Try getting in touch with one of the Pentax repairers like Harrow Technical or Asahi Photo, they might be able to sell you the parts you need (or just ask for a quote to have them do the work, I realise postage might be a bit high though!)

I do wonder if the K series are especially sought after due to their comparatively limited production. Only made for two years and therefore not that easy to find now, as opposed to the common M series lenses which were made for far longer and in far greater numbers.

In general the M are smaller and lighter, but if you compare like with like I don't think they're any better or worse. Obviously some popular lenses like the K 135/2.5 were dropped but I've got both versions of the 28/3.5 and TBH they're much the same, the K may be slightly better but they also render colours slightly differently, so it's hard to make a comparison without a proper test lab.

I'm thinking MV1 in fact - I'm considering making a dashboard mount to take the same QR plates as my tripod (you can get the clamp bits to grab Arca Swiss-type plates easily at reasonable prices) with a view to ending up with a system whereby I can take a photo of whatever's visible through my car windscreen at a given point. With the 28mm f3.5 I have it should be ok if I just set a sensible aperture and prefocus (use the panfocal setting) then trigger the camera when something interesting appears.

This would obviously be quicker than stopping, picking up a camera, opening the window, etc. which is crucial as I want to use it while driving off tarmac to capture the moments which you'd miss by the time you got a handheld camera ready (like the deer standing on the trail in front of you which will take off if you move).

I do have a cheap Jessops winder (copy of the Winder ME II) which I've been meaning to make up a remote switch for, that might end up playing a part in the plan.

I know that sounds odd, but bear with me! Has anyone ever made a wireless remote release which screws into the standard threaded socket on the older film cameras to trigger the shutter?

I'm not sure now whether these are made from broken lenses or made specifically as cups which look like lenses? If the latter, they may need to beware of CaNikon legal types depending on how close the designs are to the real thing.

That'll drive used lens prices up pretty effectively, if word gets around that people are turning them into mugs!

Just worry that the Canon FD mount glass will go that way - while it isn't "our" system I still think Canon were pretty low in completely abandoning users of it.

You'll probably find that all batteries are now made in China, at least those used in electronics. This only becomes a problem if an unscrupulous supplier is used who may substitute cheap poor quality materials and pocket the difference (while the buyer has specified a particular standard and negotiated the price accordingly). There's evidence of this happening with Marklin trains over the past few years, problems with poor quality alloy castings long-solved in the West have been reappearing.

I rather doubt anyone would be daft enough to do that with Pentax though as they'd lose the contract overnight and quite possibly contracts with other manufacturers when word got around!

I have the TLZ 20, it's a very well-made SLR pouch and I use it for precisely what you have in mind. I found I could get the K-m, kit lens, 120mm f2.8, spare batteries and a couple of extra memory cards in there for Top Gear Live which was all I needed.

It will also fit onto larger bags which use the sliplock system, so you can use it to carry an extra body which won't fit in your main bag.

I can't see them dropping the K-x that quickly - it's only been out for a year or two and it's still very respectable in the "top trumps" arena (plenty of megapixels, video, good high ISO performance). I would wonder if they've simply sold out of the most popular colours in the run-up to Xmas and are now awaiting fresh containerloads of them?

The K7 on the other hand I can see being phased out - it's their oldest design now and the K5 has replaced it as the top spec DSLR.

The last one looks like it should have a huge "PASSIVE SMOKING KILLS YOUR CHILD" across the base!

You've done well in capturing another facet of life in 21st century Britain there, it's not all decorative ironwork and attractive sights. Not subjects I would have chosen but that's just me and the memory of having to leave an otherwise minty ME Super in the hall for a fortnight until the reek of tobacco smoke had faded and I was able to hold the thing...