I have a K-x and a selection of older lenses, both K-mount and M42 with converters. I've experienced issues with certain converters that don't fit correctly and allow the lens to rotate loosely, but never had any issue with any K-mount lens. I suspect there will be a simple explanation for this that will be obvious if someone can see this 'in the flesh', I'm sure one of te kind individuals on the forum will indeed pop round and help to sort this out.

Regards
David

I like the Opera House shot the best. Both shots look a little short on contrast though - have a play around with the HDR settings in whichever program you use and you should be able to improve these quite a lot. Try bringing the midtone setting down a bit and raising the black clip level.

Regards
David

Everything I can think of - I will try my best not to get stuck in a routine of shooting the same things all of the time.

Regards
David

RAW (DNG) - I can't see the point in shooting always in jpeg as it takes so much away and adds nothing! This is not because I don't know how to use the camera, as others have already said it's just more flexible.

Regards
David

No errors as far as I can see - it all looks spot-on! Might be worth mentioning that if you get an adaptor ring to use an old M42 mount lens, make sure it is one that fits flush and does not protrude beyond the camera mount, otherwise you will lose the ability to focus on infinity.

Regards
David

Mine's the F3.5 version Andrew, never tried the F2.8 but I would guess it's very good.

Regards
David

I've never heard of anyone on this forum breaking a DA L plastic mount - it would take some serious mis-use to do this! Considering all of the kit lenses with recent Pentax entry-level DSLR's came with plastic mounts, if there was an issue I'm sure we would know about it by now.

As far as the soft case goes, it would do nothing for me as my lens is kept on tha camera and stored in its own soft compartment in my backpack, so I would never use the case on the DA version. As I said before the choice of DA L or DA is down to cost and personal choice. I don't think anyone should imply that the plastic mount is an issue when clearly it isn't.

Regards
David

Darren there are loads of old lenses out there, some are fantastic quality and very cheap! If you don't mind manual focus I would recommend the following:

- Any of the M42 mount Takumars (adaptors needed, but these are cheap and I keep one permanently on each lens, making them as convenient as a K-mount lens), I particularly like the 135mm F3.5 and the pre-set Tele-Takumar 200mm F5.6, both have fabulous image quality
- Pentax-M or Pentax-A 28mm F3.5 (reputedly better optically than the F2.8 version)
- Also Chinon 50mm F1.7 or F1.9 - my F1.9 is probably my favourite lens for image quality - it is ultra-sharp and has lovely colour rendition

I have bought all of the above in mint condition for £28 or less, except the Chinon which was a kit lens with a previous film SLR.

Hope this gives you a starter.

Regards
David

Quick shift would reduce noise as less AF would be required. The lack of a hood with the DA L version is a non-issue as you can buy one that is virtually identical on ebay for a couple of quid. The value of a soft case is also debatable. The plastic mount appears to be a non-issue as it is very durable. This leaves quick shift and the focus scale printed on the lens as the only real advantages. To counter this the DA L has two big things in its favour - it is much cheaper and also lighter.

I wouldn't recommend one over the other - it is down to personal choice.

Regards
David

I would urge you not to fit a TC on this lens. You will find that image quality is destroyed, unless you get a very expensive TC, which from judging by your 'the cheaper the better' statement is probably not on the cards. Given that AF almost certainly will not work in anything but the very brightest light, I would recommend you look for a quality 300mm manual focus prime lens (some of which can be picked up for between £20 and £50 if you are patient and look hard) and crop your shots a little more. The extra sharpness and quality of a 300mm prime will allow you to do this and the result will still be better than using a TC.

Regards
David