I've just popped the top plate off my Super A to reattach the little window which illuminates the shutter speed/aperture display, however I now have a loose wire! It's the one which connects to the centre contact of the flash hotshoe, but does anyone know where the other end of it should be soldered on the camera?

Edit, I think I've got it. By using a multimeter I've worked out where the centre pin of the PC socket is connected, as the centre of the hotshoe has the same purpose this must be the right circuit.

I'd be inclined to go via a recognised dealer if buying an expensive lens used. That way you should be able to give the lens a quick test before handing over the cash, and you're likely to get some sort of warranty.

I'm not sure. I know some Ricoh lenses have an extra pin which is prone to jamming in the AF screwdrive of Pentax cameras.

Personally I'd keep my eyes open for the genuine Pentax lens. My A 50/2 cost £15 and is pretty minty, they are out there if you look carefully. I've picked up M 50/2s with slight fungus problems for £5 before now which took about two minutes to clean out.

Bear in mind that you can use free panorama creating software named "Hugin" to assemble images as large as you like from multiple exposures with a 35mm lens. I tend to do that if I want a huge landscape, although I'd like something around the 14mm mark the software is a lot cheaper than a new lens!

I spent a couple of weeks with the M version of the same lens earlier this year (while investigating what results you can get with a £10 MV1/50mm f2 combination), nothing wrong with it. I also have the A version after seeing it stupidly cheap and bagging it to complete my P30T, that will be tried in the near future.

I had something of a find this morning. An apparently rather rare AF201SA flashgun for £5. You might wonder why on earth I wanted it given they only offer Program flash or manual, but it's a powerful and relatively tiny unit which should be handy on the K-m for parties and similar where I can just fit the 35mm lens, set everything to P, and fire away.

On a vaguely related note...

Does anyone else feel an urge to photograph every hectoring and just plain daft sign they see? My favourite so far is "No climbing and sliding on the funnel" on a channel ferry. I hadn't even considered whether it was possible before being confronted with this ugly great sign!

"No climbing on the monument" was another one. I could understand it at a memorial but this was an abandoned lead mine. Which bits were you not supposed to climb on? What happened to common sense about not climbing on high stuff as it will hurt if you fall off?

I'm a bit baffled how C5 reached that conclusion. I know the legend of "The Few" has been widely debunked (in short terms, while the RAF began the battle outnumbered they were far quicker to replace pilots and aircraft than the Luftwaffe leaving them ahead) but the Luftwaffe lost the battle due to political interference in their plans. Had they continued attacking RAF sites rather than London there would have been a real risk of the battle going against us.

Unless you actually want to use the lens on film with a body which requires the aperture ring then go for the DA 35/2.4 instead of the FA 35/2. It's a lot cheaper and every bit as good. You can buy them new from SRS for £150, it will be under €200.

If you want to try the Pentax-M 28mm then go for the f3.5 version rather than the f2.8, it's a much better lens. The SMC Pentax version (part of what is commonly called the K series - takes a 52mm filter and is larger than the M version) is even better if you can find one.

I think there must be a few rumours about an Auto 110 mount EVIL. The lenses and cameras are getting to silly prices on ebay despite being more or less functionally useless due to the non-availability of 110 film. There will inevitably be interest from collectors and adventurous Micro 4/3rds users but to this level?

If you'll excuse me I must get hold of the 50mm and 70mm lenses to complete my set, before they get even more stupidly priced...

My advice: Put it on ebay and let it find its own price. I'm pretty sure I saw one of these go for £150 a while ago, they aren't common. Properly described and with good photos it should fetch a good price, especially if you include the fact that it will work on digital (some sellers aren't sure).