My experience is that the only single use batteries worth buying are Energizer Lithiums. I get about six months use from a set of them which is usually around a thousand shots, although the K-m doesn't have Live View or video mode to drain them faster. I do have a set of Eneloops handy for the next change though.

Well, I've done it. Listed a few unwanted bits and pieces for sale in the classified section with a view to boosting reserves for that 70-200mm f2.8.

I'm looking to raise a few quid toward a 70-200mm f2.8, so some of the gear I seldom use is up for sale. All is fully functional and optically unblemished, no fungus, snappy aperture mechanisms, a little dust as usual with zooms but it doesn't seem to have much impact on images. All prices include RM 1st class Recorded Delivery within the UK.

Without further ado, the list:

Pentax SF7 with Pentax-F 28-80mm f3.5-4.5 zoom. Comes with good battery, original strap and lens cap, and a holster-style case. Lens will work on DSLR. Camera and lens have rubs and scuffs to body, makes no difference to functionality but this is definitely one to use rather than one for a collector, £30

Pentax MZ-50 with SMC Pentax-F 35-80mm f4-5.6. Needs a couple of batteries but is in good to excellent condition, even still has all the little blanking plugs for the hotshoe and remote socket and original lens cap. Lens will work on DSLR, comes with non-original strap and black leatherette holster case with shoulder strap, £20

Pentax AF240Z flashgun - fully functional, a few scuffs on the body, safe for digital and works in all modes on my K-m so should do the same on other Pentax DSLRs. Very under-rated flash with tilt head and built in zoom adapter, £20

SMC Pentax-FA 28-80mm f3.5-5.6. Optically perfect aside from usual dust, no fungus or marks, comes with original front cap and generic rear cap, £20

SMC Pentax-F 100-300mm f4.5-5.6. Optically unmarked, usual slight dust, no fungus, works perfectly on 35mm or digital bodies, body shows signs of careful use with some rubbing and a couple of scuffs but lens in full working order, comes with original front cap and generic rear cap, £60

I have posted photos of these items to a Photobucket album here, obviously I will be able to post from Tuesday this week due to the bank holiday.

Edit: Payment via Paypal with buyer paying fees (the important bit!)

You can, but there's not a lot of point here. You will inevitably get stuck behind a tractor, lorry, or plain dawdling normal within short order who'll throw all sorts of muck up from the road!

I'd appreciate it. The 43mm Ltd was supposedly made because Pentax decided the proper standard lens for 35mm cameras was around the 40mm mark, rather than 50mm. On digital, you need a 28mm lens to get the same field of view...

I don't see them offering one as a cheap intro prime though. I'd rather see something like a 135mm f3.5 with roughly the same price/quality as the 35mm f2.4.

Look at the new DA 35mm f2.4. Much like the 50/1.7 in performance but a more useful focal length for a DSLR (although I actually find 35mm/40mm more natural on full frame film too), it's also very cheap by Pentax prime standards. Has picked up the nickname "plastic wonder" in some quarters, if Pentax made other focal lengths at the same price and quality Ltd sales would take a hit IMO.

That is indeed my current plan, if SRS sell out of the reduced Sigma 70-200mm lenses (I can just about scrape £600 together, £999 is right out!)

I think I'd rather have HSM to be honest, as I'm justifying the slightly eyewatering price with the fact that it should last longer than the K-m and sooner or later I expect Pentax to drop the screw drive AF (the KAF3 spec already exists, after all). The only full frame body I own that I'd want to use it with is a Super A, which is manual focus so really won't care about the AF method.

Extended warranties are slightly meaningless, although they would make life simpler. Your standard EU consumer rights should cover you for a good number of years given the price of the item and the fact that this gives a reasonable expectation of it lasting for at least ten years, used sensibly.

My bedroom wallpaper came from a Focus closing down sale. I did have to be careful to buy plenty of the stuff as I wouldn't be able to go back a fortnight for more!

Half term this week. Time to get out and have a go with the mirror lens, also want to get over to Aberaeron/Aberystwyth/Borth for a nice long drive.

A slightly odd question about these lenses: Would they also work with something like a Super A?

I know they're full frame and lack aperture rings, but assuming the aperture mechanism is the same as that on the DA-L lenses then the Super A would be able to set aperture by using shutter priority mode and changing speed to force the use of the desired aperture (or just use program mode and let it pick an aperture). Manual focus would obviously not be a problem with this body!

Not that this is a deal breaker, I'm just curious.

You need to give the parts a good rub down with fine abrasive paper and then use a coat of primer in order to get the paint to stick. The rubbing down will key the surface so the primer can get a grip on it.