One of my worries when using the big 100-300mm zoom is always that the camera won't fit in the bag with it (as my first move in the event of rain would be to put it back in the bag and get the Lowepro "AW" weather cover around the lot). Luckily I think the weather cover is stretchy enough to go over the bag with the camera jammed in the top rather than properly stowed!

I would mostly be worried about the lens mount area - surely this must be the weak point even if both camera and lens are the WR versions?

I was thinking exactly the same thing!

The Dimitrov site lists a prototype 300mm f2 which looks a tad...unconventional. I would put up with that if it performed well though.

As for collecting ebay items I would probably go for meeting the seller in a public place (say a busy cafe or similar). If they're a genuine camera enthusiast you might get to spend a while talking photography, either way you're safe from attempts to rob you.

I've just given it a going-over with saddle soap to finish off, after finding an old can in the back of a cupboard - only problem is that I don't think it can turn the grey scuffed bits black? It has cleaned off the loose shoe polish residue though.

I'm not so sure about my opinion that this isn't an MX case after all now. My MX does actually fit inside. The base isn't flat though and the sides do bow out a bit, so I'm wondering if the original owner rammed an MX into a standard size case and over the years it sort of stretched to fit? The lining is red fabric, but then again when I compare it to my other ERC (on an MV-1) it does seem a little bit shorter, as John says. Very odd!

Yep - I used to use my K1000 to meter for it but juggling two cameras wasn't easy!

Hmm, sounds like I'll have to keep an eye open in real world camera shops (where I can actually try the case on the MX before buying) then. Thanks for the advice!

I tend to see it as a good sign if the "approved" sticker is still there - evidently the item has had a pretty easy life if a paper label is still intact and legible!

Still keeping an eye out for a sub-£70 40mm pancake for my MX, people seem to have the idea that they're rare and should go for £100+...

I've got a Pentax-A with scuffed front element too. I can't really be bothered to replace it with a good example as by most accounts it's not a particularly good lens. I just fancied the challenge of fixing it as the price was low. If I ever see a horribly fungus-infested one with unscratched optics I'll probably buy it and build one good lens from two.

What mode are you using with the 28mm? If you're in Av then the aperture ring won't do anything - the camera will meter and shoot with the lens held wide open regardless of what you do. Switch to M mode and it'll work, although you'll need to master stop-down metering and deal with the fact that it has a rather whimsical view of the correct shutter speed with apertures smaller than f8...

There was a version of the Agfa Rondinax tank that took 120 film, although as you might expect they're not as common as the 35mm version. Keep an eye on ebay and one will turn up eventually.

I keep meaning to buy one and reactivate my old Lubitel 166U, I now have a hand-held light meter which would make it much easier to use!

There seem to be a fair number of rough examples of these about, so I thought I'd post a guide to restoring them. You will need shoe polish, a sponge, and gloves.

Before - this was bought on ebay for £6. Note scuffs and cracks:

[IMG]http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x21/Kingofthemountains/IMGP1955.jpg[/IMG]

Step one - put the gloves on and rub the polish over the case. Get plenty of it on the scuffed and cracked areas, then leave to dry:

[IMG]http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x21/Kingofthemountains/IMGP1956.jpg[/IMG]

Step two - polish the case with the sponge until you have a shine. You might want to repeat the process depending on what results you get, but as can be seen it makes a huge difference:

[IMG]http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x21/Kingofthemountains/IMGP1957.jpg[/IMG]

I initially bought this case thinking that it was for an MX, it turns out not to be! Can anyone tell me the distinguishing features of the MX version, other than it being slightly wider than the normal M series (which isn't easy to spot unless you have it in your hands)?

Oddly enough I picked up an SFX and 35-70mm a week or so ago, cost me £33. It's currently loaded with ASA200 slide film and will be coming out when the weather is more co-operative and I'm in an exploring mood. I will also be swiping the lens for a test on my K-m as I've heard rave reviews of it as a general use lens (my original reason for buying it).

It's worth getting the AA battery grip - I have one and it should make the camera much simpler to deal with as it can use the same batteries as my K-m. In fact, it currently has the old AAs from my K-m that were supposedly dead but keep chugging along in the film body!

What I don't know is whether it will still fit the ever-ready case with the AA battery grip attached. It does make it about 3mm wider and generally chunkier in that area.