighter, you will need to adjust the ASA settings as the metering will be out. Let me try an LX screen in my MX, it may work, in which case I have a spare or 2. Alternatively, I may be able to get an SB1 screen which is an MX one. (About £15 + post) That's the one with just the split image. If you drop me a PM with an email address, I am sure I can help. I have got to go and see Mike in the next week or so so I could even drop it off.

Kim