I've just opened the packet containing one of these which I ordered a couple of days ago (excellent service given how everyone else seems to be in the usual dazed state!) It's a lovely piece of kit, just one thing I can't quite figure out - which of the two knobs is supposed to control the friction on the ball and which is supposed to lock it in place? They're different sizes and one is slightly higher up the head than the other.

The confusing part is that both seem to be able to place some friction on the ball and/or lock it in place, but I'm guessing it will work best if I use the correct one for each job!

I too have noticed this. I find the majority of bargains by pouncing on BIN items which have just been listed (like the AF160 for £2 a couple of weeks ago, which seems to work perfectly despite a small crack in the diffuser). Where bidding is concerned I seldom do well!

Bear in mind that after 1996 the 300TDI went electronic with fly-by-wire throttle and electronic injection pump (mine's one of the last all-mechanical ones). One less thing to go wrong and also means you can tweak the pump for more power.

1: MX
2: KX (these two may be reversed, but the MX is just slightly easier to carry and use)
3: K-m (as a first DSLR it's ace, I just wish it had two control dials)
4: ME Super
5: P30T
6: SFX
7: KM
8: ME
9: MV1
10: MG (only bought it because it shares my initials, although to be fair it's an ME with some plastic bits and auto flash sync)

Not sure I'd be keen on an early TD5 - they seem to catch an interesting selection of electronic problems given half a chance! The only things not working on my 300TDI are aircon and the heated rear window.

I did exactly the same thing a month or two ago as I'd had a Super Takumar 35mm f3.5 and a Spotmatic case with a KM I bought earlier in the year. If you keep watching you can find them for comparative pennies, although I find I use my K mount bodies more.

Depreciation? What's that?

A good Discovery has now bottomed out to the extent that I could probably replace mine with one the same age, condition and lower mileage for under £4k. Thing is, I wouldn't know how previous owners had treated that while I know mine's had a new clutch, new battery, new alternator, cam belt changed on time, regular oil changes and rusty sills welded up. In reality the only reason I'd have to replace it would be a write-off after a crash, as everything else is perpetually renewable and upgradeable.

Not Pentax and a little longer, but I've been very impressed with the Samyang 85mm so far. It's manual focus but at f1.4 I don't have much trouble getting it right even when the camera struggles to provide the green hexagon due to low light. It's also less than half the price of a 77mm Ltd...

It's weird how some pets really can't handle fireworks while others can. I well remember a neighbour's cat wandering into our bonfire night firework party and happily rubbing up against spectators while purring away. The bangs didn't seem to bother her in the slightest!

Go for it, best £150 you can spend on Pentax gear at the moment IMO. Very much in the tradition of the old M 50mm f1.7 as a sharp standard lens which takes up little space and weighs even less.