I like that reminds me of the old hand coloured B&W photos.
It might look better with some of the water in front trimmed off.

I think it was CZ who used a vacuum in the Contax to keep the film flat. CZ also claim the highest resolution ever recorded on film with the Cosina made Carl Zeiss ZM-Biogon 25mm ƒ/2.8 at 400 lpmm link

Or on the CZ site

Looks quite sharp on this photo

Digital is capable of a maximum of 87.5 lpmm according to Bob Atkins so does that mean film is sharper than digital

I had noticed shake problems with the 12-24mm and started to use it without shake reduction. It could have been just the SR hadn't settled. I'll have to see what shutter speed I used if I can find the shots.

Shake has always been a problem I noticed it years ago on a Koni-Omega 6x7 which had a leaf shutter and should have been a lot sharper. I stripped it down and disconnected everything connected to the shutter release apart from the shutter itself. The camera was a lot better for it and by far the sharpest lens I've ever had (still got it). I also removed all the other frames from the viewfinder apart from the standard frame. (I might have blacked them out.... I just remember using some black electrical tape).

With regard to focusing on film cameras numerous magazine articles were written in the past about how to check your cameras focusing accuracy. Polysales and Fishwicks used to sell magnifiers with built in fresnel/ground glass to check for focusing errors.

When the US mag Modern Photography (now merged with Popular Photography) tested a camera they tested everything including focusing accuracy (across the frame)and also stripped it down to the last nut and bolt

AP and the BJP were also equipped with optical collimation equipment which took readings directly from the film plane including focusing errors and lens curvature. This is how the are able to quote the exact focal length and aperture of the lens.

Some lenses such as the Pentax 43mm Ltd. have shown up to 140 lpmm in film resolution tests something that just wouldn't be possible if the camera wasn't focused exactly.

I didn't want any of the lenses, but I bought a Pentax-M 2x Magnifier for £25 plus postage off them over the phone. They were quite helpful said it was in good condition and complete with case. One of these went for £38 about a week ago on ebay so the price was OK.

It seems strange that these are the only retailer that have had stock of 35mm lenses for a few years now, and I think they had a 50% off sale last year as well.

I've never had any problems at all. It must be either the AV/Firewalls or your ISP sending you along a slow pipe/connection.

Unfortunately a traceroute doesn't go all the way to Pentaxuser, but should show if anything along the way is causing the slowdown.

3D Traceroute works quite well freeware DL from here

Enter www.pentaxuser.co.uk into the program.
Use www.bbc.net.uk to see how a full traceroute works.

All good shots, but the ladybird shot, because it's
so unusual has to be my favourite.

You normally have to use the lens wide open to see the actual difference. If you can still see it when you stop down a stop or two you would be better trying it there as well. With some lenses there is a focus shift when you stop down, so it makes sense to try and do it at whatever aperture you use the most. Although that would probably apply more to MF because the AF works before the lens stops down.... thus missing any focus shift.

An alternative is to use a focusing rack and take one shot then move closer by 10mm take another then back to -10mm and take another then see which is the sharper. 0mm, +10mm or -10mm

I've got a stereo Novoflex focussing rack which which actually has mm's forward and back engraved on it. Same as this one but worth £100 less.

Three AA batteries stood up and staggered would also do.

Nice to hear that from you Peter, must have been a tough decision, but I'm sure the right one. I used to subscribe to the magazine in the 70's 80's before you owned it (I think). I'm not as keen these days and rarely buy any photo mags unfortunately

Best of Luck with all your websites, which like it or not is the direction in which all publishing has to move.

You can usually find legit OEM versions at computer fairs.
These fairs are checked regularly by the software companies and trading standards to make sure that no illegal copies are on sale, so they should be safer than ebay to make sure that what you buy is legit.