Hi,
In these times it is the companies with huge advertising budgets who 'rule the waves'. Hence the Canon/ Nikon era. The vast majority of people just buy what they are sold.....reviewers are no diferent , hence what seem biased reviews.
I would suggest there is no bias against Pentax particularly, just against anything that is not Canon or Nikon!!!....the reviewers are just suckered in also by all the marketing hype...sad but true.
Go buy Pentax, Contax, Leica et al....that's what I do and totally ignore reviews!!!!
Cheers Steve.

Hi All,

Just thought you may like to know my lovely 18mm SMC-K is on that damn internet auction site!

Cheers Steve.

Thanks all. I tried gravity, but as powerful as it is, it could not remove my card!! The card is a very tight fit and I think I would have to take a lump hammer to the end of the camera to make it shift!!!

I must try Matt's tape idea.

Hi Folks,

Just got a refurb ist D and I am wondering can any owners tell me how to actually get the CF cards out without resorting to a pair of pliers?

Are they all this tricky?

Thanks in anticipation...Steve.

Hi All,

Just a new post, really to answer an earlier item asking where to buy used Pentax...my thoughts....

Ebay is great, but be very careful and If in doubt ALWAYS ask the seller clear specific questions BEFORE you bid.

MXV and FFordes have lots of stock, however, be careful here too, I have had to return 3 items to these dealers in the last month, all described as near mint and all faulty!!!...do buy from them, just check items closely. They both refunded all my costs, so they are worth dealing with.

Camera fairs are well worth visiting ( I both visit and stand at one), however most 'dealers' at these are amateur enthusiasts and their stock often is old and well used and not many scarce and interesting items come up at fairs...but some do!!. I also find a lot of these amateur dealers are out of touch with current pricing and lots overcharge, so haggle with them and stick to your guns.

I am going to winge now, as someone mentioned Jessops. I am very un-willing to buy anything from them. They have just spent 10 years buying up old established retailers, destroying them and then turning them into glorified computer shops. Very few of their shops now sell used items and the company shows very little interest in any customers wanting used items. I visited Jessops main shop in Oxford St, London only last month.... There were no less than 13 !! staff behind the digital counter and only 2 manning the used counter, even though customers were 3 deep and getting VERY annoyed, I walked out along with several others, after complaining. They recently stated in AP magazine to use their website to find used items...any one tried?...I did, it was poinless as the site must be the worst of any photo retailer....ok I'm done on that now, sorry all.

One last tip...do not be afraid to buy from over-seas, I have bought lots now, I am very careful, but have also made several very nice and friendly contacts. Bear in mind, items bought from within the EU member states attract no customs charges.

Hope all this helps a few of you. Steve.M.

Hi, Just to say, any item imported from outside the EU should attract customs charges on any item valued at over approx £17 (or over £35 for an item which is a 'GIFT')
They will charge VAT (17.5%) on the cost of the item AND the ship cost. They will also charge a flat handling fee on top of approx £8-15.

So, a $500 dollar lens, with ship costs of $25 will have 17.5% charged on $525 PLUS approx £10 handling fee.

I have noticed items sent by UPS courier service is always charged, however, some items sent by the US postal servive (USPS) seem to slip through.
Hope this helps. Steve.

Hi all,

Apart from the obvious ebay, does any one know a source for buying old K and M lens hoods, they seem like gold dust. Are any of the ones for sale on this site suitable? If they are, which ones fit which K and M lenses would be helpful...

Also, thanks to all for replies re Zeiss/Pentax comparisons!

thanks Steve.

Hi,
As a long term user of Canon FD and Contax/Carl Zeiss, I recently moved to Pentax K for a lightweight outfit. I am very surprised at the seemingly very high quality of build and finish of the Pentax K lenses. I would like advice though, particularly on the colour rendition, contrast qualities and general image quality of the K lenses compared to the Canon and Carl Zeiss lenses. Also do the qualities of the Pentax Lenses change much in between the three ranges of 'K' 'M' and 'A'?

The Pentax lenses are renowned for contrast, is this fair comment and does this therefore make them less useable with transparency film?
Also, do they tend towards cold or warm rendition of colour?
Any helpful comments welcome to a new flock member!
Thanks Steve.M.

Hi John,

If you get hold of the book 'Pentax ME Super book of photography', published by Hamlyn, 1982, there is a list of then available lenses and the SMC-M 35mm f1.4 is listed! The book was 'commisioned' by Pentax UK, who presumably must have supplied all the info. looks like it was expected to be a full production run, but was pulled for some reason.
Cheers Steve.

Hi,
Just bought a near mint LX, however none of my Pentax K or M lenses will focus on infinity !!, I have tried another prism and the problem still exists... can anyone advise on the possible fault and repair costs?, the camera also seems to over-expose by a full 2 stops, is this normal for an LX?, what could be the cure of this? and probable cost?
Thanks Steve.