Very strange lens test on there - 43mm Ltd against Pentax-A 50mm f2. That's a current lens designed to be one of an elite range against a lower-end kit lens from over twenty years ago...

Ah, but the SDM-only lenses are more recent though - it could be that the "problem" lenses are earlier designs and that Pentax have improved the system on later lenses.

I'd say the Pentax version will always be better than the Tamron.

I think SFXs with their original kit lens will become rather rare as time goes on - most people buy them for the 35-70mm (or those few examples with a 50mm)!

I'm keeping mine, even if I doubt I'll use it much as it doesn't leave the film header out (so I can't put the film in my Rondinax tank). Have put a roll of slide film in and will be using it over the summer though.

It's worth seeking out the AA battery grip, mine now sports one and as a result can share battery stocks with the K-m.

After looking around a little more I'm actually considering an SV rather than a Spotmatic. I realise the SV doesn't have a light meter but the years of production are exactly the same as those for the lens, and the idea of either using a handheld meter (which I have, although it could do with calibrating as it seems to underexpose) or the clip-on meter is very appealing. Would the case fit the camera minus meter?

If you're going for a tourist-scaring retro camera then it really needs to have a gigantic lump of dials and gauges on the top!

Had an email today that it's en route and confirming that it'll fit the Km. Hope it doesn't get tangled in the bank holiday weekend!

The snow produced a whole selection of previously unseen birds here, unfortunately it was far too cold to sit around with the window open for ages waiting for them to get used to it, and you can imagine what photos taken through hundred-year-old glass and secondary glazing look like...

We had Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Bullfinches, Chaffinches, and even a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Last week there were a couple of Red Kites in the field over the road. Guess who managed to get some sort of flu thing resulting in not being able to eat or move much since last Thursday!

The WR lens and a UV/protective filter might be the way to go. Normally I don't use filters for this but considering the situation I don't think it'd be a bad idea. Bear in mind that if it's sealed against water then it'll also keep out dust and muck.

Considering the price of any Pentax lens these days (even mediocre zooms seem to be offered at daft prices) I think you're better off buying the WR and protecting the front element with the filter.

Thanks for that John, will be haunting ebay for a tidy Spotmatic body now!

In which case mine is the first one, goes to f22. I've tried the ES II in the case but it doesn't fit - the leather fouls the lens mount. Looks like I'm going after another screw mount body then. The ES II now has an SMC Tak 135mm f3.5 attached which came with original front cap and hood in good condition for £50 from Melgray in Hereford. One of those moments where you think "I don't really need it (have K 120mm f2.8 and M 135mm 3.5) but that's a great price and I'll regret it if I don't pounce"!

Is there a site equivalent to Dimitrov's K mount site for the screw mount gear? I have looked but I couldn't seem to find one with things like years of production. Definitely keen to work out what bodies with a built-in meter would have been around 1962-64 (I know it would have been built-in as the earlier cases have a lump on top to accommodate the clip-on meter).