Working that day myself, otherwise I'd have been there.

Unless you fancy staying open til about 7pm?

Dan

Having a look at that Lubitel 'microsite' has almost made me want to get either of my Lubitels out.

Dan

Well it all started for me when my mum got an Olympus AZ-300 Superzoom 'compact' 35mm in the late 80's. I enjoyed using that at airshows and on holiday. A few years later I bought a Praktica MTL5 for about £25, got myself a few lenses and really caught the bug.

After a couple of years with that, I decided I could do with a little bit of automation, an Av mode would come in handy, so I kept my eye out and found a Chinon CE5 with 50mm f/1.7 and power winder for £75. Lovely camera, and I'd probably still be using it if I hadn't switched to digital. Went for the Chinon as it was PK fit, and I knew from reading the classifieds at the back of AP mag that PK lenses were readily available, and well priced.

A couple of years later I got myself an MZ-5n, as a back up body. Didn't like the small size of it (used to the power winder), so rarely used it. By now I had a selection of lenses, including a Tokina 80-200mm f/2.8, so when I went digital it made sense to stick with Pentax.

Got the *istD with grip (and managed to swap the Chinon 50mm for a SMC-A 50mm f/1.7 , as the retailer had promised the body would work as normal in Av mode with the Chinon, but it didn't, being a PK lens), and although I'd intended to use digital alongside film, I've only used one roll since.

I see no reason to swap systems now. I'm not a bells and whistles kind of photographer - the specs of the Pentax cameras are more than capable of doing what I need, so I'd rather get build quality and nice lenses.

Dan

Didn't notice that! Perhaps your first sentence should have said "biggest apparent selection".

MXV have a few different bodies, although no Hasselblads that I could see. How about a TLR, Mamiya for instance?

Dan

On the 7th March 2006 I sent the following email to Nicholas Cameras:

"Could you please let me know what your best price would be for the S/H Sigma 70-210EX in Pentax AF mount, that is listed on your website. Also your best price, including delivery, for the Tokina 80-200 2.8."


Three weeks later, having recieved no reply, I sent this:

"I see from your website that you still have the below items listed - if you let me know the prices of them, I might just buy one.

Your soonest response would be appreciated."


Yet still no reply.

Three years on, I've just looked at their website, and I see they're still listed. Something tells me they don't keep their stock listings up to date. I bet they're still in the AP advert too.

I'd give them a wide berth.

Dan

I have no experience of it, but it looks bulky, and lacks the command dials, green button, Exposure compensation button, and the storage space for the remote release and spare memory card. Oh and it's not weather sealed, which may or may not be important to you.

And why's it got 2 shutter release buttons?

If I was going for a cheaper alternative, I think I'd be more tempted by one of the copies of the pentax design, but not knowing how good they are...

But I was happy spending £100 on the genuine article.

Dan

That's not quite the same analogy John. For a start you're talking about a vast difference in price, but most importantly Oggy queried the price for that item at the time of sale.

For your analogy to work, the retailer would be handing the Leica over, the customer would be saying "are you sure, your website says this is ten times as much as you've just charged me", and the retailer would say "Yes, I'm sure, yours for £400."

In that situation I would be much more inclined to think "more fool them". With only £130 in it, I'm afraid I don't sympathise with the retailer to a huge extent.

Dan

How about something designed for a compact camera? This might be okay (depends on dimensions, and not sure if it would fit on your belt), but something along those lines?

Dan

Or speak to the Citizen's Advice Bureau. As Jon.dc said, as you brought it to the shop's attention at the time and they confirmed it was the correct price, I would be very surprised if they had a leg to stand on. You may well be able to insist on a replacement invoice withoutpaying anything extra, for insurance purposes if nothing else.

And phone Pentax and ask where you would stand regarding cashback. Say you bought the items but the invoice states the wrong product, and the shop are not willing to give you a replacement receipt/invoice, but you would still like to take advantage of the cashback offer. See what they say.

Dan

Er, apparently not.

Dan