I had heard similar things about the SMC F 28-80mm, unfortunately I didn't realise that there were two...

I will be using my Power Zoom FA 28-80mm next month for a motorsport event where I don't want to risk anything more expensive getting showered in flying gravel or mud (or dropped in a puddle if I slip over!) It's not a bad lens but it would probably be the cheapest of my collection to replace.

Take it this is the SMC Pentax-F rather than the more common Pentax-F?

I made that mistake and ended up with the non-SMC one, it isn't dire but it's a bit mediocre and there are far better lenses available for the same money.

Given the lens cap is metal I might be inclined to try a few drops of lighter fuel and see if that loosens the remaining adhesive. Gently peel the felt away, clean any residue, leave everything to dry and then re-stick the felt with a tiny amount of contact adhesive.

Given the price of a new cap it has to be worth a try. The worst that could happen is the felt being damaged by the lighter fuel, the cap should be absolutely fine.

I keep getting that with Red Kites. A friend has a theory that they can tell how long a lens you have so they can remain just out of range!

I have had them come over the road low enough to see their markings with naked eye while driving before now. If you stop and grab the camera they'll be long gone.

It is relatively easy to spot if you have the lens in your hands. The glue holding the rear element group together turns cloudy, so just turn the aperture ring right around and look through the lens.

The old FA 28-70mm f4 was well thought of, only tricky part seems to be finding one where the rear element group hasn't come un-stuck. You could also look for the F 35-70mm which is small, sharp when used properly, and relatively light.

Well they were trying to sell it as British, complete with pictures of the inevitable Household Cavalry soldier in full ceremonial kit and a red Routemaster... But it was truly, truly dire! I think it was intended to be long life or something like that. Properly made British bread (as in, not using the accelerated raising process which supermarkets love) is fine.

It depends on whether the Irish were quick enough to register it as a designation. If so, you could still sell the same recipe outside Ireland but you would need to call it "Irish-style stew". Obviously this makes no difference whatsoever to home cookery.

British regional delicacies have, on the whole, been rather slow to pounce on this bit of legislation. I know Cheddar didn't manage to get it. That said, the horrors which are passed off as British bread and cheese in French supermarkets always seem to be a cunning plot by their permanently grumpy farmers to discredit our produce!

Including price... I doubt you'll find a tidy working Super A for the same money as a P30 series. My suggestion was for something cheap and cheerful to have a go with film.

I've got the S-M-C Takumar 135/3.5. Workhorse telephoto of the 1970s, I don't have any other M42 telephoto lenses to compare it to but it handles sweetly and seems sharp enough.

I have never got on with M42 lenses on my K-m, so the three I own are used on a Spotmatic or SV when I feel the urge.