I would have lots of need for it but I don't have £800 spare presently

It should indeed bleep - but remember that the bleep is a guide, not a guarantee! When the camera is set to manual you will have to use the green button to set the correct exposure before pressing the shutter release.

Absolutely stunning.

I don't think most of those things are properties of the lens (whatever it might be) so there is nothing for it to communicate. They are all generated by the body. What the body will not record is the f value set on the lens (unless it has an 'A' setting.

Jonathan is absolutely correct. I have been using old glass for a long time (some of it very old) and I have totally enjoyed the experience. But also, don't neglect the 'old' Pentax glass, particularly the 'A' series and the Takumars. Many people follow the K series and the M series but these have to be used in Manual mode with the green button. Most of them are excellent and a fraction of the price you would pay for these reconstructed lenses. All of them are Full Frame.

Those B&Ws are marvelous - and you've been hiding pictures like these from us for years and years! Join the regular posters and give us more please. As to the K3ii - great camera but always take a charged spare battery out with you as they tend to gobble them up. It wouldn't be the first time mine has caught me out.

Lovely day, lovely place, lovely result.

Great detail on both of them.

The odds on that are remote but it came up for you - what a relief ! I hope the results increase your happiness.

It doesn't even have an original front cap. You'd think he could acquire one of those !