All sorted - thanks Mike, appreciate your prompt response to the post and supportive offer.
Best regards, Gary

That seems very reasonable - thank you. Perhaps you could PM me with how you would like to be paid.

I'm up for a bit of DIY - within reason - and I would be interested in your offer. Let me know what figure you have in mind. I'll also keep an eye on this thread in case someone comes up with a wonder-solution on the Ricoh mount. You just never know.

I am ideally after an Adaptall PK-A mount but baulk at paying £50 for one as I manage this hobby on a very tight budget, however I have seen a mount described as 'Adaptall 2 mount for Ricoh PK' which appears to have more going on [in terms of contacts etc] than the basic PK-M mount but yet doesn't look like a PK-A mount. Does anyone know if this has auto metering and whether it can be adapted for Pentax use [I know Ricoh lens mounts need a bit of fiddling with]. I have also seen some DIY efforts to convert a PK-M to a PK-A mount, but I think that's a bit beyond me. Many thanks Gary

I have to profess a level of ignorance on this subject. Until I read this thread it never occurred to me to use anything other than the shutter button to activate autofocus but can see a huge amount of sense in using it when you focus & recompose.
What I don't understand - and can someone help with this - how it is beneficial for a moving subject ? Is it simply to stop the autofocus hunting for the subject ? I have an 'old' DSLR [K10] and for a moving subject would use the AFC setting and the centre point focus to track the subject. This makes sense [to me anyway] and can't see why I would want to lock the focus using BBF in this situation.
I guess I've missed / not understood something ?

Regards, Gary

A bit late to the poll - but here goes.
First 'proper' camera was an ME Super in 1981 [82?] soon followed by a used K1000. Both still work - and the lenses [an M 50 1.7 & M 135 2.5] are in current use on my K10. There's value for money !

Have PM'd you re this. Thanks.

Great shots. I too have a mirror lens [Sigma] but unfortunately the mirror set in the front element is tarnished and the focus is now too soft to get decent results. If anyone is aware of a way to refurbish this [ideally UK] I'd be interested to find out more. I've tried Sigma but no luck there. Thanks

I have an aged Sigma mirror lens (600mm F Eight) and the small mirror set into the front element is tarnished. I'd like to get this refurbished if possible. I doubt that the part exists - but it may. Can anyone recommend a repairer that could tackle this - I would prefer a personal recommendation than trawling the net. Many thanks. Gary

Hi - I use a strap like this one linkas its long enough to wear across my body ie put head and one arm through. This holds it close to my chest but I can still raise it to take a shot - and with the quick release clips [which have never come undone by accident] I can free the camera up easily if I need more movement. Also very comfortable for long periods, although being neoprene can be a bit warm in hotter climes. Cheers Gary