It depends on what you're using the 50mm for. If you're after a smaller walkabout lens then the 35mm will be a superb replacement as it has AF and the focal length is roughly equivalent to a 50mm lens on film. It might be a bit short for a portrait lens though.

Milky water effects on dams and waterfalls (I know how to do it, I've just never got around to carrying ND filters and a tripod up there)

Another roll of Ilford SFX, saving it for snow as I want to see how that comes out with infra-red.

Print more - at present I have an album which I'm slowly filling with what I consider to be my best results. I've also been printing on canvas-effect paper which gives an interesting grain to images. Luckily our local Tesco has inoffensive A4 frames cheaply but I'm beginning to run out of wall space!

I'd be inclined to suggest the new 35mm f2.4 - I have seen suspicions that it's actually closer to an f2 when measured carefully. Sharp at all apertures, compact, lightweight, and cheap in Pentax prime terms. What's not to like?

I was really after a Super Takumar 55/1.8 (replacing the kit lens from the SV) but this came up for £20 and I thought it worth a go, it's a nice piece even if not original for the camera. Given how daft the prices now are for screw mount glass I'll have to keep my eyes open for the 55/1.8 for the SV and the 50/1.4 for my Spotmatic.

Looking forward to using that outfit with the clip-on light meter. It also has the original leather case which has survived the past forty-plus years very well, just need to keep looking for an original strap.

I've just had a refund from a HK-based seller after a suction cup camera mount (intended for a little Kodak HD camcorder, I doubt it'd take the weight of an SLR!) disappeared in the post.

Less than impressed by their initial response of "we can send another but if you receive both you need to pay" - yeah, while you doubtless claim compensation from the postal service there for the loss of the first one!

Fixed it!

I found a long, skinny bolt in a box of spares which after some attention from a fine file fitted into the hole perfectly. Trimmed it to length and it works just as it should - you pull the lever to cock the lens, then when you press the shutter the pin gets pressed to release it to the shooting aperture.

I haven't seen any results from any of my Takumars yet - I never have any luck with them on digital as the K-m just underexposes horribly whatever I try, but I'll be giving it a test on the Spotmatic soon as that's halfway through a test roll with the 35mm/3.5. The 55mm f2 sounds a decent performer judging by the reviews I've seen.

I've just bought this lens via ebay, optically it seems in good shape but there's a slight problem - the pin which is supposed to trip to stop it down is missing, so it's at working aperture all the time. Does anyone have either a spare pin or a photo of one that I can use to make a replica part?

I'm not entirely sure the infinity setting is correct either but I can't see any fine adjustment - the front of the lens came off in my hands while I was investigating where the stop down pin had gone! It's back together now and seems ok although it may be front focusing slightly at infinity.

Here it is on my SV:

[IMG]http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x21/Kingofthemountains/IMGP4417.jpg[/IMG]

Yep, but again we only have snowy conditions like that for about 2 weeks a year at most. I tend to buy decent outdoorsy shoes (think all terrain trainers) as they're comfy, but a bit more grip would be handy on sheet ice.

Been playing with the Spotmatic today, thinking it might go in the bag for Top Gear Live this weekend along with the K-m, assuming the Auto Takumar 55/f2 I bought arrives in time (think my 35/3.5 a bit slow for indoor shooting). Some B&W shots of the classic car show next door could work well.

I've been looking at rubber overshoe things designed for snow and ice - think crampons but a bit less extreme, smaller spikes and designed to stretch over any boot or shoe rather than needing special footwear.

It seemed pretty well regarded, I'd think £80 a bit steep but that's just me. Check for separation of the rear elements as I remember reading that these lenses can suffer from that.