Still available......

When I got my K10, it came with a battery terminal cover like that Sony one. The K5 battery didn't. Either is vastly overpriced by Pentax to justify the price on these items.

Most people here would probably want a couple of spare batteries and that adds around £100 extra to the £1000 you already paid for the camera. I don't think £50 for a battery can ever be justified, when alternatives can be sold at much lower prices.
I wonder what the evidence is for saying that the fires were caused by cheap batteries anyway. The article, as usual with scary journalism, mixes several concerns but no real evidence for the conclusion that it is the non-branded items that cause the problems.

Some standardization of the shapes and capacities needs to be done for these companies to stop ripping us off!

My Super-A is still running, bruised and battered from many mountain days.

I had it from new (1986) and the Program-A is very similar apart from the lack of shutter priority, no TTL flash and a top shutter speed of only 1/1000s.
Both are similar in size to the ME,MX etc but they do have the small grip attachment that makes handling better.

I never missed a shot through the often mentioned need for batteries and I have taken it into some cold places. Silver batteries lasted a year or more and I have mostly used lithium versions that would last until I remembered to change them - two years or more.

If you can get a good super or program A I'm sure you will like it.

All good but I think probably the kayak or Machu Picchu without the llama.

Not surprised you like it. You have to watch out for your feet though!

The 17 end is less fishy but I still find it useful, adding roundness to straight lines.

Must admit, I thought it was something to do with long tripod screws as well. Carried it around in the camera bag for years but never used it.

Must have missed that bit of the manual!

My older LX, starts with 52 but my later one starts 53.
The later one has the cup type shutter lock.

Not seen a data table of serial numbers though.

Personally, I found the DA50-200 a nice compact and light lens.
The 55-300 is a better lens but larger, heavier and more likely to be left at home. WR versions are available for both now but the 50-200 will be a lot cheaper.

One in my gallery taken with the 50-200 link

I'm afraid the original mono one still looks best to me.

bump